Correspondence 1914 YORK 'PHONE DR. GEORGE W. BOWLES. 112 WEST KING STREET. OFFICE HOURS: 8 TO 10 A. M. 1 TO 3 P. M. 6 TO 8:30 P. M. York, Pa., Jan 5th 1914 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell Washington D. C. Dear Mrs Terell: - The People's Forum want you Thursday evening Feb. 11th. Please don't say no, we need you and must have you. I am just recovering from injuries sustained in automobile accident. if you wish me to fully recover speedily, answer in the affirmative, i.e. consent to accept our invitation. Your anxiously awaiting reply George Bowles P.S. Please, send cut. N.B. Kindest regards to the Judge Geo B. Oswald Garrison Villard No. 20 Vesey Street New York January 13, 1914. Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 176 W. College Street, Oberlin, Ohio. Dear Mrs. Terrell: I have your letter of January 8th and am considering it very carefully. I take it, however, that you will not object to my discussing this with my fellow officers of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Dr. DuBois and Miss Nerney, and consulting with them. Meanwhile, will you send me at once a catalogue of Oberlin giving the names of the Trustees, the President, faculty, etc. It is a horribly discouraging thing, and shows how times have changed. However, we have just successfully overcome race prejudice at Smith College, and we may be able to help. Evidently it will be a long and slow fight. I can only say this now, that we found at Smith that quiet work without publicity, but the threat of it, was the best way of tackling the problem. It may seen best to approach yours in the same way. Sincerely yours, Oswald Garrison Villard. Oberlin College Oberlin, Ohio President's Office January twenty-fourth Nineteen fourteen Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 176 West College St., Oberlin, O. My dear Mrs. Terrell: I had a long talk with Mr. Jones almost immediately following your conversation with me, and I am quite sure you had not altogether understood each other. I am confident that his fundamental position is not what it seems to be, tho he does not look at some things quite as I do. The problem is a difficult one, in an case, and I should be sorry to have it made more difficult in an way. Very sincerely yours, Henry C King Oberlin Ohio Jan. 26 Nineteen Fourteen My dear President King: Your letter just received was a great surprise and shock to me. Surely Mr. Jones does not accuse me of telling a deliberate falsehood in reporting the sentiments he expressed most positively to me concerning his opinion of the treatment which should be accorded Colored students in Oberlin College. You say "I am quite sure you had not altogether understood each other. I am confident that his fundamental position is not what it seems to you to be, th he does not look at some things quite as I do." It was utterly impossible for me to misunderstand Mr. Jones's position in the matter. H e did not try to conceal his views in any way, shape or form. It would never have occurred to me to misquote Mr. Jones, and even if I had had the inclination to misrepresent him I would not have had the ingenuity, skill and imagination to have connected any such statement with reference to Oberlin's duty to Colored students as he gave me. I went to Mr. Jones feeling sure that he must regret the segregation of Colored students and the recrudesence of feeling against them, and was rendered almost speechless, when he expressed himself so strongly against allowing them to board in any of the college dormitories and thus be brought into social contact with white students. Every word that he said concerning his own personal feeling toward Colored people was quoted to you absolutely correctly. It was impossible for me to misunderstand Mr. Jones. He did not want me to do so, or he would have been a bit vague in his statements, but this was not the case. I am forced to believe that Mr. Jones's "fundamental position" is exactly what he represented it to be to me. Moreover, I am constrained to believe that there are others here who know how he feels 2 with reference to Colored students, for when I discussed the matter with one of the professors, refusing to reveal the name of the college official who had made such statements to me, he said immediately "I am sure that Jones said all that." He certainly must have expressed himself at least to this professor. If he had not, he could not possibly have guessed it was he, for I gave him absolutely no clue. Neither did I admit it was Mr. Jones, even after this professor had so correctly guessed the name of the man who had so expressed himself. You say "the problem is a difficult one, and I should be sorry to have it made more difficult in any way." I quite agree with you that the problem is a difficult one. Ever since I have been here I have kept away from the Colored students, so that I should not say or do anything which would make their already difficult position any harder. I said nothing to the young man who was refused admission into one of the societies, until afte r he had decided upon the course he intended to pursue himself. No one would regret taking any step which would make the Colored student's lot any harder than it is more than I would. Sometimes, however, it is well to discuss difficult situations to see if things can not be improved, particularly when the opportunities, privileges and advantages of a heavily handicapped group of human beings are involved. And now I wish to express the deepest regret that there are only two of the dormitories for girls in which Colored girls may be found. One of these is a substitute for the old Stewart Hall, as I understand it. There is not a single Colored girl in Talcott or Baldwin or Keep Cottage and Keep Cottage is name for the man who on Feb. 9th 1835 gave the casting vote which admitted Colored students to Oberlin Colleg e. If Colored students are to be segregated at Oberlin with such a wonderful record as it once made for itself even in the dark days of slavery, it seems to me it would be wiser 3 and kinder to exclude them altogether. After I left your office , I began to think about what you said concerning my association with my white college and classmates. You thought that perhaps I had associated so much with the white girls that I might not have gained the right point of view, while I was a student here. When I began to review my record, I discovered that I had so many close friends among the Colored girls that it was strange I found time enough to associate with white girls at all. In the first place I roomed for a whole year with a Colored girl, when I entered Oberlin as a senior preparatory student. That girl and I were great friends. Her name was Ida Bishop, and she would be the last person in the world to say that I was not very cordial and friendly with her. The next year I roomed alone. The year after that I boarded with a Colored family after the first term of the school year. I am not sure whether I boarded with Mrs. Robinson, the Colored woman, thru my Junior year, or not, but I am inclined to think I did. If I did not, I roomed with a Colored girl at the Ladies Hall. In my Senior year I roomed with one of my classmates at Ladies Hall. By the way, this Colored girl and I were classmates from the time I entered the 8th grade (then called the A Grammar) with Oberlin Public Schools till we received our degree of A.B. Surely no two girls were closer and better friends than Ida Gibbs and myself, and we are just as good friends to day. The first three years of my sojourn in Oberlin were spent with Colored people, for I boarded with Colored families. One year I boarded with Mrs. Peck, the widow of a former professor in the college. Out of the nine years spent at Oberlin, therefore, six of them were spent in close association with Colored people. Altho I regretted exceedingly that some people thought a Colored church was a necessity in Oberlin, still since there was one here, I volunteered to teach a class in Sunday School, and held it for a long time at great sacrifice of both time and strength, for I was none too strong some of the time I was in college. 