National Republican., 1883-03-14
TnE pAsroRs ANp rnE ENvoYs.
The C1cEgymen OF the Capital Call Upon
the DIalagassy EnvOys and Exchange
fsnropIt,,c,,ts

The CIcEgymen OF the Capital Call Upon
the DIOlngnssy Envoys and Exchange
Compliments.
The parlors of the Arlington hotel were the
scene of an interesting interview yesterday
afternoon between the ambassadors of NADIA
gascar and delegation of clergymen repre-
senting the PASTORS Union of Washington.
After the members of the. delegation had
been presented to the ambassadors, their chair
man, tho Rev. W. W. Patten, ID. d., president
of Howard university, referred to the interest
felt by the Christian community in the pres
ence of the embassy in Washington, and their
desire to aid in any way possible in further
ing the objects for which they had come TO
this country.
The Rev. #. S. Wynkoop then read the fol-
lowing resolution. which had been previously
adopted:
At meeting of ministers of various Christian
denominations In the city OF Washington, held to-
Resoited, That we desire to express to the en-
bassadors of her majesty the queen OF Madagascar
In our own behalf, aud as representatives OF the
Christian people Of the capital ofhe United States
the deep Interest with which we have watched
the remarkable progress of the government and
people Of Madagascar in civilization and Chris.
tianity, especially during the reign Of the present
sovereign.
peace aud prosperity of Madagascar are imperilled
by the present aggressive policy of the govern
ment OF France, which must II persisted IN, lead
of religion, civil order, aud education will suffer
unspeakabe damage.
That we request the embassy to convey to the
government and Christian people Of their country
our salAiations and sympathes; uniting with
Christian in Great Britain and the continent OF
Europe In the earnest prayer to Almighty God in
whose hand are the hearts of men, that this dis
aster may be averted, and the peace and prosper.
ity of Madagascar assured.
Tho chief ambassador, Ravonnahitrimar-
ivo, then responded, aud in % voice and man
ner indicative of the deepest feeling, said !:
Your words are true, gentlemen, respecting
the condition of things in Madagascar at the
present time. For If the intentions of France
to invade the land of our foreiathers be car
ried out, IL will not be the Malagassy people
only upon whom the calamity will descend,
for it will fall upon that which is of more
value even than our lives. Civilization and
religion cannot be separated from our cause,
and they both will suffer in tho attack. The
French seek to pluck us up as tares because
we will not grant thcm greater privileges
than those which other nations are contented
to receive, but they cannot uproot us without
uprooting the wheat also
The island of Madagascar is our land by
gift of God, and the French have no more
righteous claim upon it than they have upon
the United States.
In speaking to you, our Christian friends,
we frankly confess that our present prospects
almost discourage us entirely in tho paths of
enlightenment.
If tho policy of France be tho outcome of
the white mans civilization then it were bet
ter for us to remain in ignorance. There are
only too many in our land who wish to do
that already.
And SO We trust that the Christian hearts
of this great republic will oppose with all
their strength the outrage with which we are
| threatened. We thank you for the kind ex-
preston of your sympathy, and wish you life
and the favor of God