The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-12-13
Memorial Services.

union meeting of the Mt. Zion Baptist and
Augusta Street NJ. +. Churches was held at the
former church Sunday afternoon at 3 O'Clock to
pass resolutions and deliver eulogies on the
death of the colored men killed at Danville and
in other parts OF the State, in the latter part of
K. II. Porter presided. The singing was con-
Quoted by the choirs of both churches and was
made an address, and declared that it was NOT a
political meeting nor for political effect, but to
express our solemn protest against the inbu ~
man and unlawful treatment of our peOple and
to extend sympathy to the widows and Orphans
OF the murdered men. He advised the speakers
to be guided by humanity, Justice and natriot
ism.
Rev. Mr.. Riddick was introduced and offered
a series of resolutions. He said he was among
those who shed tearof sorrow at the bier 81
Garfield. Lincoln, Lee and Jackson and who in
common with the. civilized world, condoled
with their bereayed families. If the heart of
the nation was made sad and it's big tear shed
when one man was slain by the assassin, Gut
teau. how much more consistent is if for rs to
do similar act when a number of human he
lngs have been shot down and their families left
in sorrow and restitution. My views are ex-
pressed In the resolutions, and stand by them
The closing address was made by Mr. G. e. Ste
phens He claimed that he would be untrue to
his manhood, to every inherent element of ius-
tice. If he should remain silent after having
been asked to enter as laW-abiding citizen
upon record MS earnest and solemn protest
against the unlawful striking down Of men
merely because they claimed their right to
views, opposed to others, upon public questions
He asserted that history, neither ancient nor
modern, furnishes another people, who. under
the same trying circumstances, have conducted
themselves in such a law abiding manner as the
colored people i'll America 1t was plainly
shown that his race has never raised the race
issue, and only asked that they receive Justice
before the law, If granted, the two races would
live m harmony and peace, and prosperity would
follow from the mutual relations established
upon such a basis.
The following resolutions were unanimously
adopted by a rising vote,
WHEREAS, st. James declares that pure relig-
ion and Undecided before God and the Father is
this,-To visit the fatherless and widowsin their
a1ilctlon and keep himself unspotted from the
world-therefore,
Resolred1 That we believing in the father
hood of God and the brotherhood of man. do,
without malice towards any people, express by
these resolutions and by our eulOgistic remarks,
our disapproval and condemnation OF the Dan
were murdered and we also condemn the kill
ing OF otners IN other parts of this State, the
outcome OF the race issue, raised by a part of
the Press, the DanVille and other circulars, and
public speakers during the late Legislative CAM
paigp in Virginia.
Resolred 2. We call upon the ''powers that be-
Tor the honor, Integrity and welfare of the State
and in the name OF God, justice and humanity,
TO call no halt until the guilty shall be punished
according to equity and law.
ResotredS We hereby define our position as
good citizens, having our action based upon hui
lnanlty, Justice and patriotism.
Resotred L. AS part of our religion, we here
by Visit the 1atherless and widowed of the de-
ceased men through our heartfelt prayer and
sincere sympathy in the loss they haYe sustain
ed, and commend them to God, who is the hus-
band to the widow and father TO the fatherless.
Resotred5. That these resolutions be engross-
ed and forwarded to the colored citizens of Dam
published in the 'sValley Virginian" and other
papers.