davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
VOICE or THR
WHITE PIE S
IS'sHN MIgEIELL, JR- xAmEDED
EPOM CHUESE-
First AfricSf Baptist CsaEsr4h .Giseal ed
,Sat .PubliRatiOn in the PlaItat-
Meeting Lasted Many Hours
ERichraond Dispatch, Arux 8, ,'oa =.

John AfEt chell, Jr-, ecfitor 1f. the PLAN
FTrS and one of the .Sestlkanwn oolored
nn1en IN tine State, has been exclr ded
Ssrom' the FIRST African Baptist 'Church
sthis city.
This action was taken last Mon6ay
1nleht, aster a very stormy fneefn0.
(which lasted from shortly after s O'Clock
.seuntil the next morning The church
alleged t9Iat Editor Mitchell permitted p
4 publication in his paper 'ofithe proceed
lngs OF tormer meeting OF the church
which, as a loyal member of the church.
he should not have done. He was asked
to apologize. He declinedito do so and
was excluded. This is the,church,s side
i,briefly stated.
Editor Mitchell couasndsstkat he AND
. the Representatives OF his paper did no
! thing thatwas wrong IN ,writinV M d
printing &sreport of tbs proceedings OF
the meeting referred ta. He holds, ac.
; cordinx TO statement xnade lfrS n mimi,
ter and a Friend OF his, last night, that
[ the meeting was not n secret one. aIlsi
that ltycould not have been, siace mem.
. 'bers OF other churches Were present and
were known TO be present, and Were not
! asked to retire. He contends shat for
IN the hands of the public and became
public prosperity.
be thenkhad right, asa newspaper
lppublfsher, 10 print in his tI5pef Mat had
occurred IN practically open meeting.
he holds that he has done nothinr
wrong, arz1 hence has no apolegy TO
make.
The meeting OF last Monday night
/ was partGvularly interesting. The at
seendance AT she opening was large, but
'Ss the 9igil- wore on the crowd lessen
cd untlls when the vote was taken. less
n1an 300 persons We're in the room.
The vote for exclusion stoad sixty -four
no hfty-six. The facts gixesa above SsSere
obtained with much care. The Efforts
'to see Editor Mitchell BIN person failed
A number of other per4ozs were seen
aaad their narratives were aE practice lly
as given above
But several of those seen doclared that
-a1actlonaknght "A was behind the actian
taken by the church in withdrawing fel-
ioHship from Editor Mitchell.
Ihe meeting, the report ofwhich gare
<mence TO so many of the members of
the church, WAS that one at which Rev.
w. /. johnson, of Lexington was called
tothe passionate Of the church. One fac.
lion on, wanted TINS minister, so is is said.
Editor Mitchell has belonged. 1yanteS
the Rev. Waiter Brooks, of Wasbino
ton: 1t is claimed by some that the re-
port IN the PLANET offended only the
faotfon favoripg the Rev. johnson. and
as they were in the majority, they were
able TO take the action Of last Monday
night.
1t is said that Mitchell will be upable
TO John any other Baptist church in the
city, ualess, that, church 10 willing Ia de-
care nhat he has been wrongly treated
by the First Church.
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
The hocument Erected-4<Silyer Leaf
Court OF Newport News sends Sc.

The Thos- W. Mitchell monument has
Scecn erected and veiled and everything
as being put in shape for the Goth of
ugust-unveiling day.
The Association desires all these who
have promised sums of nl0nay to turn il
Az as early as possible so that they NAV
be. able to meet their obligations PROMPT
iy. All persons having books ana re-
qrested to have them in the heads uar-
ters OF the Association, 305 n. 2nd ST..
by Aug. l9th, 1901.
In the list given in the last issue. she
name of Richmond Lodge, No. /, X. of
T. was unintensSonally omitted
We wish to acknowledge the follow
ing contributions;
klchIaond Lodge No. 1, X. of P. 500
w, X Patterson, Bluefield, w. Va 90
Silver Leaf Court, PAL, /. o. Q. New
pom News, Va. 90
lnvlnclkle Lodge. Odd Fellows, SEQ
Some time previous to unwilling dsr a
speakers stand will be erected facing
the monument. A very neat cottage
has been erected at the entrance TO the
cemetary and the superintendent places
n at the disposal Of those persons attend
nag the unyeiling, and other comforts
r.sade as far as possible by the owners of
the cemetary.
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
JOHN AIuCHELA's PosTT4gS.
IAN C0ntends That BE Did NotfSnx tO
/ cause HIS Removal from Church.
(RichaDHss Tim :, Aur. 8. Isea,

