Evening star., 1927-04-21
COOLIDGE GREETS
COLORED CLERGY
Tells Members of Ministerial
Alliance They Are Lead
i'll erS of Race.

The delegates attending the Inter
denominational Ministerial Alliance
now in session at the metropolitan A
N. T.. Church, We're extended q formal
E9seeting by President Coolidge yester
day afternoon at the White House eX
ecaItive offices. President Coolidge ex
pressed his faith in the leadership OF
the colored race by the colored min
istry and declared: "Your opportuni-
ties are large and your responsibilities
great"
The delivery of the presidents an
ntAal address, by Rev. c. l.. Russell
Of Washington, founder and presi-
dent of the alliance, occupied the
merning session yesterday. The ad-
dress was a plea for stricter adherence
to- the fourteenth and fifteenth con
stitutional amendments, which, if ad-
hered to, he said, would tend to pro-
mote the civil. economic and po-
litical aspirations of the colored
race"
Outlines Extension Plan.
Rev. Mr.. Russell outlined a plan
Tor extending the work of the al
lance to include interdenominational
ministerial alliances in every locality
which will further the alliances pro-
gram to foster racial good WILL and
for this purpose he stated that a
publication, to be entitled the Peace
Defender" +" will be started.
Following the reference of the pres
idential address to a committee, which
viii examine it for recommendations
to the assembly at large, a symposium
was held upon the question of Lead
ershi~ of the Colored Race"
Canon Stokes VIII Speak.
Rev. Anson Phelps Stokes, canon
of Washington Cathedral, will address
the alliance on Americas Need of
Religion" this afternoon at 3 o'clock.
Mordecai Johnson president of How
ard University, will speak at 4 o'clock.
"What Price Freedom?" will be the
subject of an address by James w.
Johnson, executive secretary of the
National Association for the Advance
ment of the Colored People" at s
O'Clock tonight. Rev. David Wylie,
president of the Lords Day Alliance
of America, will also speak on 'The
Fight for the Best of Days"
A plea for universal enforcement of
the fourteenth and fifteenth amend
ments to the Constitution, which will
lead to the realization of the racial
aspirations of the negro for equal
rights, was made by Rev. c. l.. Rus
sell of Washington in his annual ad-
dress yesterday before the Alliance,
at the Metropolitan Church. The
speaker laid before the assembly
of ministers from widely scattered
localities 81 program calling for Wig
orous campaign to further the work
of the alliance.
Rev. Mr.. Russell emphasized the
necessity for more harmonious rela
tions between the races of America,
and stated that it was only from this
cooperation that the negro, who, he
said, has so recently emerged from
darkness, can arrive at his destiny.
Women Assuming Leadership.
A symposium was held upon the
subject of negro leadership. Rev. D.
p. Turpeau of Pittsburgh stated the
''womanhood of our race is fast re-
pudiating the leadership of the min
istry, and assuming the leadership of
their own
He warned the colored ministry
against participating in political af-
fairs and characterized it as some
thing which is contrary to the promo
tion of our group" He said that 1.-THE
realm of the ministry was in the field
of moral ideals" and he advised the
colored ministry to purge themselves
of political affiliations and creeds.'
He was answered by Rev. A. G. Gar
ner of New York, who said that "as
long as the moral leadership rests in
the hands of the ministry all other
forms remain there Also adding that
'.it is the colored minister who most
nearly grasps the issues before the
negro voter, and can best interpret
them to him.
Says Colored Vote Is Needed.
Rev. w. B. Wiseman of Washing
ton, the last speaker, made the state
ment that 'the colored vote is badly
needed in close campaign and con-
sequently Of great weight in deter
mining the results of elections which
may be of great moment to the Nation,
and that the preacher who has the
intellectual capacity. combined with
the qualities of leadership, is in the
best position to render this service