Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-18
NOT SURPRISED.
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local officials unless they are especially
admonished, cannot be relied upon as
strenuous protectors OF their peace and
security; that a public sentiment OF
hostility has been engendered against
them and hangs over them as contin-
uing menace.
"'Eyen if it be conceded that these
affairs are to some extent exaggerated,
it is unquestionably true that they ex-
list, that they are not groundless, and
that they produce effects Of great i'm
portance.
1.-The westward immigration of Rus
sian jews, which has proceeded for
over 20 years, is being stimulated by
these fears, and already that movement
has become SO great as to overshadow
in magnitude the expulsion Of the Jews
from Spain and to rank with the exc
dus from Egypt.
mo estimate is possible of the misery
suffered by the hopeless Jews who were
driven to forsake their native land. to
sever the most sacred tie, and to wander
forth to strange countries. Neither is it
possible to estimate the misery suffered
by those who are unwilling or unable to
leave the land Of their birth, who must
part with friends and relations who i'm j.
migrate, and must remain in never end
ing terror
Religious persecution is more sinful
and more fatuous even than war. War
is sometimes necessary, honorable and
just; religious persecution Is never defen-
sible.
1.-The sinfulness and folly which give
impulse to unnecessary war. received
their greatest check when Your Majesty s
initiative resulted In an international
court of peace
with such an example before 1t, the
civilized world cherinhes the hope that
upon the same initiative there shall be
fixed in the early days Of the 10Th century
the enduring principle of religious liberty;
that by gracious and convincing express
sion Your Majesty will proclaim not only
for the government Of your own subjects,
but also for the guidance of all civilized
men, that none shall suffer In person,
property liberty. honor or life because
OF his religious belief; that the humblest
subject or citizen may worship according
to the dictates of his own conscience, and
that government, whatever Its form, must
safeguard these rights and immuhities
by the exercise of all its powers
Far removed from Your Majesty s
dominions living under different condi-
tons and owing allegiance to another
government, your petitioners yet venture.
in the name of civilization. to plead for
religious liberty and tolerance; TO plead
that he who led his people and all Others
to the shrine Of peace will add new lustre
to his reign and fame by leading a new
movement that shall commit the whole
world in opposition to religious persecu-
ton
II am instructed to ask whether the
petition will be received by Your Excel
Iercy to be submitted to the gracious
consideration of His Majesty. In that
case the petition will be at once forward
ed to st. Petersburg.
II avail myself, etc You will report
at the earliest possible your direction Of
this instruction.
(SigneD HAY.
This was sent on the 18th Of July ant
the same day Mr.. Riddle was informed
by the Russian minister for foreign af
fairs that in view of publca uQns which
had appeared In the newspapers, thu
Russian government wished to motif!
him that the proposed petition would no
be received under any circumstances ant
that this resolution of the Russian gov
eminent was taken Independent of an.
terms of the petition. On the receipt o
this information the secretary of stat
addressed the following letter to Messrs
Strauss, Wolf and Levi:
Sir / am directed by the President t,
acquaint you that this department Is in
formed by the American embassy In st
Petersburg that the imperial governmerl
of Russia has declined to receive or con-
slider the petition in relation to the con
dtion Of the Jews in Russia which wa
addressed to His Majesty the Emperor
United States. and which this depart
ment by direction of the President an,
at your request undertook to transmit t
it's destination.
II am. sir, very respectfully yours,
(SgneD JOHN HAY"