tNNtciSssShsa nm -, Aug. 3, Is68)
The friends of John Mitchell. editor
l0n '0o Inc PLANET- have called meeting of
uf,e FIRST BAPTIST Chnrch (colorea9 con.
Efegatlon Ter the 19th instant t,a a-. ON
t1e questioB Of reconsiderinp the sctiop
OF Sne chureh isst Monday night m ex-
SaoSuug MN fIO1n lts membership.
Slltche1 said yesterday that he was
I'M no way disInayed at the actsogTtaIxen
tsst Monday night, for he felt that ne
Haso not been legally expe He'd frou the
membership OF that church.. Hetysn+ends :
tHttS the reasons gwen for such action
w'en not sufhC lent, and he uaaintains
that what he did in the promises wa.
nOt breach of faith.
bae cause of the trouble WAS the, pub
llcsrtaon of letter By Mitchell ION
hex' w. L. johnson, In re ference tO the
rsast'rate of the churSh. The ponrrava
tasSfl, or a portion of them, considered
the letter matter of ~secre CIV 'Mitcbel
aro as friends considered { a nRattsr oi
pUhiae Importance, and st ATE as their
reasons that it was ansoffici al t5Dsum. nt
and addressed 20 a conerega ton OF O(
people Mitchell says 1t was a piece OF
news 30 the readers of his paper. and as
pS,hiisher IL was his dirty to- print fhe
news when il did not conflict with ar.
sonsl obligations.
MIfctlseu said yesterSlay1that the action
CT the eAurch on Monday night, whep
there were less than 800 people OF a cen.
gregataon of 2,500 present would tern
TO disrupt the church
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
From Worcester, Mass.

To pay church debt, Rev. w. B. Pear.
son, pastor ofsEethel A. M. II. Church
is pk.nningsa grand rally saf his congre.
CATION. 1t will be in the ydhRzch, sun
day, Sept. l. 1An effort will De made to
erown the church auditorium at all
tAree7ServiceS.
Special sermons will be praaehed at
10 O'Clock in the slorning, 8 O'Clock in
the afternoon and 7:30 at might.
The main object of the rally is TO raise
funds to carry ON, the church work and
Seduce al debts. 1T is expected that
every member viii give a SUM ofaoney,
There's debt Of $1,000 on the, church
property.
The Festival which has been ia pro-
Gress Tor several weeks will cantinue
until September LIST. Some money is
being realized each might, but the pas
tor says anseffort has 70 be made IL, ad-
d1tlan. He. hopes some citizen will.eome
torWard and assist the church in its
struggle for maintenance.
MorcesterSG young men aRe Begin
nlng TO open their eyes since Sergt. Jas
Bell OF 99 West st. returned home from
across the deep blue. Mr.. Bell is a yery
bright young man and Ia working very
hard just now trying to form a militia
company. He held a meeting at his
home Sunday, Aug. 11th to talk matters
over, and there were 30 ia attendance
One very prominent youBg man that
was there was Mr.. Geo. GriSfin, former
ly a private in L Co; 9th Regiment.
They made good showing but there
will have to be many more TO form a
Company, but we hope they will come
forward.
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
Miss White Is to Teach At Hartsborr.,
College.

