The broad ax., 1909-09-18
An OPEN LETTER TO a REPus-
ucAR MUNICIPAL JUDGE.
Hon. Sheridan E. Fry, 6sSO Champlain
Ave, City.

Hon Sheridan E Fry, 6sSo ChampIain
Ave. City.
Dear Sir: trust my deep interest in
the subject matter of this letter may
plead my pardon for thus addressing
you. / very much regret the appear
anee in the daily papers of TINS city a
few days ago Of an article in which you
were mentioned with others in connec.
ton with an organization known as the
Hyde Park Improvement Association
From what / am able to gather from
newspaper reports this organization has
a. one of its primary objects the re-
moval from and exclusion of all Col
ored persons owning property IN Hyde
Park as being undesirable citizens
I first wish to say that / am sur
priSed at the attack that is being made
on members of my race by your AMI
similar organizations. It is not only
grieVously unfair, but is wholly incon-
sistent with the spirit of fair play of
which the American people boast. Un-
Ill your organization gave utterance to
It's opposition to members of my race
owning property, It was generally pre-
sumed that all fair-minded persons
looked with approval upon the efforts
of that man WHO was striving to pro-
vide a home for himself and family.
You should realize, SIR, that such sf-
forts are irresistible In a community
like ours, noted for business energy
and progressive impulse
do not know how many of the
good citizens of Hyde Park subscribe
to the restricted meaning you apply to
the term undesirable citizens" but it
stands to the everlasting shame of your
association to give to this phrase low
and an unholy significance that the
author of It was fair and noble of
spirit to even contemplate.
Those of any race or people who are
thoughtful enough to save their earn
ings and acquire property, represent
the best among them. You have moth
ing to fear from such citizens. They
are interested In everything that works
for the betterment of the community,
and take a just pride In the paying
of their taxes and assessments and IN
bezutifying their homes. These con-
siderations, It appears, find but slight
favor with your organization, when
the Negro Is involved. The proudest
boast of this country is that here the
humblest citizen is given square deal,
and the scion of the hovel may aspire
TO any station in life to which his tai
ents entitle him. Merit and worth is
the measure for all races except the
Negro. When you come to consider
him, his color counts for more than
intellectual fitness or moral worth.
Have you ever asked yourself, How
would have felt, should my aspira-
tons for the bench have been measured
By some mere physical Characteristic" !
The standard of the man In any race
is not thus to be measured.
\ II VIII, perhaps, avail but little,
with your organization, to call your at
tention to the achievements Of my
race since emancipation or to cite in
stances Of their marvellous progress
The struggle upward from slavery has
been trying one. We have had much
to contend with that has not confront
ed other races. But by sort of visI
inertia, we have been able to stand
and grow and develop IN harmony with
the civilization into which We were
suddenIy plunged This fact alone is
enough to entitIe my people to more
favorable consideration from those
Who boast their superiority. At this
tine when race agitztion seemed TO be
"a = ouiescent state. when the feeling
Between the races in our city is most
cordial. your organization seeks 20
arouse race hatred and antipathy.
When msn are engaged n this M
worldly calling. where pray, . thar
.euse Of juszice7 How long wil = lev
mn Who are bIinded By race prein-
dire coutinue u tie dangerous work