, 1879-10-30
Race Prejudice.

FORCE Illtlll W bCl NhNAN NhNAh hiOilC1
bags were hidden; but now neither they
nor their money bags are wanted at
fashionable hotels. Christian money is
as abundant and much preferable
Christian money, indeed; but how about
Christian principlesl 1t is laboriously
announced that Jews are not repelled by
the hotels because OF their religious
principles. This will be received with
out difficulty. Hotels are noe famous
for sensitiveness to the religious princi-
pies 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 correspond
ents. 1t is not denied that there are
many refined and estimable and accom-.
plshed Jews No, indeed; but there
are so many that are otherwise, but
there is such settled prejudice against
them that hotel which is known to be
frequented by them is avoided by every
body else. 1t loses its prestige. 1t is
practically ruined. at is, of course"
says the deprecating host, rubbing his
hands, "very unfortunate. | regret it
as much as anybody can. AS land
lord I have no religion; know neither
Trojan nor Tyrian, neither Jew nor
Gentle; but as merchant | must be
allowed to know my own business, and
to define a trade which | think disad-
vantageous You see ?" One of the
newspaper letters says that the "vulgar.
ity" of the Jews is undeniable. 1t ad-
mits the good character and refinement
of many ladies and gentlemen of the
Hebrew race, but it says that the num-
Der of vulgar of that race who 60 to ho-
tells is disproportionate. This is the
point upon which the emphasis is laid.
They are welcome to their religion but
as class they are vulgar Therefore
they are avoided, and therefore the ho-
tells are compelled to exclude them.
This is iterated and reiterated as the
reason of the exclusion, but it is not the
true reason. The fact is plain. There
may be a great many vulgar Jews
But Jews are excluded from hotels not
because they are vulgar, but because
they are Jews. They are ostracized at
hotels for the same reason that they are
ostracized at clubs. There was no pre-
tense that the gentleman proposed for
the club was any more vul gar than a
great many of the members, nor that he
was not both refined and accomplished,
and perfectly reliable man, except in
one fatal point-he was jew The ex-
clusion at Saratoga and Manhattan
Beach pleaded vulgarity because it did
not dare to make the real plea. If vul-
garity is to exclude-alas Is ulgarity
excluded because Jews are admitted 2
''Sir," said landlord to gentleman
seeking rooms this Summer, 81 am sorry
to say that | cannot receive you, as we
do not entertain guests of your race"
"My race, sir2 What do you mean :
Do you take me for Jewl | am no
more Jew than YOU" There was no
question of vulgarity. Jews, as class,
may or may not be especially ulgar, but
they are no more refused for that reason
than colored apl licant' would he. Some
years since an accomplished Haytian,
the minister of his government to the
United States, went to Newport in the
Summer. He was altogether gentle
man, of singular grace and charm of
manner, and remarkably intelligent.
Indeed, in social graces and wide knowl-
edge of the world there were few gen.
tlemen in Newport who were compare
bic to him but he was politely requested
to eat at second table because he was
not perfectly white. He was, in fact,
OF mixed negro blood. Another gentle
man, more than twenty years ago,
crossed the Atlantic on the same ship
with some Southern gentlemen. They
had the pleasantest intercourse during
the voyage, for the gentleman in ques.
: ton was unusually well educated and
Y refined He was not especially dark in
complexion but as the voyage was end
ing, he requested the captain to mention
to the Southerners that he was the
grandson of slave. Upon hearing the
astounding truth his late pleasant COM
Panions were ready to cast him into the
sea, This sense of caste is due to the
prejudice of race. 1t is wrong which
the law no longer sanctions, but it sur
Mves socially. 1t is relic of barbar-
Ism, and how sacredly it is. cherished
The attitude of the hotels, largely sus-
alned by private feeling, however loudly