Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-10-15
A HUMANE ACT.
Mr. Blaine's Dispatch, While Secretary Of
State, Regarding the Prosecuted
Russian Jews.


heretofore unpublished dispatch by ex-secre-
tary Blaine concerning the condition of the
Jews in Russia, which has recently been pro-
cured from the State Department:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON,
Nov. %, 1881.
James r. Lowell, ESQ.,:
SIR: You will remember that with your dis
patch OF the Goth of July last you transmitted
memorandum of the laws and police regulations
OF Russia affecting pei sons Of the Hebrew faith,
which you had received from Sir Charles Dixie.
one OF her Majesty's Under Secretaries of State
for Foreign Ahsirs. Although no information
was then given as to the motive of this courteous
and very acceptable communication, naturally
inferred that IL was IN a measure the result OF
the consultations which the United States Minis
ter at St tersburg had been directed to hold1
formally with his British colleague at that co4
touching the trsstutens o. such American I
British Jews as Should beosuse of business ED
gagements or other causes calling them to Rus
STA, unfortunately find themselves under the
against all lsrael1teA native or foreign. The
question has for some years very seriously en-
gagged the attenblon OF shts Government, as pre-
sented in the cases of American citizens of He
brew faith, visiting Russia peaceful, law
abiding errands. Under the direction of the
late President Garfield, the representation of
what we believed TO be just claims in the
premises was vigorously renewed, through the
United States Minister at ST. Petersburg, by
means Of instructions, of which 1 inclose for
your information copies, with the relative
nexes. These instructions still properly reflect
the views of 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, a British SUBJ
ject expelled from the Russian capital at that
time, attracted the attention of her Majestys
government, 1T seems to the President that
the almost Identical interests OF the two Gov
ernments in the premises justifies SINH
lar, and, ii practicable, concurrent action
on their part, and to that end / write
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-
yention may exempt American citizens from alb
Ject submission to the religious laws of the
land, the Minister has on several occasions
promised that the military authorities, in the
enforcement OF those laws, would give to Amer
lean citizens the widest practicable latitude in
Interpreting the obligations OF the statutes. In
point OF fact, 1t Is believed that American land
presumably British soiourners in Russia enjoy
under the almost absolute discretionary powers
of the imperial military commanders, the ex-
tremest privileges and immunities 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 it's citizens in Russia to the
discretionary control of the military arm how
ever friendly its declared purpose may be. And
in this conception it may very properly assume
to be joined by her Majesty's Government.
which has ever been so watchfully jealous Of
the moral freedom OF its subjects in foreign
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
ment contemplates even more sharply defined
restrictive measures against native Hebrews,
apparently under the belief that by REFRESHING
their injurious activity" it is phrased, the
causes of discomfort which the native Christians
feel against the Jews will be measurably les
Scned, and internal harmony between these con-
Hlct1ng elements be restored.
1t can not but be inexpressibly painful to the
enlightened statesmen of Great Britain, as well
as OF America, to see a discarded prejudice Of
the dark ages graTely revived at this day-to
witness an attempt to base the policy of great
and sovereign state on the mistaken theory that
thrift is a crime of which the unthrifty are the
innocent victims, and that discomfort and dis I
affection are to be diminished by increasing the
causes from which they arise. No student of
history need be reminded OF the lessons taught
by the prosecutions of the Jews in Central
Europe and on the Spanish peninsula. Then.
as in Russia to-day, the Hebrew Jared better in
economy and patient industry bred capi-
tall and capital bred envy, and envy
persecution, anC persecution disaffection and
social separation. The old tradition moves in
its unvarying circle. The Hebrews are made
people apart from other people, not of their own
volition but because they have been repressed
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 Israelite is not segrea
gated from his fellow men. His equal part in
our social frame work is unchalenged his thrift
and industry add to the wealth Of the state
and his loyalty and patriotism are unquestioned
1t was perfectly clear to the mind of the late
President that an amelioration of the treatment
OF American lsraelltes in Russia could only rel
suit from very decided betterment of the conf
dition of the native Hebrews; that any stepf
taken toward the relief of one would necessarilt
react in favor Of the other, and that, under al
the peculiar and abnormal aspects of the CASE
it is competent and proper to urge the subject
upon the attention of Russia To his successok
in the chief magistracy these conclusions are ne
less evident, and am charged by the President
to bring the subject to the formal attention d
her Britannia Majesty's Government, in tl&
firm belief that the community of interests bes
tween the United States and England in thif
great question of civil rights and equal tolerance
Of creed for their respective citizens in foreign
lands, will lead to consideration of the matter
with view to common action thereon
1t would seem, moreover, propitious time to
initiate movement which might also embrace
other powers whose service in the work Of
progress is commensurate with our own, to the
end that Russia may be benehcially influenced
by their cumulative representations, and that
their several citizens and subjects visiting the
territory Of the empire on law-observing mis-
SlonS or private interest shall no longer find
there subsection to military forms and proce-
dure which obtains nowhere else in Europe.
You may read this dispatch to Lord Gran
vile. and, If he desires it, leave him a CODY
You will say to him at the same time that
while abating no part OF his intention to press
upon the Russian Go yernment the just claim OF
American citizens to less harsh treatment in
the empire by reason of their faith, the Presi-
dent will await with pleasure an opportunity
for free interchange Of views upon the SUBJ
ject with the Government of her Majesty. I
am, sir, etc., JAMES G.. BLAINE.
THOMAS A. HENDRICKS may claim to be the
champion political blatherskite of this country
without fear of having the claim challenged
This demagogue is now making speeches in
Ohio and Indiana denouncing temperance legis-