The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1910-12-10
M. E. CHURCH MISSIONARY
CONVENTION.


The Methodist Missionary Con
vention was held at the First M.
E. Church here this week, Bishop
Quayle, of Oklahoma, presiding.
Strong resolutions were passed
favoring the recognition of all
races and all nationalities. DR.. |.
L. Thomas, Colored delegate from
Baltimore, made an eloquent plea
in behalf of the Negroes, as did
the Japanese representative for
Japan. DR.. Thomas spoke in part
as follows:
The Black Man and the Nation.
Il am delighted at this privilege of
taking an humble part in an attempt
to bring America to Christ. | am to
speak about the black man and his
part in the nation. First, how did the
black man get into this nation? He
came not of his own accord, but was
brought here as property. What has
the black man done since he has been
in this country? We are glad to re-
cord with you that we have a priv
ilege of speaking to you today of what
he has accomplished. We might stop
awhile and consider his development.
Some people say the Negro should be
exported to Africa. That would be a
great undertaking; in fact, too great
one. The black man, it looks to me,
is in the nation to stay. What has he
done since he arrived in this land?
Negro in Wars Of Country.
First, he rendered service in the
Colonial days. Then came the revolu-
tionary war. In this conflict the black
man was part of the constituency to
secure freedom. Then came another
scene in the life of the country, when
the nation seemingly had become sep
arated. An effort was made to unite
the nation. To do that it was neces-
sary that blood be shed. Abraham
Lincoln, whose dust rests in this city,
made call to the North to respond,
and when they heard the voice they
answered, saying, we are coming to
preserve the nation. Then another
call was sent out-a call to the black
man to respond, and they answered
100 900 strong from the southland.
So you see he did quite little toward
making it possible for Old Glory to
wave over the land He has done
what he could to uplift the flag. Then
came the war of 1912, and then the.
Mexican war, in which the Ameri-
cans sought to save Texas. The
Negro took part in that work.
White Man Has Helped Negro.
Before you decide that the black
man shall leave America remember
he has fought for the stars and stripes
and that he has borne his humble bur
den with patience. We will not be
discouraged as long as there is a
Christ and Methodism. 1t cannot be
overlooked but that the black man
has made progress. We could not
have made that progress ourselves.
We received assistance. Had it not
been for the persons you represent,
we could not have advanced.
"The outlook for missionary en-
deavor first lies in the fact that the
Negro of this country must be recog-
nized as part of the nation. We are
here. 1t would be unwise to leave the
black man to himself. When you
consider that we have had only about
forty-five years to get where we are
today, you cannot expect of us as
much as of you, whose civilization
dates back hundreds of years.
"The Negro should be encouraged.
If we are encouraged there is no
doubt but what we will take our place
with the others In the nation Do not
believe all you see in the papers about
the crime of the black man They are
pften highly colored and often the
supposed black man is a white man
painted black. The Negro boy in his
hi, Ix1x - NxI
Iysically, mentally and morally. We
will stand for you in every welfare of
The nation"
The speaker then gave a picture of
The battle of San Juan hill and of the
Rough Riders of which Theodore
Roosevelt was the leader He then
stated it was a black man who placed
The American flag on that fortress.
The Flag of Humanity.
In conclusion the Rev. Mr.. Thomas
said:
"The black man has never shown
p spirit of insurrection. He has proven
)yal. However, we believe in another
ag besides the stars and stripes
he flag of humanity. There is one
lag we ever stand by and will never
cease fighting for-the flag of human
ty or brotherhood with its colors of
red, white, black, yellow or brown. l
hank you for this opportunity to
speak for the Negro in securing a
mans chance. All we ask is for the
stars and stripes to protect us. The
Chinese and the Japanese have a flag
md government behind them. The
Italian and the Bohemian has flag
behind him. Every race has flag
md government behind it. We have
20 flag, but Old Glory. VIII that nag
protect us Will it help to give us
mans chance? The Christians and
he republic must largely answer
hot