Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-09-18
Race Prejudice,

In the time of Ivanhoe, as we young
fellows remember, Jews were tortured
to force them to tell where their money
bags were hidden; but now neither they
nor their money-bags are wanted at
fashionable hotels. Christian money, in
deed. but how about Christian princi-
pies? 1t is laboriously announced that
Jews are not repelled by the hotels be-
cause of their religious views. This will
be believed without difficulty. Hotels
are not famous for sensitiYeneSs to the
religious principles Of their guests. The
objection is not in the conscience but in
the Golfers of the hotel. Indeed, the
philosophy of the whole matter is stated
frankly by the hosts and by newspaper
correspondents. 1t is not denied that
there are many refined and estimable
and accomplished Jews. No, indeed;
but there are so many who are other
wise, and there is such settled preju-
dice against them, that hotel which is
known to be frequented by them is
avoided by everybody else. 1t loses its
prestige. 1t is practically ruined. at is,
of course" says the deprecating host,
rubbing his hands, every unfortunate. l
regret it as much as anybody can. As
landlord l have no religion; 1 know
neither Trojan nor Tyrian, neither Jew
nor Gentle; but as merchant must
be allowed to know my own business,
and to decline a trade which l think dis
advantageous. You see?"
One of the newspaper letters says that
the "vulgarity" of Jews is undeniable.
1t admits the good character and refined
manners of many ladies and gentlemen
of the Hebrew race, but it says that the
number of the vulgar of that race who
go to summer hotels is disprOportionate.
This is the point upon which the en-
phasis is laid. They are welcome to
their religion, but as class they are
vulgar; therefore they are avoided, land
therefore the hotels are compelled to ex-
clude them. This is iteratel and reiter-
ated rs the reason of the exclusion, but
it is not the true reason. TIE fact is
plain. There may be great many vul-
gar Jews. But Jews are excluded from
hotels not because they are vulgar, but
because they are Jews. They are Ostra-
cized at hotels for the same reason that
they are ostracized at clubs-an instance
of which we mentioned year or two
since. There was no pretense that the
gentleman proposed for the club was
any more vulgar than a great many of
the members, nor that he was not both
refined and accomplished, and perfect
ly clubbable man, except in one fatal
point: he was Jew. The exclusion
at Saratoga and at Manhattan Beach
pleaded vulgarity it did not dare to
make the real plea. If vulgarity is to
exclude-alasl Is vulgarity excluded
because Jews are not admitted? "Sir,'
said a landlord to gentleman seeking
rooms this summer, 81 am sorry to say
that Can not receive you, as we do not
entertain guests Of your race"
my race, Sir? What do you mean?
Do you take me for Jew? 1 am no
more Jew than YOU"
There was no question of vulgarity.
Jews as class may or may not be es-
pecially vulgar, but they are no more re-
fused for that reason than cOlOred appli-
cants would be. Some years since an
accomplished Haytian, the minister of
his government to the United States,
went to Newport in the summer. He
was altogether gentleman, of singular
grace and charm of manner, and re-
markably intelligent. Indeed, in social
graces and wide knowledge Of the world
there we're few gentlemen in Newport
who were comparable to him; but he
was politely requested to eat at a second
table because he was not perfectly white.
He was, in fact, of mixed negro blood.
Another gentleman, more than twenty
years ago, crossed the Atlantic on the
same ship with some Southern gentle
men. They had the pleasantest inter-
course during the voyage, for the gem
tleman in question was unusually well
educated and refined. He was not es-
pecially dark in complexion; but, as the
voyage was ending. he requested the
captain to mention to the Southerners
that he was the grandson of slave.
Upon hearing the astounding truth his
late pleasant companions were ready to
cast him into the sea.
This sense of caste is due to the pref
udice of race. 1t is a wrong which the
law no longer sanctions, but it survives
socially. 1t is relic of barbarism, and
how sacredly it is cherished the attitude
of the hotels, largely sustained by pri
vate feeling, however loudly it may be
publicly condemned, plainly shows. Yet
it is 4 mere prejudice, unworthy gem
erous nature and civilized people. The
debt of Christendom and of civilization
to the Hebrew race is incalculable, and
the root Of the prejudice is but the ira
dition of Christianity that Jews cruel
fled Christ. 1t is Il terrible retribution.
A whole race is held responsible for the
crime of Syrian mob two thousand
years ago. Men of no Christian princi-