Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-05-23
The Virginia Episcopal Council and the
COlOred Issue.

COlored Issue.
To the Editor Of The Alexandria Gazette:
AS there seems to be misunderstanding
in the mind of the public generally about
the exact status of the colored people in
connection with the Diocese of Virginia,
brief statement of the facts is necessary.
No separate Organization has been estab-
lished by the decision Of the recent council,
which at once goes into effect. The colored
portion of the church is erected into mis-.
sionary jurisdiction within the diocese. I'M
der the control of the bishop and the coun-
ell They have authority TO hold conVo'
cation or council of their own, to discuss
questions of interest to themselves, and to
decide upon them, provided such decision ls
not contrary to the constitution and canons
of the diocese. Further, they havea repre-
sentation in the diocesan council to consist
OF the colorad clergy already entitled TO
seats and four additional delegates from the
general colored conventions of the mission
ary jurisdiction. We understand that there
are now eleven entitled to this privilege and
the four extra delegates will, therefore,
make colored representation OF 10 ms IS
quite large proportion, and undouoteoIy
can control legislation on any close issue
While we supported the amendment it
seems to us that the present representation
would have been all sufficient, and provision
could have been made for future limited
representation There is an amendment
passed by the late council, as substitute
for the amendment of last year, now become
part of the constitution, which ls TO 60
down to the vestries for decision next year.
This excludes the use OF the word white,
which seems Objectionable to many, tout
why to US does not appear, as the WORD COL
ored is used) and divides the additional
colored delegates into two clerical and two
lay. Practically the other provisions are
similar to those now established.
10 the discussion of the subject at the late
council, the Rev. Arthur Lloyd, while We
could not but honor the expression OF his
convictions, took most radical and unfor-
tunate position. II his views could nave by
any possibility prevailed the result OF legls-
lason woald have been just as unchrlstlan
to the white members es he thinks the pre-
cent legislation is to the colored. The Rev.
Prof. Gramroer objected to the action OF the
council as it made no provision for future
full union of the colored organization with
the diocese, provided its members show IN
creased legislative capacity.
The action of the Council has been emil
neutly wise, udicious, and most Christian,
because it provides for the training ard de
velopment of the colored people as mis-
sionary Jurisdiction in connection with the
docess and destroys the seeds OF dis
cord which would otherwise have inevitably
ensued. The colored PEOPLE have Gil the
privileges of the church with the same over
sight of the Bishop and the came pecunlary
aid extended to white missionary churches.
None of their churches are self supporting.
Where is there any gronud for complaint? |
Shall the church commit ibis folly OF civil I
government in giving them full legislative
franchise when they are incapable OF exer-
cisipg il? The conservative aceion of Vir- I
eiuia wil! no. doubt largely influence the
legislation of other diocesss where this is I
still vexed question.
SAMUEL a. WALLIS. !