The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-10-22
DEFENSE OF MODERN jews


synagogue Of the congregation oaaveih
saolom las; sunday BY Melvin C. Win
stock has produced much adverse criticism
and called forth the following letter:
To THE Epgrcg: Through the daily"
Telegraph ! vas enabled this morning TO
refresh my memory on the several points
OF the lecture delivered by Mr. Melvin q.
Ninstock, At the synagogue on sunday
evening. which bad the pleasure 10 at
tend. Iaasmuch as ihis enterprls'ns
journal has lent its space 10 verbatim
reproduction Of this rant and thereby
aggravated the injustice, insult and ridienle
10 which the Jewish people were 50 IN
uocently and Unexpectedly exposed by
Mr.. NInstoes. il Is but just snat ]. speak-
ing for 3 vast number of mr. co-reIlgioaists.
should have The opportunity Of protesting
most vshemenily against the presume
tons, nlssiatements. insinuations and
assertions therein contained.
We have no fault TO find with Mr.. Win
stocks advanced ideas concerning the a5-
olltlon of obsolete customs. they have
been expressed and carried cut in many
places years ago, and we do most heartily
subscribe 10 them. But We are hardly
pleased with being represented TO an audi
enee and q circle of readers comprising
every class and creed as being IN great
need OF an uplifting with the special aid OF
Mr.. Melvin G. Winstock. The modern.
and espec ially the American Jew. Is the
peer OF his time IN morality. intelligence,
education. progresstyeness, public spirit
and every other attribute of 4 high evil
iEation; and If man like our snislnformed
brother SPEAKS OF uplifting the race one
Is only too forcibly reminded or Baron
Munchausen's amusing effort 10 save
himself and horse from drowning.
The Jew who enigrates 20 this co untry
quickly and cheerfully adsnts himself to
his surroundings, learns aptiy the In glish
language and readily conforms 20 Amer
lean customs in his civil life. He never
fails TO become a citizen and ever remains
loyal and true. His family life is &C
knowledged TO be the sweetest and purest,
and ne, above all, exsmplities the true
meaning o. the "home" Nothing is more
thought of or assiduousiy attended TO
than the education of his children. The
school record of this or any other civilized
country will bear ample testimony to the
excellence of our youth in all departments.
In every Jewish community there ex-
lists organized charity, not common aims
giving, bat determined effort TO assist the
unfortunate TO help themselves Who has
not seen the magnificent orphan ssylums
which harbor hundreds OF children and
MAKE useful aud noble men and women OF
them2 Who has not heard of the count
iS-S Ahc dRca nb0 shHi IA
lsrasiite. particularly feature of jewish
charity? Who has not seen the splendid
temples in which noted divines preach a
gospel of love, truth and progress which
will never follow, but lead all the world,
including Mr.. Melvin g. Winstock, who
would have US believe that our ministers
are threshing theological straw instead OF
uplifting the race. But this is not the
worst. Hear what our learned brother
has to saw about the Influence OF
the Jew in the industrial upheaval
which for time threatened the very
existence of the American Union;" We
quote verbatim: New York is the grea.
industrial and financial center of the ma
ton. The Jews largely control the bust
ness of the metropolis, and jewish money
shapes the policy of the banks. Timid
thar threatened changes should adversely
effect business, they selnshiy withdrew
capital. lessenet manufactures, reduced
wages and FASTENED the national calamity
by which the general volume of the coun-
try's business was so decreased that mill
ions of men we're sent marching up and
down the country in search for honest
labor and bread" And the thunder of
Almighty God does not smite the SLAM
dererl 1t is evident Mr.. Winstock has not
investigated the matter fairly or simply
takes Populist editors word for it,
Granted that the Jews largely control
the business of the metropolis and that
Jewish money shapes the policy of the
banks. which is at least doubtful, the Jew
is VIGOROUSLY heroic in business enter
prise aud the very last man 10 desert his
colors in time Of danger. Asa matter Of
fact. the Jews have In an untold number
of instances come TO the rescue during the
industrial upheayal OF last year. using
their personal means to uphold business
concerns, and have at no time, in no
known instance. timidly and selhshiy
Withdrawn their capital. All over the
country they were the very hrst TO
respond TO the call of the banks
for money by steadily increasing their
deposits and holdings. and in one local
instance at least plunged s. 600 900 into
the very teeth OF the panic. So much for
Withdrawing their capital. AS for lessen
ing manufactures and reducing wages
even so exacting a preacher of the good,
true and beautiful as Mr.. Winstock will
forgive a misguided people for stopping
the manufacture of goods for which there
is no demand. or paying the market price
for labor. Referring TO the sweating
system" it must be admitted that great
abuses undoubtedly exist In some places,
bat only malice or ignorance will lay the
blame for them to the Jewish manufac-
turer. The writer has had the good for
tune to live Tor years In pre-einiueptly
Jewish manufacturing center, and there
the observation-disclosures and llberality OF
Jewish employers is almost proyerblal.
Does this smack of 'glu.touy for gold"
with which We are so pleasantly
charged by Mr.. Winstockg What
is this terrible picture Of the
Russian Jew who becomes a socialist7
Does not Mr.. Winstock know that in every
city of the world where Jews abound they
have a special organization for the edaca-
49, D.. a ~
alton OF his condition Has be not heard
Of the grand work Of the Alliance Israelits
Uuiyersells which has established schools,
hospitals and synagogues IN the Eastern
countries? Has be not heard OF the deeds
Of the noble philanthTopist Baron de
Uirsch. whose colonization scheme for the
Russian Jews is the grandest work Of prac-
ticai charity ever accomplished, or Sir
Moses Moutefiore, whose immortal name
i craven In every Jewish heart2 Has he
moi seen or heard of the count
Ias. contributions of the race TO
medicine, jurisprudence, philosophy,
ATS and beiies-lettres? Are not
tha Ieys counted among the foremost and
most brilliant representatives, OF the in
te.lsctuaI progress Of every countryf IL
TIE armament OF our history beset eth
down 20 Krauskepf; do We boast OF
U'IsrzeU, Montehors, Mends.ssohp,
Usine. Berthold Aueroach, Kari Marx,
Iasalle. Cremieax: In this country Of =
Dr Wise. Dr. Hirseh, kfaaskopf, Felix
Adler. Koehger. XocrsaHger. Nieto and a
ho.t Of others throughout fAe world, 10
have arise al this late day IN the city of
1gattIe a nsw prophet who wants 10 up
Iifs .uch a race
We confidently trust the p9hiic VIII
aerent THIS defense Of Judaism with ihe
sane pasiencs they have shown IN listen
ing 10 the attacks upon IL Respectfully
yours, 's1ss hAhs'
ex.rvfF WASH. October Is. LISA