Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-03-05
ARE WE FALSE TO THE BAPTIsTs2

THE editor-in-chief OF the VIRGINIA
BAPTIST frets under our declaration
that the A. NJ. E. CHURoH is the grand
est Negro religious organization in the
world.
He walks up to the array of figures
which we produced as compiled in the
United States Census Reports and the
New York INDEPENDRNf, and goes so
far as to question their accuracy.
1t is we'll established rule that he
who objects to facts and figures, must
submit in their stead others Of unques.
toned accuracy in order to upset or
throw out of court those to which
an objection is made.
Has the editor of the VIRGINIA Bar
TIsr done this If he has not, then ne
must win or lose upon the evidence
submitted by recognized and standard
authorities.
The A. Nj. E CHURoH, with its mag
nificent organization can nam5 its
churches, ITS officers and its member
ship. 1t can give the valuation OF it's
property. What Baptist Convention
or Association can say as much ?
The learned Doctor says:
'sWhen the war closed there were
not more than seven hundred thOus
and Negroes connected with the Christ
ian church of all denominations. The
Baptists have increased wonderfully in
33 years"
From what source did you secure
your information II you question
figures which are specific. why should
you submit those which are general =?
He says:
''It is one thing to appeal to mems
prejudices and quite another to talk to
their Judgement and understanding.
We agree with you. When we cited
figures and stated facts you fell back
upon denominational prejudices and
intimated that we were "distur-
bers of tbs (Baptist) peace. disorganiz-
ers, etc."
And again:
"We do not believe IN fighting against
facts but we have our doubts about ac-
cepting all figures as final arguments.
Figures do not ordinarily lie, still they
may convey simply part of the truth.
When this is the case it is not wise TO
argue beyond the truth at our com
mand and is is we'll to be sure to arrive
at conclusions that are in harmony
with the truth in hand. We do not
ask the editor of the Planet to renounce
his opinion but simply to look at the
facts as they are"
The above is peculiar reasoning. We
cited, specific figures and gave our
authorities. You virtually question
the truthfulness of them and submit
no others to upset or discredit those
which we gave to own readers.
Now, what is the truth at your com
mand ? He says:
1--WE would state, first of all, that we
have never had our statistics accurate
lY compiled. We know OF churches
which are not connected with any oil
our associations or conventions. 1t il
not reasonable to presume that the
statistics of such churches are 60 be
found in the reports that are given"
This is a confession then of weakness
1t is that which we criticized. If you
have no statistics accurately compiled
whose fault is it? How can you ther
argue against those which were accu-
rately compiled under the authority OF
the United States Government, by paid
agents and at an enormous expense
The information secured was not con-
fined to Baptist churches which were
members of associations or conven-
tions.
Moreover, does it not show that here
rests our weakness as COlored Bsptists7