The sun., 1902-12-30
jews Hiss DR.. SILVERhAN.
BISHOP POTTER, on THE SAME
PLATFORM, APPLACDED.

OSer IN Attack on Z10nism and Jewish
Press-me Bishop strongly Empha.
sizes the Necessity Of Assimilation.
meeting for a discussion OF Zionism
was held at the Educational Alliance last
evening and became very turbulent at one
time when DIR. Joseph Silverman, the rabbi,
attacked the principle Of Zionism.
With DR.. Silverman on the platform last
night was Bishop Potter, whom Justice
Lodge Of the Jewish order of Bnai Birth,
which had arranged the meeting, had in
vited to speak on the same subject.
DIR. Silverman was the first speaker and
his enuncistion OF his views was frequently
interrupted with a storm Of Kisses, which
several times threatened to break up the
meeting.
When II came time for Bishop Potter to
speak. the chairman OF the meeting spoke
OF the courtesy due TO the speakers no
matter what their opinions might he, and
the Bishop. who was greeted with great
applause, was listened to respectfully ana
was frequently applauded. although he
advocated many OF the arguments Of DR.
Silverman and emphasized the necessity
Of assirnilat ion.
In introducing the speakers, Mr.. Leo Levi.
the head Of the Jewish order. and who had
90 ne down from uptown to act as chairman,
said that visits TO the East Side had con-
vinced him that Intolerance for which that
locality was so often criticised had no
stronger foothold there than among Jews
elsewhere and he said he felt sure that the
meeting would be direct refutation Of this
charge.
Mr.. Levi then introduced Dr. Silverman
a. one whose views. as they well knew,
were opposed 20 those generally held by
the people OF the East Side. but he asked
the audience. which packed the hall. that
no matter how those present might differ
from him. to listen to him respectfully.
as il was always right to hear two sides OF
u question.
Dr.. Siivernan was received with some
applause, which changed to Kisses when he
said that no matter what their "jargon
press said about him. he was their brother.
Some Of these papers. he said, have
been saying that was born in Europe.
thank God ! was born in America. Ne
may he Jews by birth and religion, but we
are Americans by nationality. The truth
Of Jewish history proclaims that Jewish
nationality ended 1900 yeais ago
This statement was greeted with a storm
of hisses from every part Of the hall. some
Of the people even rising in their seats.
Bishop Potter looked a little uncomfortable,
but Dr. SilveI1nan held his ground and said
there would probably be more Kisses before
We have come here to discuss the Jewish
question he went on 1T is a very com
plicat ed one and cannot have one remedy
TO tho exclusion Of all others The question
10 different in every country. In some
n is industrial, IN others religious. and ia
others social We have such a question Of
our own here and no form of Zionism will
ever solve It,
Even II Zionism is successful and you
establish state in Palestine with one mil
lion, how will that solve the Jewish question
with the other eleven millions in other
places? Let us ignore Hionism for tonight
and solve our own problem-that Of anti
Semitism and enforced Wholesale immigra-
tion."
DR.. SilverfnAn said that the solution of
this question w.s assimlation-they should
all become American citizens. There were
more hieses at this and various exclama-
tions In Yiddish.
DR.. Slverman's reply to this was to say
that the Ghetto was the great bane Of
American Israel. because it increased the
prejudice against the Jew. What was
needed Was, 1rst. thorough political assimi-
lation. There should be no such thing as
a Jewish political club Jews should take
should also refuse to unite in Jewish trade
The Jews exclusiveness, he
said. was the result Of persecution.
SThe jarKon lnnguage-that is the result
of those days of persecution too" said DR..
silverman. 1T should not be spoken by
he jew. Abolish 1t from every home. re-
move the jargon newspapers and the theatre
and let the people hear and speak a pure
language
DR.. Silverman finished will, difficulty
and ushers were rushing about the hall try
Gs ssc,sd % and they YELLED at the % speaker @ 70 iii
they were out OF the door.
Bishop Potter was then introduced.
the first thing he said was: Il want to
say right here that whatever ! may say
want your opinions expressed in the most
unreserved way"
For a minute or two he could not pro-
ceed because Of the applause. When he
did get a chance he said that one reason
why Jews were Disseminated against
was the tendency they had of reserving
themselves for association and alliances
with their own people,
a lprge rart OF the responsibility, he
said, b IL ng' 10 my people, but not all.
Separation u, the great peril of your race
in the United States. don't know enough
4 bout Zionism to know whether it advo-
,ates the recurrence Of the Jew to agri-
,ulture. If il does. then in that point
agree with il. because l believe a part Of
avery people should till the soil.
But what do believe Zionism should saw
Is: Choose your own order in life. Don't
make the mistake Of having your own
language, Don't make the mistake Of
thinking. as you apparently have tc-":rht
hat the nat ional anthem is a song sung to
God Save the King It's The Star
Spangled Banner
The speeches that followed we're in de-
'ence o! Zionism