The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-10-26
That 1t May Work Out Its Own
Destiny.
PLAIN TALK FROM DOUGLASS.
1t Is Because of Progress That the
South Turns Against Its
Former Slaves.

LOWELL, Mass, Oct 25.-At the OPEN
ing of to-dav's session of the convention
OF the American Missionary Association
Franklin Fairbanks of Vermont made his
report, which was practically an indOrse-
ment Of the financial report submitted yes
terday. This was followed by short adj
dress by Rev. De Witt Clark of Massachu-
sets. The afternoon session was devoted to
women and reports were heard from many
sections of the country. Miss de Peerson
OF New York, secretary of the Bureau of
Women's Work, also submitted her re-
port
The annual business meeting was held
and the following officers elected: Presi-
dent, Merrill E. Gates, Amherst, Mass. :;
Observation-Disclosures P. A. Needle. D. D..
Chicago; Rev. DR.. Alexander Mckenzie,
Cambridge, Mass. Row Henry Hopkins
DID,, Kansas City; Rev. Henry A. Slim
son, New York; Rev. Washington Glad
den, Columbus. Ohio; corresponding sec
retaries-Rev. L. Nj. Strickby, DID. and
Rev. F, p. Woodbury., DID, New York
assistant secretary. Rev. j. c. Ryder,
ID; record ng secretary. Rev. E. NJ.
Strick by. DID,; treasurer, II. V. Hubbard,
New York; uditors-Peter w. McCartee
and James Mitchell; executive committe e
for three years--Rev. W. W. Hayward.
New York; Rev. J. s. Cooper, New
Britain, Conn; o. j. G. Warner New
York; Joseph H. Mitchell. Hartford,
Conn. Charles p. Pierce. New York; for
two years, A. J. F. Behrens, BrookIine
Mass,
The closing services of the great conven-
ton began at Z P. NJ. by devotional exer-
cises, followed by addresses by Rev. Ly-
man Abbott. DID,, of New Y Ork, who was
followed by Hon. Frederick Douglass.
The latter spoke as follows: He was
aware. he said, that thinking enough had
been done for the negro aud that he
should now be left to himself, and he him.
self had been accused of saying something
like that. In aswer to the question what
should be done with the negro he had
often replied: "Do nothing with him.
Give him fair play and let him alone"
Emphasis had been put on the last words
of his statement, ignoring wha. had pre-
ceded them.
Mr.. Douglass dwelt on the destitute
condition of the negro when emancipated,
and commended that the American people
should do everything in their power TO
educate and improve his condition. The
apparent reaction against the negro by
the whites of the South was the inevitable
result of The negro's progress. 1t was not
against him as negro, but because he has
emerged out of the position of the slave
and servant and has become a gentleman
and felloW-citiZen. He concluded by say
ing that be looked TO the churches, to the
American Missionary Association aud like
organizations for continued aid to the
negro, which had now an opportunity to
lift from degradation long enslaved and
prosecuted people by continued firm ad-
herence to and exercise of the power of
truth, humanity and religion.
The closing address was delivered by
Rev. A. II. Stimson of New York, who
spoke OF the purposes for which the soci-
ETY. was organized fifty years ago ami
com pared the condition of the negro dur
ing slavery times and his position in society
now. That lis mission had not been in
vain, he added, was proven not only by
the statistics that had been spread before
the assembly, but also by the great num-
Der of those who through the passing
years, catching the spirit of their teachers
and filed with the new love, had become
messengers of Christ to their companions
and friends. The tale of such instances
had been the most thrilling part of the
testimony that had come in the course of
this great meeting.
'If, therefore" be said, I'VE feel the
power of such testimony our answer to the
appeal OF society should be a constant
devotion to the cause"