Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-01-06

an axperience in the South which will
command the attention OF the whole
Country. particularly as he has laid his
case before the British Minister, Sir Ed
ward Thornton. The Rev. III. w. Par
sons is the pastor of the Congregational
church, Grand Parade, Brighton, Eng
land. Last autumn he visited this coun,
try and was commissioned by the Granu
Lodge of Good Templars of England 10
visit and inspect the lodges OF the 9raef
i'm this country. He went south anu VS.
tied and addressed lodges OF coloreu .ein-
plars. He preached several times ueiore
both white and colored audiences, anu
finally met with the experience at Cnar-
lotte- 8. g which he describes in the loi-
lowing statement, 70 which he suoscrloes
his name The interference with his
nissionarv work was on the 10th OF NO
vember last. he says
had met the colored people of the
citv ON the Sunday previous, and gave
notice that on Monday evening should
deliver an address OH temperance. This
lid. and mt the close of the public meet
inc instituted for them ia Good Templar
lodge. On Tuesday went to Lincoln
ton. where l again lectured, anu on the
"Wednesday returned to Charlotte. and
put up at the same place as before. From
the manner in which / was received
had suspicion that something was wrong.
After having received two colored per-
sons who came to me on business, went
to attend a service which was being held
at the Methodist church. On entering
through the lobby was met by about
dozen persons. who evidently were there
for the n,lrnose of accosting me as L
nassed through. One of the number,
well-dressed. military-l0Oking person.
stanned forward and asked if he might
sneak with me outside the church. L re-
nlied. You may say anything you wish
to me here He wanted me to go out
side. as he described it, ''in the dark" L
refused to leave the light of the church
lamps. He then took me violently by
the arm and said. 1.-The mayor of this
city wants you !; you have been preaching
to the colored people here and teaching
doctrines detrimental TO our race" TO
this | replied: III the mayor wants to
see me. am at his service; but please
remember am an EngliShman. and l
will thank you TO at once take your
hands off me. unless you have warrant
to arrest me. Ii this be so on your pro-
ducing the same will quietly submit TO
your control" He then let go my arm
and said: You are a pestilent fellow,
and if you take any further notice OF
these niggers here we WILSON make
short work of YOU" | replied that had
preached to the negroes, and should
again if favorable opportunity offered.
He again said Just come outside in
the dark. will you:" | asked what he
wanted me i'm tie dark for :; do you
want to use your hands Il little more
freely ?. He replied, YES" We'll"
said, Il prefer going into the church"
BY that time large crowd had gathered,
and great confusion ensued, so much SO
that the sexton had to come and shut the
outside door to prevent panic inside.
With this L went into the church. In
few minutes three men caInesin and sat
by my side until the service was over.
After service [ went toward the irottei'l
House, at which place was stopping.
Turning a little way from the house for a
short walk l was followed by a large
crowd. some of whom | noticed were
armed with bludgeons and pistols. One
Young man overlook me and said, 'Slr,
the mayor is here, with an officer. to de-
mand from you an explanation OF your
conduct since you have been i'm Our city"
AS soon as this had been said two gen
tlemen advanced from the crowd, and
the calIest spoke: "Sir, want you"
said. Are YOU the mayor, sir 2" He re-
piled, IL ann. and / want a little talk with
YOU. sir.r replied, Il shall be pleased
TO give you an audience: come straight
to nv room" The mayor and the city
marshal went to the Trotter House. AS
soon as we had entered the reception
room the proprietor came and locked us
i'm. After we had all taken seats tie fol-
lowing conversation ensIed:
Mayor-"Now, sir, want to know
from YOU whether you are minister OF
the Gospel or not ?"
Reply-..I am, sir"
MayOr-"'What papers have you to
prove this 2"
Reply-s.I will give you my card, sls;;
bur / do not feel called upon TO present.
to Won nv papers and credentlals III ehe
midst of this confusion. If you are hot
satisfied with nv card and the statel1ent
I have made that am hei 10 auV-nce
the cause of temperance afnon5 'me col
ored people. you must havet nie 81 yested
and presented before benz Vi aagis-
trates. Then will show pfpeas nd an
swer any reasonable questiy" 'obmitted
to me-" No
Mayor-"Have you attended," meeting
of colored people in this city
Reply-"I have, SIR
Mayor-"What did YOU say Them ?"
Rep!y-''I cannot tell you, r. all
said. do not write my addres les, but
pledge yon my word that L said nothing
but what was calculated to mhke them
better citizens, and consequently more
worthy members of society,""
Mayor-'Will you attempt preach
to them again %
Reply--Yes, sir, if occasion offers. l
never allow any favorable opp9rslnity
to pass without preaching Chrisd all
with whom | come in contact. l. will
preach to you, sir, if you desire meSsNsio
sou l. I
Mayor-s'I do not want any of lr
preaching. You are scoundrel andTa
imposter."
Reply-sI am sorry. sir, to have to fell
you that you are not gentleman to ~
such things about me before you have
examined my papers. which | am prs
pared to submit at the proper time"
The mayor then arose from his sea
took from the wood basket large log /,
wood. and held it over me and swore veg
hemently that he would beat my brains&
out on the floor. The officer who was
seated by the mayor jumped from his 4
seat, and took the wood from him, say
ing, ssYou must not do that, mayor" At
this juncturc the mayor again took his IL
Seat and continued the interrogations. |,
8Mayor-"Have you, sir, received any
moneys whatever from the negro popula-
ton of this city,
Heply-~That, sir, is a matter which at
present does not concern you, and re-
fuse' positively, to answer that question"
May 0r-sYoa have the right, sir, to re-
fuse. YIN you promise to appear before