The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-24

will run IN the streets and torches
put to our homes. l do not believe
in social equality, far from it. But
the black man should lie treated IS
a human being. 1 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
it,
l asked Mr.. Massee if he had been cor
rectly reported by Mr. Conn. He said hc
had, but would like to make a statement
He dictated the following which 1 took
down, read it over to him, and published
in the News and Observer in the same
issue with his remarks above quoted.
81 do not remember the exact words
did use | did not use the word in
surrection, but simply made an effort
TO describe the conflict which / believe
to be inevitable between the races
unless the present tendency of things
is radically changed.
Il regret exceedingly that the mat
ter has been made a subject of press
comment, as it was intended simply as
moral teaching for my own people at
the most quiet of all our church
services.
''The utterances in the afternoon
paper, which have created some sensa-
ton, are sensational only because dis
associated from the body of the ad-
dress in which these sentiments were
,,tf Tha od ,lxy ha
application of some moral truths grow
ing out of Jobs defense of his own
righteousness. He had declared him
self innocent of the charge of op-
pressing the wage Garner, and l drew
some moral lessons concerning the
relation between employer and en-
ploye, and the responsibility which the
employer has before God for fair
treatment and just wages for his SER
wants. At the present time the Home
Mission Board of the Southern Bap-
tist Convention has no policy concern
ing the education and Christianiza-
ton of the 10000 900 negroes in the
South and we have a higher duty to
them than the getting of the most
labor for the least money. We must
recognize them more as human beings
with rights which should be accorded
to them. Many of us have lost sight
of justice in our dealings with them
and for any oppression in this matter
of wages we are responsible to Cod
Mr.. Conu was also interviewed and he
said:
Il submitted the proof of the article
that appeared in the Raleigh Times
yesterday afternoon concerning the
lecture of Rev. ]. c.. Massee at the
prayer meeting on Thursday at the
Tabernacle Baptist church to DR.. Mas
see. He read and corrected the proof,
except typographical errors, ond the
article as it appeared in the Raleigh
Times was sanctioned by him, and he
said to me concerning it, That Is all
right and very fair, thank you, sir
AT previous interview l had with
him in preparing the article in ques-
tion he told me that he had looked
over the audience Thursday evening
end saw there no newspaper report
ers, so / went to parties who had
been there, as 1 had heard the lecture
was a sensational one This accounts
for my preparing the article from
accounts given by others and then
submitting it to DR.. Massee for either
his approval or disapproval. He ap-
proved it."
l then wrote an editorial, comparing
the incendiary utterance of Mr.. Masse,
with an address issued by Republican lead
CTS in 1863, which told the negroes that
il white people denied them politica
power "YoU HAVE THE TORCH and
concluding the editorial, wrote:
THE motive of Mr.. Massec is far
better than that of the writers OF the
address, and wholly different. He
would be greatly panied to see h:j
prediction fulfilled, but the logical
result of such predictions is TO incite
vicious negroes 10 unreasonable and
impossible demands. When these are
denied. what next? 1t is here that
Mr.. Massee's prophecy of blood flow
ing on the street and the like be
comes incendiary.
1T is not thought for a moment
that the membership of the Taber-
nacle Baptist church will endorse
these utterances of Mr.. Massee. In
them he utterly misUnderstands and
misrepresents the 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 calculate.
'Mr. Massce, if he is sincerely de-
sirous, as VIC have no doubt he is, of
helping the negro, is not 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 utterance.
There exists between them and their
white neighbors friendly and kindly
relations. They know that they are
treated with justice and considera-
tion, and they will repudiate The sug-
gestion that they have grievances
warranting the prophecy Of blood
she'd
A Baptist deacon, who is q long-tim,
subscriber of the Biblical Recorder fnt
the News and Observer, speaking Of Mr.
Baley's charges said to re:
THE idea has been spread abroad
that the News and Observer invaded
the quiet precincts of prayer meet
ing and seized upon a detached utter
ance with the malicious desire 10 10