Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-04
COLORED CATHOLICS.
Interesting Addresses Made at To-day's
Session Of the Convention.


TEE IDEA THAT THERE Is A COLOR LINE N THE /
CHURCHES REPUDIATED-How DEBATING So \
cIErY STRIVES To IMPROVE THE ooLoREp RACE |
FATHER wALsH's ENCOURAGING REMARKS.
At the afternoon session Of the colored Catho- |
lies convention yesterday addresses were made |
by Rev. Father splinter, of St Dominic's |
church, this city. and Rev. Father Pankins, Of
st. Louis. After some discussion the vote |
adopting 1.-THE address TO the people" Gan alb |
stract of which was published in yesterdays |
starr was reconsidered. Father Walsh. the |
pastor of ST. Augustine, favored the recommit- |
tai of the address to the committee, as he did
not consider that it was worthy of the conven- |
ton. The question of high schools was passed |
over. he said, because it was claimed that the
matter was a local one. The matter was a ma
tional one, and of all the questions brought
before the congress it was, Ire thought the
most important. 1t was proper time. he said,
for them to ask for what they wanted. and he
wished TO see a set of resolutions portraying
the intelligence of the congress adopted.
Papers were read by c. II. Butler. Of this
city. on Catholic literature; Robert Blackeston.
of Ohio, on labor and Rev. Father stephan.
! on the brotherhood of man.
| Miss Hattie Q. Brown amused the delegates
! by reading some humorous selections, and the
convention adjourned until to-day.
| At the services at st. Augustine church last
evening Father Tolton delivered the sermon.
| To-DAY's SESSION.
| Father Healy, the missionary from Africa,
opened to-day's session of the convention at
] 1880 o'clock with prayer. Although many
/ delegates had returned to their homes, there
! was a good attendance. Mr.. Smith. a delegate
/ from the District of Columbia, called the con-
ventions attention TO the article in a morning
paper to the effect that there was "a color-lne
{ trouble" and that negro Cath
olics wanted place in white con-
gregations;' that some churches bar them
ont, &c" lie said he thought the press Of
Washington had been very fair. bat that one
paper made some very faring head lines. Il
don't know" he continued, whether il was
done for amusement or otherwise, anyhow. il
/ reflects great disCredit upon us. This places
the congress before the people in a very unen-
vlable light l have no doubt that his emf
/ hence, the cardinal. saw IL the first thing this
morning. 1t is most disgraceful statement"
he said, land was not warranted. There were
no words which could possibly warrant it. and
hope II will be corrected. What was said
was that as soon as We entered the church por-
tals
THERE WAS NO COLOR LINE.
9lr. r. L. Rutlin. of Boston, then called the
conventions attention to the fact presented
through some of the papers that many were
present at the congress who could not write
/ and hoped the press of Washington would cor
/ rect it. He was followed by the South Ameri-
can delegate. George Il. Thompson. why spoke
| at some length on the way the color line was
! drawn abroad IN comparison with that in the
| United States
Mr.. 5. L. Hardy, the delegate from ST. Paul
| also referred to the article mentioned by
Mr. Smith, and said it was wholly unwarranted
l and he trusted the paper that made the mis-
take would correct it. He then read paper
on catholicity III the northwest, which was well
! received.
A DEBATING socIETYs PAPER.
The st. Augustine Acme Debating associa-
ton then presented. through Mr.. Lewis Brown.
the following paper which was read: Friends
and fellow-citizens: As a representation of the
cause in which We are deeply interested. feel
| that some expressions complimentary 10 those
worthy members who have advanced by their
! zeal and labor the object of this association
among us should be placed upon record Our
object and aims are the Advancement of the
moral, christian, and charitable instincts
of the colored people who, through their
| own energy, place themselves before the
world as advocates of education.
moral rectltude. and spiritual teachings
not only OF ourselves but our children who
look TO us now for that care and guidance and
| standing in society that only education can
| give. Past generations of the colored race
/ never had such opportunities we now have
/ spacious and comfortable school-rooms. text
books of every class. and every requisite in lit
| erature to help our Observation-Disclosures and
| talented men Of our own race: cheerful. kind.
and willing helpers among white brethren Of
both sexes. especially our worthy pastor and
priests attached TO this diocese. and the good and
holy sisters of the various orders whose efforts
in our behalf call for more than words of
praise and are most prominently displayed in
the spiritual and moral education of our Chi Id
| rem and their training in the ways of cleanli-
ness and thrift Look at our Sunday schools
/ of to-day, have We not many blessings TO be
proud or We are not missionary society.
and We think we can do much good in a differ
ent line with our people. So we get together
! in debate, discuss the important questions of
the day. teach our people that work and not Idle
! ness brings happiness and comfort to our homes
and children keep us from evil WAYS and in
/ every way prompts our welfare. We desire TO
| accept and consider, however, all propositions
! for an advancement that this worthy Congress
may adopt. We hope our Lord will look upon
/ our efforts from our hearts. and bless them
| as IN His Judgment they may deserve.
FATHER WALSH on TUE CONGRESS-.
Father Walsh was then introduced and spoke
! generally on the congress-. He said be spoke
the voice of st. Augustine's congregation when
he said they were honored by the congress. He
! spoke OF how well the delegates behaved in de-
bate. Zone thing 1 want to call your attention
! to-" he said, land that is wnen You assemble
| again leave Africa and slavery ont OF the aues-
! ton and appear as citizens He spoke at great
! length on the subject of the color line.
| Il am a little SLOW" said Father Walsh. but
| as some good woman said in st. Augustine
! church, Yes, he's little slow. but he will get
! there" He spoke feelingly. and said he had
/ learned more about the colOred race during
! the last three days than he ever did in the thr-
! teen years be had labored for their benefit
! He said that from this time onward
/ It would mark new era in his
! life; that it would urge him on in his
| work and make him more progressive
! His remarks were received with loud applause
Many delegates jumped to their feet. request
| ing that vote OF thanks be rendered him. and
! the unanimous vote of the convention was ten
| dered An invitation from MIR. Thos. +. Wag-
gaman for the delegates to visit his art gallery
was accepted. NJ L. Cant, delegate from the
| District of Columbia. made a motion that on
the adjournment of the. congress they meet
again next New Years day in this city The
motion was received with cries of 'Oh no"
from all parts of the house. and was lost, as il
| did not receive a second.
A resolution thanking the Society of st. Vim
cents de Paul for the interest they had mani
| tested in the congress carried by a unani-
nous vote. Mr.. Smith, the secretary OF the
society, made brief speech on Catholicity
among the colored race, after which the con-
vention took a recess until $50 o'clock TO meet
| the President.