Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-08
WRITTEN WITHBLOO
Is the History of the Hebrews for
Many Hundreds of Years.
RELIEF FOR RUSSIAN REFUGEES
The Object of the Local Society That is So
Rapidly Growing.
ANOTHER SPIRITED MEETING HELD

There was another largely attended meet
ing of the Hebrew Relief Society held yes
terday at 3S4 Fifth avenue, presided over by
Mr.. A. Harter, who stated that the object
of the society is not to send money to
Russia, but to help refugees who are being
driven out of that country by the Gar.
Mr. NJ. Spiro was called on and made an
address in English, prefxing it with the
lines from Byron:
The wild dove hath her nest,
The fox his cave,
Mankind their country;
Israel but the grave.
Mr.. Spiro then said: "When we read
through the history of the world we find
that every nation had during their his
torical epoch to fight for their rights and
independence. However, bloody their his
tory may have been, it cannot be compared
with that of the Hebrews. Our history
contains more dark pages than those of any
other nation. From the time of the bondage
in Egypt, through the barbaric middle ages
down to the present day, the Hebrews were
subjected to most inhuman treatment. Our
history is written with our own blood.
Since the destruction of Jerusalem, once the
pride of Israel, by Titus Vespucius, the
Hebrews spread all over Europe and some
parts of Asia and Africa, and underwent
the most cruel torturing and persecution.
There is not country in Europe and some
in Asia and Africa where the ground has
not been soiled with the blood of our race. 1,
TORTURED BEYOND CONCEPTION.
"The middle ages are the darkest in our
history. Since the destruction of the second
temple, the crimes and outrages perpetrated
against the Hebrews are beyond human con-
ception. Their expulsions from Spain.
Portugal, France, England and other coun-
tries were so numerous that they nearly cul-
Driven from one country to another, we have
been wandering for nearly 1000 years.
With the beginning of the nineteenth cen
tury, the more civilized nations have ceased
the persecution and gradually granted GER
tain rights. which were before denied. The
example set by France, in emancipating the
Hebrews, was soon followed BY other en-
lightened nations, and the question began to
solve itself in the course of time.
Although the Hebrews in Russia have
never fully enjoyed the rights and iberti es
which their more fortunate brothers In
other countries did, they were, nevertheless,
under the Government of Alexander IL,
more friendly and kindly treated. The
situation assumed a new phase Scarcely
have the heavy clouds which hung over
their heads been dispersed, when the hostil-
tiles against the Hebrews by the anti
Semitic Government broke out with such
force and violence as was only equaled by
the crusade against the Hebrews in the
middle ages In fact these terrible times
seemed to have returned.
"In order to divert the attention of the
Russian people from becoming involved in
the Nihilistic movement in overthrowing
the Government OF the despotic ruler, Alex
ander Ill, the fate of thousands of Hebrews
was placed in the hands of mob. l need
not relate in detail the prosecutions of our
brothers in 1881 and 1882. The horrible
scenes which took place Ekaterinoslav,
Odessa, Kief, Balta, Warsaw and many
other places are still fresh in your minds.
The outrages committed against our sisters,
wives and daughters, in the face of their
brothers, husbands and fathers, by the dis
solute mob that was raving for blood, and
the sleepIess nights we have spent not dar-
ing to 90 to bed, lest our enemies should at
tack us while asleep, are still vivid in our
memory.
MUST LEAVE THIS MONTH.
Alexander III. and Ignatief, the then
Minister of the Interior, deemed it adviss-
BILE, for some reason, not to put into execu-
ton their cowardly deeds. Now the brute
ID 1of
edict of expelling all Hebrews from Russia
will be rigidly enforced by October 1, ire
spective of the protests by England and the
United States.
1.-THE Novoe Vreujd, which is the mouth
piece of Ignarief, makes the following sug-
gestion: IF we can't now any more expel
them from Russia, as they were once ex-
PEELED from Spain, the Government shall
pass such laws against them as to make
their lives unbearaDle, SO they will then be
compelled to leave Russia Now, brothers,
the fatal hour is approaching. A part of
the fugitives will turn to America as a har-
Dor of peace and security, The fate of thou
sands of men, women and children is at
stake Thousands of families will be thrown
into poverty and destitution. Thousands and
thousands will soon be made homeless
and triendless. What cruel fate will befall
them? Ii we cannot prevent Il, let us at
least extend helping hand to those who
will seek refuge in this land OF liberty.
This injustice cries aloud, and we must not
and cannot remain Indifferent. 1t is our
duty to help them; it is our right. Let us
willingly and cheerfully administer relief
and assistance to our unfortunate and much
abused brothers and sisters, and, In COLI
clusion, let us hope that there will yet come
a time when all hatred, prejudice and in
tolerance of one race against the other will
cease, and all men will be regarded as
brothers, and true humanity will triumph"
Addresses were then made in hebrew by
NJ Robin, Simon Mozersky and others. A
committee was appointed whose duty it will
be to secure hall for meetings, which will
be held every Sunday. About 25 new men,
bers were added to the society yesterday.