Miss Viola M. White, Ccolored, oral
nate OF Oberlin College has been enoeo "o'
eo as teacher at Hartshorn the co1,e;,ts'.-. S;;'s-
recommended, en1S
Geo; 5. Burroughs, the Professor oy
" l. language and Literature writes.
Permit me to endorse her w1tbon,
any reservation, as young woman ~
trus ana broad culture, sound commos,A
Is sense y, ana oonsecrated Christian spir
III =; d. A. Mayer, the Professor of En.
MISS v M; White is a student of war;
unusual unusual ability, intelligent, well read
Iaee parao ana possesses excellent taste
Personally, she is dignifed. refsn~eS -Ss
attractive. 1 should expect her 70 -
ciplinarial. 0eSSiu u JUS
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
THEIR DOORS OPEN WIDE.
u Remarkable Letter-Speaks Plainly
To the Editor.-The Action of the
First Baptist Church-A Cor =
dial Invitation.

Editor John Mitchell, Jr. has bean
tlse recipient of of invitations 70 ioip A.
bIlsco pal and the a. M. f. Chuncbas
T. Nhe fouowlng letter from a we'll
known white Catholic Priest is n moSJa ,
letter Of its kind, and not having ohtsin-
ed'hls consent we withhold his nana .
THE REvEREND's LETTER.
WILMINGTON, DEL, Aug. 9, 1901
Ny Dear Mr.. MITCHELL
c. In to-day's Baltimore
sun, read an account of your axnnIs;>-,o
from the Baptist Chureh
NOW, Will you permik me as an oI,y.
friend of yours TO give expression 10 :.
thougift that suggests itself 10 me-
can, OF course express no opinion as -
the facts connected with the case. sincc
! nave hSfoher heard nor read anythino o
beyond the few lines in the Srry.
INTENDED AS PUNISHMENT.
The action ON the part OF the. oficers
OF the FIRST Baptist Church il, no douht
intended as a punishment and will ra
meet on you in the eyes of some few peo-
But, after all, what does if nmeupt e.,
L have often wondered how man of
your intelligence and educalslon conJd
church I'1AA
rHe LORDS INTEN8soN.
The Lord intended his chureA, to h.
= orBanlzed society to which alIrmrSt t
,onB IN order TO save their souls Tbet
nereslss would come; that different, -
nom n would spring up, assert+,Tr-
each Tor itself, to be the Church. AZ CO..
was diyinely foretold and shopId ca
Is you. as Aiuctes-
THE ONLY TROUBLE
Inc Inc trouble with yoa, it seems 70 M
> thls; you want TO be succaSCf,,f MT
Naht 20 be popular and since tbS SoG
orIty OF people in your state is na" ~ 1IH
u baPtists, you think that Won nnSt Ik'
yr1i Ia you ever read those words.
what does it profit aman if h
-" "hoie world and lose his own sonIp,S
TEE LORDS WELCOME
May ponr case resemble the one of .h
ian I LI III the Gospel, who was turnad one
Ihe synagogue, but lovingly receiyeJ
our Lord. The church of that Sa,r,o
ORG olds you welcome into her bnSo,,,
otherwlse you have the right .lfisposi,
trust you will accept these exn-as.,
re given. - "'ii0n - ttieS'
With With best wishes for your welfare,
Yours sincerely,
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
THE DEACONS IN SESSION.
They Hold Special Meeting-The
Charch Meeting 0rdered-Bro.
Briggs Wrathy.

