New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-01-02
Ess 81 Rights for Ala.

To the Editor Of lie Cmra,R::
1.-THE Womau's Christian Associa ton of
Hartford, FOR the purpose Of advancing tenn
poral, moral, and religious welfare Of women,
especially of young women, who are depend
ent upon their own exertions for support"
Such Is the act OF incorporation, passed by
the Legislature Of this State, Of tho Woman's
Christian Association Of this city for the pur-
poses named in the act. In it no mention is
implied of any reference to white women or
black women, and tho inference is that its
benefits were to be applied to all. A few
days since young woman Of this city applied
at this institution for the benefits the associ-
alton offered. and her application was held
under Amusement and an answer to be given
by appointment, and when she called for
decision on her application, was told in SUBJ
stance that none but white women would be
admitted there.
| should be pleased to know by what right
this association dared have the audacity to
mako any such rule? Have they not laid
themselves liable to show cause why their
charter should not be either amended or re-
pealed if ii is true that it was decision of
its managers? Now, sir, good women OF
this city, whose compilations are not lilly
white, were solicited to aid in this work, re-
ceiycd as mcnbers-their time, money, and
influence were sought and received with the
understanding and natural inference that
they or their sisters would have the benefits
of the association should they need it, but no
sooner are its doors opened than one of their
sisters applies for admission, and she is treat
ed to homi!y on progress and equality, the
objects OF the association perverted, the
woman repealed, their Creator cursed be-
cause He dared make one black and the other
white.
The theatres, the grog shops, the slums Of
pollution are nearly all open to all This
State has obliterated some Of its distinctive
laws black or separate schools are abolished
the word "whte" expunged from its fran
chise laws, though remaining in some others
the General Government questions whether
il will not expunge all distinctive laws--both
political parties are trying to outswear each
other in their fidelity to the black, and both
cursing them if they cannot control them and
their votes--and yet it remains for the reli-
gious, refined, wealthy, and cultivated wo-
men Of this city, composed of many sects,
TO keep alive the embers Of hate and of the
most accursed prejudices that ever disgraced
humanity.
Won't some one be good enough to tell me
in what part of the New Testament that
Christ which thoy worship teaches them to
cherish hatred, arrogance, and meanness I'M
der the pretense of serving their blessed
Master? Does He authorize them to create
distinctions on account of form or color?
Surely these Christian women would not dare
discbey his teaching and example. 1 hope
some Of these Goods people" will ayow their
agency in this matter and not keep their
light hid under 4 bushel, so that others COM
ing after may learn Gods work and will.
Don't say 81 have no prejudice against color
but some other fellow may have, and I'll
pander to it for eXpediency's sake" Wake
up, those Of you who try TO be Christian wo-
men, try to find Jesus, one who will preach
"peace on earth and good will to men,"
Who CT you did this, meant to do nothing
wrong, but the State Of Virginia did nothing
meaucr when it taxed blacks to support its
schools and would not permit theiI children
to receive the benefits of their school system.
No deception was practiced, but they took
their money, not as serving God, but wan
tonly and willfully, while you betrayed the
confidence of those who had felt that the
character Of this association was above sus-
pcion; they supposed you would not take
their money and give no equivalent. Placard
on your building, "whitc woman's Christian
association for white women" Trying solely
to mind my own business, to protect myself
| from all that is disagrceable, have been
considered cynical and captious, but here is
az instance in which both Of these clements
may serve a good purpose.
My excuse for having written the above is
because my sense Of decency, fair play, ano
proprlety has been outraged, and with the
hope that some one whose opportunity o.
knowing moro Of the life and teachings o.
Christ may teach me my ignorance Of hi:
mission in supposing it to have been love t.
God and man, not forgetting thatitis writer
that oppression maketh a wise man mad
Il. 2. SAUNDERS.