The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-04-08
northern ! i Prejudice against Color.

denied work in shops with whites ]; now
they were denied equality in churches, and
even in public houses. restaurants, ana Ice
cream saloons. Against this prejudice
aca;ns, color' the writer in7eighed bitter
ly-to this he attributed the failure Of tho
negro in the great Gotham. That he was
equal in capacity TO tho white man. TINS
writer earnestly commended; but he could
not overcome the tide Of prejudice and con"
tempt of the whites, which was fearfuliy
taking him down the stream to sad fate
The Tribune of Saturday brings US an
other vail over this "preiudice," SO called.
Il appears that colored man from Canada
brought q letter Of INTRODUCTION to MIR.
GREELEY, and that gentleman sent to in
ouire Of one A. n. POWELL where the CO.
lored man aforesaid could get "hotel en-
tertainment." POWELL just then was
looking out for respectable" lodgings for
"a Massachusetts lady Of wealth, intelli-
"gence, and culture, and her son, gen.
"tlemanly young man Of liberal European
"education, both slightly colored." He
wrote to the principal hotels, asking could
these persons ."be provided with good
"rooms, be received at the public table,
"and have the same attention as other
"guests 7"
PowELL-it is not stated whether he IS
black or white-receiyed answers, and for
the information of the Tribune readers he
gives the purport Of these answers thus:
ST. Nicholas" Never had such an ap-
plication before. The parties had better
make personal application"
lMetropolitan.-ss Very sorry, but could
not possibly do 80. Would lose all our
guests, most likely, if we did"
AStor House." Impossible"
Fifth Avenue.-" Will give an answer
another time"
Hoffman House.-"Will send an answer"
Euerett House." Proprietor in Massa-
chusetts. Will send an answer when he
returns, on Saturday"
81. Janes.-Sent letter declining.
Brevoort House.-Sent letter declining.
Westminster. =" Mot possible. Would
have every guest leave if we did"
Clarendon.-"1 Impossible to make any
promises, as we are very full about that
time. Besides, our guests are generally
such as stay with US some time every year,
and not like at other hotels, come and 60
irregularly."
There is a great deal Of cunning and
lodging in most of these letters but it will
be observed that in no single instance is
there any concession made to color, not
withstanding that it presents itself in this
case in the fascinating garb "of wealth,
intelligence, and culture" accompanied by
the evident apology of being "only slightly
colored!" There could not be case less
Objectionable on account of color where the
slightest trace remained, and one where the
sin of color was atoned for by graces more
oommendable Yet not door was opened
to the applicants. They were shut out
from ell respectable "'lodgings
There were some of these hotel-keepers
more honest than others. We are little
surprised to find that the Astor House, the
old headquarters of " abolitionisn,'' is the
most frank and curt Of all. "Impossi-
BILE" says the Astor. Here is "prejudice !"
concentrated in one word; and that word,
too, one of power and fnality. 1t embalms
prejudice uncompromising, with positive
ness that there is no other power to subvert.
The proprietor of the Aston is king in his
own house; and color finds no place to
eat or to sleep under his roof. "Impossi-
ble" And the abolitionists made great
to do in the saloons Of the Astor in other
days, and the apostles "of liberty, equali-
ty, and fraternity " for the black man were
distinguished by especial favors st the
Astor.
We note all this with reference to the
Astor because it is world-renowned hotel
and its conduct so faithfully reflects tht
purposes and feelings Of the leading aboli
tionists who formerly met there to consult
All that they said on the subject Of equalit!
of the black man with the white man wa
fudge, humbug. They were engaged in
political or party game, which being won
they have no idea of negro "fraterniza
ton" "Impossible !"
While these persons SO prejudiced
against color ct the North are refusing t
admit the negro to their hotels,-and utterl.
scouting the idea Of admitting him to thei
houses-while he is not allowed to wor!
in the shops, and is, like leper, driven o.
to himself, and not permitted to cross tn
threshold of northern society, we are con
sidered contumaoious for objeoting to hi
holding Office, and our railroads are fine
heavily for not allowing him seat amongs
the ladies! What inconsistency VIVA
hypocrisy!
The poor, deluded negro will find on
after while that he is o mere tool. No
one Of those who come from the North, an,
here fraternize with negroes, and ask thei
votes, is one whit less prejudiced agains
them than those he leaves behind him
The adventurer who comes here for Office j
but restraining his prejudice while b
seeks to use the black man as ladde
with which he is to get into Office. The de
luded black man will discover at last tina
his only true friend is the southern man
who has never put on disguise, who ha
told the negro the truth, and has more sym
pathy and true kindness in his heart to
day for the African than is to be found i,