The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-18
A RACE QUESTION.
PROBLEM BEFORE THE EPI5coPA-
LIANs OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
The Right of Colored Clorgymen to SIT
In the Convention-An Important
Matter to Be Decided Next Month
The Case Stated.

From the Charleston News and Courier
The differences in the Protestant Episco-
pal church in South Carolina, which took
shape last year, have been thoroughly ex-
planned and discussed from time to time,
but, MS the Episcopal convention win meet
at Anderson, s. c., on May 2, II Is oppor-
tune TO review the whole question in order
that the present condition OF affairs may DO
understood.
The convention Of the Episcopal church
in South Carolina met in Charleston in |
May, 1887. From this convention about |
thirty clergymen and lay delegates with
drew. The immediate occasion was the |
organization OF the convention, but the |
underlying question was the right OF
colorcd clergyman 10 sit in the convention
by virtue OF his ordination, under the con-
slitution OF the diocese.
The bishops list OF the clergy entitled
TO sit in the convention was presented
and, as required by law, was referred 10
committee. The committee reported the
list 10 be correct. motion was then
made 10 confirm the report; second mo-
ton was 60 strike out tue name oil MI
Pollard, colorcd, the rector OF 81. Marx
church, Charleston. The motion to strike
out was lost on II vote by orders IL WAS
then moved TO divide the question so Us to
confirm tho list Of clergy, excepting Mr..
Pollard, thus dividing the question and
leaving Mr.. pollard's case open for subse-
qucnt determination. The motion To di-
vide the question was lost. so was the
motion TO confirm the clergy list rs pre-
sented by the bishop. The bishop ruled
that, nevertheless, the convention was
duly organized for business. An appeal
was then taken from the ruling Of the
bishop and, the vote by orders being
declared, the bishop announced that the
ruling OF the chair had not been sus-
tanned. Notwithstanding this, the bishop
declined 20 entertain any other appeal
from his ruling as to the organization, and
directed that The business Of the conycn-
lion should proceed. Thcroupon the dis.
sideni deputies withdrew.
After the withdrawal of the deputies tho
convention changed the place OF meeting,
hxcd by the constitution for the present
year, from Charleston 10 Anderson. This
The convention had the right TO do II ii
was legal body.
Subsequently, the deputies who with.
drew from the convention prepared and
published a statement Of the causes for
their Withdrawal. which was extensively
circulated. These deputies met IN Feb
ruary last and decided that they could not
recognize the convention which was To
meet in Anderson "A legal, but appointed
committee with authority TO suspend
this rule OF action II, upon conference with
the deputies who had differed from them,
81 4 10
reached.
Afterward, n conference OF clcrgymcn
aud lnymcn OF the diocese, who had taken
different sides on the question at issue,
WIS held. Those present at the confer
cnce recommended, as u solution OF the
problem. that the colored persons con-
ncctcd with the Episcopal church in this
diocese should DO organized into n separate
missionary jurisdiction under the same
bishop n the white people. To this end
Il WIS advised that, Mt the meeting Of the
convention In Anderson, the constitution
should bo amended on the basis Of n canon
on the Same subject which had been pro-
posed 10 the council Of tho church In Nir-
gina. II was also recommended that the
constitution, canOns and rules Of order
Of the church In the diocese should be re-
iorrcd Ia n commission OF clcrgymen aud
laymcn, and that no other action upon the
matter at issue should he taken by the
convention.
The committee appointed by the depu.
ties who withdrew from the convention Of
1887 then met, and recommended that the
deputies Of all the parishes assemble In
Anderson, for conference, before the timc
appointed for the convention and should
then consider the plan OF settlement which
had been proposed. This plan the COM
mitiee formulated In the following rcsolu-
ton, which they suggested should be
agreed upon 10 he adopted by the conycn-
ton:
| Resolved, That commission be raised
| 10y the convention, 10 consist Of three
clcrgymcn To be- elected by the clergy, and
three laymcn 10 be elected by the laily,
which commission Is hereby charged Ia
prepare constitutional amendment Ia
provide for the ultimate separation Of the
colorcd race Into distinct organization
under the bishop, and until such ultimate
separation 10 constitute the same into q
missionary jurisdiction upon the basis oI
tho lately proposed canon Ia Virginia,
which said constitutional amendment
shall provide that the general conyocaiior
suggested In the said proposed Virgins
| canon may tltth NMU tltIlAM utifklltH
Who shall have the privilege 10 speak anc
vote ON matters relating exclusively 10 th'
condition, work aud needs Of said jurisdic
ton, but which privilege shall not be con
strucd 10 permit said delegates from sale
convocation 10 speak OF vote upon any
matter which may In anywiso Affect th'
white race In tho diocese, nor to permit
colorcd clcrgymen 10 have seats In con
vcntion.
Tho said commission Ia also insirucic,
Co revise the constitution, canons and rule
. Of order. and 20 report amendments 30 tn
same NJ ~ 10 incorporate therein all pro
visions relating TO the organization Of IN
! convention, some OF which at present ar
90 be found In our canons aud also 10 pro
vide that the right Of appeal from the rul
ing Of the chair be maintained inyiolatc.
, The deputies who withdrew insist tina
u IL their right 10 scruliniEc aud pass upol
y the list Of the clergy, whether made up b
the bishop or the standing committee, an
insist upon the right Of appeal from IN
D.. decision OF the chair, upon the organiza
ton Of the convention OF upon any othe
point. Tho deputies Who remained insi,
that the right OF clergyman who Is oihcl
wise eligible 10 n scat aud vote In the COZ
ycntion cannot be taken away or impairc
by the vote Of the convention inasmuc
=. ~, subject 10 other rules, each clcrgyma
= sits aud votes by virtue OF his ordination
= They contend, further, that the CONVEX
y ton was duly organized before the con
| nliftces Wpre aupointel aud beforp thgu,