The Wilmingtonian., 1886-06-26
ADVERTISING RATES:
SATURDAY sUNE 20, 1856.
UnmanIy CrinEinR.

In notice Of the close of the colored Bap-
tlsts' Convention in this city Saturday last
our morning contemporary recites the fol-
lowing =
An incident occurred during the afternoon
meeting at Bethel Church that is worthy of
being recorded. While the Rev. Harvey
johnson was speaking he referred to the sub
ject of e1tinguishing the color line, conclud-
ing HIS remarks upon the matter by saying !:
Brethren, we are not ready yet for this
step, we don't want the color line abolished
until We are educated up to the standard and
we as a race are not ready for it," Holding
up to view copy of The Morning NeUs, he
continued No, not so long as we can pick
up copy of the morning papers and there
read where one of our rank has disgraced
himself and his race by robbing our mail
bags, thus lowering his race. No! not so
long as this continues do we want the color
line extnguished. When this ceases and we
can look our white brethren face to face as
man to man, then it is time to talk about
doing away with color line."
M. Harvey Johson does not recommend
himself to US in this jaculation-either to
us or his fellow colored men. There is a
taint of cringing to an imaginary higher class
OF humanity, class feeling not in affinity
within the scope which lie might legitimately
as cleric talk upon, that of religion, but he
implies the recognition of some superior con
dition of humanity-racial condition. Mr..
johnson seems to forget that in this country
all men are borne free and equal.
Does he suppose that better education
will elevate the colored race to the politico.
moral status of their white brethren He
may be informed that there is no legal mol
moral disparity existing. Our laws of en-
franchisement of the black race have declar
ed the first and the obvious creation b,
the deity has clearly indicated the second
The color line does not exist-except pt
haps in the trembling, ,querulous and unman
ly difidence of such of his race as the Rev
Harvey johnson who have not courage Il
assert nor the address to claim their right.
There was no need, on that occasion il
in Bethel Church to show such trucklin
humility. We think no colored clergyma
of Wilmington would have expressed him
self in that way. 1t is not complementary t
the colored race. The sin of one man doe
not condemn a nation. Nor can Mr.. Johr
sons hopeful utopian ambition Of ever wit
Messing his race free entirely from all failing
be ever realized On the contrary the co
ored race must look their white brethre
in the face just as they are, with their natul
al weaknesses and natural strength. Ifthe
wait until a racial wholesale regeneratiu
OCCURS, their elevation, as Mr.. Johnson call
it will never happen. They, like the white
are only human and are not provided or Ell
dowed with conditions of embryottc perfeC
tion for future development.
Had the Rev. Harvey johnson been pre-
ent at the last conference in this city of IL
colored Methodist Episcopal Church /
would have felt himself inspired far diffe
emily. Men were present on that occasc
Of high education, of clerical and polite
distinction who, while they would have fui
and completely condemned the sin and f4i
ures of such men as Mr.. johnson referrt
to, would never concede the accident of th
mans guilt as a Judgment centraliziug upt
and indicating the obliteration of the soci
political, and moral aspirations of the race