The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-03
Plea FOR A JEWISH STATE.
The Fires OF Israei-A New jewish Nationality
M . BENEFIT 20 Jews the World Over.

Tne Firee OF asreei-A Aew jewish Nationality
r, rn,ro, ~ Tur srx-S,s. Wa,
=. II AZ
the dawn OF this century and the triumph of
the American and the French revolutions, tho
nrincinle Of free nationality and free citiyenshin
pfin.ipie =. . ~ I ei'i1ehsnip
question Of a Jewish nationality. a Jewish state,
n restored Judea. a zion resurreoted. hut a
fata inorganic. soon to disappearl Or is it a
legitimate question I Should it be realized in
Tho interest NJ Israe, NJ civilization and N NH
Wv '"D
lie Justice
The Jews Of to-day count yet a population Of
eight to ten millions They are everywhere ae-
knowledging themselves as Jews. descendants
from the ancient Israelites and Judeans. They
oro yst he,d to.s,ber Inv Tho meet notort Nova,
n." y ~ o' po''"' "'otaA
and nnsr psychic = aar ,,ss; q common IN INC. n nistOry Of s. over 1000
atnre that IN the Rible holds the worId.s c,v;i;va-
tuf 'na' ~ II nipi oiu ~ orru . ',hI
ton on It's lap; historical achlevcments ana ma
tional sacrifice at once narrowing and cheering,
sad and olorious .Imo.t unioue IN mankInd's
annals. Such and moro are the bonds yet hold
Ing together these ten millions of Jews. the pre-
torian guards of mOnOtheism. should not ten
the council of civilized mankind upon a national
.x;s,onoa ~ tic onn
Let US see the other side: That people has
lost its independence now for over 800 years.
1t has split into many factions. 1t is since scat
tered all over the .habitable globe. 1t Is every
where considered by the surrounding m jori-
ties. If not decidedly as foreign Hebrew at
any rate as Judean, as Israelite, descendant Of
the ancient syrian tribe; %Benai Israel" The
dence in Europe OF !, 800 years. as II they were
there of yesterday. as aliens; That people is
countries on earth. They have become es-
tranged from each other by such political sec
tastes, religious and irreligious undercurrents.
Millions Of them are identified with their nom
many EHMrsh millions nfiiHM ei more expect Spa yet a su uEIi MnraGi
liberator. miraculously leading them back to the
old country. the old regime. tho old sacrincial
the habit OF seIfsoyernment. OF seif.defence. Of
self-reliance, OF self-dependence, OF agriculture,
cmiar strength. Rcmember that for 60 many
centuries they have lost the sense OF a united
one leader. one head, except the Messianic one
| miraculously expected.
| OF the bloodiest revolutions and exterminations
1t is now desolate and barren from neglect: and
beans: with a scant. Door population, Tttio in.
clined' to agriculture; with shiftless. barbarous
a large population. What may be the economic
and Industrial. political and sanitary, outlook
pean immigrants, accustomed to the ways and
amenities Of European civilizations =.
sd Bpt tseri p are ether s sldSs as j G,tSs,s t. ,bs th rsSid dii;
of Jericho, Gilead, and Bashan. the country OF the
prosperous and luxurious Canaanites and Php-
nicians, Israelitcs, and Judeans, the Romano.
Galilean and Herodian empOriums, the hal
lowed ground OF the grand Old inspirations of
prophets, heroes. and patriots. so rich in gIo-
rious monuments the names OF Jerusalem, Zion,
Moriah. and Carmel stirring up every feeling
covered with a halo of glory. where great rcmi,
nisccnccs Of the past and foreshadowings OF the
future crowd our memories with the religio.
classical names of Patriarchs-Moses David,
Elijah, Hc.ckiah, Ezra, and Maccabces-th that
soil gave birth to bible, Gospel, and Koran. to a
host Of martyrs. Counts all that for nothing
Whose heart Is not thrilled. who is so dull as not
to realize that these are powers for good; that
the past will redeem the future, will conquer the
difficulties of the present; that these are ethical
md social forces which will powerfully assist In
the movement Of n restoration OF Zion Nay.
even the generous among Christian nations
would back such II movement. Indeed. who
could refuse his sympathy with that glorious
soil, with that dcsoiatG scene Of the great movers
of the present civilization, with their represent
atiyes scattered now all over the world What
feelings are not awakened at this Contcmpla'
lion; who can helm cNclaiming, with the Psalm.