The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-28
He Objects to Accusing the Russian
Government of Completely With
out Proper Proof.
SPEECH IN CARNEGIE HALL
IN WHICH THE EX-PRESIDENT Ex-
PRESSES SYMPATHY FOR JEWS,
But Said the Matter of Protest Could
BE Safely Left to the Authorities
at Washington.

NEW YORK, May 27.-Grover Cleveland
tonight addressed large audience in Car
negie Hall on the situation of the Jews in
Bessarabia since the massacre Of Kishi-
neff. Mr.. Cleveland said
II have only word to say, but wish to
be counted among those who are in hearty
sympathy with the purpose of this meet
ing. The influences which have called US
together tonight grow out Of our recogni-
ton of the promptings of Christian civili-
cation, and our dutiful devotion TO the best
and deepest of our national characteristics:
This demonstration furnishes cheering and
reassuring evidence that our American SYM
pathy for the oppressed and abused where
ever they may be, our American love of hui
mainly and our attachment to justice and
right are still alive and unimpaired. There
is another American trait in woven warp
and wool of our national character which
Is here exhibited in most gratifying fresh
ness and strength. Our people, when their
sympathies are touched when their humane
instincts are challenged, and when their
hatred of oppression is aroused are not
Ii Is not their habit to smother or cautious
ly soften their words.
Every American humane sentiment mas
been shocked by a late attack on the Jews
In Russia, an attack murderous atroclous
and IN every way revolving. AS members
Of the family Of mankind and as citizens or
q free nation we are here to give voice TO
the feeling that should stir every true man
and every American worthy of the name
There is something intensely horrible In the
wholesale murder of unoffending, defense-
less men. women and children, who have
been tacitly If not expressly assured OF
safety under the protection OF a progressed
ly civilized government: Sueh anlng gs give
lghtenment of the twentieth century mas
neither destroyed nor subdued the barDarity
of human nature. nor wholly redeepeo the
civilized world from mans inhumanlty 10
man 1850.
in the strongest language at our command
and with the moral force which our Amer
lean citizenship gives us against these muir
ders and outrages; and we insist that
swift and condign punishment ought TO be
Nor is this ali. We will. in fashion quite
American and with openhandedness always
displayed when human distress Appeals 10
robbed of support by murder and those VINO,
wounded and terrorized and In hunger and
want, have been driven from their homes.
PROOF WANTED FIRST.
'I know how easily our Indignation
prompts us to use the strong language and
1 know how naturally we are tempted 70
indulge in overdrawn statements and ex-
travagant demands on such occasions as
this and 1 am sure that in our characterize
ton of the crimes we here contemplate and
in expressing our detestation of the crimi-
nails we cannot go too far. 1 desire to
avoid sounding a discordant note, out
yet I cannot refrain from the sug-
gestion that the moral effect or
our protest and the unselfshness or
this demonstration will not be lessened IL
we require indubitable proof before we
accuse the government OF Russia with guii-
ty completely in the crimes committed with
in her borders; and 1t seems to me we may
we'll consider the proper relationship be-
tween nations before we demand TOO pro-
nounced interference on the part or our
own government. l do not say that the
Russian government may not, by sins Of
omission or commission, be justly deserving
Of our condemnation, but We should not be
that we ourselves have found 1t impossible
to prevent mob violence and numerous
assaults in Wyoming and on the Italians
in Louisiana. 1 am distinctly ana un-
eouivocally in favor of informing our gov
eminent in unmistakable terms OF our IN
dignant and deep condemnation OF the late
outrages on the Jews in Russia, but nope
that in obedience to the dictates OF Ameri-
can conservatism and moderation, which
are never long obscured, we may be even
now Just and fair and that we will be con-
mands on our government for violent
action. Our public servants should hear us
speak, but we certainly ought to be JUST.
fed in trusting the care on our nauonai
enforcement of the humane instincts OF our
people, so far as this may be within gov
ernmental action, TO those charged WITH
the responsibility Of managing our public
affairs.
I'm the meantime, let the people Of the
United States, gathered together In such
assemblages as this in every part OF the
land fearlessly speak to the civilized world.
protesting against every pretense OF civfli-
zation that permits medieval persecution.
against the very bigoted creed that forbids
religious federation and freedom of con-
science, against all false enlightenment
that excuse hatred and cruelty towards
any race of men and against all spurious
forms Of government protection that with
hold from any human being the right to
live in safety and toll In peace"
William H. Baldwin, jr., read resolutions
which denounced the massacre, urged the
claims of the Jews in Russia to just treat
ment and protection and declared THAT
the people of the United States should exer-
else such influence with the government Of
Russia as the ancient and unbroken friend
ship between the two nations may justify,
to stay the spirit of persecution. to redress
the injuries inflicted on the Jews Of Kishi-
neff and to prevent the recurrence OF out
breaks such as have amazed the civilized
world" The resolutions were adopted.