Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-09-30
COUNTY TICKLE
Blaine and the Hebrew.

Blaine's letter, as secretary of state,
to James II. Lowell and Lord Gran
Vile demanding Of Russia different
policy towards the Hebrews, is out.
1t is quite a lengthy state document
but covers the whole ground. lie says
the question has for some years very
seriously engaged the attention of
this government, as presented in the
cases of American citizens of Hebrew
faith, visiting Russia on peaceful, but
observing errands. Under the direc-
ton OF the late President Garfield,
the representation of what we believ-
ed 10 be our jus; claims in the prem
Uses was vigorously renewed through
the United States minister ut st. Pc
tersburgh by means of instructions,
for which enclose for ,onr infornia-
ton copies with the relative anncxes.
Those instructions still properly re-
fleet the views of this government that
there should be a change in the treat
ment of American Isaelites in Russia.
This government couccives, how
ever, that il should not be content
with leaving the persons and the ma
terial interests of its citizsns in Russia
TO the discretionary control of the
military arm, however friendly its de-
clared purpose may be.
Farther along he says: 81 cannot be
but inexprcssibly painful to the en-
lightened statesman OF Great Britain,
as well as of America, TO see dis
carded prejudice OF the dark ages
gravcly revived at this day-to wit
ness I'M attempt 10 base the policy of
a great and sovereign state on the
mistaken theory that thrift is a crime
of which the unthrifty are the inno-
cent victims, and that discomfort and
disailection are TO be diminished by
increasing the causes from which they
arise. No student of history need 10
he reminded of the lessons taught by
the prosecutions OF the Jews in cen
trail Europe ana on the Spanish PENN
sula. Then, rs ia Russia to-day, the
Hebrew Jared better in business than
has neighbor; then, rs now his econ
omy and patent industry bred capital,
and capital bred envy, and envy
persecution, aud persecution disatlec
ton and social separation. The old
tradition moves in its unvaysing cir
cle-the Hebrews are made of people
apart from other people, not of their
own yioliiion. bat because they have
been repressed and ostracized 10y the
communities in which they reside.
The Ghetto of mcdiaveal times still
teaches its eloquent lesson which the
nations have done well to heed.
''ln great Britain and The United
States, the Israelitc is not separated
from his fclowman. His equal part
i'm our social framework is unch al
lenged his thrift and industry, con-
NTlbuttue W tiit NtaiiU ol iut Siatt-
and his LOYALTY and patriotism are I'M
questioned.
The letter closes by the assertion
that il would seem, moreover, u propi-
tious time 10 initiate movement
which might also embrace other pow
ers whose service i'm the work of pro-
gress is commea suratc with oar own
10 the end that Russia may be bcne-
ficiallv Influenced by their several cul
mulative representations aud that
their several citizens aud subjects
visiting the territory of the empire on
law-observing missions of private in
terest shall no longer find their sub
lection of conscience to military forms
aud procedure.