Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-15
SYMPATHY FOX THE PROSECUTED

Public meetings have been held in several
leading cities of the United States TO protest
against the barbarOus persecution Of the Jews
in Russia The great city of New York has
held a meeting and not only denounced these
cruelties, but proposed more substantial aid
by opening a subscription for the relief Of
the thousands Of Jewish families who have
been rendered homeless and penniless by the
violence OF Russian MODS. 1t has been pro-
posed to hold meeting here in Memphis for
the same humane purpose. As it will be
understood by the Russian government that
the press and the cities which have already
held meetings reflect the voice of the Amer
lean people, a public meeting in this city
could add no significance as to popular
opinion, but if a meeting should be called
it will have the cordial sympathy of the
friends of civil and religious liberty
The outrages committed against the
Jews are crying disgrace to any government
protesting to be within the pale of civiliza-
ton. The most cordial and amicable rels-
tons subsist between Russia and the United
States. The kindness of the car for the
sufferers of the wrecked Jeanette expedition
shows a desire TO cultive peaceful relations
with our government. The intermeddling
with foreign affairs is always dangerous.
Hands off has been the policy of the United
States in the troubles of Europe for years,
but when crimes are committed by govern
ment, revolving in their atrocities, it is the
duty of all civilized nations not only to pro-
test, but to become bulwark between the
prosecuted victims and their brutal torment
ors. If the Russian government is power
less to prevent the disgraceful and inhuman
outrages upon the Jews, it is a sham and a
fraud, and the civilized governments which
cherish liberation as the founda-
ton of all social structures
should interpose to prevent prosecutions that
are disgrace not only to Russia but to the
age in which we live. The humanity of the
civilized world should unite in putting stop
to such wicked and barbaric outrages. The
impression prevails that the car, who lives
in a easement instead Of the hearts of his
people, sanctions these brutal prosecutions.
The facts justify such an impression, for the
idea that the government could not prevent
the plundering OF three hundred houses and
six hundred shops and the occupants from
insult and cruelty, is an absurdity. To say
that a garrison OF twenty thousand soldiers
an army as large as the standing army of
the United States-could not protect the
Jews and their property, is an absurdIty too
Transparent to be entertained By -GiEiiise-'
--..-.f--r---uf ItIe world. II the car is so
busy in taking precautions for his
own personal safety that he has
no time to spend in protecting the lives and
property of his subjects, he ought to retire
and permit the people to organize a govern
ment which will prevent these atrocious
crimes. The San Francisco Examiner forci-
bly, and truthfully says that ito read the
accounts which have lately come from
Russia, and to some extent from Germany,
one would think that Time had taken a huge
stride backward-it would seem as if the
days of the middle ages had come again,
and that cruel bigotry and dark superstition
again controlled the destinies of christian
What Is the offense Of these
people? OF what fragrant crime are they
guilty? Nothing in the world but that they
are Jews, that they have been born in the
faith of their fathers and cling to that creed.
That is the sum Of their offending In the
vast area which is controlled by the ire
sponsible authority of the Russian despot,
people are found protesting a great variety
0freligious tenets and all except the Jews find
Iuferance and protection" The only crime
which the Jews have committed is simply to
exercise the right TO worship according 10
he dictates OF their own consciences, a
privilege which Injuries no one and which
hey deny no one. Under the Russian gov
srnment, which permits and encourages
hese cruel wrongs, the followers of Islam,
If Buddhs, and other creeds dwell in peace
md security. 1t is only the Jews who are
elected for persecution and outrage. 1t is
lot the operation of unjust laws of which
he Russian Jews complain, it is of their |
preach, and because the guarantees of even
hose laws are disregarded. Russia is be-
lighted, ignorant and superstitious, but |
here is no code extant in that empire which !
the destruction OF property be-
ause its owners are Jews, or sanctions the |
aking OF life when those who enjoy it are |
ews. There is not line or precept which |
Iould encourage such atrocities. The Jews, |
therefore,, only ask that they shall not be
obbed or Killed; OF their property destroyed, |
imply because they are Jews.