4 During the vacations, for I never went home during the Easter or or Christmas vacation) I always attended the functions given by the Colored students, and visited the Colored families here, altho I did not make any visits during the term, as a rule. I attended all the U.L.A lectures and concerts with Colored students. During the Senior Preparatory year I was invited to attend a social function by Perry Scoville, a white class mate. Principal White gave the Seniors a party at the end of the year and the young men invited the young women. My classmate, Miss Gibbs, had no company, so I declined Mr. Scoville's invitation. He wrote me urgently several times to permit him to accompany me, but I would not accept his invitation, because Miss Gibbs would not have had any company, at least I feared she would not, and I was unwilling to run the risk of having her feel that she must not or could not attend the party for that reason. You see, if I have stated the facts in the case, that there was no reason why I was unable to get the right point of view, because I associated so little with Colored people. But I am glad to say that in spite of that association with Colored people I had very dear and intimate friends among the white girls. From the moment I entered the Public Schools in the 8th Grade till I graduated from College I had intimate friends among the white girls. Janey Hayford (Packard) and Lutie Langdon (Burrell) and myself were close friends thruout the High School and College. We are good friends to day. I am glad that nobody ever impressed me with the fact that segregating myself or allowing myself to be segregated was an evidence of "self respect." When I think what the friendship of those fine young white women meant to me in college, and what it has meant to me thru many trying years, when I have been beaten and buffetedabout by American race prejudice, how their former kindness, courtesy and breadth have at time almost preserved my faith in the white man's Christianity, I m glad I did not have the kind of self respect which induced me to associate exclusively with 5 Colored girls. I am sure , on the other hand, that no white girl with whom I associated ever accused me of "forcing"myself upon her. The mother of one of my friends, Mrs. Hayford, went of her own free will and accord and secured permission for me to spend every afternoon at her house for a whole term. The atmosphere must have been entirely different then from what it is now, because it was quite possible to conceive of a white girl's having a genuine friendship for a Colored girl/ without the latter's having to force herself up on the former for recognition. A great deal depends upon the atmosphere of a place. It is one thing for a teacher to advise young people to pursue a certain course, but it has been my experience that it is quite another thing to see that they do it. Of course that [i] is a most difficult thing. You seem to be under the impression that there was an unwritten law even in my day that there should be only two Colored girls in Ladies Hall. I assure you that this was not the case. I am certain that there were at least six in the Hall/ when I was there, if not more. If Mrs. Johnston finally reached the point of reducing the number of Colored girls to two, it was simply because she was deferring to a sentiment developed, I am glad to say, after I left Oberlin. Altho I try to be optimistic in this wicked and cruel cpuntry , in which everything is done to crush the pride, wound thr sensibilities, embitter the life and break the heart of my unfortunate race, nothing has come so near forcing me to give up hope, and resigning myself to the cruel fate which many people are certain awaits us, than the heart-breaking back-sliding of Oberlin College. If there had not been brave and generous-hearted men who believed in opening the door of opportunity and hope to Colored people, there would have been no Oberlin College at all. I talked w ith a young Colored girl to day, and she told me that she had never known a Colored girl to be a member of one of the Literary Societies here. Two seniors almost fought to get me into the societies, when I was a Senior Prep Ida Beagle, then a Senior, happened to get to me first, so I joined Aelioian. I hear the Colored girls do not apply for admission, because they are afraid they will be rejected, and they do not want to be embarrassed in that way. It is very disheartening to me to see that some of the the Colored students have been really persuaded to believe that by flocking together all the time and never mingling at 6 all wi th the white students, they are exhibiting a tremendous amount of "self respect." I have often observed that when our enemies want the Colored man to pursue a course of conduct in deference to their race prejudice, they cunningly devise some phrase or shrewd saying, which will appeal to the Colored man's vanity and cause him to act as they wish him to, while he thinks he is demonstrating great strength of character on his own account. In reference to your statement about Colored girls who have attended Oberlin and refused to associate with Colored girls, I want to say that altho I lived in Oberlin nine years I never heard or knew of such a case. Some members of my own family lived here for quite a little while after that and I heard of just one boy who attempt ed it I have heard of one Colored girl brought up by a White woman, among White people and who knew nothing about Colored peopele/ till she came to Oberlin. She was, therefore, an isolated case. She was the victim of her environment, and I dare say a great many things were laid at her door for which the poor child was not at all responsible. Sometimes Colored people accuse members of their own race of wanting to pass for white, because they think white people like to hear them express themselves strongly against such a course. My poor, heavily, hadicapped, much-perplexed and harassed race is beset behind and before by unwise counselors, who take pleasure in giving them foolish advice. When you see Colored students injuring their race by acting as did those who, you say, monopolized the pool tables, I wish for the sake of the race as a whole, you would see to it that they are forced to behave with some judgment and common sense. One such thoughtless act as that is sufficient to last those who dislike us anyhow on general principles fpr a long time. They will use an example like that to prove any point against us they wish to make . We have abused this one privilege, ergo, we are likely to abuse every one we can lay hands on by fair means or foul. What one Colored person does is laid at the door of the whole race, if it is silly or criminal, whereas the good deeds done by thousands of reputable, sensible, reliable Colored people are forgoWten. What a blessing that other races are not judged in this way. This is a long letter, but I felt it to be my duty to express myself fully to you about the matters we discussed. I do not want to make the situation any more tense than it is, be but I want to be loyal to my race. Very sincerely yours, [*Wrote an essay Mary Church Terrell A Factor in Race Development.