The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-08


negroes TO contend for the mastery
here are not their friends, and know
| full well that the result will be strife
aud calamity. with greater misery III
success than in defeat. So much Tor
my political position.
AS To the social aspects OF the negro
question, to me the only possible solu'
ton seems TO rest in a word. much Wilt
fled. but now used by me purposely. to
accentuate my idea. IL Is castel have
no wish here To argue the question OF
the inferiority Of the negro race. Those
who choose may consider it superior u
the white race. But believe that we
should maintain the invisible line of so-
cial separation. which every white man
and negro in the South understands.
Ii involves no want Of human sympa-
thy, or christian charity. but 1t stands
solder than a stone wall. We know
that. in full view of this fact. we can
adjust our relations to our cOlored pop
ulatIon more tremendously than any
Northern community can, and better
advance its interests. In his heart. the
black man knows this too. We are not
afraid of contact with the negro. or Of
rivalry with him in the trades and pro-
LESSONS, or Of the permanent existence
Of the kindliest relations with him II he
is let alone. But the continuance OF
this state of things depends, as we all
know. on the re OgnitiOn and malnten-
ance of the idea Of caste.
And now. as your correspondents
l.. s.lta rFfsl.
and nut me in evidence. | shall con-
tinue to speak with the same frankness.
but for my single self and not FOR
others. The prese condition OF
affairs in the Protestant Episcopal
Church is, in my opinion. ten
tative. transitory and anomalous.
i'm this diocese. Many godly men
are most earnestly concerned Tor the
conversion and salvation Of our cOlored
people. and believe, to say the least.
that this church has the better way"
to that end. It has only a single negro
congregation IN this diocese. though
likely enough, manyscattered commu-
nicants. At present the rector OF that
negro parish ould be entitled TO a seat
i'm our church councils. and to such
treatment there rs might receive the in
terpretalion put upon it by your cor
respondents.
If the missionary zeal Of our clergy
sufiices. we may. in time. possibly find
a majority of our council black, a con-
summation most devOutly to be depre-
Gated. Does any body wish thisT But
il our success as church in this direc-
ton depends upon the luke warmness
or failure Of this missionary effort.
il seems to me evident that II has
in it some radical defect. We
must not blow hot and cold with
tee same breath. We thlnk 1t good
to have colored people become
Episcopalians. the more the better. l.
at least. would think it unfortunate to
have too many Of them, or indeed, very
many. of them. if they are to sit IN our
council, mold our deliberations. and In
any way break down the color line OF
caste have indicated. Wemust adopt
one alternative or the other. | would
not see the effort diminished one iota
10 ameliorate the religious condition OF
The blacks. But am unwilling to be
submerged by them. or to complicate
the Church with politics,
For my own part, | am III favor OF
SEPARATE church organiZltlon Tor the
negroes, on the basis of race, with their
Oy, n ministers and council, and presid-
ed over by the bishop. or not. as may
be deemed judicious. This would re
auIre some modification Of our canons,
but there is nothing irrational II. Inc
diocese is the unit of organization 10
our church, but this diocesan control Il
not necessarily based on territory, any
more than on race or language. Suppose
two hostile nations, speaking different
tongues. but with the same church
lealty. occupying the same territory
would not common sense dictate SUI
perinteudence by different bishops, or
at least with different councils. We
find 10 Inconvenience in the freedom
extended to parishes in this respect, but
"A larger development OF religious life.
ANY other solution seems to me mere
postponemenl Of "A perpleXing question
and fraught with more serious troubles.
And now, sir. with an apology Tor the
length of this communication. into
which bave been forced by circum-
stances, beg leave to return you
thanks for the space given me, and to
subscribe myself, very respectfully
yours,