Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-10-15
A HUMANE ACT.
Mr. Blainss Dispatch, While Secretary Of
State, Regarding the Prosecuted
Russian Jews.

The following are the essential portions of .
heretofore unpublished dispatch by ex-secre-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, WAsHNGToN,l
Nov. ~, 1881. {
James R. Lowell. ESQ.,:
patch Of the 26th Of July last you transmitted
Of RUSSIA atfecting persons Of the Hebrew faith,
one Of her Majestys Under Secretaries of State
Tor Foreign Affairs. Although no information
was then given as to the motive Of this courteous
and very acceptable communication, I naturally
inferred that twas in q measure the result Of
the consultations 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
British Jews as should, because Of business en-
gagements or other causes calling them to Rus
sia. 4nfortnnately find themselves qnder the
operation Of the proscriptive laws Of the empire
against all Israelites, native or foreign The
question has for some years very seriously en-
gagged the n attention Of this Government, as Pc
brew faith. visiting Russia on peaceful, law
ebiding errands Under the direction Of the
late President Garfield, the representation Of
what we believed to be our just claims in the
premises was vigorously renewed, through the
United States Minister at st. Petersburg, by
means Of instructions. of which inclose for
nexes. These instructions still properly reflect
the views ef this Government that there should
be change in the treatment OF American Israel
that the case Of Mr.. Lewtsohn, = British SUBJ
ject expelled from the Russian capital at that
time, attracted the attention of her Majesty's
the almost identical interests of the two Gov
ernments in the premises justifies SINH
lar, and, if practicable, concurrent action
W you the present instructions. The dispatches
Of the American Minister at st. Petersburg
show that the Russian Minister for Foreign At
desire On the part q his Government to seek
solution which would harmonic all interests.
While declining to admit that the existing con-
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, It Is believed that American (and
Se
Of the imperial military commanders, the ex-
tremest privileges and 1mmnnities 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
discretionary control OF the military arm. how
in this conception it may very properly assume
to be joined by her Majesty's Government,
which has ever been 80 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
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 ph5ased the
feel against tie Jews win be 1neasnrably les
scned, and internal harmony between these con-
ficting elements be restored.
+ can not but be inexpressibly painful to the
enliRhtened statesmen of Great Britain, as well
IS OF America, to see discarded prejudice OF
the dark ages gravely revived at this day-to
witness an attempt to base the policy of great
and sovereign state on the mistaken theory that
thrift is crime of which the unthrifty are the
Innocent victims, and that discomfort and dis
affection are to be diminished by increasing the
causes from which they arise. No student OF
history need be reminded of tho lessons taught
by the prosecutions of the Jews in Central
Europe and on the Spanish peninsula. Then.
business than his ne1ghbor; then, as now, bis
economy and patient industry bred capi-
tai, and capital bred envy, and envy
its unvarying circle. The Hebrews are made
people apart from other people, not Of their own
and ostracized by the communities in which
they resided. The ghetto Of medieval times still
teaches it's eloquent lesson which the nations
have done well to heed. In Great Britain and
in the United States the 1sraelite is not segre
gated from his fellow men. HIS equal part in
our social framework is unchallenged; his thrift
and industry add to the wealth Of the state,
and his loyalty and patriotism are unquestloned.
It was perfectly clear to the mind OF the late
President that an amelioration OF the treatment
of American Israelites in Russia could only re-
suit from very decided betterment of the con-
dition of the native Hebrews; that any steps
taken toward the relief of one would necessarily
the peculiar and abnormal aspects Of the case,
it is competent and proper to urge the subject
upon the attention of Russia. To his successor
in the chief magistracy these conclusions are no
to bring the subject to the formal attention OF
her Britannia Majestys Government, in the
firm belief that the community Of interests be-
tween the United States and England In this
Of creed for their respective citizens in foreign
lands, will lead to consideration OF the matter,
with view to common action thereon.
It would seem, moreover, proplt1ous 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 he benefcially influenced
by their cumulative representations, ana that
their several citizens and subjects visiting the
territory Of the empire on law observing mis-,
sions Of private interest shall no longer find
there subjection to military forms and proce-
dure which obtains nowhere else in Europe.
You may read this dispatch to Lord Gran
You will say to him At the same time that,
while abating no part of his intention to press
upon the Russian Government the just claim OF
American citizens to less harsh treatment IN
the empire by reason of their faith, the Presi-
for . free interchange of views upon the SUBJ
ject with the Government OF her Majesty. l