New-York tribune., 1903-02-02
ARGUE OVER NEGROES.
Southerner an Church Disputes Or.
porRhmst's s Remarks.

The Rev DR. Charles IT. Parkhurst yesterday
81 making his announcements for the week re
ferred 10 affairs i'm the South in way WHICH
caused Southerner in the congregation TO pro
test when he had chance to speak TO the min
lister after the close OF the service. DR.. Park
hurst announced that at the Wednesday even
ing PRAYER meeting there would be an address
by the Rev. W. II. Mitchell, missionary Of
the Freedmen's Board in South Carolina.
Booker T. Washington has informed DR.. Park
hurst that the Rev. Mr., Mitchell is a reliable
man. in making the announcement DR. Park
hurst said:
Even ii this day. long after the procla-
nation of emancipation. there is in many parts
of the South a condition OF veritable slavery
Although we claim to be a civilized people. there
IS A degree OF barbarism in our treatment of the
black race that is not exceeded in any part OF
TIE world And although-U1 send out MISSION
..ries toaChristanize other lands. there are COM
rnu1lities in the South as unchrstian as any part
Of heathendom."
Al the close of the service the Southerner
waited in the lecture room. with a number OF
others who wished 10 speak TO DR.. Parkhurst
The stranger said he was from Arkansas pul
did moi give his name. He declared there was
no such thing as a negro question IN the
south. and told DIT. Parkhurst he was misin-
.orn,ad az 10 conditions in that section. The
negroes were treated properly, he asserted, and
iv,, credence was 10 be given to sensational re-
norris Of their systematic ill-treatment
What about the grandfather clause,
asked Dr. Parkhurst. and the systematic sup
preston Of the negro vote2
THAT clause affects ilIiterate whites as we'll
rs blacks said the Arkansan
But it was aimed at the hlacks-you must
certainly admit that"
The visitor replied in the affirmative, bGt as
serted that the policy in question was due to
-,o,3+3ca1 conditions. and there was no warrant
for declaring that a condition of barbarsm eX-
,is.ed in the South
How about the lynchings?" demanded the
doctor
The discussion Was becoming warm and others
In the room looked on in amazement, although
anne Of the officers of the church asserted IN
rather loud tones that he stood by every word
the doctor said.
The stranger continued, speaking earnestly,
hut suayeIy. and in such low tones that other
,,ersors present could catch only a word here
and there. He said something about lynching
being inevitable almost in cases of criminal as
saulf. Mr Parkhurst retOrted:
But 1 have myself received an account-Ilot
= -ewspaper report-from a reliable man, of
n t,-ncrine which occurred lately within three
-,1es of his home and there was no criminal
assault in the case at all. I wish to be fair
minded i'm this matter. however, and VIII say
10 YOU what have often said before, that IN
some respects the negroes receive worse treat
177ert in the North than in the South. But come
to the meeting next Wednesday night Our
s7in7s are open and wish TO learn all the
facts ] cordially invite you TO be present al
she meeting and to give expression 10 your
views. ] can assure you that you viii have
fair hearing
The stranger said he regretted that he had TO
laa1e New-York before that time He SHOOK
hands With the minister on going away
JO- Park hurst also announced that "A meeting
1r the congregation would be held this AFTER
noon TO take action the proposition to sell
the church property The trustees have ap-
1,roved ii and il is expected that the congrega-
1ion viii do the same
While DR. Parkhurst engaged in the dis
tlssion about the South a nervous looking
o-oung man hunted UP the assistant minister.
The Rev W w Coe. and whispered a few
words TO him. Mr.. Coe smiled. and indicated
the way TO the pastors room The young man
went back into the main auditorium, and quick
" reappeared with woman Mr. Coe soon
pronounced the couple man and wife. and they
FASTENED away The bridegroom gave the name
,of Clarence BiedIiman, and the bride that of
Mrs Cora Wahl. They said they had come from
Philadelphia the = O'Clock train, and were
going back AT once.