The record-union., 1891-01-21
COLONIZATION OF RUSSIAN JEWS.
Doubts Expressed as to the Wisdom
of the scheme.


Doubts Expressed as to the Wisdom
of the scheme.
EDS: RECoRD-UNIoN learn from the
SUNDAY UNION that articles of incorpo-
ration have been filed by the s'Interna-
tional Society for the Colonization of
Russian jews" and I asked myself
whether the gentlemen who have organ
lied this society and subscribed million
dollars to its capital stock, have fully con-
sidered in all its bearings the question of
inviting colony of an almost unlimited
number of foreigners to settle in our
midst. If these gentlemen are actuated
in this undertaking by motives of utility,
what advantage do they hope to reap for
the people of this country as a result of
their Immigration scheme? Do they
think that the population which has in
creased nearly Il, ,000,0 600 in the last decade
is not growing rapidly enough? Do they
believe that with the millions of people
now out OF employment and suffering for
the necessities of life the vast army of
laborers in America needs further addi-
ton with which to divide the scanty op-
portunitieS of earning a livelihood and
share the doubtful benefits OF decreased
| wages? Are these gentlemen not aware
| that without any invitation or special
| effort on the part of our citizens 100000
emigrants from Europe are landing in
this country every year, filling all
| avenues of employment, and, by the
sharp competition of necessity, crowding
the laboring people of the country and
reducing the rate OF wages to point
where bare existence is a struggle?
Certainly we are not in need of any
more laborers in this country; and these
people are not capitalists, or even in easy
| circumstances, else why q subscription
Of million dollars? Ii it is intended to
settle the unoccupied lands of this and
other Western States, there are thousands
of people already here, just as honest,
industrious and deserving, and more en-
titled to the occupancy of the land, who,
with tho same financial assistance that it
is proposed to give these foreigners, viii
make better and more intelligent citizens,
and whose sentiments will accord more
harmoniously with our republican in
stitutions.
If these gentlemen are impelled by
feelings of humanity why stop with
rendering assistance to the Russian Jews?
The benighted and starving hordes of
China, the edown-trodden and evicted ten
ants of Ireland, the enslaved and much
abused tribes of Africa, the burden-bear-
ing and brutal poems of South America,
and millions upon millions of wronged
and oppressed people cry out TO human
ity for relief from their oppressors
Surely the distresses of these unfortnates
should appeal to the sentiments of charity
with force equal to the sufferings of the
natives of Russia.
Furthermore, have these charitable
gentlemen ascertained whether the graft
ing OF this unlimited colony into the
body polite will be acceptable to their
neighbors and countrymen?
The sentiment of the age is rather
towards the restriction of immigration
than otherwise, and it might be well to
take this into consideration before en-
barking extensively in the colonization
business.
These few suggestions I have thrown
out not with any spirit of malice or pre-
judice. but for the purpose. of having the
question viewed from all sides and ascer-
tanning whether the accomplishment of
this scheme will result in the greatest
good to the greatest number"
YANKEE