Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-10-08
4 HUMANE ACT.
Mr. Blaine's Dispatch, While Secretary Of
State, Regarding the Prosecuted
Russian Jews.

heretofore unpublished dispatch by ex-Sccre-
tary Blaine concerning the condition Of tho
Jews In Russia. which hss recently bcen pro-
cured from the Statc Department
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WAsHINGToN.l
Nov ~, 1881
SIR You will remember that with your dis
patch Of the 9th Of July last you transmitted
memorandum OF the laws and police regulations
which you had received from Sir Charles Dixie,
one Of her Maiesty's Under Sccretaries OF State
for Foreign Affairs, Although no information
and very acce ptablc communication, naturally
inferred that 1t was in q measure the result OF
tn copsultaticn rs which the United States Minis
ter at St Petersburg had been directed to hold in
formally with his British colleague at that court
touching the treatment of such American or
Brit sh Jews rs should, because OF business en-
sia. unfortunately find themselves under the
operation OF the prOscriptivc laws OF the empire
against all lsraelitcs, native or foreign. The
gaest9h th n ,of some ~ ,s wears very SERIOUSLY en-
sented In the cases OF American citizens Of He
brew faith. visiting Russia on peaceful, law
abiding errands. Under the direction Of the
late President Garfield, the representation of
what we believed to he our Just claims In the
premises was vigorously renewed, through the
United States Minister at st, Petersburg, by
means Of instructions, OF which ] inclOsc for
your information copies, with the relative an
nexes. These instructions still properly reflect
the views cf this Government that there should
be q change in the treatment of American Israel
ties in Russia In view OF the circumstance
that the case OF Mr.. Lewisohn, British SUBJ
ject expelled from the Russian capital at that
Government, 1t seems to the President that
the almost identical interests OF the two Gov
ernments In the premises justifes SINH
ther tsst spa ae
you the present instructions. The dispatches
Of the American Minister at st. Petersburg
show that the Russian Minister for Foreign At
fairs has made frequent assertions OF strong
desire on the part OF his Government to seek .
solution which would harmonic all interests.
While declining to admit that the existing con-
vention may exempt American citizens from abb
ject submission to the religious laws Of the
land, the Minister has on several occasions
promised that the military authorities, In the
ican citizens the widest practicable latitude in
interpreting the obligations OF the statutes. In
point OF fact, 1t is believed that American land
under the almost absolute discretionary powers
Of the imperial military commanders, the ex-
tremest privileges and fmmunities which are
granted to any foreigner. The Government
conceives. however that it should not be con-
tent with leaving the persons and the ma
terial interests Of Its citizens In Russia to the
ever friendly its declared purpose may be. And
in this conception 1t may very properly assume
to be joined by her Majesty's Government,
which has ever been SO watchfully Jealous Of
lands
The statements of the Russian Government
that it was about to seek harmonious solution
have been supplemented by very distinct indi-
cations of the probable direction In which the
solution" will be sought. There is, unfortun-
ately, little doubt that the Imperial Govern.
restrictive measures against native Hebrews.
apparently under the belief that by repressing
their injurious activity. As it is phrssed, the
feel against the Jews will be mcasurably les
scned. and internal harmony between these con-
ficting elements be restored.
enlightened statesmen Of Great Britain, % well
as OF America, to see Q discarded prejudice OF
the dark ages Rravely revived ut this dsy-to
ra 70 e.
thrift Ia q crime Of which the unthrifty are the
innocent victims. and that discomfort and dis
affection are to be diminished by increasing the
history need be reminded Of the lessons taught
by the prosecutions Of the Jews in Central
Europe and on the Spanish peninsula. Then.
business than his neighbOr; then, - now. hts
economy and Istient industry bred CAPT.
tai. and capital bred envy. and envy
social sepa, alton The old tradition moves In
ite unvarying circle. The Hebrews are made Z
people apart from other people, not OF their own
and ostractzed by the communities In which
they resided. The ghetto Of medieval times still
teaches its eloquent lesson which the nations
have done we'll to heed. In Great Britain and
In the United States the Israeltte Is not segre-
gated from his fellow men. HIS equal part in
our social frame work ts unchallenged; his thrift
and industry add to the wealth OF the state,
and his loyalty and patriotism are unQuesti0ned.
1t was perfectly clear TO the mind OF tho late
President that an amel0ration OF the treatment
OF American lsraeltes In Russia could only re-
suit from very decided bettcrment OF tho con-
dition OF the native Hebrews; that any steps
taken toward the relief Of one would necessarily
react In favor of the other, and that. under all
the peculiar and abnormal aspects Of the cesc,
It Is competent and proper to urge the subject
upon the attention OF Russia. To his successoE
in the chief magistracy these conclusions arc NO
less evident. and am charged by the President
to bring the subject to the formal attention Of
her Britannia Majestys Government, In the
firm belief that the community Of tntcrests be-
tween the United States and England In this
great question OF civil rights and equal toleranoe
Of creed Tor their respective citizens in foreign
lands, will lead to consideration OF the matter,
with q view to common action thereon.
1t would seem, moreover. 4 prOp1ta0us time Il
initiate . movement which might also embrace
other powers whose service In the work Of
progress IL commensurate with our own, to the
end that Russia may be benefcially Influenced
by their cumulative representations. and that
their several citizens and subjects visiting the
sions Of private interest shall no longer nnd
there subjection to military forms and proco-
dure which Obtains nowhere else In Europe.
Y0u may read this dispatch to Lord Gran
You will say TO him ct the same time that
while abating NO part OF his intention TO pres.
upon the Russian Government tho just claim 0i
American citizens to less harsh treatment tu
the empire BY reason OF their faith. tho Preat-
dent win await with pleasure an opportunity
for . free interchange Of views upon the sub.
ject with the Government Of her Majesty.
am. str, etc.. JAMES q. BLAINE