Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-02
AMERICAS jews,
Letter to Them from PreSi-
dent Roosevelt
Received at Carnegie Hall
Meeting Thanksgiving Day,
At Celebration Of 25Oth Anniversary Of
Coming Of Jews.

New York, Dec. lin celebration of
I the 25oth anniversary Of the landing Of
the Jews III America, meeting was
! held III Carnegie Hall, yesterday. at
( which addresses were delivered by
! former President Grover Cleveland.
| Governor Frank w. Higgins of New
( York, Mayor George Il. Mcclellan of
| New York city. Bishop Coadjutor Da-
| Nid Greer of the New York diocese of
the Protestant Episcopal church. MAYER
SulZbergcr and Rev. DR.. IL. Pereira
Mendels. President Roosevelt. who
was unable to attend, sent a significant
letter which was read to the great au-
dience. Vice President Fairbanks tcle-
Graphed from Washington his regrets
and an appreciation of the Jewish char
actcr.
James H. Schff, chairman of the
executive committee which arranged
the celebration, presided, and Dr.
Frank Damrosch had charge of the
musical program. The letter from
President Roosevelt was as follows:
President R0osevclt's letter read as
follows:
white House, Washington.
November 10, 1905.
MY dear Sir:-I am forced to make a
rule not to write letters on the occasion
OF any celebration, no matter how i'm
portant, simply because | cannot write
one without either committing myself
to write hundreds Of others or else
running the risk of giving offense to
worthy persons. / make an exception
III this case because the lamentable and
terrible suffering to which so many of
the Jewish people in other lands have
been subjected makes, ne feel it my
duty as the head of the American pco-
pie not only to express my deep SYM
pathy for them, as now do, but at the
same time TO point cut what fine quail
ties of citizenship have been displayed
by the men Of the Jewish faith and
race, who, having come to this coun-
try. enjoy the benefits Of free institu-
tons and equal treatment before the
law. | feel very strongly that if any
people are oppressed anywhere. the
wrong inevitably reacts in the end or
these who cypress them; for it is an
immutable law in the spiritual world
that no one can wrong others and yet
in the end himself escape unhurt.
IlC tticDl tllpil VI lUt -.JUlIl dllIll-
vorslry Of the settlement of the Jews in
the United States properly emphasizes.
a series of historical facts of more than
merely national significance. Even in
our colonial period the Jews participate
81 in the upbuilding of this country,
accuT ed citizenship, and took an active
part in the development of foreign and
domestic commerce. During the Revo-
lutionary period they aided the cause
| Of liberty by serving in the Continental
army and by substantial contributions
to the empty treasury of the republic.
| During the Civil War thousands served
| i'll thu armies and mingled their blood
with the soil for which they fought.
am glad to be able to say, in address,
| ing you on this occasion, that while
| he jews of the United States, who
nurfber more than million, have re-
manned loyal to their faith and their
| race traditions, they have become in
| dissolubly incorporated in the great
| army Of American citizenship, pre-
| pared to make all sacrifice for the
| country either III war or peace, and
striving for the preparation Of good
government and for the maintenance Cf
| the principles embodied III our Con-
| Stitution. They are hOnora bly, dis
| tinguiShcd by their industry. their
oicdienc" to law. and their devotion to
the national welfare They are en-
gagged in generous rivalry with their
fclow-citizens of other denominations
iii advancing the interests Of our COM
mon country. This is true not only Of
the descendants of the early settlers
| ~ # A,,1nrirap NJ hut e :.
great and constantly increasing pro-
| portion of those who have come to cur
shores within tho last twenty-five years
rs refugees reduced to the direst straits
rf penury and misery. All Americans
may well be proud of the extraordinary
Illustration Of the wisdom and strenpth
of our governmental system thus af-
| fnrtied. In 4 few years. mon and wo-
| men hitherto utterly unaccustomed to
any Of tn" privileges Of citizenship,
have moved nightly upward toward
tile standard of loyal, self respecting
| American citizenship; of that citizen
| ship which not merely insists upon its
| rights. but also eagerly recognizes its
duty to do its full share in the material
social and moral advancement of the
| nation.
i with all good wishes, believe me,
Sincerely yours,
4 (Sgned)
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Jacob H. Schiff. Esq, Chairman Com.
Inittee on the Celebration of the 25Otl
anniversary of the settlement of the
Jews in the United States. 81 vii.
liam street, New York"
| :,
Coal oil will knock any cold siNv.'
said c. C. Warren. The idea of drink
ing coal oil may seem repugnana to som,
arsthetic tastes. but one tnblnsronnf1l