*] 2/4/14 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, Washington D.C. My Dear Mrs. Terrell, No doubt you have entirely forgotten me, but the precious inspiration which your very presence and personality first gave to my early girlhood still remains to strengthen me as I ripen into maturer womanhood. I was Miss Blanche Mae Armwood of Tampa, when you knew me; I am now Mrs. D.W. Perkins of Knoxville, Tenn. having married a young lawyer of that name. My parents live now at Seffner Fla., the health of both mother and father having forced them from the city. You will remember having sent me two or more years ago some copies of your "Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe." You told me of your having sent them while I was in Wash. late in the summer of 1911. 2 They never reached me, so I decided you had failed to send them as planned; not long ago my father left the Customs Service a victim of Brights Disease, and in emptying the bottom drawer of his desk found these books.-I am at home for a few days, having been summoned because of mother's illness, so I take this opportunity of explaining the circumstance and returning your books. I send them parcel post in this mail.-Evidently some other man in the office received the package addressed to me, opened it and seeing the contents "buried" it in that drawers which they never had occasion to empty again till father's resignation and removal. There are sixteen copies. I wonder if you didn't send eighteen? These are they just as they came to me, however, I have readone. It is fine (over) Mama + Papa send love + congratulations [*7*] to Miss Sweet Sixteen today. Wish we [*15*] could be with you. Resolve to do better the [*24*] next sixteen years than you have the [*31*] first sixteen. Love to the whole Myers family. [*39*] Mind Mrs. Myers. Love & kisses for you and and Mary [*49*] When I come to Washington again, I shall bring my " Mary Church Terrell, A Factor in Race Development," which I prepared for the Dunbar Literary Society last spring. They say it's fine. You might appreciate it. Ere this, I suppose your girls are much larger than when I saw them. If you ever come to Knoxville, be sure to come to our little home and be with us. Wishing you all that's good, I am Sincerely Yours B. Armwood Perkins. 1600 Laurans Ave. Knoxville, Tenn. P.S. I leave for Knoxville tomorrow 2199 E 71st Oberlin College Oberlin, Ohio President's Office February fourth Nineteen fourteen Mrs. Mary Church Terrell Oberlin, O. 150 N. Professor St. My dear Mrs. Terrell: I am writing once again to make sure that you do not misunderstand the attitude of the College. Mr. Jones's personal position is this: He believes that the College can do a very valuable work for a limited number of colored students; that if that number were unduly increased, it would make it more difficult to do the best for the colored students themselves and increase the sense of friction all along the line. At the same time I think he is handling his office in an entirely unprejudiced way, and certainly has again and again shown his willingness to help colored students. With reference to the dormitories, the situation is simply this: The College can provide for only a portion of its women students in its own dormitories. It has therefore seemed wise to in general restrict the halls to the members of the Junior and Senior classes, and to admit others only after all the Senior and Junior applicants have been provided for. But all the halls for women are open, without respect to color, to all women students in order of application. Colored women are eligible to any one of the halls, Baldwin, Talcott, Keep or any other, under the same conditions exactly as white students. The admission of students to the halls has been administered in 2. M.C.T. this way during practically all the years of the College I think. A the same time, under these regulations it will be true that,just as we can accomodate but a comparatively small proportion of our white students in the college dormitories, so there will be a considerable number of colored students who cannot be so accomodated, and it is at that point that I do not myself see how we can avoid having some separate colored boarding houses to provide for colored students not otherwise taken care of. Just as you yourself boarded at different times with colored families. You do not seem to me to make a proper distinction between the official attitude of the College, and the attitude of individual students, or individual members of the community. I am doing everything that I know how to do to stand for fairness and justice in this whole matter, and I do not believe that either Oberlin colored students or Oberlin colored residents will refuse to say that I have so stood for fairness.And I shall do everything I can to make sentiment for fairness and justice both in the college and in the community; at the same time I cannot guarantee that, with the large numbers coming to us without any special training on this subject, there will not be examples of lack of consideration. And it is just on this account that I want to have the colored students as careful as possible not to give needless offense. I was glad to find that I was mistaken in supposing that there has been any special limit put upon the number of colored 3. M.C.T. girls in a hall. Miss Fitch tells me that that has been done at no time so far as she knows. There is no reason why a colored girl should not apply for membership in one of the Literary Societies, and if there is evident that there is discrimination against them on account of color, the matter will be taken up with the Society, and it is not at all impossible that the charter of the Society might be withdraw if the Society persisted in an attitude of unfairness at that point. In the case of the colored student refused admission to one of the men's Societies, the Soceity earnestly maintained that it was applying the same rule that it was applying to white students, viz. that it was not admitting students as late as the Senior year. I can guess a little how hard the general situation in the country must often seem to the colored people, but I hope that they will not make the mistake of turning against those who want to be their genuine friends. Very sincerely yours, Henry C. King Hotel Martha Washington 29 East 29th Street New York Feb. 19. 1914 Dear Mrs. Terrell Having read of the outrageous action of the Southern senators against your husband I am sending a word of sympathy and I hope the Senate will do its duty regardless of the actions of Senator Vardaman. We missed you at the annual meeting - Charles Edward Russell made a notable address. Hoping that right will conqueor in your husbands case I am with kindest regards. Sincerely yours Caroline M. Dexter I haven't your address hope this letter reaches you. Our Country-God's Country Council of Women for Home Missions REPRESENTING SIXTEEN CONSTITUENT, CORRESPONDING, AND CONSULTING BOARDS AND SOCIETIES, AND EIGHT AFFILIATED CONFERENCES. 