The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-22
AN UNJUST DISCRIMINATION.

The American yetus Annual for 1885 cals atten.
ton 10 the fact that American Jews travelling IN
Russia must bear 10 mind that Russo. American
treaties arr for Christians only aud confer no rights
whatsoever upon American Jows. and that the
American Of Jewish faith who travels IN that
country Ia entirely at the mercy Of the govern.
mcnt, and cannot look to the State department Of
his native land for protection. This hardly seems
possible, but wo are iniarmed that II Il strictly
true There can be 20 defense urged for our gov.
eminent entering Into treaty which excludes from
~ protection any elias OF citizens merely on nc.
count Of their religious belief The Jews are a
great iorce Ia American life. aud their energy aud
enterprise are felt In every channel Of trade They
are among our best and most law abiding citizens,
aud a. 10 their religion. ~ IA the parent Of all the
religions 81 America and Europe. and yot 90 poten,
IL middloaso prejudice still In tho world, that ~
enlightened q nation N the United States
while u gives every ono full liberty aud
equal privileges nj homo. yields To the
influence OF that prejudice In making IL
treaties with other nations 10 the extent that while
u would protect the mos, miserable specimen Of
humanity, who was nominally Christian, though
actu lily heather. IL would utterly aud basely
abandon 10 his tate the most cultured citizen Of the
Npublic. II he happened 10 be an adhecni Of the
Jewish faith anda descendant Of the race 70 whom
were given the Ten Commandments Il was MOI
honorable In our government 10 consent 10 trcaty
which made such an unjust discrimin ton against
portion Of our citizens Il Il les honorable now
TO allow Il TO stand without an attempt "a thanRc
H. The Jewsln America. controlling - they do 40
much wealth. and being 90 largely eng gcd IN com.
merce ,nycl a. much or moro than any other
class, and this dlscrlmina ion. aside from is mere
" sentimental aspect, Il practical grievance aud
Inconvenience for which therc u no excuse.
No American, be his religion what Il
may, can read this extract from The Rad.
ing pa Louh without 4 feeling Of shame.
The theory Of individual right which has
come down 10 IN ~ an inheritance from
the mother country Is that everywhere In
the world the American carries with him
the rights that inherc In him as q native
born or natunlizcd citizen; and that no
matter what his faith, or whether he has
any faith, he is on footing Of equality, in
all treaty stipulations with foreign govern
crnmcnis, with the citizens "of the most
favored nations" M treaties usually pro
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