Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-10-14
PROF. HOLAEs AND TIE SOCIETY

.he.correspondence between Pres. GRo-
SALE Of the Atlanta Baptist College
md Rev. VIZ. II. HOLMES, q member
of the faculty of that institution.
It seems that Prof. HoLMEs, was
suspected Of having sympathy with the |
for the establishments OF a
Negro Baptist College in Georgia
President SALE addressed him under
the date OF September 22nd IN the fol-
lowing language:
Your appointment by the Board OF
the Home Mission Society upon my
recommendation in June last Was
made in good faith. The long years OF
your faithful and efficient service are
fully recognized and appreciated by
the Board and by myself. have no
word TO say against the proposed sol
lege ct Macon but the spirit in which
the movements to establish that COL
lege was born. and its attitude toward
the work OF the Home Mission Society
are such that = man ssnnot be wholly
in sym pathv with both. must ther6-
fore ask of you an unequivocA1 state
ment OF your positions The near APP
proach OF the opening OF she session
renders it necessary that all uncertain
~ should be removed"
What are we to presume from such .
demand Is it true that II Professor
HoLMKs favored the establishment OF .
Negro institution to be run. and con
trolled By Negroes, he Was to be re-
garded as antagonistic to the American
Baptist Home Mission Society? Is it
true that Ia such case his resignation
was to have been demanded Is it
true that free thought on the part OF
the members OF the faculty of any OF
their institutions is to be stihed and
intimidation in a religious institution
resorted ts7 What else can President
SALES letter mean?
Certainly, from his expressions OF
personal friendship in q subsequent
letter It is evident that this demand
upon Prof. HOLMES was authorized
from the headquarters at New York.
Prof. HOLMES promptly rendered his
resignation and said:
ION my part faith has always been
sacredly kept with the American Bap-
fist Hens Mission Society. To its in
terests / have always been true. I
would say, however, in regard to pub
lie discussion Of the matter on (which
you ask me TO write that still hold
the position / took in an interview
with you on the subject two weeks ago,
and from that position cannot re-
cede.
In view of the fact that my loyalty
to the work is questioned, ] return my
commission and with IL tender my res
ignation to take effect ut once.
The keys, books ana stationery in
my hands belonging to the institution
1 will collect and promptly return"
As an evidences that this was plain
effort to coerce Prof. HOLMES and not
to get rid of him, we quote further
from another letter from Pres. SALE
sent under date of September 23rd:
ST simply ask you to state tome un-
equivocally your position as to = move
ment with which your name has been
connected in such way that the iu-
terest of the college requires that all
uncertainty be removed. This think,
We have q perfect right to ask IL is
for you, of course TO decide whether or
cannot think you have seriously con.
sidsred the full significance OF the step
you take it's Importance to you, to the
educational interests OF the State and
the people for whom you have so long
labored.
With this thought in mind I hold
your letter in allegiance till hear from
you again.
AS a sincere personal friend and for
your own sake, entreat you to con-
slider we'll before you take the ~irrevo-
cable STEP"
We indulge il the opinion that Presi-
dent SALE was acting under orders
1t WAS expected that Prof. HosKHs
would disavow previous utterances, ex-
pressive of his friendship for edHca-
tional race enterprises.
This is the policy OF the distinguish
ed Rev. DR.. M. MAovIoAR in dealing
with the Baptists OF color in the south.
1t is radicalism in its worst form and
certainly reflects upon the great mis-
sionary institution tolerating it.
Ne longer is the test to be ability
and 81 belief in Baptist tenets; but
whether or not you believe in the Ne
gro helping himself to the extent of es-
tablishing and running 8 Baptist insti-
tuition, not under the direction and
management of the American Baptist
Home Mission Society.
II we have erred in our conclusions,
we are ready to be set right, and our
columns are open to any one to explain
away this anomalous position occupied
by those who represent one of the most
powerful Baptist organizations in this
country.