600 LEXINGTON AVE., NEW YORK CITY ROOM 606 OFFICE SECRETARY MISS GRACE ROGERS WALKER Telephone 6000 Plaza PRESIDENT MRS GEORGE W COLEMAN 177 WEST BROOKLIN, ST. BOSTON, MASS VICE-PRESIDENT-AT-LARGE MRS. FRED SMITH BENNETT 149 DWIGHT PLACE, ENGLEWOOD, N.J. RECORDING SECRETARY MRS. F.W. WILCOX 287 FOURTH AVE., NEW YORK CITY CORRESPONDING SECRETARY MISS ELIZABETH B. VERMILYE 600 LEXINGTON AVE., NEW YORK CITY TREASURER MISS FLORENCE E. FELLOWS 1312 MADISON AVE, NEW YORK CITY VICE-PRESIDENTS MRS. EMELINE TRIBLE RUMMELL 45 BAY 26TH ST., BROOKLYN, N.Y. MRS CHARLES L. FRY 224 MANHEIM ST., GERMANTOWN, PENN. MRS. MAY LEONARD WOODRUFF ALLENDALE, N.J. MRS. R.W. MACDONELL 810 BROADWAY, NASHVILLE, TENN. MRS. W.C. WINSBOROUGH 4214 WEST PROSPECT PL., KANSAS CITY, MO. MRS. WM. S. COOK 1201 SIXTH AVE., BEAVER FALLS, PENN. HOME MISSION STUDY COURSES AND LITERATURE MRS. JOHN S. ALLEN, CHAIRMAN 25 East 22d St., New York City HOME MISSION SUMMER CONFERENCES MRS. GRACE COLEMAN LATHROP, Chairman 12 Mason Terrace, Brookline, Mass. STANDING COMMITTEES HOME MISSION INTERESTS IN SCHOOLS COLLEGES AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONFERENCES MRS. EFFIE L. CUNNINGHAM, Chairman College of Missions Building, Indianapolis, Ind. HOME MISSION INTERESTS AMONG CHILDREN MRS. LAURA GEROULD CRAIG, Chairman 1377 Michigan St., Buffalo, N.Y. HOME MISSION COMITY AND CO-OPERATION MRS. D.E. WAID, Chairman, 1 Lexington Ave., New York City HOME MISSION INTERESTS AMONG IMMIGRANTS MRS. LEMUEL CALL BARNES, Chairman 459 Marlborough Rd., Yonkers, N.Y. HOME MISSION DAY OF PRAYERS MRS. J. PARKER, Chairman 153 Hancock Ave., Jersey City, N.J. March 10th, 1914. 1305 Clifton St. My dear Mrs. Baker:- It is a long time since we have met or even corresponded, is it not? And yet I know our friendship is not affected by the silence and so I am introducing to you by this message my friend, Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, of your own city who is already known to you by name, I am sure, though she tells me that you have never met. I have known Mrs. Terrell for some years and am always glad to have her in our home for a few days as she has been for the last few days. I am sure you will be interested in the work Mrs. Terrell is doing for her own people and you will find her very charming both in personality and character. It is possible that I may be in Washington for a few days before Congress adjourns and if I am, you may be sure I shall hunt you up most promptly. With warm regards, Always faithfully yours, Alice B. Coleman (Mrs. George W.) Our Country-God's Country Council of Women for Home Missions REPRESENTING SIXTEEN CONSTITUENT, CORRESPONDING, AND CONSULTING BOARDS AND SOCIETIES, AND EIGHT AFFILIATED CONFERENCES. 600 LEXINGTON AVE., NEW YORK CITY ROOM 606 OFFICE SECRETARY MISS GRACE ROGERS WALKER Telephone 6000 Plaza PRESIDENT MRS GEORGE W COLEMAN 177 WEST BROOKLIN, ST. BOSTON, MASS VICE-PRESIDENT-AT-LARGE MRS. FRED SMITH BENNETT 149 DWIGHT PLACE, ENGLEWOOD, N.J. RECORDING SECRETARY MRS. F.W. WILCOX 287 FOURTH AVE., NEW YORK CITY CORRESPONDING SECRETARY MISS ELIZABETH B. VERMILYE 600 LEXINGTON AVE., NEW YORK CITY TREASURER MISS FLORENCE E. FELLOWS 1312 MADISON AVE, NEW YORK CITY VICE-PRESIDENTS MRS. EMELINE TRIBLE RUMMELL 45 BAY 26TH ST., BROOKLYN, N.Y. MRS CHARLES L. FRY 224 MANHEIM ST., GERMANTOWN, PENN. MRS. MAY LEONARD WOODRUFF ALLENDALE, N.J. MRS. R.W. MACDONELL 810 BROADWAY, NASHVILLE, TENN. MRS. W.C. WINSBOROUGH 4214 WEST PROSPECT PL., KANSAS CITY, MO. MRS. WM. S. COOK 1201 SIXTH AVE., BEAVER FALLS, PENN. HOME MISSION STUDY COURSES AND LITERATURE MRS. JOHN S. ALLEN, CHAIRMAN 25 East 22d St., New York City HOME MISSION SUMMER CONFERENCES MRS. GRACE COLEMAN LATHROP, Chairman 12 Mason Terrace, Brookline, Mass. STANDING COMMITTEES HOME MISSION INTERESTS IN SCHOOLS COLLEGES AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONFERENCES MRS. EFFIE L. CUNNINGHAM, Chairman College of Missions Building, Indianapolis, Ind. HOME MISSION INTERESTS AMONG CHILDREN MRS. LAURA GEROULD CRAIG, Chairman 1377 Michigan St., Buffalo, N.Y. HOME MISSION COMITY AND CO-OPERATION MRS. D.E. WAID, Chairman, 1 Lexington Ave., New York City HOME MISSION INTERESTS AMONG IMMIGRANTS MRS. LEMUEL CALL BARNES, Chairman 459 Marlborough Rd., Yonkers, N.Y. HOME MISSION DAY OF PRAYERS MRS. J. PARKER, Chairman 153 Hancock Ave., Jersey City, N.J. March 10, 1914 My dear Mrs. Radcliffe:- [*1200 K St. NW*] My friend, Mary Church Terrell, of your city has been spending a few days with me and as she tells me that she has never had the privilege of meeting you, I am taking the liberty of introducing her to you by means of this message. I feel sure that you will be deeply interested in the work that Mrs. Terrell is doing for her own people as well as charmed by her personality and character. With cordial regards, Sincerely yours, Alice B. Coleman (Mrs. George W.) Jersey City, NJ. 3-27-14 [*421 T St NW*] Mrs. Mary Church Terrell Oberlin Ohio Dear Mrs. Terrell: This is Lillie A. Lee, oldest daughter of Henry Lee deceased of Oberlin Ohio. You know my father- perhaps you remember me. My class is O. C. '90. For fourteen years I've been teaching music- the past six or seven years here in Jersey City. Before coming North, I taught school and music in the South. This coming June, one pupil finishes the course of instruction. Appropriate exercises will be held on Thursday night June 11th. On Friday night June 12th. the other pupils give their fourteenth annual closing exercises. The Class this year numbers eighty pupils. I wish to know if it is possible for you to be present on Thursday night June 11th and at the close of the musical numbers on the program deliver a twenty-five minute address. What are your terms for such service? Will you kindly give me such information as you think necessary. If you think twenty-five or thirty minutes too short a period in which to do justice to what subject you might select let me know the time required and I'll try to adjust the program to it. For reference as to either myself or my work you may address:- Dr. Geo. E. Cannon 354 Pacific Ave. Jersey City, N.J. Rev. Mrs. Florence Randolph 103 Astor Place, Jersey City, N.J. Dr. P.F. Ghee 736 Ocean Ave. Jersey City, N.J. In the families of the first and last named, I've worked for three and four years respectively. Under seperate inclosure, I send you some programs presented by pupils of the class: the work is small and modest. My wish is that this young Miss go to Oberlin or Boston for a course in the conservatory. Additional information cheerfully furnished. I trust this may find you and yours well. Sincerely, L. A. Lee 100 Kearney Ave. 421 T St., N.W. Washington, D.C. March 29, 1914 My dear Senator Burton: It is a great relief to my heavily_burdened mind and heart to know that a man of your courage and ability is interested in my husband's case. The ordeal thru which we are passing is truly a trying one. I presume I feel as nearly like the victims of the Spanish Inquisition as one not subjected to such tortures as they endured could feel. It is very disheartening to see a man like Judge Terrell,who has so admirably filled the office which he has held for twelve years that the best white people of this southern city are insisting upon his retention threatened with failure of .confirmation by the United States Senate, solely because he has the demi-semi quaver of a thousandth part of a drop of African blood coursing somewhere thru his veins. Such an ordeal as this is enough to crush every vestige of hope in the human heart. The conditions which confronts a Colored man of ability and character in this country are really too terrible to be described. If the broad-minded, generous hearted white people in this country only knew the hundredth part of the trials and tribulations of various kinds which able, aspiring Colored people have to bear, I verily believe that many of them would start a vigorous crusade against the unchristian and inhuman conditions which make them possible . The fight against my husband is solely on account of his race. Whatever charges may have been preferred, have been presented out of spite. Three presidents of the United States, Three Attorneys General, and three separate and distinct Judiciary Committees have investigated them without finding him culpable of wrong doing. The fight waged against him in the