Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-19
A PLEA FOR THE HEBREWS.
Hon. Simon VOLTS Eloquent Address in
Behalf of His Race.

THE HONORABLE PLACE WHICH IT HAS HELD IN
THE PRESENT PREJUDICE-CRUELTIEs OF The
RUSSIAN LAWS WHICH CALL FOR PROTEST.
A pen portrait of people about which pub
lie curiosity is Just now aroused was held up
before an audience which assembled last even
ing in Mrs. Ransom's studio. The eloquent
! words OF Mr.. Simon Wolf filled in the details
| Of this picture as he spoke Of the history of
his race, their prosecutions. and made an earn
est plea that prejudice should no longer affect
the regard in which the world holds the jew
He said tina. the history of the Jews and their
achievements had been the theme of a great
many books written in German French, Arabic
and other languages. There had been few of
those books printed in the English language
and society had recently been formed in
Philadelphia for the purpose of bringing be-
| fore the English-speaking world tine ma "a of
! material which had been printed relative to
this historic race. The first volume of the pub
hcations of this society had now been issued
and was from the pen of Lady Magnus a we'll
known English lady.
THEIR PLACE IN HISTORY.
He then spoke of the Jews and their place in
history. They had preserved and handed
| down the old testament. Christ and his apostles
spTung from tuls race. 1nty mao Deen
important factors in the progress of the world.
During the dark ages they maintained
schools and colleges; they had created COM
merce and the commodities of commerce; they
had exhibited the beauty of domestic life; they
had eXemplified temperance in their conduct
ana their lives; and in every country where
opportunity had been given they had stood in
the forefront of the progress OF civilization
when the opportunity, however, had been
taken away from him he had dcgenerated 10
a m n linz l.t,th had
never sunk as low as those who prosecuted him
Whatever his surroundings or conditions the
jew had always the word and traditions of his
fathers.
NEVER ATTEMPTED TO PRosELYTE.
One source of strength in the Jewish policy,
he thought was the fact that they had never
created enmity in other faiths by attempting
u proselyte. The religion of the Jew in IFS
essential feature one of the heart. to be Just
and equitable. He spoke of the persecution
and oppression of the jews and their being
driven from the trades and professions which
they desired TO follow. Their oppressors sought
TO secure their hard-earned gains, and being
themselves without property, these enforced
loans were insecure, and then now under
similar conditions high rates of interest were
demanded. Hence arose the system OF usury.
lie spoke of the character of Shylock
az contributing to the prejudice OF
the hour Us representiug such
man typical of the race. A manu-
script brought TO light in the vatican recently.
be said. showed that Ill the play upon which
the Merchant of Venice" was founded the Dor
rover was Jew and the lender Christian.
But Shakespeare reversed these conditions in
order 10 Sratlty the opinion of the day. Dick
ems dellneatlon OF the character of Fagin con-
trlbuted TO the sentiment against the jews.
UNJUST PREJUDICE SHOULD PASS AWAY.
He thought that this prejudice, unjust in its
origin, ought now to be done away with and
that the Jewish people should be treated as
others, without regard to religious or FACE diff
ferences. He asked whether there was anv
reason why in this day this system of persecn-
tion should be continued In great country;
that laws should be enforced against the Jews
50 barbaric that their mention brings blush
OF shame 70 the cheek. He said that he had
copies of the laws now in operation in Russia
against the Jews which had been collated by
M. Lewis Abraham of this city, He would be
glad TO distribute copies 10 all who desired them
these laws. he added, not only on the statute
books, but they are enforced with an energy
and barbarity that is worthy of the darkest
ages. Why did such laws exist and why were
they enforced! Simply because the people |
against whom they were directed were Jews. |
Some OF them had found their way TO this |
country. and had quickly become assimi- |
lated with the people here. II the opportunity !
was given they wonld do the same in Russia |
The jews are not allowed to hold land and are |
compelled to live in certain quarters. This |
eonultion OF affairs Ii brought about chiefly |
through the influence of the church and the |
persecution is directed against Protestant as |
well as jew.
THIS COUNTRY SHOULD PROTEST AGAINST RUSSIAN !
CRUELTY
He thought that this country should protest
against such crueltes and refuse to have politi-
cal relations with country that would coun-
tenance such barbarity. The killing of a few
Italians In New Orleans the other day caused |
the entire world to exelaim in horror. yet what |
Is said In regard to the condition of affairs in
Russia! In conclusion the speaker referred 10 |
the lives of such men as Nontefiore. Hoyrn. Sol |
ONION and other distinguished Jewish philan-
thropists and patriots. and said that injustice !
was done to the Jews which would be dispelled /
by an investigation of the facts. He made a |
plea for the recognition OF jew as a man and |
not as the representative Of a race. He referred
TO the exclusion of Jews from social organiza- |
tons and said that this the result OF preju-
dice.
MIR. VOLTS eloquent presentation of the sub !
Ject was listened to with deep attention. and
the approval of his audience was indicated by |
a hearty round of applause.
Brlef remarks We're made By Judge Shella- |
barger, Lewis Abraham and A q. Riddle.