The Deacon Board Of the First Ban.
est Chnrch held special meeting Last
Sunday morning after services for the
purpose OF granting the committee car.
tain privileges in renovating the pulpit
furniture. Deacon A. w. Holmes Man.
ager OF the True Reformer Hotel prasid.
ed. r 0''D
Brother II. F. Jonathan presented q
petition signed by long list of me,n.
bers of the church asking for a cbnrcb.
meeting to be held Monday night. Ano
18th. 1901 to consider the case of ,Jobn
Mitchell, Jr.
Rev. Tom II. Briggs, the sailor oon-
Tractor was on hand to oppose the grant
ing of the church, He declared tbat
the Deacon Board would be held az
countable, II it acted and intimated that
they would be dealt with by the church.
THE RULING OF THE CHAIR.
Chairman Holmes ruled that az Raw
Briggs was not member of the Deacon
Board, he had no right to speak witbont
Its permission. He insultinRly resnonds
ed that he was a member of the ohnrch
He continued to speak despite the
mild protests of the other members.
The Deacon Board voted unanimous-
ly to grant the request.
1t Is always customary to do this when
the petition Is signed by l5 or more
bona-tide members Of the church.
Brother Henry G.. Garter who did NOT
wear those big-leg white breeches and
shad-belly coat last Sunday mornin1
was very indignant and openly declaraS
that the present Deacon Board would be
put out.
Rev. Robert Watkins, who was ouard
at the penitentiary during the Resdiu
ter rule was equally emphatic, but Bro
Nelson Williams, Jr., who forged the
names to the application for the meet.
ing was not in evidence on last Sunday
morning.
Deacon Harrison Smith was appo;nt.
ed to give out the notice at eyery ser.
vice Of the church. 0eA
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
MITCHELL'S FRIENDS AT WORK.
Appeal to Board of DeaoOns 10 Rein.
state Him.
(The News,-Aug. s, OIL

John Mitchell, Jr., editor Of the
Planet, has been expelled from fel.
lowship in the First African Rants,
Church OF this city. The grounds of
his expulsion is that he published in
MS paper the proceedings of a meeting
called In connection with the g.
lection or a pastor, which certain in
alvldnals believed should have been
kept secret. This majority by which
Mlschen was expelled was very narrow.
anu tne result was reached only after a
very stormy meeting and q defiance ~
parliamentary procedure. -
Friends Of the editor are circn1at;rc =,
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
Officers Elected.
MANcHRsrRR. ~ Ann 10

MANCHESTER, VA, Aug. 1S, 'O1
Following officers elected for instaila-
ton:
r. J. Jackson, Q. O.; Payton Garter. v.
c.; Umphrey Seaborn, Prelate; Edward
Barbitt, NJ. of Ex.; Cyrus Jones, x. OF
r. & s.; Robert Holmes, M. at A:
Fletcher Powell, /. g.; Elijah MUIR ay'
o. g.; Jas. 7, Thompson, M. of Wo rks'
Geo. E. Scott, M. of Finance.
The officers were installed by DEPUTY
J. T. Thompson OF Manchester Lodge.
No. IL, X. of p. assisted by Sir s. S.
Baker, P. Q. of Maceo Lodge;
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
JOHN MITCHELL NOT DIsMAyED,
Friends Will Ask for a Recon sidera.
ton.
lEvening Leader, Aug. 8, 1901 J

iGNs1AilS Leader, Aug. 8, 1901
John Mitchell, editor of the PLANET
is not disturbed at the action of the First
Baptist Church (colored) in excluding
him from Its membership.
Ihe action was taken on the part of
the church at meeting held last Mon
day night, which ran until 2 O'clock in
the morning. The cause of the action
was the publication of letter i'm the
PLANET, which certain members of the
chnrch aIlege was secret matter.
When seen this afternoon Mitchell
salo tnat the action Of the church was
entirely contrary to the rules of the
church, and that, while he was exclnd1
ed at the meeting, he did not consider the
action legal. His friends have called a
meeting for the 10Th instant, at which
time the question of reconsideration will
be considered.
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17

petitions afsdFessedts the Board cJfaOe;
csfls, for meeting to be held en An.
tT-st 18th To takss the matter up in due
sSrm. The enemies Of Mitchell. it's AL
aged, dlSegawsed t2re Board of Desoons
tc winch uele uEstter should have been
@S-ered beESTe She'cOngregation was call
go TO pass npE 1T, itsecause of tsaaq.d was
I&tevorable go HFtcheE.
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
GRANDERSON-JONES,

The marriage of Mrs. Frances a, .Jono.
to Mr.. Robert d. GrAndersou has hs.s,S' ,s,s
nounced to take place Aug. 27th. att sly.
O'Clock p. m, at the Hotel Reformsr
The bride is the young and attractive-
widow OF the Late Cornelius Jones and -
very popular. The groom is a valueCS
employee OF the True Reformers, beinS,.
s9e manager of Branch Store, No. 5
Manchester, Va, -
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
sTIIK rRxvR' m. ENDS.
: " hat Are We Here For!

