Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-12-30


him as an equal, We have been requested
To publish the sentiment Of the recent
general convention Of the EPISCOPAL
convention. The majority report OF the
committee on petition OF colored clergy.
which was adopted, read
That this church accepts the declara-
tions of the word of God. written by al.
vine inspiration, that God hath made
OF one blood all nations Of men for to
dwell on all the face Of the earth" that
all men who are baptized ARE baptized
in Christ that in Him there is neither
jew nor Greek. there is neither bond nor
free-fOr ye are all one in Christ" .
The bishops Of this church have cons
secrated 10 the highest Office of the chris
tian ministry the ri. Rev. Samuel ID.
Ferguson, and 30 clothed one of this race
with all the prerogatives aud dignities of
the Episcopate.
"This general convention has received
"a colorcd clergyman OF the diocese of
Texas Ms one OF its members, aud thereby
made him, in It's privileges. the peer OF
every clergyman of this body.
These facts declare 10 the whole
world the position OF this church. follow.
ING as she does the example of the Cath
Ole church Ia all ages. and show that
this general convention has by no act nor
law admitted or implied that difference
Of race or color affords grounds for n
distinction Ia legislative rights or privi>
leges."
Apropos Of the relation OF the colored
people to the church. is the excellent ar
ticle by Florids colored man, lately
published In the New York World. upon
the race question:
While the situation at the south NAV
not Dc altogether such rs we would wish.
tbore Is nothing In IL that could possibly
Justify the retaliatOry measures advised
by a gathering Of colored preachers at
Washington. u. c., on October 90. There
are always two sides 10 n question, and
until the celored race learns by hard and
sal experience where their true interests
lie there will ever De unnecessary local
troubles and disturbances in every south
EN- state between the two races. and no
power under the sun can by force pres
vent t.
The situation down here needs no solu.
ton. for Il is not problem. There is
nothing wrapped up in mystery nor Is
there an unknown something To be found
Ia order 10 solve the question Of our
present surroundings The most ignor>
ant ne well rs the most intelligent.
understand the situation perfectly. and
each element seems determined 10 pursue
It's own line Of policy as the surest means
81 keeping up disturbed condition OF
Affairs Ia these states.
There are three distinct causes OF irri-
tstion and disturbance Of the south.
These are political social, and moral,
and the FIRST Is greater source OF evil
than All others combined There can be
no satisfactory nd iustment, no permanent
peace between the two races at the south
until the negro abandons politics and
bids farewell TO political glory in these
states
A persistent effort on the part Of the
negro 20 attain that which he never can
attain will inevitably lead to conflict the
horrors Of which are unimaginable. tits
foregono conclusion that the colored
element can never become a ruling class
In any ~ these southern statea no matter
how much they may predominant in num-
bers In white communities. Every pOlit-
ical leader Of the race knows this TO be
an undeniahle fact. IL is this relentless
pcrsisteuCy on the part Of the one race
10 be- and the relentless persistency on
the part of the other 10 prevent IL from
being prevent II they will NJ all
cost. that causes all the trouble. IL is
no use 90 deny these facts. 1t would
rather be- wise IL Ne would recognize
them IN time to avert the evils that must
follow every futile attempt In that direc-
tion
IL Is unreasonable for the people Of the
north 20 expect that of the people of the
south which they themselves ds not NC,
cord the negro. say Il h uureason
able for any people 10 expect the
wealth. intelligence and refinement OF
community To yield passive obed-
fence and become Submissive to the
domination Of its ignorant and more
iIlltcrate class. and a. long as there is
porsistenCy In this direction. encouraged
b. uuprincipled politicians for sinister
motives. so long will there he serieus
Il
repeat again rs my honest convictions
that the negro must abandon politics for
"a time and strip himself of all delusive
and visionary ideas ~ political honor and
periprmCrt In these states, and turn his
attention 10 those industrial pursuits that
mark the prosperity and progressiveuess
~ every other race around him.
There Is no prejudice here against the
negro pursuing his oSn substantial hap
piusss In any legitimate calling. There
h no avenue ~ industry shut against him
In the south, There ~ no desire on the
part of the people 10 keep him down
but they have rather In every instance
shown a sympathy and feeling that ought
"a be- commended. Those fanatical lead /.
cts, pretended preachers and politicians
no north who are trying 10 incite con-
hict between the races by advising retal~
iatorv measures against outragcs in tho
south are OF all men the greatest enemies
OF the Colorcd race. For the few crumbs
that fall from the administration table
they seem to be willing TO damn the
whole negro race. II Ia one thing
10 sit up north and howl for blood and
attempt 20 incite crime aud murder. but
u is quite another thing IN come down
here and inaugurate the proceedings they
advise.
Whatever may be the disadvantages
under which the negroes labor In these
southern states they are brought about
by natural causes, and can never. no
never, be- remedied by force. These dis
advantages 40 often spoken Of are In fact
more imaginary than real. would ven>
ture to say that there are fltty advantages
in favor Of the race becoming prosperous
and happy where there In one To their
dotrimont Outside Of politics what dis
advantage does the colored man labor
under In these states1 | defy any man
10 show me n single unreasonable disad-
vantage he Ia subjected to throughout
the broad extent Of this southern land
that any othG people would not be sub
jected to who keep themselves poor and
dependent upon more progressive and
thrifty race. Show me an honest, ups
right. industrious colored man In any
southern community. and | will show you
n man who has no complaints to make AZ
to his treatment In that community.
No colored man can say truthful
lu H.. Ia Ii =