The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-10-09
A HUMANE ACT.
Mr. Blaine's Dispatch, While Secretary Of
State, Regarding the Prosecuted
Russian Jews.


The following are the essential portions OF
heretofore unpublished dispatch by x-Secre-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. 20, 1881
James r. Lowell, ESQ.,.
SIR: You will remember that with your dis
patch OF the 10th OF July last you transmitted
memorandum of the laws and police regulations
OF Russia affec ing persons or the Hebrew faith,
which you had received from Sir Charles Dixie.
one OF her Majestys Under Secretaries OF State
for Foreign Affairs Although no information
was then given az TO the motive OF this courteous
and very acceptable communication, naturally
inferred that IL was in 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
STA, unfortunately find themselves under the
operation of the proscriptive laws OF the empire
against all lsraelites, native or foreign. The
question has for some years very seriously en-
gagged the attention OF this Government, as pre-
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 be our just claims in the
premises was vigorously renewed, through the
United States Minister at st, Petersburg, by
your Information copies, with the relative an
nexes. These instructions still properly reflect
the views Of this Government that there should
be a 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 Majesty's
Government 1t seems TO the President that
the almost identical interests OF the two Gov
r snd aes %
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 AZ
| fairs has made frequent assertions of a strong
desire on the part OF his Government to seek
While declining to admit that the existing con-
venton may exempt American citizens from abb
iect 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 or the statutes. In
point OF fact, IL IL believed that American land
presumably British sOjourners in Russia enjoy,
| under the almost absolute discretionary powers
| OF the Imperial military commanders, the ex-
| tremest privileges and imnunities which are
granted TO any foreigner. The Government
| conceives, however, that 1t 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
| ever friendly its declared purpose may be. And
4 in this conception IL 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 il 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, upfortun-
| atey, 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, as 1t is phrased the
ouses OF discomfort which the native Christians
| feel against the Jews will be measurably les
scned, and internal harmony between these con.
| ticting elements be restored
| 1t can not but be inexpressibly painful to the
| enlightened statesmen of Great Britain, well
| as OF America, to see a discarded prejudice OF
| the dark ages pravely revived at this day-to
witness an attempt TO base the policy of a great
and sovereign state on the mistaken theory that
thrift Is q crime OF which the unthrifty are the
innocent victims. and that disSQatept and dis
affection are TO be diminished byfficfeasing 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 u,
| business than his neighbor; then, as now. his
economy and patient industry bred CAPT.
and Gsp sssd enY saS
Social separation The old tradition moves in
its unvarying circle. The Hebrews are made q
people apart from other people, not Of their own
| volition, but because they have been repressed
and ostfacized by the Communities in which
they resided. The ghetto OF medieval times still
teaches its eloquent lesson which the nations
have done well to heed. In Great Britain and
| in the United States the Israelte 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 unquestioned.
| 1t 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-
dtion 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
Ssmpsseas and prop e sTss The sSSec
| upon The Attention Of Russia. To his successor
| in the chief magistracy these conclusions are no
less evident. and am charged by the President
her Britannia Majestys Government, In the
| firm belief that the community Of interests be-
| tween the United States and England in this
great question OF civil rights and equal tolerance
| of creed tor their respective citizens in foreign
| lands, will lead TO consideration OF the matter,
! with view to common action thereon
| IL would seem, moreover, n 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 beneficially influenced
their several citizens and subjects visiting the
| territory OF the empire on law observing mis-
SONS of 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 IL he desires it, leave him copy.
| You will say to him ut 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-
/ dent will await with pleasure an opportunity
| for free interchange of views upon the SUBJ
| ject with the Government OF her Majesty.
| am, sir, etc, JAMES G.. BLAINE.
| THOMAS A. HENDRICKS may claim to be the