The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-06-20

mere to deliver his lecture is of far
more significance and Importance
than appears on the surface. The
real Importance and complete sig
nificance of the matter cannot he
appreciated without at least a par
t1al understanding of the facts-not
only the facts that were given to the
pubic through the press, but more
especially the FACTS that were care
FULLY suppressed. The word sup
pressed, is used with full regard for
the true meaning Of the term, since
1t cannot be denied that there was
suppression on the part of the local
newspapers and on the part of the
big Press Association, in that the
utmost care was taken that only the
barest outline Of surface develop
ments should get into the papers in
and out of st. Louis, with no hint of
what the matter really means. First,
few words as to what actually
occurred, by way of making plain
what is meant by the Significance"
of the matter, and even at the risk
of retelfing what has already been
told to the reading public.
Plans were made for General
Miles to deliver his lecture in a. hall
connected with and owned by the
Second Baptist church. This is one
of the largest and most influential
Protestant church organizations in
st. Louis. It's house of worship, on
Kingshighway, is one Of the grand
est in the city, and the minister in
charge, Rev. DR.. Biting, is a man
Of high standing and undisputed
influence in the community. A very
few days before the date set for the
lecture, the announcement was made
on the authority Of DR.. Biting that
the use of the hall would be denied
Gen. Miles; that, while the letting
of the hall was a simple business
matter, the hall being intended for
public use, still, the discovery hav-
ing been made that the lecture pro-
posed to be delivered was against
another religious organization, it
would not be good judgment to
allow the use of the hall; that it
would not be possible to make the
general public see that the Second
Baptist church was not responsible
for the utterances of the lecturer.
While this announcement drew
considerable attention that might
not have been otherwise secured for
the coming lecture, no great amount
of adverse criticism was aroused,
and it was realized that there was
FEASIBILITY Of argument, at least, in
support of the action. Three days
remained in which to secure another
hall, and make necessary arrange
ments. Apparently no obstacle was
presented to securing Odeon Hall.
This was done, and plans progressed.
The date for the lecture was Fri
day, May "a. In the afternoon of
that day, Rev. Father N. l.. Frazen,
pastor of the St. Alphonsus Catholic
church, accompanied by member of
his church, said to have been very
prominent physician, but whose
actual identity had been kept under
cover, called on the manager of the
Odeon building, and asked that the
contract for the use of the great hall
by General Miles under the auspices
of the. Guardians of Liberty be can
celled. Argument advanced was of
such a convincing mind that the
hall was closed to General Miles,
and a large crowd that gathered to
hear the lecture, went away disap-
pointed, after lingering until late in
the night.
Now for few words of explana-
ton: Odeon building is located on