The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-10-01


 lucted I would be considered not orIJ ndorsing it but a party to it and tEis situation prompted the let CT"
 The letter follows:
 QUESTIONABLE FOR 100 YEARS Birmingham, Ala, September 22, 1919 Mir. E. E. Irwin, President of the Civic
 association, City.
 My Dear Sir: Your kind notice of a meeting of the members of the CivIc association, to be held tonight at S:11, is before me. ff
 When I joined the Civic association l was informed that it was an or ganization for the promotion of legiti- mate business interests of Birming- ham; and the fostering of such high class literary, musical and other edu cational functions which, without question, could be freely indorsed by all classes of people without refer ence to religious creeds or conscien- tious scruples. did not dream that this great business institution would foster and promote social amuse- ments, which before the legislative. bar of the Christian churches have for 1O0 years been questionable.
 An organization which is to repre- sent the whole city in it's range of well fare work, and all the people, so far as possible, whatever their religious creed of political adherence, should ot course eliminate such things as would necessarily divide its membership on the ground of creed, moral conscience or political tenete.
 For the Civic association to receive into it's halls and foster any instita- ton to serve a small number of it's membership to the exclusion and em- barrassment of other members, seems to me to violate the purpose for which the institution was organized. The most vital question x that could be raised against any institution fostered and financed by, the public represent ing the whole people is that of moral ity. Since the majority of the people in every American city are fairly pre- stunned to be in favor of the highest moral standards, it is unquestionably right and democratic for everything supported and financed by such an in- stitution to be, without question, on the side of morality In this Christian nation we naturally and rightly defer to the Christian church, under whose benign influence this nation has at tained it's present high standard or Christian citizenship and patriotism. On any vital question of morality we naturally look to the concensus Of the highest authorities from this source. So far as I have been able to discover, wherever the intersex dance has been brought before any Christian churcn' of any denomination, in any of it's representative bodies, the decision has been uniformity that the intersex dance, in it's nature, tendencies and results, is detrimental to social purity, domestic felicity and the integrity Of the American hone, and therefore cannot be classed as unquestionably moral in it's nature.
 CHURCH. OPPOSES DANCE
 [ do not presume to offer my opin- ion as an individual in this connec- tion It is, however perfectly leglti- mate for me to state that I hold my membership, get my appointments and receive my bread in a church which has, since it's organization, opposed the intersex dance I should be dis loyal to ny own church if I were not in harmony with this view, and would be inconsistent with the pulpit of my church and the teachings of my church and the moral standards of my church if I did not maintain the po- sition of my church. I am, therefore, brought into a position which is ex- tremely embarrassing. How to hon. orably deport f6yself toward both in- stitutions is. difficult to decide.
 I am interested in the city of Bir- mingham, and in every institution looking to it's highest civic, business and moral welfare. I joined the Civic association because believed it would stand for unquestionable things. I could not hold my credentials in church which opposes the intersex dance and hold my membership in an institution which houses, fosters and promotes the intersex dance with out being inconsistent. In presenting this honest problem to you I am sure you will not fail to see the dilemma into which I am drawn. I do not wish to openly, or in any offensive way, op- pose anything that your board may decide upon. I am only one member with one voice, and for the present I think it wise that this membership should cease. and that this voice should be silent.
 As all the clubs, hotels, public halls, restaurants and in fact every square foot of public space in the city has apparently been devoted to the inter- sex dance. I had hoped that the two great institutions of the city, organ ized specificly for business and high class welfare work. namely the Civic association and the Chamber of Com merce, would adhere to those business enterprises and civic and literary functions in which no question of creed. conscience or civic platform would be raised, and that all the peo- pie might meet in this great forum without embarrassment
 It is not my purpose to dictate to you in this letter. nor is this meant as personal complaint; it is a fair statement from one of your greatly embarrassed members whose heart and soul turn to help every great institution of the city, but. whose hands are tied in this case by his re- lations. feel sure, my dear sir, that you will receive this letter in the spirit in which I am writing it, and that you will feel free at all times to call upon me for any service may be able to render to our great city. outside of organizations whose prae- tices contradict my conscience and my church. Yours cordially,
 GEORGE R. STUART. The invitation from President Irwin dis not mention that dance would he hell