The Washington bee., 1901-09-07

c., and Rev Sterling n. Brown, pas
tor of the Park Temple and of tn,
Theological department of HOwsTC
University, Washington, d. c. The
following letter from Rev. Brown ex-
plains the occurrence:
Editor Press;-For several years
have come from busy city pastorats
to this spot on the sea.shore for rest.
have walked your streets, boarded
your cars, witnessed your attractions
attended the famous Ocean Grove
Camp-meetings, all to personal profit
and inspiration. My training in col
lege, IN the seminary, and since, in the
bToarder school of practical combat in
American life, has given me a keen
sense OF the prophecies and common
/ rights of an American citizen. AS
such l have endeavored for these
more than half dozen summers at the
/ Park and Grove to always act as be-
/ coming a christian gentleman.
{ With all the unreasonable prejudice
and inhuman insults shown my uDfoT-
/ tunate race it still remains that We are
/ human, and do have feelings just as
/ tender and pride just as manly and
as easily wounded as can be found in
| the boSoms of our brothers in white
| go and come not as negro or white
| man. but as a common citizen of a
great country. / go under no disguise.
Nor do | carry placard of racial idsn-
titiCatlon. l pay my bills and like ev-
cry other sensible man do so for value
received.
Not till yesterday (Mondayl have l
been refused any hospitality in this
Eden spot" by the sea. A fellow
pastor of the same denomination, the
Rev. Alexander c. Garner, pastor Of
Plymouth Congregational church,
Washington, d. c., man OF Charac-
ter, refinement, culture and dignified
appearance, aCCOmp aimed me to Ham
ilton's dining room, MattisOn avenue,
for dinner. My hOnCred brother was
little more marked IN negro features
than | and so it was not difficult TO
place our racial idenitY even on this
dark some SeashOre."
The surprise awaiting us was the an
nOunCement, eve can net feed color
ed people in this dinning room" Can
you imagine our Ch9grin and humili-
alton? The remarks we're made in the
presence OF many ladies and gentle
men at the tables. Like any self re
specting men our whole manhood re-
sented the insult But what could we
do? The Insult had been boldly given
and there we were. We did the right
thlng-walked polit ely out as we had
in, without making any bluste- or side
show, but with wounded feelings and
this undertOne ofthought: is Ameri-
can justice to be forever gomez"
We are ministers of the gospel Of
+ Sus and have never been regarded as
figl ting cocks. Indeed we have
StrC ngIy advocated the theory that
ju tic. and manhood ri yhts for the ne
gro In tnls country must come through,
an enl ghted, white America. We
have, however, consulted one of the
best lawyers Of this place, looked up
the law and find that we have a clear
case against the proprietor.
This note is written to call the at
tention of the multitude here gathered
and of the good people in the State,
who believe in justice and fair play to
these unlawful and unreasonable in.
| dignities that will be Iighted-not so
much by law as by public sentiment
based upon the golden rule and a gen
eral spirit of true brotherhood such as
is taught in the life of Jesus Of Naza-
| reth.
STERLING N. BROWN.