senate to day is based solely on the slight infusion of African blood thought to be lurking somewhere in his anatomy. Altho my husband isbearing up under the trying ordeal as bravely as any man could, I fear that he is gradually breaking under this fierce and bitter attack upon him. After struggling for years to excel in his chosen profession, after receiving indisputable proof of the fact that he has achieved brilliant success, he now feels the ground slipping from under his feet, and sees failure staring him in the face. It is a great wonder that a man in his position does not lose his mind. He is being reviled and persecuted for nothing that he himself has done, but solely bec ause he happens remotely to be identified with an oppressed and persecuted race. Busy as you are it is wrong to inflict such a long letter upon you. As kind as you are it is inconsiderate, perhaps, to inflict such a tale of woe upon you. I feel, however, that it may be my duty to let you see the chamber of injustice and its horrors thru the eyes of one of the victims. I am sure you will do everything in your power to see that my husband is confirmed. A great principle is at stake. It does not seem possible that the Senate of the United States intends to serve notice [on?] Colored people that no matter how able, or worthy or successful one of their representatives may be, he shall receive no recognition at their hands, and be driven from any position of honor or trust that he may hold With renewed gratitude for the courtesy and kindness which prompted you to see me and promise assistance and with the hope that something may speedily be done in behalf of justice, I am yours with the highest esteem, Have run out of envelopes 136 W. College St. Oberlin Ohio. April 10, 1914 Dear Mother: Here is an account of our days in Cleveland. Wed., house full of boys and girls. Thurs. Mrs. Wallner gave a Tango Tea in our honor and had it at a swell hall. (night) = Mrs. Myres had a party. Tried down town to movies (night) = went to Hippodrome. Sat = Inez gave a party. (afternoon & night) theatre 3. my bill and he says that the amount for the practice hours is $9:00 I saw about the hours and studies before I went away. Everything is going O.K. now Will write a long letter soon. Your little daughter Phyllis. Enclosed find laundry bill The B.H. said that our other things will come in a few days. Love & kisses to you both 2. Sunday: Church. house full all afternoon & night. We took pictures. Mon: went to school with Dot. Ruth Bronaugh gave a party for us in the afternoon. (night) went to confirmation. Tues. company all afternoon [and] (night) went to Priscilla. Wed. we left after having a swell time. The dresses came this morning and they look real good on me. They both fit perfectly. Thanks ever so much. I saw Mr. Morrison about The Western Union Telegraph Company. May 13 [14?] Received at Wyatt Building, Cor. 14th & F Streets, Washington, D.C. 149C..DE..RM..38 Paid .. Mrs Mary Church Terrill Detroit Mich - 13 326, T St N.W. washnD.C./ International June seventh can secure single room one thirteen at ninety dollars on friederich Der Grosse sailing May nineteenth nothing available on later boats wire if wish this room can send twenty five dollars paying balance in NewYork. Mrs Lillian Hollister 321PM 5/18/14 The North Shore Club. My dear Mrs. Perrell - I am writing in behalf of the North Shore Club of Ly??? to inquire what your fee for a lecture to our club would be - (the most reasonable fee please) and also if the afternoon of November 10th - at 3 P.M. would be available for us. Will you favor me please with an early reply as I wish to report to my "Board" on Thursday morning of next week. Cordially Yours- (Mrs.) C. Neal Barney 3 Prescott Rd. Lynn Mass. R.R. Wright, President Georgia State Industrial College For Colored Youths Commission For The School Gen. P.W. Meldrim, Chairman Judge W.R. Hammond Hon. P.J. Cline Prof. Otis Ashmore Hon. M.V. Calvin Savannah, Ga., May 23, 1914 Hon. J.W. Bennett Hon. Bowdre Phinizy Hon. Clark Howell Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, Washington, D.C., Dear Mrs. Terrell:- I should be very glad to have you come to the National Teachers Association's meeting July 30 to August 3, and should you come, I shall be pleased to arrange to have you speak at the theatre Sunday afternoon, August 2nd. The people are anxious to see and hear you. Let me hear from you. Very truly yours, R R Wright president. -Copy- Harrisburg, Pa., June 20th, 1914. Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 421 "M" Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. My dear Mrs. Terrell:- I have your letter of June 13th, giving your term per week for suffrage work. The charge of one hundred fifty ($150.00) dollars per week would be quite beyond the amount which our State Association is able to pay. Would it not be possible for you to reduce this rate? may I ask also whether this charge includes all expenses, in other words, whether it is a flat rate, or whether your expenses must be paid in addition? We are frequently able to secure entertainment for our speakers, therefore we usually arrange to pay a certain fee and defray all expenses. Do you confine yourself to speaking only, or do you also do organizing work? Our State Executive Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 24th. I would be glad to have the above information before that time in order that I may place the matter before it. I hope that you will be able to make terms which will enable us to have your assistance in our campaign. Very truly yours, (Miss Hannah J. Patterson) Chairman, Woman Suffrage Party. HJP/S Abington Mass June 26, '14 My dear Mrs. Terrell. Not hearing from you I conclude you are away from Washington, and in the mean time it has been necessary to make a change in the N. E. Club's program and I write to ask you if you can arrange to be with us on Dec. 21 instead of Nov. 16 as first suggested. I hope this will meet with your approval and that I may hear from you in regard to the matter [ ]. Sincerely yours, Mrs. Charles O. Tyler Massachusetts State Federation of Womens Clubs 1913-1914 Mrs. George Winslow Perkins, President 136 Blue Hill Avenue, Boston 1st Vice-President, Mrs. Leila C. Pennock 50 Benton Road, Somerville. 2d Vice-President, Mrs. Claude U. Gilson Wellesley Hills. 3rd Vice-President, Mrs. Royal Whiton 36 Melville Avenue, Dorchester. 4th Vice-President, Mrs. Herbert J. Gurney 145 Warren Avenue, Wollaston. Clerk, Mrs. George R. Clark 8 Boutwell Street, Dorchester Assistant Clerk, Miss Jessie M. Fisher 217 Church Street, Newton. Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Arthur A. Hibbard 198 Eliot Street, Milton. Treasurer, Mrs. Lena R. Wellington 150 Highland Avenue, Winchester. General Federation Secretary, Mrs. Emmons Crocker 48 Mechanic Street, Fitchburg. June 30 - 1914 421 'T' St NW Mrs. Mary Church Terrell. Washington D. C. My dear Mrs. Terrell. I hope you will pardon what may seem importuning. But some time ago I wrote you concerning an engagement to speak before the New England Womens Club of Boston on your message "Uncle Sam and the Sons of Ham" We have been obliged to change our first date mentioned which was Nov. 16. to Dec 21 and I hope most sincerely that you can be with us on that date. I had the wrong street number sent me by Miss Crawford and perhaps that is the reason of my not hearing from you. I hope this letter will be more successful Sincerely yours J. M. Tyler Mrs. Charles O. Tyler Abington Massachusetts June 30 1914 I will ask for an early reply Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association Headquarters, 201-3 Arcade Building, Harrisburg, Pa. Telephone 2366 3044 Jenkins Arcade Pittsburgh, Pa., July 2, 1914. Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 421 T. Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. My dear Mrs. Terrell:- I have just received your letter of June 30th. As you do not reply to any points in my letter to you for June 20th, I surmise that my letter may not have reached you. I notice that it was addressed to 421 M. Street which was the address which we had at our office. As I cannot reply to your letter of June 30th until I hear from you further as to a reduction in your fee and other matters, I am enclosing a copy of my letter of June 20th to you with the request that you give the information therein desired. Regretting this delay, I am, Sincerely yours, Hannah J. Patterson (Miss Hannah J. Patterson) Chairman, WOMAN SUFFRAGE PARTY. HJP-H New England Women's Club 585 Boylston Street Abington Mass. July 5 My dear Mrs. Terrell [*14*] Many thanks for your acceptance of the call to address the N.E. Womens Club of Boston. This club, as perhaps you already know is among the oldest in the country and had the honor of having Mrs. Julia Ward Howe for its president for 40 years. It meets in Boston at the above address. Our first meeting in the season of this particular dep't of which I am chairman, the dept which considers public interests, is scheduled for Nov 16. when we thought we would avail ourselves of the opportunity of having you, but our President Miss Ladd desires this meeting to be diverted to the echoes from the Biennial at Chicago hence the change of date to Dec 21. I thought I asked for your terms in one of my early letters to you but perhaps I neglected to do so. Will you please state them and hold Dec 21. for Boston. I will refer you to Mrs. Frank L. Young Ashmont St Dorchester Pres. Boston City Federation: Mrs Esther F. Boland 809 Broadway So. Boston Pres. Womans Charity Club: Mrs. Arthur H. Merritt 223 Neponset Ave. Dorchester Pres. Dorchester Womans Club: Mrs. John Amee 172 Hancock St. Cambridge Past Pres. Cantabrigia Club. Hoping to hear from you soon and trusting you may be successful I am Yours sincerely J.M. Tyler (Mrs. Charles O) Oberlin College Library Oberlin, Ohio Azariah S. Root, Librarian July 6, 1914 Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 421 T Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell:- There is not much to say about Ernest Byrnes' case as yet. So far I have eight signatures and am hopeful of another but not all certain where the tenth is coming from. I cannot use your signature because under the law of this state the people who sign must be residents of the state. If you care to send me your check for one hundred dollars, I can deposit that in the bank and make an agreement here with somebody to sign and then, if for any reason the bail must be paid, your hundred dollars would be paid and the man who would sign be relieved from liability. Otherwise, your check would be returned. If you care to do this, it will, of course, make it very easy for me to get the tenth signature. As to Byrnes' returning to the school, I raised that question with the President before he went away. He said he did not see how that question could be taken up until an occasion arose. He thought that then it would be taken up by the committee on discipline, who would take into consideration all the facts up to date including Byrnes' behavior after his release from jail, but he could not undertake to promise what the committee would do. I hope we shall be able to get Byrnes out and give him another chance. Cordially yours, AFL Azariah S. Root Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association HEADQUARTERS: 201-203 ARCADE BUILDING, HARRISBURG, PA. Telephone, 2366 PRESIDENT - MRS. FRANK M. ROESSING, 3044 JENKINS ARCADE, PITTSBURGH VICE-PRESIDENTS MISS LIDA STOKES ADAMS, 1921 GREEN ST., PHILADELPHIA MISS MARY E. BAKEWELL, 34 THORN ST., SEWICKLEY MRS. MAXWELL K. CHAPMAN, 1660 MADISON AVE., SCRANTON MRS. ROBERT MILLS BEACH, BELLEFONTE MRS. H. NEELY FLEMING, 202 W. 8TH ST., ERIE MISS MAUD BASSETT GORHAM, SWARTHMORE SECRETARY - MISS HELEN L. MCFARLAND, HARRISBURG TREASURER - MRS. ROBERT K. YOUNG, 66 WALN ST., WELLSBORO MEMBER NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MISS JANE CAMPBELL, 413 W. SCHOOL HOUSE LANE, GERMANTOWN AUDITORS MRS. ELLEN H. E. PRICE, PHILADELPHIA MRS. JOHN O. MILLER, PITTSBURGH CHAIRMEN OF STATE COMMITTEES WOMAN SUFFRAGE PARTY - MISS HANNAH J. PATTERSON, 3044 JENKINS ARCADE, PITTSBURGH FINANCE - MRS. H. H. HARVEY, WILKES-BARRE CONGRESSIONAL WORK - MISS MARY WINSOR, HAVERFORD Pittsburgh, Pa., July 15, 1914. Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 421 T Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell:- I have your letter of July 4th in which you suggest that I make you a proposition in regard to your remuneration for speaking and organization work in our state. If you were undertaking regular organization work, I should be glad to do this on the basis on which we engage organizers. It has not been our custom, however, to make any such proposition to speakers who are with us for short periods only. Will you give me the best rate which you think it is possible for you to make? First, make a flat rate per week or month including all living expenses; and second, the rate per week when we pay all living expenses. On either basis, we would pay traveling expenses, since that would be determined by the schedule which would be arranged by us. Our State Executive Committee meets early next week; I will therefore appreciate a prompt reply. Sincerely your, Hannah J. Patterson (Miss Hannah J. Patterson) Chairman, WOMAN SUFFRAGE PARTY. HJP-H Elyria, Ohio, July 24, 1914. My Dear Mrs. Terrell, Your letter was gladly received and my 1st act must be to apologize if I seemed flippant in what I said about your hand in my last letter to Mary. I didn't mean to be, but after writing it I began to fear that I may have been a trifle crude in saying it. I have secured Ex-Judge Marvin of Cleveland for my attorney. The bail, which has been reduced to $500, has been turned over to him by Prof. Root. That was done a couple of days ago, and I have not heard from Mr. Marvin yet. There seems to be an idea that it is 3. that it is a case of extreme gravity for me. I know that I was crazy to ever do as I did and I do repent of it more than I can say. I have felt, however, that I can best express my repentance not by writing a series of crying letters to my friends but to ask for another chance to prove that there is good in me, to prove then I can be a good man worthy of trust, confidence and respect. This is why I have decided that, given the chance, to go back to Oberlin. I can never live it down by running away. I feel that it is due my manhood to go back to Oberlin and live there at least a year, in the place where I erred and make it felt there that I am a man worth while. It probably will cost a year out of my college course, but what is a year beside making my friends there renew their trust in me. I don't underestimate the hardness of the proposition. I believe that it will 2. better for me not go out on bond now but to take the time until the trial comes up as my punishment and then my chances for a parole this fall will be increased. I expect to hear from Judge Marvin soon and then will know exactly what is best for me. I am rather in favor of getting out now because I have been here over a month already and with the help of the Oberlin people this fall I believe that my chances for a parole are as good as they will be if I stay in all the time. I certainly appreciate more than I can tell you the efforts which you have made to be of