Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-02-07
TRUE AMBRICANIsM."
Rev. s. VI. CrOthers Declines to Discuss
the Theme in Hotel where the
Color Line Is Drawn.

Rev. =. VI. CrOthers Declines TO Discuss
the Theme in n Hotel where the
Color Line Is Drawn.
Rev. DR.. b. W. Arnett of wilberforce,
Ohio, the senior bishop Of the African
Methodist church, came on to Boston last
week to speak at a Christian Endeayor
convention held in Mechanics building.
When he arrived in the city Wednesday
evening three leading hotels-Parker's
Young's and the Adams, as is under
stood-declined to receive him. In each
case he was refused on the ground that
the house was full, though at two of the
places messenger was told, before the
bishops color was known, that there were
plenty of rooms. Accommodations were
finally secured at the Revere House. The
incident aroused much comment when il
became known next day. In the papers
of Friday evening and Saturday this letter
was printed
Cambridge, Mass, Jan. so, 1896.
Archibald NJ. Howe. Esq, President of S.
Middlesex Unitarian club:
Dear Sir:-Since accepting your invita-
tion to speak on "True Americansm" at
the next meeting of South Middlesex Uni
tartan club, have learned of the action of
certain hotels in Boston in refusing accom-
modations to Bishop Arnett, presumably
on account of his color. If the facts are
as stated, it is a case which deserves a pub
lie protest from all who believe in the dig
nifty of American citizenship.
For myself, must decline to speak on
the subject above mentioned, if the meet
ing is held in hotel where the color line
is drawn. The discussion of "True Amer
icanism" under such circumstances
while tamely submitting to outrages
against the first principles of true Ameri-
cansm-would be an inconsistency so APP
parent as to be almost grotesque.
Sincerely yours,
SAMUEL NJ. CRoTHERs.
Mr. Howe, who is well-known Boston
lawyer and a prominent citizen of Cam
bridge, answered Mr.. Crothers with a letter
approving his action and expressing the
opinion that "a wrong has been done to
one of the most honored guests of large
association of our fellow citizens, and
though done by such soft ways as are pos
sible by the misuse of words, the results
have cast stigma upon this community"
Mr. Howe also said that he thought public
sentiment was as much responsible and as
much in the wrong as the hotel keepers.
When interviewed in regard to his action
said he simply thought the occasion was
one which ought not to be allowed to pass
without public protest. "What | most
care for is the principle. The hotels If
they refused on the ground of race, did so
because they believed that they were obey
ing public sentiment.
81 think it important that they should
know that there is public sentiment very
decided on the other side"
The hotel keepers, when interviewed,
made the weak excuse that the matter had
been exaggerated, that there was a great
rush of business at this season, especially
late in the day, and that no guests were
given rooms who appeared by represent
tative and not in person.
Mr.. Crothers's action has attracted wide
attention, with approving comment. from
the newspapers. His Brattleboro friends
know it to be only an illustration of his
simple, direct way of getting at a question
OF right and wrong without regard to his
own personality.
Mr.. Crothers's first settlement over a
Unitarian church was in Brattleboro from
1882 to 1886. From Brattleboro he went
to st. Paul, MINI. In June, 1894, he be-
came pastor of the First Parish church in
Cambridge. He is now filling a second
Vel III aS I University preacher al HARVARD.
Bishop Arnett is one of the ablest and
most notable men of his race, second only
to Frederick Douglass as an orator and
leader. In Ohio he holds many important
positions in connection with educational
work. He presided over the Parliament
of Religions at the Worlds Fair, repre-
sented the International Sunday school
union at the Robert Raikes centennial.
London, Eng, is an ex-member of the
Ohio legislature, and author of the bill
abolishing the black laws of the state
AT meeting of the common council of
Boston last night 2 resolution was unani-
mously adopted condemning the recent ac-
ton of several Boston hotels in refusing
accommodations to Bishop Arnett and urg-
ing upon the district attorney the necessity
of bringing the violators of the law to a
speedy punishment.