Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-03
JOHNSON PREsIDEs.
The Meeting that Rspadsasea the
Willard Hall C0nventi0ns

The Meeting that RspadsoseA the
Willard Hall Coaventi0n.
WILLARD HALL DELEGATES ArrsAR, Bot ARE NOT
ENCOURAGED TO srEAR-How ruE REV. Mr. JOHN
son MANAGED Ir--sPEECnEs BY FREDERICK Dora-
Lass, MILTON N. HOLLAND. ". G. CHASE AND
OTHERS
Brother Jehnson's Church, as the edifce on R
street, between 18th and 18th streets is known,
was crowded last evening. IL was meeting
called TO show TO the worli that the recent dis
orderly convention at willard Hall did not repre-.
sent the intelligence and better elements OF the
republican party OF the District. and that this ele
ment utterly repudiated and denounced that con-
vention- The meeting would have got along very
smoothly, as the officers were all chosen and the
resolutions all written beforehand, II II had not
been for the presence OF q squad OF those who
were conspicuous In the willard Hall convention.
These persons greatly vexed the souls OF those who
had called the meeting, but their presence added
much TO the interest OF the proceedings In the
Several grave deacons and church members who
arrived early, when IL was suggested by q STAR
reporter that some OF the Willard Hall delegates
might come In and capture the meeting, shook
better not. They minated that muscular christ
that order woud Sc pressrHed ., ali Saza nn
There were q number or white people In the church
ana ABOUT nifty women.
CALLING THE MEETING TO ORDER.
About 8 O'Clock Mr. Lewis II. Douglass took q
chair in front of the pulpit and called the gather
ing to ORDER He announced, after stating the pur.
pose OF the meeting, that Rev. Robert johnson had
been selected as president, with @. W. Lee Henry
Bailey, DR.. A. T. Augusta, W. II. A. wormley and
johnson was detained for 4 time by wedding else
where, Rev. C. ii. Parker, mild-looxing colored
minister with high forehead was called upon to
Rev. J. Ii. Bunday, who was called upon for
prayer, invoked blessing upon those ''who have
business In a business-like manner"
Rev. Mr.. Parker stated that they did not meet
there to dispute the claims OF any person. "we
as his eye roamed over the hall "but we VIII have
order. He that cannot keep order in this meeting
must take himself out In the street."
Mr.. CHASE WANTS TO KNOW.
While the reverend chairman was speaking Mr..
and MAI. Cox, who sat on the other, both OF whom
their feet and were loudly bawling "Mr. Chair
manw When the tumultuous sound waves or Mr..
the Chairman Mr. chase INQUIRED. %Mr Chairman.
may / ask you question:" What Mr. Chase de-
sired to know was whether this was o public
meeting or not. This question appeared innocent
enough in itself, but it started dozen or more TO
their feet, and for a minute two It looked as II
Willard Hall had been transferred for time TO
Mr. DOUGLASS APPEARS.
Mr.. Frederick Douglass then stepped TO the
front. At sight OF his white hair and command
ing figure most OF those on their feet subsidized
but Mr. Chase was still demanding OF the chair
that he inform the assembled multitude whether
this was public meeting or not.
Mr.. Douglass said he would answer Mr. Chase
Chase.
The chairman said he would ask Mr. Douglass to
Mr.. Chase Sat down, and MI. Douglass read the
call OF the meeting which set forth that the pur-
llcan convention at Willard Hall" which the call
denounced Us farce.
''Now," said MI. Douglass, call persons who are
In harmony with this call are invited 10 be here
and 10 take part in this meeting II there is any
one who objects to the purposes OF this meeting,
and he does it in a gentle and quiet way, he Will
probably be heard, but Ire VIII be heard by grace
and not by right"
MAJOR cox ALSO WANTS 70 KNOW.
Mr.. Chase and Major Cox both sprang to their
feet and demanded recognition. Major Cox got
the recognition, and he demanded to know
whether this was mass meeting or not, and, II So
why 1t had not proceeded through the usual
stages OF a temporary organization TO permanent
organization. He demanded TO know whether they
assumed TO be the nucleus OF the republican party
whether they assumed The rights OF the people OF
the District OF Columbia. Major Cox was going
to tell in loud voice many other things on which
he desired TO be informed, but the chairman inter-
rupted him by asking II he favored the protest,
and a number OF Others in the room began To
speak, a combination that ef1ectually cut OF
Major COX'S inquiries.
Meanwhile Nj. Chase was standing in his pew
and repeatedly calling ia voice OF thunder, 81 de-
sire to ask the chair one question"
Finally the Rev. Mr.. Parker, turning toward Mr..
Chase, asked:
'Mr. Chase, are you in favor Of the protest?,
81 can't tell until l." began Mr.. Chase.
"Mr. Chase, interrupted the chair, 81 desire"
II wish to ask the chair one single question, /"
mir. Chase, You mus. take your seat" said the
chair, but Mr.. Chase stfll demanded Information.
Meanwhile Others arose, and some or the good
church members increased the hubbub by shout
ing .Order! Order! You'll have to 90 out OF
here"
Mr.. DOUGLASS on HUMAN RIGHTS
Mr.. Douglass again got the floor, and order was
restored for time. He declared that any citizen
OF the United States had o right to call together
those who agreed with him on any subject to ex.
press their views on that matter. elf they do not
agree with US" he said, his voice sounding like q
trumpet, "they have no right to come here. We
have u right TO meet here. II you want to endorse
the proceedings at Willard Hall, with all its dis
order, go elsewhere and do It,"
Mr. Chase continued to demand to know some
thing. Others also wanted to know. Finally,
when the chair surprised MIR. Chase by asking hun
whether the women present would have right to
vote on the resolutions.
81 think" said the chairman, "they have as
much right TO suffrage In the District as men,"
Mr.. Chase still, however, demanded to know
something else; and, finally, the chair demanded
or Mr.. Chase, "Are you in favor OF the protest:"
Mr.. Chase was staggered for moment Then
he said, blandly: "Why, to be sure. Why should
not be in favor OF the protestf" There was a
murmur, and Mr. Chase, seeing that he had COM
mitted himself. added: II do not know what the
protest is. l haven't heard II. I have resolu-
ton desire to Offer"
"With all due respect to Mr.. Chase" said the
mild but flrn chairman 81 cannot entertain It."
lis this public meeting?" again demanded Mr..
Chase.
The chair however, turned an apparently deaf
ear TO Mr.. Chase, although there was no posi-
bility that he did not hear him All over the
church men were popping up and demanding TO
He stood up in the middle OF the church like q
long and black Interrogation point.
81 desire to ask" he finally said, "whether this
is Douglass meeting or meeting OF citizens?"
A. Moss, a remark that elected applause nom Mr..
Moss friends.
MT. Chase changed himself from an interroga.
tion point to an exclamation point, and declared
elected q delegate TO the Chicago convention, and
for that reason called this meeting"
Meanwhile committee on resolutions, consist
ing OF Fred Douglass, DR.. Augusta, John W. Crom-
from the room and returned with the resolutions.
BROTHER JOHNSON TAKES CHARGE.
short. stout colored man with Jolly face en-
tered the church and walked up to the pulpit.
where he laid of his overcoat This was Rev.
Robert johnson, the pastor of the church who
had been chosen TO preside.
EXCUSE me for not being present." said Mr..
marry couple" He had breezy manner about
him that put every one In good humor. Having
removed his coat, he sliced stout cane and
looking over the gathering remarked, 81 don't
suppose we have anyone here but gentlemen"
''YOuRE ANOTHER"