Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-07-11
A Former Staunron Pastor as a
Statesman,

|
from the New York Morning Journal
will be read with interest by all those Wit
recollect the Rev. W. 3. Derrick the pas
tor in 19- of the African M. E. Churc!
here. We have already published the fac
that the Reverend gentleman retired IN
der fire from his position on the Blaine
and Logan electoral ticket for the State
New York; the reporter gives the follow
ing account of his visit of enquiry to him
1.-THE Rev. William 3. Derrick-that's
my name, sir; walk right in, sir. What
can [ have the extreme honor of doing for
you, sir 2''
A portly, coffee -colored gentleman thus
addressed a Journal reporter who found
him yesterday afternoon standing on the
steps of the tidy house No. 219 Sullivan
street, apparently enjoying the cool and
odorous breezes that play through the
neighhorhood. His well formed head,
| crowned by short crop of straight black
| hair, looked from over the regulation
clerical collar. and his black broadcloth
| garb proclaimed him the preacher.
Yes, sir" answered the Rev. Mr.. Der
rick, II have declined to run on the Re-
| publican ticket as electOr at large from
| this State. [ do not see my way clear to
do justice to the grand old party, and so
| have declined to stand in its way, sir"
s'But it is limited, sir,'' objected the re-
porter, ''that you are not an American
| citizen, and that, rather than have the
| question arise, you have decided to with
draw"
what. sir I" exclaimed the Rev. Will
liam, half rising from his chair. THAT is
unqualifedlY false, sir. ! am as much an
oitiznn a whom
our broad flag floats. Twenty-four years
ago left the fragrant coffee plantations
and the sugar brakes of my native Hayti
and sought in Bosting to forget my native
| island. There, sir, swore allegiance to
the land of my adoption, sir, and, sir, took
| out my naturaliZ ition papers," added the
| speaker, coming down to hard facts.
| when fierce rebellion swept across this
devoted land,' went on the reverend gen.
| tleman. II went to the front-or very
near the front-as chaplain. Then when
white-winged peace settled down like oil
upon the troubled waters retired to AL
bany, sir, when was elected to the hon
orable position of assistant chaplain to
the Legislature.'
| The Rev. Mr.. Derrick paused, looking,
| despite the m xed metaphor, much pleased
with his own eloquence.
cit was hard work there, sir,'' he added.
''for if ones life labor is to save souls, AL
bany is one of the best places know of to
stay away from"
"What are you doing now, sir ?'' meek
ly asked the reporter.
"I'm preaching and I'm printing. My
church is the Sullivan street M. E. Bethel
and my paper is the West Indian Abroad.
Two days ago I received communica-
tion from Mr.. Commissioner Van Colt in
forming me that the grand old party
wished me to run on the ticket as elector
at large. [ have prepared an answer that
l will have read to you. Doctor! D0ctor!''
cried the Rev. Derrick, elevating his
| tone.
Eyes, Doctor" came voice from up
stairs, and following the voice appeared
a theological-looking coffee and-cream-
colored young man, whose eyes were
guarded by gold-rimmed spectacles.
''This is my secretary" observed the
preacher and editor.
The young man pulled out two hand
bills of picnic to be given by the Bethel
church and from the writing on the back
| of them read:
NEW Z DIRK, July l, 1884.
"Hoa. G. Yam Colt, Fire COMMISSIONS,
Nea0 York City:
| "Dear Sir,-Your kind letter came to
hand informing me of yours and the com.
mittee' 8 action in selecting me for the
high position of elector at large. would
have replied earlier, but owing to the bus.
mess in connection with an annual con.
ference which is now in session in Brook.
lyn, and has been for the past five days.
| have been prevented from doing so. am
under lasting obligations to yourself and
| the committee for the high hoLOr confer
red, but having been just chosen by my
| church and brethren to be che representa-
tive to meet the M. E. Conference to as
sist in arranging their affairs for the CEN
| tennial celebration of American Method
| ism the coming fall, [ feel it will be i'm
possible to ill the high office. l must,
therefore, respectfully decline, wishing
| the grand old party success, | am yours,
! w. Is. DERRICK"
"That letter, sir" remarked the Rev.
Mr.. Derrick, "explains everything, sir.
Had 1 accepted the position should have
taken the stump for Blaine and Logan.
Indeed,' concluded he, Il am for any
one, don't care who he is, who heads the
ticket of the grand old party"
After this determination, the congrega
tion of Derlick's church held a meeting
protest against their pastor resigning
the position of -at-large. Mr.. Der
rick was invited to be present, A petit
ton signed by many colored voters, ask
ing him to reconsider bis withdrawal. was
presented to him. Mr.. Derrick said that
his reason for resigning was that he ex-
pected to be too busy with church matters
to serve as an elector. But as false state
ments had been circulated that he was not
a citizen, he was willing to withdraw his
resignation, and would do SO.