The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-12
zIONISM.
A T.rvent and Living Hope.

To THB EDITOR OF THE SUN-Str: As one
identified with the cause of "Zionism ever
since Its importation into the United States.
about twelve years ago. and, I believe. as the only
American Jew who has kept in close, ~continu-
Gus, direct. and active contact with the move
ment wherever it exists, I am prompted by your
reports on this subject OF May 10 and May 10
last TO enlighten your readers on many obscure
points therein contained. The movement Is sim
ply the historically logical consequence of the
very preservation and existence Of Jews and Ju-
daism to the present day. Bible truth stands and |
falls with It It is useless for any reform rabbi
or Bible critic to mystify. generalize. Austria
else, or falsitv tho plain md clear meaning Of !
the text Of Holy Writ. To the lay reader OF
common sense every page OF the Old Testament
gives irrefutabls evidence OF the fact that it
was written for a national entity, a nation des-
tined to remain forever separate and distinct
from other nations, and whatever mission 1t
was to fulfil TO human kind was to be done by
means Of an6 through its national existence. in
the full and glorious enjoyment OF It's national
Independence and autonomy.
It Is the consciousness OF this basic truth that
underlies the Zionistic movement. Bat besides
this theological point of view. men of learning
and influence in Europe, both among Jews and
Gentiles, have. in face of the ever moro c-iti-
cally growing Jewish question for the past few
decades. earnestly devoted themselves to 4 care
full study and analysis thereof in its historic
philosophical. its social, its economic, Its ethno-
logical. it's political and practical aspects. Some
Of them have as a solution the
absolute assimilation OF the race with the peo-
Pile amid whom they live, even to the length
Of adopting the ruling faith. Others argue
with great convincing force that the Jewish
people. having wonderfully outlived so many
attempts at their annihilation; having preserved
throughout recorded human history their pecu-
liar religion. literature. language, purity OF
race. distinct characteristics. laws and ethics.
possess thereby ipso Idcto an inaltenable right
to an independent national existence, which q
higher civilization must sooner or later grant
them In its own interest. Thus Zionism. under the
pressure OF Russian persecution and European
nti-Semitism. has grown into a movement
IN which both spiritual and temporal forces
largely Join In ,ntensitying its momentum and
gaining for it an ever increasing adherence
smons the intellectually and relIsiously Gull
The movement his found its practical express
sion IN the establishment stree lSSl or some
twsnty.odd Jewish agricultural colonies IN yari-
and Transioriania, COMPRISING some ! 900 souls.
Their founders hayinT started wt,,ahn"rnas a AIDE
knowledge of land and people, these undertak-
Inns wG lntsrv nays so 20 B sGr5ap Esmo SaI de- s' Roth
schilH. TO whose munihcent support nearly all ct
the colonies owe their existence today. To ~
nursery. TO pave the way for a more rousinR and
effective agitation OF the cause e~vervwhere, to
various societies. associations. clubs. or other
bodies having Zionistic tendencies or %;
them unity Of purpose, aim. and directton-this
comD'ish or at least TO COMPASS.
Ziouism can AFFORD to take litrle or no account
This psrtv in reality only consists Of some
hundred odd rahhis. each Of whom IN. all mat
.hority than himself. Most members OF their
congregations take little or no interest In rem
thev please. As against he nine millions Of Jews
scnttared over the four other cnnttnente, the
Tinted states and other parts o. America. and
even the many huudre1s. II NOT Thousands. Of
American Jews m processing rerorm J4HnIfm;
sympathy toward the DESTINY ot their race and
people, the few opposing elements are too in
siznthc1ut In number or power to cause the
henrtbu rning whatsoever. It his been we'll
STATED that the. m'tter has passed heyond re
control % the timorsus nnd calculating. NIL
lions OF Jewish ewes row are turned daily 70 the
spot where once the Jewish %neiornl centre, the
temple at Jerusalem, stood in all tts glorious
ness and splendo-,. with a deeper consciousness
ever before. Surely il IL neither expected nor
desired that the Jewish fetraotors OF their own
peoples char. c'er. who DENY II ae't--esprct. cnpH-
tility ~ selr-covernment. self. sacrificing patriot
Ism, nower Of selt.supnort and = national genius
IN iHG .ia Of z z 10 2s"s'' they have hSs tHdFed their PEG,
pie nv Themselves. and thereby excluded them
selves from taking part in the grHnd cause % Ira
regeneration But, as said before, these are for.
tu~rately a dyvtnd,ing minority. The barge
masses Of the Jewish people are more and more
becoming conscious % their great mower and
strength, material. morrl and Intellectual, II
only united IN one and thr same purpose, It's
own ACCOMMODATIONS Zlonisn IL 70 kindle the
glowing sptrks OF this consciousness 10 the
steady-burnin1 NamaI ~ 0'Or'ops red >erpinG
srtion. A. Or. Herzl pe-tly nuts it: This Jews
that are willing to have their state are rr -ng to
have t." 4. PNSrNRFR6.
sAcaEA. HAUPAy, Syria, June II. 1897.