New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-26
PLYNOTTH WILL WAIT AWHILE.
THE CHURCH DROPS FOR THE PRESENT THE
DISCUSSION OF THE PHILIPPINE CUES
TON. BUT MAY HAVE SOME
THING TO SAY LATER.

Plymouth Church. at special meeting last even
ing. decided that It was not wise to discuss the
Philippine question at this time; but lest II should
he understood outside that the action was in any
way a revocation OF the old and tme-honored Gus
tom Of the church freely to discuss any question OF
importance. either individual or National, sort
OF declaration OF independence passed in which
Il was declared emphatically that Plymouth Church
still maintained the right OF free speech and honest
expression Of criticism.
And this resolution gives Thomas G. Sherman.
who is an ardent anti-expansionlst. an opportunity
which after the meeting he told a Tribune reporter.
he would take advantage OF. 10 at some future
time force the church to a public discussion as TO
the proper policy to be pursued by the Government
toward Cuba, Porto Rico and especially the Philip
pines.
The dropping Of the whole question which I, It
had been continued this time threatened 10 pass
the bounds OF friendly difference OF opinion and
TO raise anlmoslties which would have endangered
the usefulness OF Plymouth Church. was the result
evidently OF understanding between both sides.
The meeting brief; there was little discussion,
and the matter disposed Of quietly and with
out any friction. Each side conceded points to the
other.
The minority report OF Thomas G. Sherman.
Frederick L. Hinrichs and II. W. b. Howard which
dissented from the decision OF the majority and
recommended that Plymouth Church hold a meet
ing for the discussion OF expansion" and which,
because its preamble contained arraignment OF
Withdrawn and a substitute adopted, which in few
words expressed the fact that there was minority
opinion in the committee The majority report had
been accepted at a previous meeting. Both re-
ports Therefore, being before the church. the lead
ers according TO programme. wound up the whole
affair and effectually killed all discussion by NOV
ing that the reports be laid the table.
s. V White, the leader OF the supporters OF the
Administration. after saying. We'll. it seems that
the lion and the lamb-the Wall Street lamb Of
course-are to lie down together" offered the reso-
luton which declared that Plymouth Church still
believed in free discussion In church meetings on
all subjects but that present II did not deem II
wise to discuss the Philippine question.
The meeting then adjourned after session OF
about twenty minutes. Henry L. Pratt presided.
Some little mlrth caused when. after the meet
ing had been waiting for some minutes for the
leaders OF each side. they appeared walking arm-n-
arm Mr.. Sherman. who had chided Mr.. White
for being opposed 10 discussion expansion,
waited for Mr. White and. drawing the latter's
arm in his walked into the church and up the aisle
in that way.
After the meeting Mr.. Sherman explained his
acquiescence IN having the matter dropped as fol
lows: You see. at present We do not know all the
facts In the situation. II We should have dis
cussion now II would be only discussion as TO
facts between Brother White on the one hand and
me on the other What We want IS a discussion Of
principles I quite sure that this question Will
be brought up again in Plymouth Church Just as
soon as we shall have learned the true situation in
,ba