Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-01
IN HONOR OF The JEWS
Celebration Of 250th Anniversary of Set
Element in America Observed.
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT WRITES LETTER
Meeting Held at Carnegie institute,
Presided over by Jacob SchiG,
Hears Addresses by PrOmI-
nent People.


the 25Oth anniversary OF the landing OF
the Jews I'm America meeting was held
In Carnegie hall today at which addresses
were delivered by , ex-President Grover
Cleveland, Governor Frank W. Higgins Of
New York, Mayor George b. Mcclellan Of
New York City Bishop Coadjutor David
Greer Of the New York diocese OF the
Protestant Episcopal church. Mayor Sulz-
berger and Rev. DR.. II. Perelra Mendes.
President Roosevelt, who was unable 10
attend sent significant letter, which was
read TO the great audience. Vice President
Fairbanks telegraphed his regrets and az
appreciation of the Jewish character.
Jacob II. Schif. chairman Of the eXecu-
tive committee, which arranged the cele
bration, presided, and DR.. Frank Damrosch
bad charge of the musical program.
All of the addresses were in congratua-
tory vein and references were made to the
recent atrocities in Russia only as one
Of the trials which have beset the Jewish
people. but which have not daunted their
spirit nor stopped their march to success
where political conditions have permitted.
Mr.. Schin prefaced his presentation of
the speakers of the day with short ad-
dress, in which he said:
When, some months ago. II was de-
cided to celebrate the settlement of Jews
In the United States and in this very
throughout the land felt glad and proud
because this beloved country of their
adoption had become the great exponent
conscience. furnishing an example to the
world how great and powerful people
to ALL no matter what their origin or
their profession of faith may be. But our
gladness has received shock, our hopes
and expectations have for the time being
become dispelled. The brotherhood of man
our prophets have taught us to look for
ward to. still remains a dream, the real
ization of which the events of this very
month have once more removed into the
distant future. Racial prejudice and
aired are still rampant, the Jew still re-
mains the martyr whose life must be
sacrificed so that freedom and enlighten-
ment for which he has ever battled shall
But. though we sorrow, we feel that we
should rejoice and celebrate, because
| America did become in centuries gone by
| the home of people of our race and faith,
| and is now our home and the home of
| our children.
We who are Americans pledge ourselves
anew upon tins momentous occasion 70
| our fellow citizens, from whatever race
| they may have sprung or whatever talth
| they may profess. that we stand ever
! ready TO be one with them in every en-
deavor to further argument the greatness
of this, our beloved common country ana ana
! the respect i'm which 1t is held throughout
/ the world.
Mr.. schiff presented Mr.. Cleveland as
the first speaker. The former president
was greeted with enthusiastic applause.
| He said:
Grover ClevsI[,n ads speech.
; Amou, tde lorse ehN6nysrs and under
1 taKlnss wHIcn nave becJitc ldnihidt 20 lht
\ peulhe oil TIE OnIteu SlAIes there may pe
| mentioned the eXtrayasant ceteoration, es-
! peciany IN these latteC days, Oh ah sorts
| ut anniversaries ana events. Many Ol these
undouoteuIy tenu TO the Improvement and
| sIiluIatIon OF patriotic sentiment. but
| mere Is sOou reason 10 Deileve lnat othets
| nave no Uetter JusuncauOn tnan the maui
| narrow ana selnsn interests.
| we Joln To-Day in tine celebTation OF the
two hundred and htueth anniversary M ol
the settlement OF the Jews IN the United
States" 1nls event created sucn an I'M
pUrtGnt epocn in our country development
and its relationship to our nation 5 eNotu'
| non is so clearly seen in the llgnt OF pres
ent conditions tnat every tnousnttul Amer
lean ciUI2en must recognize the ntness anc
4 usefulness Of it's commemoratlOn. 10 tnOSt
| of the Jewish faith II recalls footnolC
gained that meant for them a home anc
| peaceful security, after centuries OF nome
| Iessness and ruthless prosecution. TO those
| OF us processing a dimerent religious taltf
! il brings to mind the landing upon oul
soil of an element of populauon whose
| wonderful Increase and marked traits oi
| character have added powerful FACTOR u
our national progress and achievement
All nationalties have contributed to th'
composite population of the United states
many of them in greater numbers than th'
Jews And yet ! believe tnat Iy Gan thoo, .,
contributing nationalties, have directly anC
Indirectly been more influential in givtnt
shape and direction to the Ameneanlsm o
Jews as CItiEens.
What our Jewish fellow-citizens hav'
done to increase the material advancement
of the United states is apparent on ever!
best and highest Americanism is something
more than materialistic Its spirit, whici
should make II imperishable and immortal
exists in its patriotic aspirations and eX
ated traditions. on this higher plane o
our nationality and in the atmosphere o
ennobling sentiment we also feel the toucl
| of Jewish relationship. If the discovery o
America prophesied the coming OF our ma
tion and fxed the place OF its birth, let u
not forget that Columbus, on his voyage II
search of new world. was aided In mos
important way by Jewish support and com
II the people Of the United States glor!
In their free institutions as the crown o
mans aspiration for self-government, lc
them not be unmndful of the fact that tn
Jews among us have In their care and keep
ing the history and traditions of an an
eient Jewish commonwealth astonishingl
like our own republic In it's democracy ant
underlying intentions. This ancient com
mOnwealth was ordained of God for tn
! government Of His chosen people, and W
should not close our minds TO a concep
ton of the coincidence in divine purpose
discoverable in the bestowal of a simila
plan OF rule, after thousands OF years, upo
the people OF the United States, who ais
had their beginning in willing submission I
! Gods sovereignty and the assertion of free
dom in His worship. When with true Amer
lean enthusiasm and pride we recall tn
story of the war for our independence an
rejoice in the indomitable courage an
I fortitude OF our revolutionary heroes, W
should not fail TO remember how well tn
Jews of America performed their part 4
the struggle and how in every way the
usefully ana patriotically supported the in
terests of their newly found home.
Patriotism Always Apparent.
Nor can we overlook, if we are deceptl
| Just, the valuable aid cheeTfuly contrib
, uted by our Jewish fellOw-countrymen /
! every national emergency that has sine
overtaken US. They gave convincing eV1
dence OF their assimilation with the hes
sentiment OF American patriotism by heart
lily joining in the popular acclaim that me
: the selection of Washington as the firs
: president Of our new republic. In suppoI
of this statement IL certainly can not h
. amiss TO quote the following passages frol
a letter addressed to General Washingto
3 after his election 10 the presidency, by III
, Hebrew congregation in Newport, r. l.:
! T. Deprived as We hitherto have been Z
I the inalienable rights OF free citizens, "
now, with a deep sense OF gratitude to III
Almighty Disposer OF All Events behol
! a government erected by the majesty {
the people, a government which to bigotr
gives no sanction, 10 persecution no assist
, ! ance, but generously anording to all libert
/ ship, deeming everyone OF whatever natiOl
tongue and language equal parts OF III
| great government machine.
| This so ample and extensive feder,
: union, whose base is philanthropy, mutui
confidence and public virtue We cannot bl
God who rules In the armies OF the heaVer
= / and among the iuhabitauts Of the aartl