The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-26
No. 623 18th St. N. w.

| though not an unstinted success, ranks
| high and from the Jewish standpoint
think Mr.. zangwill deserves great praise,
! for it has brought to the fore the living
/ vital question involved in recognition OF
! the Jews better nature and has created an
| intense spirit of investigation, which IL
pursued, must lead unquestionably TO great
good, for we have nothing to hide from the
outside world, and, if judged on our merits,
We are willing TO be thoroughly probed.
Had Mr. Zangwill been a Christian and
his name Dickens or Thackeray. many of
his critics among his own co-religionists
would have hesitated long before they in
dulged in such unsparing criticism as they
have rushed into print with. That is I'M
fortunately characteristic OF my core
ligionsts No one can deny the genius and
ability of Mr.. Zangwill. He has angles;
so has the diamond, and only in conse-
quence of the sharp angles of the diamond
does it flash brilliantly and become a gem
of beauty.
Il sincerely wish that we had more Israel
Zangwills in the Jewish literature and art
world and less OF the carping. mounting
critics who indulge in yaporings, but have
| never accomplished anything in the great
cause for which he is enlisted.
In answer 20 a question whether the
deal Of prejudice against each otber-in
other words, whether the German and
English Jews do not regard with disfavor
their Russian co-religionists-I beg leave
to state that that feeling did exist at one
time, but has been changed most happily,
owing to the great influence exercised by
the Jewish secret organizations. notably
that of the order of Bne Birth which
has for fifty years done much and created
healthier and liberal condition bring
ing them within ennobling social influences
and treating them on plane of equally
which destroyed the walls of demarcation
and has restored the brotherly and friendly
feeling that should exist among all men.
1T is, OF course very natural that the
cultured. refined, and intelligent Jew, 10
matter where he may reside, treats with
some degree of non-recognition those of a
lower strata socially. That is natural to
all faiths, but. nevertheless. the thinking
and intelligent Jew knows that he is held
responsible in common with the shortcom
ings OF his more unfortunate brethren,
and, therefore, his aim and object is TO
educate, and to strengthen those who have
by stress of misfortune been rendered less
cultured and less refined
No land can be bereft of right and
justice when there radiates from the home
circle lessons of holiness, lessons of kim
ship for all men, and for which the Jew
has done and is doing. so much. There
fore approach the subject with the Amer
can spirit OF fair play, cultivate the
in his best condition and at the e e
time aid him TO throw OFF the narrow isola-
ton with which a number yet sr-taIie
themselves. Bring him into e proc 80.
channels of American life. stfeI.sl then MIN
along all the lines and condemn him not
unheard and not as Jew. but Judge him
as you do your fellow citizens of any faith,
for what he lacks as a human being, for
what has grown doubtful in his conduct,
and thus you Will build bridge that Will
span the chasms created by artificial con-
ditions, and created by the sectarianism
of the pulpit, on which will pass and re-
pass, trooping along like happy children,
The Children OF the Ghetto and their
Christian friends, commingling with each
other in the broad sunlight OF modern civil
ization each worshiping the God of their
fathers as the Constitution Of our country
so gloriously permits, but in every other
direction displaying the brotherhood of
man. and this no doubt has been the guild
ing motive and inspiration of Mr.. Gang
WILL