Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-30
RELIGION POLITICS.
Unexpected Incident at the Baltimore
Methodist Conference.
rsvrrArIoN TO WHITE HOUSE.
Its Acceptance Opposed by n Menu
her ON the Ground That Such Ac-
Cleveland-Lcc.

WASHINGTON. March 29.-The Wes-
lcyan Female Institute was 10 have been
discussed at to-day's session Of the Baltl-
more conference OF the Methodist Episco-
pal Church. South, but consideration Of
the subject was postponed until to-mor-
row.
Rev. s. G.. Ferguson. OF Fredericksburg.
Va, conducted the opening devotional
exercises.
a report In the nature OF an overture
from the Methodist Episcopal Church,
North. suggesting that the two great
branches Of the Methodist Episcopal
, church join hands in Temperance work,
was received and referred to the Temper
ance Committee. The overture suggested
the appointment OF committee OF seven
by the northern contingent to meet
similar committee from religious bodies
In the State OF Maryland. and that these
committees shall issue call for a con-
| vention of the Christian people OF the
| State in the interest OF the suppression
| of liquor traffic. The report was signed by
| Messrs. a. J. Gill, J. c. Nicholson, Il.
| W. q. Cassard, and G.. G. Bacon.
The chairman of the Board OF Educa-
| tion read the report OF the Valley Fe-
| male College. of Winchester Va. which
| showed the institution to be in excellent
| condition.
| The conference then took up the appli-
| cations of ministers seeking entrance TO
| deacons' orders. and the following were
unanimously selected ]. a. Taylor, A.
| W. Smith. Il. V. Register. Price smith,
| W. s. Anderson. ]. NJ. Anderson, Hamer
Sherman. c. A. Brown, j. l.. Luttrel, and
j. e. Henry.
Bishop Hurst, of the American Uni
| versity, was introduced. and made a
short speech assuring the conference that
II had the sympathy Of the northern
| Church.
| Two ministers were entered into the
order of elders-namely, +. Il. Orrick
and l.. Il. Atkins.
a DISTURBANCE.
The even tenor of the transaction OF
| business was disturbed by an unexpected
incident. The question had come up OF
! accepting an invitation TO the White
| House, the President having. through
| Private-Secretary Thurber, signifed that
it would be his pleasure to receive the
| members of the conference. their wives
| and daughters, at | O'Clock tomorrow
afternoon. Rev. J. L. Hyde had made the
announcement. and the convention was
on the point of voting TO accept the invi-
tatiOn, when Rev. John W Tongue rose
and asked to be heard. He objected &c
going to the White House to pay respect
to the President.
| Although he expressed himself In very
clear and strong words II did not appear
L,1 4, ,sa1
against Mr.. Cleveland. but he urged that
II would be no dsrespect TO the Presi-
dent If the conference should refuse tc
go to see him. He reminded the audi
<lce that consistency was a jewel. and
that when the conference met In Wash.
ington In 1870 during President Grants
Administration. the only time before this
that the conference had met here. 10y
a deliberate vote they had refused To gt
and pay their respects to General Grant.
Mr.. Tongue paid an eloquent tribute
"as n southern man, 10 the soll and
the manor born, speaking TO southern
men," to the character of General Grant
| "whOse magnanimity TO our great captain
| Robert IL. Lee. ever hold his name bright
| and dear to the South" But If the con
| ference would not go TO see Genera
Grant, why should II go TO see Mr.. Cleve
land? 1t might be said that csrcum
! stances alter cases. but they never alte,
| principles. If the conference was so care
ful not to seem TO go into politics in 1876
why should it be now so quick to depar
from it's chosen path?
| Almost before Mr. Tongue had resumed
his seat half dozen members were NJ
and crying for recognition, and the en-
tire conference was standing Question
question"
Rev. 5. G. Ferguson, Of Fredercks
| burg. Va, shouted: II was in the Con
federate army. but 1 regret Brothei
| Tongues making that speech"
| Mr.. Hyde and Secretary Armstrong
both made speeches vigorously critcisinl
| Mr.. Tongues utterance.
| a rising vote was called for upon the
question of accepting the invitation. anC
it was accepted, many members not
| yotiulr