Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-05-30
A SOUTHERN
METHODIST
Addresses General M. E. Con.
ferenee---Nof Hopeful OF
Reunion.

Much significance was attached to the
fact that at Saturdays session of the
General Conference, Rev. DR. Collins
Denny. fraternal delegate from the
Methodist Episcopal Church South to
the Conference. did not predict an early
union with the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
DR.. Denny. at no point in his speech,
gave any intimation that the church he
represented was anxious for organic
union with the Methodist Episcopal
Church. His address. an unusually long
one, was generally construed as un-
favorable to such union. One part of
his address was taken generally as be-
ing distinctly opposed to an amalgama-
ton of the two branches Of Methodism
under present conditions. He referred
to physical impossibilities. and de-
clared that the racial instincts and feel
ings of the South had undergone no
change that the new South. in this
respect, was as the old South.
The bulk of his address. which came
toward the close of the session. was
devoted to a passionate and eloquent
defense of the South and the Southern
people. He painted the South in glow
ing colors he told of the splendid
characteristics of its people. of their
troubles, difficulties, problems and of
the manner in which they had met and
conquered them. His tribute to South
ern womanhood was a beautiful one.
He described graphically the burdens
under which they had struggled for
many years.
DUTY TO NEGROES.
Upon the negro question DR.. Denny
asserted that the South had done more
for the negro than all the other sects
and denomination and kinds of people
in the world.
1--WE trained him we civilized him
we taught him until we could trust him.
Ii is to his credit that he has shown he
could be trusted since, but the South
has been and is his friend, and little is
known of what our church and our
people have done for the negro.
DIR. Denny told how Stonewall Jack
son had taught negro Sunday School
and of other instances of the kind
Before beginning his statement con-
cerning the South Dr. Denny asked the
Conference whether il preferred to be
fiattered or to have the facts whether
it wanted to be told that physical
impossibility" could be accomplished
or whether it wanted the truth whether
it was willing for a few moments to
look upon the South with the eyes of
Southerner and be informed of the true
condition.
Upon receiving an affirmative answer
he went ahead, and while he was well
received and applauded enthusiastically
when he got through the strength and
force of his eulogy of the South and his
description of the attitude of the South
ern people did not, it seemed, hit ex-
actly the right key. Years ago the
rock upon which the two churches split
was the negro question. DIR. Denny's
statement that the racial instincts of
the South are still the same and his
reference to physical impossibilities"
was regarded as significant.
DIR. Denny extended upon the part of
his church the heartiest greetings and
the most affectionate regard and ad-
miration, but he said nothing about
union, whereas throughout the Confer
ence the prospective amalgamation of
the two churches has been prominently
TO the front upon number of occasions.