The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-29


In response to the greetings of the col
ored ministers. Major Mckinley said:
Bishop Lee. Bishop Arnett and my Eel
lcw-citizens: This is to me a most interest
ing and inspiring call. appreciate the kind
words the earnest words and eloquent
words spoken by Bishop Arnett. They
move my soul. They inspire me with con-
fidence. / wish his voice and his patriotic
sentiments so we'll expressed, might have
been heard by thousands rather than by the
few hundred gathered about me to-day.
Il am glad to meet the ministers of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church. That
you have set aside the business Of your
annual conference long enough to pay me a
visit, is honor which / greatly appreci-
ate and shall always remember 1t is a
matchless civilization in which we live-a
civilization that recognizes the common and
universal brotherhood of man. 1t is a glo-
rious Constitution, the American Constitu-
ton, under which we live, that secures to
every citizen beneath flag absolute
freedom of religious doctrine and privilege
and beief-a Constitution that recognizes
neither creed nor color nor race ma
tionality nor caste nor classes, but protects
and defends all alike and accordS TO each
civil and religious liberty.
The history of your race is one of Won
derful progress under the most trying and
difficult circumstances. You have demon
strated your patience and patriotism, cour
age and intelligence and your Willingness to
sacrifice for your country and sustain it at
all times and under all circumstances.
You have made marked and commendable
strides in the field of education and learn
ing. Your educational institutions, public
and private, are scattered all over the coun-
try. and within their walls you giving
generous and liberal education to the men
of your race. fitting them for the ,resposi-
bilities of life and equipping then for good
citizenship. Wilberforce University, in our
own State, is a proud monument to your
enterprise and character. an institution
among the oldest, if not the oldest of it's
kind, dedicated to the education of your own
people. and which is sending teachers and
preachers and men for the learned profess
sionS to every part of the country.
Not only have you been looking carefully
after the intellectual. but you have not neg
lected the moral condition of your race
You have recognized and properly so that
good character is quite essential as good
education; that good morals are more indis-
pensable than learning. Both should go to-
gether. In twenty years the membership
of your chruch alone has increased from
from 1884 TO 4.2a2 | am glad TO note the
advancement of any organization which
has for it's object the elevation of mankind
and the Improvement and betterment OF
our citizenship. You and the race to which
you belong have my hearty congratulations
upon the progress you have already made
any my prayer for still greater progress in
the future. | bid you improve the glorious
opportunities with which you are blessed.
II recall, as | stand in your presence to-
day with peculiar pleasure that during the
great international exposition at Chicago
at the World 5 Parliament of religions
when men of all countries and races and
religions had assembled under one roof
your Bishop Arnett was chosen to repre-
sent your race. 1t was high and deserved
distinction. With what modesty and ability
he bore the honor with what credit TO your
race and TO our country he discharged the
duty every Ohioan knows and every Ohioan
feels increasing pride in him and the
race he represents. May God bless and