New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-27
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
PROTESTING AGAINST sLuRs.
Q Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: For 10. these many years have been Q
reader--a student, ndeed--of The Tribune. Fer
thirty years as boy and man. ] have been In
structed and guided by 1t. Not always. Of course,
agreeing with its Views. yet could always respect
them. 1t was. therefore with feeling OF Intense
surprise, OF stupefaction almost, that I read tho
slur upon the Hebrew race In The Tribune Of
April D "one child OF nature and OF Israel proud
ly stood upon n spIttoon." What made Il the more
astonishing to me and to others who have spoken
10 me about IL was the fact that the remark in
question appeared the famous Initials w.
w" And this. too upon the editorial page-ons
OF the most respected journalistic pages in thu
world-that very page upon which have so often
appeared scathing denunciations OF the anti-Drey-
fusards OF France where so often the mean and
contemplate character Of the prejudice against Q
nation or a race as such has been dwelt upon.
You have impressvely warned our sister Republic
that such feelings show a deterioration OF moral
fibre, and lead to the iecay OF empires; and that
righteousness exalteth nation.
/ do not think that ]. Jew. am oversensitive-
or sensitive at all-on the subject OF criticism Of
the Jews. But why discriminate Above ell. why 20
out OF the way to discriminate? Why attempt
to the racial character religious faith OF ono
nl-msnnered individual to cast opprobrium him,
when thought is given to similar characteristics
in other men? II is beyond contradiction that tho
ludes 10 in that theatre lobby were not Jews.
ss or Ba 81 or RI as
similar phrase. Frenchmen Germans or
Italians? II not. why as Hebrews?
The words In question tacitly assume (and 50
are more offensive perhaps than even the direc.
connection between the boorishness OF the man e.
ferred TO and his race or religion. Why insult
whole people for mans fault?
The Jews can stand this sort OF thing. Can The
Tribune? VIII It's sense OF Justice permit mean
slur TO appear on It's pages for the first time In
its history without dsavowal? You can use this
letter AS you choose. but please do not print my
name or address. Yours respectfully. U.
[Our correspondent is obviously right. but as
obviously excited over-much about a trife. The
trivial little phrase he quotes. is improper and
contrary to the standing rule and practice Of
The Tribune but II he should work himself
into such state Of mind over every similar
reference In current literature he would go
into Mysteries; and the so-called comic papers,
would drive him wild. All races have their
Objectionable peculiarities whether Yankee,
Erglishman. Irishman, Frenchman or Span
lard, and a hurried writer may inadvertently
use these to illustrate An idea, turn sem
tence without intending ito frame an indict-
ment against a whole nation" He ought not,
and II he does, 1t ought not to be printed.
Nevertheless excessive sensitveness about such
things is indiscreet. Men who are sure Of their
position are not thrown off their balance by so
slight and casual a fling, however unwarranted;
however much they have a right to resent
settled system of filings against people OF any
race or regon.I