Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-10-03
Blaine and the Hebrew,


Blaine's letter, As secretary Of state,
to James r. Lowell and Lord Gran
vile demanding Of Russia a different
policy towards the Hebrews, is out.
1t is quite lengthy state document
but covers the whole ground. He says
the question has for some years very
seriously engaged the attention of
this government, rs 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 to be our just claims in the prem
Uses was vigorously renewed through
the United States minister at St. Pc
tersburgh by means of instructions,
for which enclose for your infOrma-
ton copies with the relative annexes.
Those instructions still properly re-
feet the views of this government that
there should be change in the treat
ment of American Isaelites in Russia.
This government conceives, how
ever, that it 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, hOwey er friendly its de-
clared purpose may be.
Further along he says: 81 cannot be
but inexpressibly painful to the en-
lightened statesman of Great Britain,
as well as of America, to see dis
carded prejudice of the dark ages
gravely revived at this day-to wit
ness 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 inno-
cent victims, and that discomfort and
disaffection are to be diminished by
increasing the causes from which they
arise. No student of history need to
be reminded of the lessons taught by
the prosecutions of the Jews in cen.
trail Europe and on the Spanish PENN.
sula. Then, as in Russia to-day, the
Hebrew Jared better in business than
his neighbor; then, rs now his econ
omy and patent industry bred capital
and capital bred envy, and envy
persecution, aud persecution disaifec-
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 violition, but because they have
been depressed and ostracized by the
communities in which they reside.
The Ghetto of medieveal times still
teaches its eloquent lesson which the
nations have done well to heed.
"In great Britain and the United
States, the israelitc is not separated
from his fellowman. His equal part
in our social framework 10 unch al
lenged his thrift and industry, con-
tributing to the wealth Of the state
and his loyalty and patriotism are un'
questioned
The letter closes by the assertion
that il would seem, moreover, a prOpi-
tious time 10 initiate movement
which might also embrace other pow.
ers whose service in the work of pro.
gress is common Surate with our own
to the end that Russia may be bene.
ficially influenced by their several cul.
mulative representations and that
their several citizens and 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.