The representative of, one of cur white
Democratic daily jonrnals called ON us
and after expressing surprise at the ac-
ton of the First Baptist Church re-
marked, 'FtMitchen, why, der t You ask
Ethem, what are we here for
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17

WANTlBD-A man Mith horse and
tools, tcwqrk ON shaRes -ssman farm
very near city. Suits5ble for trucking
sard grazing. Good chance fer industri-
GS man ana wife, Apply top this office.
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
A COMPARISON OF WAGES.

DIR. ID. A. Ferguson, the Dentist
OF ITO East Leigh St., has removed his
Office to 500 North 2nd St., opposite the
True Reformers' Bank. His new Office
is much nicer than his old one, which
VIII be more convenient for his patients,
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
TIE EDITORS POSITION.

stated in the PLANET at the time
and assert now that if there is anything
IN the report Of the proceedings which
is either incorrect or untrue, I stand
ready TO make such a correction.
/ need hardly to state that the editor
ial department of the PLANET, for which
l am personally responsible is ON the 4th
page and my name appears at the top of
the page.
In these columns, up to this writing.
Nothing has appeared concerning the
Hrst Baptist Church.
The article of which complaint ia
made appeared in the reportorial col
nmns and was report of the proceed
ings Of the church meeting.
If the church or any member interest
ed in the controversy desires to make a
statement, the columns of the Planet are
open.
WILL CONTEND TO THE END.
But, on the other hand, if any ATTEMPT
is made to question my right to publish
or to punish me for so doing, / shall con-
tinue the contest to the end Of the chap
ter.
claim the right guaranteed under
the law, and deny the right Of any in.
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17

- OelorS nearOth such an atte1nJItHd
nsurpatlun'of pswer on the part Of AIRY
oooy OF people strikiug as it does at a
vital basae principle of the republic and
Interchangeable the vested powers ,Cf
the courts.
The Question i5eforesus is, Can riurs
and representatives of. secret orsyanisr,-
tions name 'ttse pastors for cl5nrches,
mus deTsSlingtthe bona fide members ss,f
the church, h'ofosaeirrrighSs in thSs mat
ter?
Can oAsys stf-9e and Rr1zzle the mI .ic
press, which, as the bulwark of lrha,;ty
was ordained and sent forth to eszeese
Huch nehTlGas YpraebiSee7
QUESTIONS WHICH DEMAND ANSWERS.
Can tkSy, rpon their own rv,0uiep
place unYrlRclpled men in the chxi- H,y
questionable practices and att.nrz,t 70
punish tribune of the colored naanls
fone who sHs 3;tboret 6o- their irrtssv~S,ts
worked nlghtsand dSy in pleading sheir
cause IN oheifSrum of the nations
Can they attemptto cripple his aznaau-
Itence and boast of their prowess IN the
lSstreets of thesoity?
This is the,ouestiOIN which demands
SS.n answer
A meeting thas been called to cazsideu
Illls case Monday night, August 18Th.
Vi and tlese questions will no SScub,
Ilte discussed, there.
THE CHUsE .AND ser THE MAN
AS for me, 1Tt matters hut little. III is
the cause, rather than the man which
Will be preserved TO you.
At Is those'nenibers who stay axyay
from the cEsurth4meeeings which make
such disgraeeful scenes roossible
have nHShiag more TO say in tbs
iTpnsnises.
The peopleSaade, me swhat am Dur
ing my eighteen years ef public life, !
nave been offeIz servant, listening 40 tn,
complaints GfiShe low@yaand doing an In
my power tossscure' for them the rixhts
: 'whfch have Hseen so long denied.
Ine charge tGat i have in any wAy re
| 1ieeted upon either: factory people or the
laho ing cl0SSes in any walk of life !,
nsoaaosurd to require s-denial and vet .
+elo,d ny it.
STIIK IElyvR FRIENDS,
My friends have never deserted ,n,
when my enemies sought TO encornrSaas
my ruin or rejOioe at my defeat.
L leave the matter an the hands oS a
goOdtGod, knowing that despite all al
the stermy scenes through which 1 am
passing, shall latter ife's fitful feVsr.
sleepvHvel, and tine Maker of all good
and perfect gifts will, in His own time
wlpe'aL tears from our eyes.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN MITCHELL, JR.
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
Editor MitChelps
Statement.
A Review Of the First Baptist
Church Trouble.
THE PRESS AND ITS MISSION-A VESTED RTGFTT
Sn cannot BE1IADE A PUBLIC OFFFWSB

