Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-05-18
A Sensation Spoiled,

THE ALLEGED EFFECT OF FRED DOUGLASS AT
TENDING THE PRESIDENTS CHURCH.
A statement has been published that the con-
gregation of the First Presbyterian church,
which President Cleveland attends, were indig-
nant that Mr.. Fred. Douglass had rented a pew
there, and that some of the members had in
formed the trustees that they would not retain
their pews if Mr.. Douglass became an attendant
When this statement was shown to Mr.. Doug
lass this morning, he read 1t over, and then
laughing, said:
s"rhis is perfectly ridiculous. 1 went to DIR.
Sunderland'S church yesterday morning be-
cause my wifes mother and sister, who are here
on visit, wanted to attend the Presidents g
teen years. and on that occasion ! was intro
duccd by Chief Justice Chase, and delivered an
address on the ASA assination OF President Lin
coln. ! have no intention of renting pew
there, but went as do to other churches and
there was no sensation created by my presence
that was aware of. The time for such things
has passed away. am man and am treated as
such. consider such publications a reflection
upon the christian sentiment of the commu-
do not believe that my going there had any
such effect as these publications intimate"
DIR. Sunderland. the pastor Of the church,
characterizes the publication as being entirely
unwarranted by the facts, and expressed sur
prise, as well as indignation, that such gross
d s, sm"u,u ne given p4blicity
state that they are not aware that any sensa-
ton was occasioned by Mr.. Douglass presence
1ic tahic 10 osASAS w ~ .t.O SAuICuf uuu WAS
given the same reception that orderly and re-
spectacle people receive. They state that Mr..
douglass has not rented pew there and
they never knew that he desired to do so.
What DIR. Sunderland Says About Ii,
To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
DEAR SIR: WIN you be kind enough to state
that the story Of the Baltimore Sun and the
Washington Post, concerning q disturbance at
our church on account of the presence and pew
ownership of Mr.. Douglass, is an unmitigated
falsehood from beginning to end. Nobody has
created disturbance but the mischievous repor-
ters themselves. TO Illustrate: About IL o'clock
last evening Mr.. SaffOld, OF the Post, came
ringing at the door of my house, and I let him
in. He came TO me with his story partially
constructed, and commenced his interview.
offered TO furnish him with O brief extract Of
my sermon. "No,' said he "I came for q sensa-
tiOn paragraph" / told him If any such state
ments were published 1t would be promptly de-
MED. Mr.. Douglass Is not q pew-hOiher, never
has been in the church more than twice in his
life: SO far as know, does not intend to create
disturbance anywhere. have not the slightest
idea that any of our people are SO devoid Of
sense as this fabricated story would impute 10
them. The world has been moving forward,
and It is too late now for any portion Of the
press to attempt TO renew the conflict Of twenty
coctcd, Is an infamous outrage, aud am ss.es
prised that any respectable journal would print
1t. have always tried to treat the reporters,
who often come TO me nowadays, with courtesy
and respect, but II they are going to be up to
such meanness this they will ind their inter.
views with me both short and sharp.
B. SUNDERLAND.