The broad ax., 1918-03-23
PRESIDENT WILSON RECEIVES
REPRESENTATIVES, OF THE A.
N E. CHURCH-CoM SION
PLEDGES PRESIDENT SUPPORT.
A Strong Protest Against Lynching and
Jim Crowism.
Washington, D. c., March 19.
fSneeiall

Especially
"Words urging patriotic duties upon
the Negroes while they are lynched and
Jim erowed have the appearance Of in.
sincerity" was a sentiment expressed
to President Woodrow Wilson by q
commission appointed by the Bishops
Council of the African Methodist Epis.
copal Church to make representation
against discrimination against Negroes
Of this country.
The appointment with President Will
son was arranged by Prof. ]. r. Haw-
kins, financial secretary of the A. N. E.
Church.
The commission was headed by Bishop
W. d. Chappelle Of South Carolina.
The other members of the committee
were Prof. ]. r. Hawkins Of Washing
ton, DR.. W. 7. Vernon Of Tennessee, DR..
W. 81. 81. Butler Of Pennsylvania, DR..
]. g. Robinson of Tennessee, DR.. A. d.
Hill Of Arkansas and DR.. A. L. Gaines
of Baltimore.
Bishop Chappelle made the repre-
sensations to the President and left
with him q written document setting
forth the views Of the commission. The
response of the President, though guard
ed, was very gratifying.
The sentiment Of the commission fell
lows:
Washington, D. c., March 10, 1918.
Hon Woodrow Wilson,
President of the United States.
Mr.. President, Sir:
We, the undersigned citizens Of the
United States, and representatives of
the African Methodist Episcopal
Church, appointed by the Bishops
Council of said church, which met at
Louisville, KY, Feb. IA, 1918, beg to
submit to you the following memorial or
prayer.
With due sense of appreciation of
the great struggle in which we are now
engaged, and the arduous task laid
upon you as chief magistrate Of our
country, pledge to you our fidelity as
loyal citizens Of our republic.
These are trying times, and we are
passing through ordeals that try men 3
souls, and now more than ever before
our people need hope and encourage
ment.
We believe you have read with deep
regret Of the inhuman and unlawful
treatment of our people in many sec
tions Of the country, and we come pray
ing you for relief from mob violence
and other determinations which are 50
prevalent.
We do not condone crime committed
by any people; nor are we asking that
You wink at crimes committed by our
people; but we are asking that in eases
Of alleged violation Of law, that each
and every individual be given q fair
and impartial trial by q jury Of twelve
men Of their fellow citizens.
Since Congress has given you, as
President, power to conseript citizens |
from and within all the States Of the
Union, to fight for common cause Of |
human liberty, and for the protection |
Of this country, we believe that it is
equally within the power Of Congress to
authorize you to enter any states in this
Union with said power, to protect the
life and liberty Of the citizens therein.
Believing this As we do, we ask:
First. That lynehing be made fed
eral offense.
Second We ask that in all cases of
lynehing and mob violence, where citi-
zens are guilty Of participating in the
same, they shall be punished by law
and declared ineligible to hold ofies In
our government, either federal or state.
Third. We ask that any sheriff al.
lowing his prisoner to be lynehed or
MANNED while in his custody be declared
unfit fer that high ofiee and at once
removed BY the governor. |
Mr.. President, We make this appeal to
ron because our people have always
been loyal 10 this government and are
tin loyal and faithful In this the most |
tEying time Of its history. - ~ Il
We are In the midst Of = great world
vide war which win take, a. We zee Il, U