The. Gospel RHle.-Rights of the Deacon Board-BotY
Gods and Mans Law Disregarded--The Issue uoined
- Will Contend to the End
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
RICHMOND, Va, Aug. 10. 1901.

RICHMOND, VA, Aug. 10, 1901.
ToIthe.Memberssz6 the First baptist
Church.
ForItwenty-th years, I have heens
consistent contributing member of the
First Baptist Church and during that
time, Ihave never attempted to speak
or participate in the affairs of that body.
] would also remind yyou that during
that time ] have never been called on to
appear before it upon any charge
Whensthe time csmeffor the election
of pastor, 4 broke the long sileH,ce, and
protested against one of the most out-
rageous dissertations SftC3od's hoa. se,eyer
seen in this or any other community.
You are familiar no doubt wiCh the
disgraceful proceedings of Monday
night, June 3, 1901, when I with others
was jeered, hooted and threatened with
bodily injury on aocountsof not being
favorable 10 the candidacy of Re- w
T. johnson.
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
TnE ElcHT TO PUBLISH.

/ presume you knew that as, editor os
the PLANET, it is my right and DUTY to
publish anything l see fit, being respon-
sible only IN the courts of the common
wealth for the abuse of the privilege.
This right is engrafted in the 'Consti-
tuition Of the United States and tie Bill
of Rights OF Virginia.
1t is absurd to,say that a right--a vest
ed right in the recognized law of this
country is a crime in the recognized law
OF the church
1t is a'fact that there is not one line in
the constitution of the First Baptist
Ch1rch. which snys that the proceedings
of 8 church shall not be published in
the. columns of a newspaper Neither
rs there any punishment provided for so
doing.
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
THE WORLD SHOULD KNOW.

On the other hand, it is a well-known
principle that the church in it's meetings
should do nothing which it is ashamed
for the world toilnow.
The church is not a secret orSaniza-
ton. k comedies the right to publish
its proceedings in a favorable light and
thereby acknowledges the right to pub
hsh the proceedings in an unfavorable
light.
The statement that an official letter
addressed to $500 people is private doc
ument is too ridiculous TO admit of a
moments consideration
An official letter eannot be private
letter. ! had a right 10 publish it.
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
THE CHARGE As PRESENTED.

= Enough for thatl Suffice It to say that
injury was added TO insult,when upon a
trumped mp charge OF having beenzguil.
ty of public offense, / was again de-
MED the right of defense and IN the;face
of the most. outrageous partisan riding
by Rev. Tom H. Briggs, by vote of
56 TO q was declared excluded fromsthe
church Thus by votes was this out
rage Illegally perpetIated. This was
done in a church with a membership of
$500.
The charge was that l published in
the columns Of the PLANET the private
letter OF Rev.NW. T. johnson addressed
10 the cbnrph and also the proceedings
of the charchsmeeting Of July /, le0l.
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17
ALErTaK To THE EDgToR.

1t also contained letter type4written-
well punct1ase6 being the work of a.
person thoroughly trained in the type
writing business. IL is model of Eeat-
ness and correct spelling
IL reads as follows:
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17

dividual or organizationJo. lisnts; meuiE
that right.
| shall publish anySling.gI see Fl,
which is tcouched in decent hnguac.
and u a SqUrce of infonnatinl, to omy
readers. shall expose all iyapropel
and unlawful rings, ,cliqyes or-co,nbiIla.
tions- regardless OF the consequences
elther to n 1ysef or the journal which ]
represent
Richmond planet., 1901-08-17

I am frank to confess that have new