The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-11-27
The Two COlOrS, Making the Negro In
dependent.
BALLOT is A CURSE TO THE NEGRO
Said Rev. L. J. Washington, Prominent Col
ored Minister-Key Note for New Con-
stitution--The Convention win
Meet Again Today.

The most important question OF the
hour with Presbyterians is concerning the
negro. The question under considera-
tion is If the present is a propftious time
to organize the negro Presbyterian
curches under strictly a negro assem-
bly,.
A convention of the negro ministers is
being held in Birmingham ON this moot
ed question. 1t convened Thursday and
will continue until tomorrow night.
Last night a committee appointed by
the last general assembly was received.
Those of the latter committee present
were Rev. Drs. Goetchius, Curry and
Phillips, and Dr. e. H. Sholl.
Rev. L. J. Washington, of Tuscaloosa,
chairman of the convention now in ses-
sion, presided. He has charge of the
work among the state convicts. Rev. E.
w. Benjamin, of Vicksburg, Miss, acted
as secretary.
After the devotional exercises the gen.
eral assembly's committee was received.
They were presented by DR.. Phillips and
welcomed by the chairman.
THE NEGRO QUESTION.
the southern assembly at it's formation
in 1861 expressed much concern for the
evangelization of the colored people. In
1865 the changed relations required alter
ed plans, which the assembly, for several
years tried to solve Intellectually.
In 1869, the assembly adopted a plan
which recommended the formation of
separate colored churches under the care
md Of NH 01-,,
failed to commend itself to the colored
people.
In 1874 the assembly adopted a plan
for the establishment of a separate and
independent colored Presbyterian church,
to be in close alliance with the white as
sembly, which was solemnly pledged to
help support feeble churches and educate
colored candidates for the ministry.
Every act of the assembly on this sub
ject since taken has re-affrmed its firm
adherance to this plan and pledge.
WANT TO STAND ALONE.
The assembly sought to retain the COL
ored churches and ministers until it be-
came evident that the negroes desired ito
be self-governing.
In closing a thoughtful and w,eIl-bal-
anced presentation of the question, DR..
Goetohius said:
'The assembly, by whose authority we
are here today, celebrated 250th ami
versary of thsse standards Msnton was
made of their irf1usnce upon The religious
and civil liberty of the world; upon the
thought, the plety and the purity of the
nations of itha earth. These standards
we would commit TO you that you may
Share with us and all Others who hold
these symbols the sacred trust of their
PRONUNCIATION God bless you, and may
the Great Head of the Church be your
guide, your counsellor and your helper
in the fulfillment of your high and sac
red trust"
Rev. L. J. Washington, a co1ored min
lister, arose after thu singing of a hymn
and anserd DIR. Gotcllius. He said he
would not enter into discussion of the
merits or dement's of the proposition.
This he would leave until today In the
convention. b
NEGRO SHOULD BE EDUCATED.
He would be pleased to speak in keep
ing with what had been said before, but
he would first ask this question: why
should the negro be educa,ed?"
1.-The negro is a human bsing," said
he. HE possesses the same faculties as
OlLeE HELL lIllS ItdSOH lie SIlOulu
be educated. He must be raised up from
the common level of superstition doubt,
fear and ignorance Ito higher plane.
HE must be educated because he is
citizen of these United States to be en-
abled to make good citizen. Without
education woman or girl cannot even
make a good servant.
THE BALLOT A CURSE.
1.-THE negro has the power of the bal
lot in his hand. With this power and
uneducated, the negro race Is a curse to
the country. An ignorant man has no
more business with the ballot than has
monkey with the Word of God.
Another point is, that educat ton less
ems crime. AS the negro mind is tra.n
he sees the enolmity, of his sin in COM
uniting crime. The punishnents that