The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-05-29
THE JEWS
Tremendous Mass Meet
ing of Representative
New Workers
THE MASSACRE
The Meeting Was Held in the Name
Of Humanity to Protest Against
Such Awful Affairs as the Kis-
cheneff Horror Ex-President
Cleveland Attended and Was Loud
ly Cheered as He Entered the Hall.
He Made u Magnificent Plea for the
Oppressed Jews.

New York, May 27.-There was a
great and representative gathering at
Carnegie hall tonight, called to protest
against the massacre Of Hebrews at
Kiscineff. The announcement that
former President Grover Cleveland
would speak, lent additional interest to
the gathering.
While Mayor Low was delivering the
opening address, expressive of the hope
that Russia would give more liberty to
her Jewish subjects Mr.. Cleveland
entered and was greeted with a tumult
of cheers.
William H. Baldwin, Jr., read the
resolutions. which were received with
great applause and adopted. They de-
nounced the massacre, urged the claim
of the Jews in Russia to just treat
ment and protection and declared that
the people Of the United States should
exercise such influence with the gov
ernment of Russia as the ancient and
unbroken friendship between the two
nations may justify to prevent the re-
currrence Of outbreaks such as have
amazed the civilized world
Mr.. Cleveland said:
Il have only a word to say; but 1
wish to be counted among those who
are in hearty sympathy with the pur-
pos eof this meeting. The influences
which have called us together tonight
grew out Of our recognition of the
promptings of Christian civilization and
oud dutiul devotion to the best and
deepest of our national characteristics.
This demonstration furnishes cheering
and reassuring evidences that our
American sympathy for the oppressed
and abused wherever they may be. our
American love of humanity, and at
tachment to justice and right, are still
active and unimpaired.
There is something intensely horrible
inthe wholesale murder of offending,
defenSelesS men, women and children
who have been tacitlf if not expressly
assured of safety under the rroIec-
ton of a profeSsed civilized govern
ment. Such things give rise to a dis
treSSing fear that even the enlightment
o fthe twentieth century has neither
destroyed nor subdused the barbaritv
of human nature, nor wholly redeemed
the civilized world from mans inhu-
manity to man..
I'VE and all our countrymen protest
in the strongest language at our con-
mand and with the moral force which
our American citizenship gives US,
against these murders and outra ges.
and we insist that swift and ',ondi-
ton punishment ought to be visited
upon their barbarOuS perpetrators.
II desire to avoid sounding a discor-
dant note; but yet cannot refrain
from the suggestion that the moral eff
feet of our protest and the usefulness
oof the demonstration will not be les
sened if we require indutiable proof
before we accuse the government or
Russia with guilty completely IN the
crime committed within her borders;
and it seems to me we may we'll con-
slider the proper relationship between
nations before we demand too pro-
nounced interference on the part Of Qur
own government. I do not say that the
Russian government may not by rea-
sons of omission or commission be just
ly deserving of our condemnation; but
we should not be swift to assume this.
when we remember that we ourselves
have found it impossible to prevent mon
violence and murderous assault in
Wyoming and on the Italians N LOU
isiana l am distinctly and unequivo-
aa1ly in favor Of informing our gov
ernment in unmitgable terms of our
indignant and deep condemnation Of
Russia: but I hope that in obedience
to the dictates of American conserva-
tism and moderation which are never
long obscured. we may be even now
just and fair; and that we will be con-
tent to forego perplexing and extreme
demands upon our government for vio-
| lent action.
In the meantime let the people Of
| the United States gathered together
| in such assemblages as this, ir every
| part of the land. fearlessly speak to
| the civilized world protesting against
| every pretense OF civilization that
permits mediavial persecution, against
every bigoted creed that forbids religi-
| ious liberation and freedom of consci-
ence, against all false enlightenment
! that excuses hatred and cruelty to-
| wards any race of men. and against all
| spurious forms Of government protec-
ton that withholds from any human
being the right TO live in safety and
| toll in peace.
| JEWS LEAVING ST. PETERSBURG
London. May PA dispatch 20 the
| Exchange Telegraph Company from st
| Petersburg says many of the Jewish
| residents are leaving the capital during
the celebration Of the two hundreth an
niversary of the foundation of st. Pc
| tersburg. in consequence of the receipts
of threatening letters.