The times., 1899-07-17


Wolf, of Washington, delivered an address
tonight before the summer assembly of
the Jewish Chatauqua- Mr.. Wolf Eaid in
part:
Ladies and Gentlemen: l do not come
here to advocate any particular line of
thought which is foreign to the aims and
purposes for which this summer assembly
has been created. First and foremost, and
above all other considerations, let us de-
clare in unmistakable terms that we are
not hyphenated Americans; that while, as
Jews, We are what our conscience dictates,
and that. in a social sense, we may admire
the social customs and habits of Father
land more than We do those of this coun-
try, but as citizens of our common coun-
try, in a political and national sense, We
are plain and simple American citizens,
and We should make IL our aim and object
to frown upon every attempt TO ALLEVIATE us
from these high purposes. If We differ
from the Administration temporarily in
power. let US do so as citizens. If we
chose TO advocate any line of policy that
We think best, let us again do so as citi-
zens, but at no time let us be found con-
gregated or aggregated as Jewish-Ameri-
cans, Communications, or Irish-Ameri-
cans, for that necessarily leads to divi-
sions, frictions, segregations, and destroys
the very purposes for which this country
exists, unity. and what is still more uoces-
sary. the highest development of Ameri-
can patriotism. Patriotism is not mush-
room growth, but is, on the contrary,
century plant, which receives its life blood
and inspiration from time and circum-
stances. 1t cannot be conjured at will,
but must grow as result OF deep and fer
vent thought, and love of and for the
institutions under which one lives and
prospers. The effervescent outburst is as
evanescent as the bubbles of the best
champagne vintage while that which las
matured and been strengthened by expert
enee and by suffering is enduring and per-
manent. In this sense and spirit Ameri-
can patriotism has developed splendid re-
suits II has its origin and birth in other
lands of the world.
Persecution and misfortune compelled
large numbers to emigrate for conscience
sake. and for personal happiness, and the
struggle for human rights which preceded
the American Revolution was the natural
outpouring which eliminated in the Dec
laration of Independence, and from that
day to this the spirit OF. liberty and indie
pendence, and the love of country and the
flag have predominated and grown with
every fiber of our individual and national
lfe,' exhibiting to the world abroad, as well
as 10 our citizens at home, a picture re-
plete with color, life, and light No nation
in. modern times has exhibited such Won
deTful resources or such wonderful recu-
perative powers as have these United
States. owing 10 the singleness of purpose
manifested and made evident by. the citi-
Zens of our common country who have
spared neither time nor money. nor blood,
in exanpliiyln ing b. their conduct the high
est civic and patriotic virtues.
The Duty of the Citizen.
Thus the duty of the citizen has been
made plain. the path for each to walk in
has been blazed by the pioneers of the
past, and the horizon of the future is as
clear, 10. my mind as the results of the
present, are dominant and praiseworthy
The citizens duty is however, not alone dis
tinct and marked in national sense but in
his private capacity, in his conduct toward
his faith, toward the community in which
he lives, 10 his family, which look to him
for counsel and advice, to his friends, to
whom he is an inspiration and hope: in
model, and example. He must do nothing
which Will disgrace his faith, his lineage,
his family, or his State, always remember
ing the words of Lord Macaulay, who saws:
Everything that lowers Christianity in the
public esteem and respect is high treason
against the civilization OF mankind He
must aim high, and be representative in
every direction. whether he occupies the
lowliest or the highest position in the gift
Of his fellow-men; he must at all times
strive TO do that which shall confer the
largest amount of good on the largest
number.
If the citizen happens TO be a Jew in
faith. he must never forget through what
countless ages of misery and suffering his
ancestors were made to pass. and that hav-
ing been permitted under the providence
OF God, TO reach this haven of rest these
great and glorious United States, he must
contribute and aid in every direction to
strengthen the hands OF Government in aid
OF the continuance and perpetuation of the
institutions under which we live, for only
when these are maintained in all their in
tegrity and solidarity, is it possible for
him TO enjoy the faith Of his fathers.
DIspeI Prejudice.
''0ne Of the highest duties a citizen
owes to the State and to God is to dispei
prejudice, and to instiIl by word and ex-
ample such education as will lead TO a
recognition OF all that is true and Just and
virtuous, no matter from whence il comes
OF to whom IL is attributable No repub-
lie can exist for any length of time unless
the foundation is laid broad and deep in
liberal education among the masses that
education which teaches the citizens duty
and the duty OF the citizen, and which
aims to care for the unfortunate and
stricken and helpless, whether they are
members OF our own or another church,
recognizing in each human being the i'm
age Of God. And right now as American
citizens we are confronted by another
class Of duties which appeal to u.s. In
which the question of politics should not
be allowed TO enter. II should not matter
to US what party candidate is living al the
White House, so long as the President of
the United States is true TO the highest in
stincts of the age, true 10 the best traii-
tions OF the past, and alive to the present
and the growing interests OF the future
One year has made a wonderful change in
the physical and political confguration of
our country. We are no longer Isolated
but have grown as If by Alladin's lamp
into q great world power, and / for one
can see nothing dangerous in this sur
prising change
For US, it is enough to know We are
where We are, that the flag OF our country
has been planted on soil which is under
the laws of nations, ours that American
blood has been spilled. and American lives
given up in behalf OF our Government and
ITS laws, and that as patriotic American
citizens, It is our bounden duty to uphold
the Government OF the United States.
whether the temporary Administration be
Republican or Democratic. The voice of