Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-10-25
Jewish Churchman Talks of Race
in Politics.
FORMER SHOULD NOT INFLUENCE VOTE
Rabbi Hirsch, of Chicago, Says He
Does Not Vote at Jew But as an
American Citizen-There Should be
no Jewish Vote.

SlOnal committee is disseminating q
letter written by Rabbi Hirsch, of
Chicago, last July, concerning racial
conditions in this republic.
By nominating Alschuler for COVER
nor, the Illinois democrats expected to
secure the votes of Germans and Jews,
because Alschuler is both. Rabbi
Hirsch was requested to support AL
schuler because of his Jewish eXtrac-
tion and the Rabbi replied:
"The fact that | am Jew and Mr..
Alschuler is of Jewish parentage can
not influence my action. | do not vote
as Jew, but as an American citizen.
What would we say if Methodists
would appeal to their co-religionists to
support a Methodist because he is
member of their church? If we are
so foolish as to vote for Jew simply
because he is Jew we must be pre-
pared to have others vote against Jew
ish candidates because they are Jews.
Judaism teaches loyalty to principles.
Were l democrat l should certain
ly vote for Mr.. Alschuler, and In so
doing would find pleasure and take
pride in the thought that one of my
co-religionists-one of the religious
| family whose patriotism and honesty
are so often. doubted-was recognized
to be well qualified for so high and
honorable trust.
But as am not democrat, and as
l believe that in the present crisis it
is well 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 ability of his oppon-
ent as much 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 a Catholic vote.
Hebrew marching clubs, no matter I'M
der what banner, are an insult to the
spirit of our institutions. We vote as
citizens and not as members OF a re-
ligious fraternity"
This statement of the case is
altogether clear and forcible and
if every man entitled to vote
in the United States would
cast it at the coming election and at
all elections according to the princ1-
pie that DR.. Hirsch lays down the
country would be greatly strengthened
and benefited. Why, indeed, should
there be Hebrew-American, Or a
Gentle American, Catholic-Ameri-
can, or Protestant-American, Ger.
man. American or an Irish-American?
: Why are we not ali simply Americans,
and why should we not as DR.. Hirsch
points out, cast our 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 liber-
i ty. Church and state are not related
under our form of government and
both thrive. All creeds find liberation
with us, and we absorb into the body
polite men of all civilized countries
who journey here to cast their lot in
good faith with us. Why then should
the question of creed, or race, or pre-
vious nationality ever be raised when
the interests of the United States are
at stake? Who does not himself en-
, joy religious liberty? Who does not
himself enjoy civil liberty? What is
there then to be considered but the
advancement and prosperity Of the
country which affords so much pro
,, lection to all?
The government is confronted al
this time with some new and very
grave problems. But they relate tc
this country, and should be decided
J, solely with regard 10 the interests Ol
this country And no greater misfor
; tune could befall the country than fol
| the American electorate to divide W
; on lines of creed or blood and compli
cate matters by decision at the polls
, which would reflect other than strict
. ly American view of the American
duty.
, The republic would soon be in the
: throes of warfare of religion, if We
| had Jewish marching clubs, Irisf
marching clubs, Methodist marching
. clubs, Catholic marching clubs, Baptis
: marching clubs, and the marching
, clubs of every description. The rab
| bis, priests and preachers would have
to take sides, and every congregation
: would get into a wrangle with itself
} and against all other sects and creeds
Rabbi Hirsch has rendered the re
public a service by his wise dignifiet
/ and lucid exposure of the fallacy o
5 democrats who would crown the trea
: sons, strategems and spoils of thei
2 party, by injecting into our body poll
' tic the virus of race and religious
} strife. Smith D. Fry.
.