help to me. I am so thankful that among other good things which came to me during the past year was your friendship. I wouldn't take anything for having made such a good, true friend as you have proved yourself to be. I hope you have not had the idea that I do not realize the seriousness of my misdeed. I do realize 4. be a hard year, to live there where I was once honored for what I had done and seemed capable of doing, but I feel that the year will be well spent if I can make them realize that I am truly sorry for the error, and want to live it down there. I think you will agree that that is the better way. I have heard from Miss Marvin, she came from Mass. to see me here and thru her I secured Ex-Judge Marvin as attorney. She agrees with me that I might do live it down in Oberlin. She is another who has been just as good as she can be to me. Would you tell me what in the world a fellow can do with such friends as you, Miss Marvin and Mr. Root have been 5 he might to be willing to dig ditches to be a man worth that love and friendship. And I shall be worth while. The last year has made me believe that I can make my way anywhere, and I have resolved to cut all foolishness out, to hone down and make the next few years in my life, ones of steady progress and application to develop all that I have and make as fine and good a man as possible. I accept and appreciate your check so much. I hope I shall be out of here soon and that I shall be given a new chance this fall. I shall write you all the news of the case and of course I am delighted to hear from you whenever you write. I 6 hope that you are well. Likewise Judge Terrell and the gir-ruls. Give my regards to all. I rather feel that I know Judge Terrell even tho we have not met. I am well and getting along pretty fair here. I have the privilege of buying fruit or magazines, which of course include the Saturday Evening Post. I shall be glad to hear from you, and again thanking your for your kindness in every way, I am Sincerely Yours, Ernest T Byrnes Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association Headquarters: 201-203 Arcade Building, Harrisburg, PA. Telephone, 2366 President - Mrs. Frank M. Roessing, 3044 Jenkins Aracade, Pittsburgh Vice Presidents Miss Lida Stokes Adams, 1921 Green St., Philadelphia Miss Mary E. Bakewell, 34 Thorn St., Sewickley Mrs. Maxwell K. Chapman, 1660 Madison Ave., Scranton Mrs. Robert Mills Beach, Bellefonte Mrs. H. Neely Fleming, 202 W. 8th St., Erie Miss Maud Bassett Gorham, Swarthmore Secretary - Miss Helen L. McFarland, Harrisburg Treasurer - Mrs. Robert K. Young, 66 Waln St., Wellsboro Member National Executive Committee Miss Jane Campbell, 413 W. School House Lane, Germantown Auditors Mrs. Ellen H.E. Price, Philadelphia Mrs. John O. Miller, Pittsburgh Chairman of State Committees Woman Suffrage Party - Miss Hannah J. Patterson, 3044 Jenkins Arcade, Pittsburgh Finance - Mrs. H. H. Harvey, Wilkes-Barre Congressional Work - Miss Mary Winsor, Haverford Pittsburgh, Pa., July 30, 1914. Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 421 T. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell:- I regret that field work has again prevented my writing to you at an earlier date. In your letter of July 18th you state that if we should engage you by the week, it would not seem possible to you to come for less than $86. per week and expenses. In the circumstances, I fear that we shall be unable to come to an agreement. Our Executive Committee feels that it would not be able to offer more than $50. per week and expenses. If you find it possible to consider this proposition, I will be glad to hear from you, and to have a list of your free dates. Sincerely yours, Hannah J. Patterson (Miss Hannah J. Patterson) Chairman, WOMAN SUFFRAGE PARTY. 1711 E. 55 St., Los Angeles, Cal., Oct., 6, 1914 Mrs. M.C. Terrell, Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell:-- As an ardent admirer of the women of my race and very desirous that the three hundred thousand white readers of the paper to which I contribute are informed of their splendid progress, I take this occasion to request that you kindly send me some data concerning your life and your various accomplishments together with a photo that will enable me to write a good article. I am sending you under separate cover some copies of my work that will explain themselves. Hoping to hear from you soon, I am, Yours very truly, Eloise Bibb Thompson M.B. Radcliffe College Cambridge, Massachusetts November 2, 1914 Dear Mrs. Terrell, I am greatly obliged for your letter, and I am sure we shall try to judge the daughter without the mother so far as we can. I suspect, however, that money given to one is given to the other; and within the last two or three weeks we have heard things about the mother that complicate the situation pretty badly. When you say "Confidential to the extent" that you withhold any name if you state the purport of the letter," I assume that you do not mean confidential so far as Dean Boody is concerned, since it is she who is especially looking out for the case, -and Miss Boody may be thoroughly trusted. Sincerely yours, L.B.R. Briggs Mrs. Frank C. Terrell Drs. Mayo, Graham, Plummer & Judd Rochester, Minnesota November 5 1914 Mrs. E. M. Terrell, 421 T. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Dear Madam: Your inquiry of recent date received. We would advise you to come on for an examination, and you need not worry regarding the fee for same. The hospital rates are the usual ones, and accommodations may be obtained from $10.50 per week upward. Either one of the Doctors Mayo will be able to give you immediate attention. Yours very truly, Geo Easterman M.D. Drs. Mayo, Graham, Plummer & Judd. GBE:AJ out together. I reach the city at 8:30 A.M. but we have trains about hourly, so you could plan to suit your convenience. I only wish Judge Terrell were coming with you, too. With kindest greetings and looking forward to your coming, I am, Sincerely, Roy C. Wilhelm 104 Wall St. New York City 11-7-'14 Nov 9- 1914 West Englewood N.J. My dear Mr. Terrell: My little mother is very pleased at the prospect of your coming. And hopes you can arrange to spend the night with us which would give the opportunity of having a few of our friends meet you. We live a dozen miles from the city. I leave the office (104 Wall St., "Phone "John 2119") at 4:30 P.M. so if you could meet me there we could come FRANCES GUNNER, President ODESSA TOLES, Vice President MARY WARING, Recording Secretary VIRGINIA SCOTT, Corresponding Secretary RUBY MCCOMAS, Treasurer VERA MONHOLLAND, Custodian ELIZABETH R. COFFEY, Sergeant-at-Arms EMMA HOWARD, Chaplain EDITH BRINKLEY, Reporter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alpha Chapter Howard University 1503 Swann St., N.W., Washington, D.C. Nov. 10, 1914. Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 1826-13" Street N.W., Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell, As corresponding secretary of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, I am writing to ask of you a favor. Our Sorority is now attempting to establish chapters in various institutions of higher learning, and from the present outlook, Wilberforce will have the honor of organizing the Beta Chapter. When writing to the different colleges we naturally waited to present to them the ideals and aspirations for which the Sorority stands. Then we found ourselves slightly handicapped. For although we knew perfectly well that our Sorority strives to represent scholarship, culture, refinement, friendship, high ideals, the elevation of Negro womanhood and the general advance of the Negro race, etc, we realized for the first time that these general ideals had not been embodied in concrete definite form. To be sure our constitution contains certain phrases concerning our aims and purpose, but these we thought inadequate to our larger vision. We feel that a body like ours should have a sort of credo or confession of faith and purpose which would set forth briefly in classic literary form the things for which we strive. In short, we have in mind some such wonderful and forceful expression as Dean Miller's Oath for the Afro-American Youth. This oath is for young men. We seek its prototype for the young women of the race. At the regular meeting of the Sorority held last Friday evening November 6", the president brought the matter before the house and proposed that we ask one of the honorary members to frame for us such a literary expression as I have so inadequately described. The body was unanimous in authorizing me to ask you to honor us with such an expression. The Sorority does not intend to make this one of her secrets, for such an inspiring and faultless literary expression as we know your pen will produce should, we feel, be made public. If you will favor our request, we plan to first print the 'Creed' or whatever you may choose to call it, on an attractive calendar for 1915, which will also bear a picture of the chapter and the Sorority seal. We should like to get out such a calendar the last of the month. We look to our honorary members for advice and guidance , so if at any time you have any suggestions for us, they will be most gratefully received. Hoping to hear from you soon, we are Most sincerely, Frances Gunner '15 - President Virginia M. Scott '16 - Corresponding Sec'y. "A Life of the late Mr. S. Coleridge-Taylor is to be written by Mr. Berwick Sayers. Mrs. Coleridge-Taylor, of Aldwick, St. Leonards Road, Croydon, would welcome suitable material." - The Times 65, Avondale Road, South Croydon. 13th November, 1914. Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, Board of Education of the District of Columbia, Franklin School Building, WASHINGTON, D.C. Dear Mrs. Terrell, In an overwhelming muddle of papers I have mislaid your letter to me, written about last May, in which you very kindly promised to send me such information as you possessed about Coleridge Taylor. This explains the address of this letter, which is taken from one of yours written to Coleridge as long ago as 1907: I hope it will find you. I wonder if you have been able to do anything towards putting these impressions together? A considerable press of various work has prevented me from completing the work so far, but I am now making progress with it, and should value very much your memories and impressions. I have, of course, the number of "The Independent" with your illustrated article in it, but what I am primarily concerned with are the actual facts of his American journeys, the impressions he made on his audiences, people he met, and any such matters. If you can assist me in any way I shall be very grateful. With kindest regards, Very sincerely yours, W.C. Berwick Sayers [Nov 23, 1914] 104 Wall NewyorkCity. My dear Mrs. Terrell, You need not explain - those who have caught a glimpse of the responsibility God has placed upon us in this Great Day are not laggards - they are not dilatory. Sometimes I envy the centipede with his hundred arms & legs. The little mother will be glad to have you come just whenever you find the opportunity and we hope your plan for the evening of December 15th will My phone number is - "John 2119/"" I leave the office at 4.30 which allows comfortable time to walk across to ferry connecting with train to West Englewood, N. J I wish Judge Terrell were coming too. Unless we hear from you to the contrary shall expect you Tuesday, Dec. fifteenth. With kindest greetings, I am Sincerely - Rogr Wilhelm 11-23-14 work out. We live in the country... there are but a few here interested in the things which seem vital to us - perhaps a half dozen. But as Abdul. Baba has expressed it - "Numbers do not count: a few diamonds are of more value than many stones." How I wish Mrs. Coots were coming with you! I had a very interesting evening at their home and met about forty of their friends several years ago. My office is at 104 Wall St. just a five minutes walk from Trinity Church at. Broadway. MELROSE, MASS. Nov. 28th., 1914. Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, 1826 13th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. My dear Mrs. Terrell:- Yours of the 24th. evidently crossed mine of the same date. Since writing you, I have had a talk with Mr. Burell of the Players, who, with Mr. Whipple, went out to hear you last Sunday afternoon. With no suggestion from me, but in response to questions, his report ran something as follows:- That the general address was more or less academic, contained too many statistics, and left him with the feeling that you had not made good; but that (when it came to the questions, you seemed like another individual;) - as he put it, you were a perfect wizard, and held your audience for an hour in such fashion as he had only heard a few of the best Ford Hall speakers succeed in doing. He feels that your title is not sufficiently taking, and doubts very much whether there is any considerable field for your work outside of the Forums. He thinks what you ought to do is to take some striking title, or titles, such as, "What if the United States were a Black Republic?", or "Should all Negroes by lynched?". "The Race Relationships, including Lynching and Intermarriage etc." Then, with sufficient introduction to justify you in the use of these appealing titles, turn to some general discussion, as that embodied in "Uncle Same and the Sons of Ham", but cutting the whole thing down to 30 or 35 minutes, letting the rest of the time be taken by question -2- and answer, where he is sure you are at your best. I unfortunately missed the opportunity to hear you conduct the open Forum. I am passing this on as the candid opinion of two men of wide experience, utterly free from prejudice, and willing to do anything reasonable to put you before the public. Personally, I am inclined to think that if we can succeed in getting you a certain amount of Forum business in the next year at anything that will make it possible, not to say profitable for you financially, it may result in a reputation that will bring the other class of engagements. I appreciate your side of the problem, and should be only too glad if I could see something more nearly your just deserts in sight, but it is no use to blink facts, and it would seem that what Mr. Whipple and Mr. Burell say confirms my previous impression. It would seem to me that there might be a certain amount of business for you in the Chautauquas. Mr. Sprague told me the other night that he spoke at 36 Chautauquas in the month of August, I assume receiving probably about $20. for each address, since the Chautauquas almost never pay as much for anybody on the circuit as a single engagement might be expected to net. I am not in touch with the Chautauqua people, but surely there must be some amount your friends who can put you in communication with those having this matter in charge. I note what you say concerning your trip in December. I will try to arrange if possible for one or two Forum engagements in First Universalist Church Rev. Harold Marshall, Minister Melrose, Mass. 191 -3- connection with that trip, but cannot hope to do so at any large figure. As I explained to you, the engagement at Melrose and North Cambridge was a purely personal matter. Very sincerely yours, Harold Marshall Dictated. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.