The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-01
A PEoPLE,s AxxfyERsARY.


 On yesterday the Jewish residents of Montgomery celebrated what is approx imately the 25oth anniversary of their settlement in America. There is doubt as to the exact date. and In some DOT tions of the country the anniversary had been celebrated earlier in the week. but in this city 1t was agreed to hold the exercises co'ncident with the Thanksgiving observance, hence the beautiful and appropriate program so we'll carried out at the Temple yester- day afternoon.
 1t is well for the Hebrew race that here they have found perfect religious liberty. and 1t is well for these United States that this people form such large portion. and such good portion of our population. For many centuries their history throughout the Old world has been one of almost continuous per secution and oppression. We shudder now at their infamous treatment in Russia, but in almost all portions ana countries of Europe 1t was practically the same. Even in England. free coun- try that 1t now Is. almost the entire Jewish population was exiled less than two centuries before the discovery or the New World. All other religious beliefs were opposed to them, as well as those who had no form of Christian religion. Literally the hand of every man was against them and in every country of Europe their treatment few centuries ago was little better than 1t now Is In Russia.
 The discovery of America opened to the Jews the hope of new Land of Promise. where they might enjoy the civil and religious freedom common to all other men: the more so as they were among those who aided in the discovery of the American continent, and were also among the pioneer settlers of the country and its islands. But even in what was destined to be free America the same intoierant spirit followed and persecuted them.> Among the early set tiers of what was to become a great and free nation there was much of the mar row and bitter prejudice that bounded them and drove them from Spain, France, Portugal. England and almost or quite every other nation of Europe. This spirit of intolerance went furth- CT. and for years the great powers which practically owned America and controlled emigration rigidly excluded the Jews from settling here. Those who reached our shores and located here remained by sufferance, and were almost as far from perfect freedom as they had been in their old homes. Real Iy 1t wag<not until after the Deciara- tion of Independence that they actually obtained the political equality to which as citizens of the United States they were clearly entitled.
 If 1t should be asked why the Jews in America are so strong. so influential and so universally diffused the only an- swer would be that 1t is because they deserve it. In all walks and stations of life, in all the professions and occu- pations, wherever energy, intelligence and business qualifications can suc- cesd they will be found among the foremost There are no better business men. there are no better ndNorderly citizens and there are none who are truer to their faith and to their ideals. Their years of oppression and reprsss- ion. of persecution and cruelty. have only bound them more firmly and in- dissolubiy together, while it has made them more tolerant of others. The services yesterday were commemora- tive of the beginning of their emanci- patton. and all creeds. sects and be- liefs can rejoice with them that the United States offers them perfect liber- ty and security. ''-.-r..-r'ea-s.