The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-01
PAY TRIBUTE TO THE JEWS Cleveland aI RoOsevclt
 Are sard.
  ArNlvER, KY OF LANDING All the S dressesin Congratu-
 AatOry Vein. Jacob II. schiR Pre.ides over the Gel ebratIon In New York-HIssins and Mcclellan Among the
 speakers.

and Mcclellan Among the
 speakers.
 New York, Nov. 30--In celebration of the 25oth anniversary of the landing of the Jews in America, meeting was held in Carnegie Hall today at which addresses were delivered by ex-Presi- dent Grover Cleveland. Governor Frank ". Higgins of New York. Mayor George B. Mcclellan of New York. Bishop Coadjutor David Greer of New York Diocese of the Protestant Epfs- copal Church. Mayor suizberger and Rev. D. H. Perera Mendes. President Roosevelt, who was unable to attend. sent a signed letter, which was read to the great audience.
 Vice-President Fairbanks sent his regrets and an appreciation of the Jewish character.
 Jacob H. .schifY, Chairman of the Executive Committee, which arranged the celebration, presided. and Director Darrrosch had charge of the musical program.
 All of the addresses were in cons gratulatory vein, and the references were to the recent atrocities in Rus sia only as one of the trials which had pcSet tne JeWiSu ptOptt, uut iWuicH have not daunted their spirit or stop ped their marcn to success where pos litfcal conditions have permitted.
 Mir. Schiff, after a few introductory remarks presented Mir. Cleveland as the first speaker
 The former President was greeted with enthusiastic applause.
 Mir. Cleveland said:
 Speech of Cleveland.
 An0nn fha large AntqPurfSaa and yfyn- dertakings which have become fanffi- far to the people of the United States there may be mentioned the extrava- gant celebration, especially in these latter days. of all sorts of anniversa- ries 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 fnrtherat1ce of narrow and selfish in- terests.
 We Join today in .the celebration of Ifhe twa hundred and fiftieth annfver- the United States" This event cre- ated such an important epoch in our country's development, and its 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 its commem- oration. To those of the Jewish faith 1t recalls a foothold gained that meant for them home and peaceful securi- ty, after centuries of homelessness and ruthless persecution. To those of us protesting a different religious faith 1t brings to mlnd the landing upon our soil of an element of population whose wonderful increase and marked traits rR @t.. aAA F,.I factor to our national progress and achievement All nationalities have contributed to the composite popula- tion of the United States-many of them in greater number than the Jews. And yet believe that 1t 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 Jews Have Done.
 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. Its spirit, which should make 1t imperishable and immortal. exists in it's patriotic aspirations and exaIting traditions. On this higher plane of our nationality and in the atmosphere of ennobling sentiment we also feel the touch of Jewish rela- tionship. If the discovery of America prophesied the coming of our nation. and fixed the place of its birth, let us not forget that Columbus on his voyage in search of new world was aided in a most important way by Jewish support and comradeship.
 If the people of the United States glory in their free institution as the crown of mans aspiration for self government, let them not be unmindful of the fact that the Jews among us. have in their care and keeping the history and traditions of an ancient Jewish commonwealth astonishingly like our own republic in its democracy and underlying intention. This ancient commonwealth was ordained of God for the government of his chosen peo- pIe; and we should not close our minds to a conception of the coincidence in divine purpose. discoverable fin the be- stowal of a similar plan of rule, after thousands of years, upon the people of the United States, who also had their beginning In willing submission to Gods sovereignty, and the assertion of freedom In his worship
 In War of Independence.
 When with true American enthusi- asm and pride we recall the story of fine war for our independence and re- iolce in the indomitable and courage and fortitude of our revolutionary he roes. we should not fail to remember how we'll the Jews of America per- formed their part In the struggle and how in every way they usefully and patriotically supported the interests of their newly found home. Nor can we overlook, if we are decently just, the valuable aid che srfulIy contributed by our Jewish fellow countrymen in every national emergency that has since oyertaken us. They gave convincing evidence of their assimilation with the best sentiment of American patriotism by heartily joining in the popular &C., claim that met the selection of Wash inRton as the first President of our new republic. In support of this state ment it certainly cannot be amiss to onote the following passages from a letter addressed to General Washing ion after his election to the Presi- dency. by the Hebrew congregation in New Port, Rhode Island.
 Deprived as we hitherto have been of inc inalienable rights of free cit- ;zens, we now-with a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty Disposer of sif eVents-behold a government erect ed by the majesty of the people. gov ..~x,suf which to biCotry gives no