The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-15

Convention at Charlotte, one OF the most
notable and harmonious in the history
of that great and growing denomina-
ton, was marred by the unwise and silly
speech of Rev. j. C. Massee, pastor of
the Baptist Tabernacle in Raleigh, who
| in dramatic and sensational tones de-
cIared that ''the day was not far distant
when the government would lay the
strong arm of the law on the press
OF course everybody knew what Mr..
Massee meart. They understood that he
was smarting under a well deserved and
too mild censure for his incendiary Ii
cense of speech in his pulpit in Raleigh.
He had to go out of his way to lug IN
this sentiment fit only for the Dark Ages
when the mind of man was under the
sway of might and priestcraft.
The reason why Rev. Massee, the first
time he had an opportunity to address
the hosts of Baptist leaders, insulted
their intelligence by crying out for a cen
sor for the press was stated in the News
and Observer in its issue of September 5th;
INCENDIARY UTTERANCES-1S6S 1905.
Thirty years ago. when the white people
of North Carolina Indignantly protested
against negro government, an address
20 the people of North Carolina" was
prepared by a distinguished Republican
and sent broadcast throughout the State
| ha LOCI cla
tors and every man who signed it signed
bis political death warrant. Why? Be-
cause in that address the insidious ami
incendiary suggestion was made to the
newly enfranchised slaves that if the
white people denied them political power.
YOU HAVE THE TORCH" The man
who wrote that address was never for
given and it has for thirty years been re-
garded as the elimination of political
atrocity.
| On Thursday night OF this week, Rev
]. C. Massee, the new pastor OF the Bap-
tist Tabernacle, in Raleigh, in the course
of an address. said:
81 think the people of this country
have a whole lot to answer for the
way they treat the negro race. / be-
leve the time will come when there
will be an insurrection and blood
will run in the streets. and torches
put to our homes. / do not believe
in social equality far from 1T. But
the black man should be treated as
a human being. / don't wonder that
| they steal when they are paid such
| small salaries, not enough to support
a family; it is grinding that man
down. and in the sight of God one
stands condemned who does il"
| This utterance is on par with the in
cendiary advice given to the negroes hy
| the Republicans. "You have the Torch :
Both are in the same category.
| The motive of Mr.. Massee is far better
| than that of the writers of the address,
and wholly different He would be great
| ly panied to see his prediction fulfilled,
but the logical result of such predictions
| Is to incite vicious negroes to unreason-
able and impossible demands. When
these demands are denied, what next? 1t
| is here that Mr.. Masses prophecy of blood
| flowing on the streets and the like be-
comes incendiary.
| 1t is not to be thought for a moment
| that the membership of the Tabernacle
Baptist church will endorse these utter
ances of Mr.. Massee. In these he utterly
misunderstands and misrepresents TIE
| IDEAS and views of the white people of
| the South, and the damage that he is
doing by such utterances as those OF
| Thursday night is impossible to calcu-
late.
Mr. Massee, If he is sincerely desirous,
as We have no doubt he is, of helping the
negro, is mot taking a course that Will
result in any benefit to the members of
that race So far as Raleigh is concerned
its colored population is the best in the
world They will not be influenced IN
the least by Mr.. Massee's unwise utter
ance. There exists between them ara
their white neighbors friendly and kindly
relations They know that they arc
| treated with justice and consideration.
and they will repudiate the suggestion
that they have grievances warranting
the prophecy of bloodshed.
The press of the State took the matter
up and scored Rev. Massee as he de
served It was reported that he virtually
arologized for his incendiary utterance,
his church members forgave him, and his
congregation seemed willing to give him a
chance to outlive his wild and absurd
utterances. But his speech at Charlotte
shows he has been harboring in his mind
desire to get even with the press, and
50 upon the first opportunity afforded
him to address the Baptist State Con
vention, he makes this declaration:
Il believe the day will come when the
license of editors Of our great daily
papers will have to be curtailed. These
editors are exerting too much influence
and power over the popular mind, too
often not wisest and best, and | beheve
the day is not far distant when the gov
eminent will have to lay the strong arm
of the law on the press and repress
abuses.
Fortunately for the good name of the
Baptist church. the traditional enemy OF
church establishment and Stacking the
press and denying free speech, there was
immediate protest, which was voiced by
Rev Henry w. Battle. D. D.. of Greens
| l. l.