The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-20
jeot to be sent to the virginia Reform
AN APPEAL Is MADE.
Negro Ministers Conference Ask Tor
ilUuc:.. iOnai Advantages


An appeal 20 the white citizens of Vir-
gina by the Negro Ministers Conference
of Richmond and Manchester, Va, re-
Gently submitted to the conference. Inc
conference adopted it. The appeal is as
follows:
In view of the near approach OF the
Constitutional Convention, which IS to De
held in the State OF Virginia for the
purpose of revising and amending it's Con-
misunderstanding that some law may be
enacted that may change our present
public free school system, by applying
for the maintenance of Negro education
that money only, that the taxes on the
Negroes property furnishes, and reallz-
ing the hurtful effect of such a law, not
only upon the Negro, but upon the pest
interest of the State itself
I'VE. the Negro Baptist Ministers Con-
ference of Richmond and Manchester,
Va. representing over 1900 communicates,
present liz advance this our earnest plea,
for ourselves and the conservative ele-
lnent whom we represent, TO you, the
liberal minded white citizens OF Virginia,
by whose kind offer our people nave tor Il
number of years enjoyed those education
nj advantages whc have been found
necessary TO good citizenship among all
nations OF the earth.
I'VE acknowledge with profound CRATE
fuLlesS your kindness IN making TINS gen
araus provision for the poorer class
found among YOU. people between
whom and your fathers the most trust
and friendly relations were maintained
for over two hundred years; and in the
most irving per.od Of your history, when
your families were exposed and your
fields deserted this people continued 10
Guard YOUR homes and turn your burrows
without reward
.sWhile we are not disposed to awaken
UNPLEASANT memories. Yet 1t IS but just 10
say shis may be the greatest reason why
the Negro is lacking in resources 70 Gu
ucats himself. We regret, with deep NOR
t,ffcation. the occurrences among u, that
seem ia show that the education OF the
Negro is a failure but those depraVed
characters DO not show the weakness OF
education bur the want Of it. Criminals
are found among that class that attend
neither school nor church, but, IKE the
lepers of old, they isolate themselves
among the tonbs.
we assure YOU we are doing all we
can TO reach them, and we beg. we plead
with YOU take not from us me helpiui
reinforcement OF the present puonc 1ree
school system. We hope such cases as
cited above may not lessen your interest,"
in a race with whose future your own IS
"a Immediately connected. \ race. the
majority of whom, by a life OF honest
tot, and an unfaltering devotion to law
and order, are proving themselves worthy
of the sympathy and respect OF All good
people. az
,-ind1iness of heart and the fairness OF
Judgment found among the better class OF
White people of this State, as evidenced by
the support given the Hampton institute I.s
The Virginia Normal and Collegiate III
stitute, besides the SS06 public schools OF
the State. leaves Us to still cherish the
hope that no steps Will be taken 70 iiiiiue q
| .17t. Eeoro in his honest effort to rise in
The scale of Industry Intelligence and self
respect: the foundation Of which IS so
well laid by our present excellent puohc
iie A BINGA. JR.,
f. PAYNE.
z. D. LEWIS,
Committee.