The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1905-12-01
Address by Grover Cleveland and Si9-
nificant Letter from Roosevelt.
LBy Associated Pressl

New York, Nov. 30.--In celebration
Of the 250th anniversary of the landing
of the Jews in America meeting was
held in Carnegie hall today. Addresses
were delivered by former President
Grover Cleveland, Governor Frank w.
Higgins of New York, Mayor McClel-
Ian Of New York City, Bishop Coadju-
tor David Greer of the New York dio-
cese of the Protestant Episcopal
church, Mayor Sulberger, and the Rev
erend Doctor H. Pereiramends.
President Roosevelt, who was un-
able to attend, sent a significant let
ter, which was read to the great audi
ence. Vice President Fairbanks tele-
graphed his regrets and an apprecia'
ton of the Jewish character.
The speech of Cleveland was the
principal address.
cleveIand's Speech.
Mr.. Cleveland said:
Among the large enterprises and
Undertakings which have become fam
iliar TO the people of the United States
there may be mentioned the eAtrava-
giant celebration, especially in these
latter days, of all sorts of anniversar-
les and events. Many of these un-
doubtedly tend to the improvement
and stimulation of patriotic sentiment.
But there is good reason to believe
that others have no better justification
than the indulgence of local pride or
the furtherance of narrow and selfish
interests. 4naa
1--WE join today in the celebration
of the two hundred and fiftieth ami
versary of the settlement of the Jews
in the United States This event
created such an important epoch in our
country's development, and it's rela-
tionship to our nations evolution is
SO clearly seen in the light of present
conditions, that every thoughtful
American citizen must recognize the
fitness and usefulness of it's commem-
Grafton. To those of the Jewish faith
it recalls foothold gained that meant
for them home and peaceful security
after centuries of homelessness and
ruthless persecution. To those of us
protesting different religious faith it
brings to mind the landing upon our
soil of an element of population
whose wonderful increase and marked
traits of character have added a pow
erful factor to our national progress
and achievement. All nationalities
have contributed to the composite pop
ulation of the United States, many of
them in greater number than the Jews.
And yet believe that it can be safely
claimed that few, if any, of those con-
tributing nationalities have directly
and indirectly been more influential in
giving shape and direction to the
Americanism of today.
"What our Jewish fellow citizens
have done to increase the material ad-
vancement of the United States is ap-
parent on every hand and must stand
confessed. But the best and highest
Americanism is something more than
materialistic. It's spirit, which should
make it imperishable and immortal,
exists in it's patriotic aspirations and
exalting traditions. On this higher
plane of our nationality and in the at-
mosphere of ennobling sentiment we
also feel the touch of Jewish relation
ship. If the discovery of America
prophesied the coming of our nation,
and fixed the place of it's birth, let us
not forget that Columbus on his voy'