Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-21

letter on political matters. written by
Or HirSch, Chicago rabbi OF distincuon
has Just been published and 1t deserves to
be read by men Of all creeds and of all
parties Mr. Alschuler the democratic
candidate for governor of Illinois is of
Jewish extraction, and the support of vot-
ers Of his race and religion is being solic-
tied for him. On this point DIR. Hirsch says:
1.-THE fact that am a Jew and Mr.. Al
schuler is Of Jewish parentaSe cannot IN
fiuence my action. | do not vote as jew,
but as an American citizen. What would
we say if Methcdists would appeal 10 their
coreigionists To support Methodist De
cause he is a member of their church: III
we are so foolish as 10 vote for a Jew SIM
ply because he r. Jew must be pre-
pared to have others vote against Jewish
candidates because they are Jews Juda-
ism teaches loyalty To principles
Were | democrat | should certainly
vote for Mr.. Alschuer, and in so doing
would find pleasure and take pride in the
thought that one of my OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
of the religious family whose patriotism
and honesty are so often doubted-was rec
ognized to be we'll qualified for so high and
honorable n trust.
But as | am not a democrat. and as l
believe that in the present crisis IL is we'll
not to swap horses. | cannot have my
Judaism influence me in any other way
than to lead me To cast my ballot for
Judge Yates while admiring the character
and abiiity OF MS opponent as mucn as
any man may
There is and there ought TO be no such
thing as a Jewish vote. 1t is as insane as
would be Catholic vote. Hebrew march
ing clubs, no matter under what banner,
are an insult to the spirit of our institu-
tions. We vote as citizens and not as
members of religious fraternity"
This statement of the case is altogether
clear and forcible. and if every man enti-
tied to a vote in the United States would
cast it at the coming election and at all
elections according to the principle that
DR.. Hirsch lays down the country would be
greatly strengthened and benefited Why,
indeed. should there be a Hebrew-Ameri-
can or Gentle American. a Catholic
American MISREPRESENTATION,
German-American or an irish-American!
Why are we not all simply Americans. and
why should we not, as DIR. Hirsch points
out. cast votes simply as citizens and
with an eye single to the common welfare?
Our national boast is that this is the
land of both civil and religious liberty.
Church and state not related under
our form of government. and both thrive.
All creeds find federation with u.s. and we
absorb into the body polite men of all
civilized countries who journey here to
cast their lot in good faith with Why
then should the question of creed, or race,
or previous nationality ever be raised when
the interests OF the United States are at
stake? Who does not himself enjoy relig-
ious liberty? Who does not himself enjoy
civil liberty? What is there then to be
considered but the advancement and pros
perity of the country which affords SO
much protection to all?
The government Is confronted at this
lens. But they relate to this country
and should be decided solely with regard
to the interests Of this country. And no
greater misfortune could befall the coun-
try than for the American electorate to
divide up on lines of creed or blood and
compicate matters by a decision at the
polls which would reflect other than a
strictly American view of the American
duty