The Portland daily press., 1877-06-21
MiddIe.Age Prejudice.

The case of the New York banker, Joseph
Seligman, who was refused accommodation at
the Grand Union Hotel, Saratoga, because
he was Jew, has excited great deal of
interest. People are very curious to know
why Judge Hilton has attempted to revive
old preiudices against race which has given
its religion to the civilized world-for it is not
to he believed for moment that his action is
a recognition of any existing prejudice in the
minds of the general public. In reading of
Judge Hilton's suddenly developed antipathy
to the Hebrews one cannot help recalling the
story of the man who met an Israelite in the
streets of San Francisco and fell upon him
and beat him. The Israeite turned upon
his assailant, whom he had never seen be-
fore, and asked the reason of the assault.
"You are Jew, amt you9" queried the
enraged bruiser. eyes" "And you Jews
crucifed Christi" "Holy Moses, that was
eighteen hundred years ago." exclaimed the
astonished Israelite, mo matter il twas !;
I've just heard of it, replied the champion of
Christianity, as he renewed the assault. Is
III pUSSlUlC Uudt OuuSO 1lubOA udo Juot ACdAu
of the Crucifxion?
Mr.. Selgman says that when he applied
for rooms at the hotel he was told by the
clerk that the proprietor had given instruc-
tions that no Jew should be received there.
Mr.. Seligman was so astonished that for
some time he could make no reply. Then he
said: edo you mean to tell me that you
will not entertain Jewish people?' "That is
our orders, sir" was the reply. Before
leaving the banker asked the reason why
Jews were thus prosecuted. Said he, care
they dirty, do they misbehave themselves, or
have they refused to pay their pills?' Oh,
no, replied the manager, "there is no fault to
be found in that respect. The reason is
simply this: Business at the hotel was not
good last season, and we had large number
of Jews here. Mr.. Hilton came to the con-
clusion that Christians did not like their
company, and for that reason Stunned the
hotel.'' Mr.. Seligman at once went to New
York and consulted with his friends. The
result of the consultation is that over fifty
Hebrews who have heretofore dealt largely
with the house of A. T. Stewart & Co., a
firm which has Judge Hilton tor its head,
have slgnifed their intention of withdrawing
their patronage. 1t is estimated that their
withdrawal will cause shrinkage of $780,
600 annually in the receipts of the firm.
The indignation among the Israeites in New
York and elsewhere is great.
Judge Hilton seems to have come to
realizing sense Of his mistake, and is endeav-
oring to excuse himself. But he does not
better the situation, and only gives fresh
illustration of the French maxim that qui
reporter he says that Mr.. Seligman was not
turned away from the hotel because he was
Jew but because he was 'an Adler Liberar'
and chad thrown Moses overheard" The
spectacle of an American Christian putting
himself forward as champion of Hebraic
orthodoxy is absurd as that of the Eng
lishman in the character of champion of
Islam. The Judge further says that Mr..
Seligman is ga trading Jew". Considering
how the firm of A. T. Stewart was built up
and maintained this excuse is very funny.
He further says that the banker demanded
rooms in an ostentatious manner" Those
who have ever seen ''guests" engaging rooms
at summer resort will be difficult to per-
suade that ostentation is confined to Israel
ties, or that it is an objection, in the minds
of landlords at least, to boarders. The truth
is, Judge Hilton has made great mistake
and is trying to disguise it. He seems to
have had in mind the antiquated sentiment
of the old Easter hymn:
"Christ is risen! Christ is risen!
All the Je VS. must 90 to prison.