New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-16
MAYOR PRAISES THE JEW
calls Oppression of Race a Blot
on Christian Charity.
OPENS HEBREW CONVENTION
Entire Country Represented in
Meeting of Independent Order
Birth Abraham.

NrvoT G2ynor toto tne Jews what good
.,.izens they made in an address OF well
4 .,oe Yesterday morning to thousand dele
,-oses attending the twenty-fourth annual
.,,vention Of the Independent Order Birth
: .b-ahan. The audience, representing every
saction OF the country. filled Cooper Union
zssn Admission was by ticket alone, which
Lei large knot OF men waiting in vain at
,be street entrance for a chance to hear the
Mayor.
Judge Leon Sanders. grand master Of this
benevolent organization, which boasts i4o.-
an members. welded the gavel much as IL
ne we're on the bench. Before the meeting
~ane 70 order delegates would pop UP at
vsrious points and demand q hearing on
something or other. only to be silenced and
cent 10 their seats with 4 rap that meant
buaness The judge nearly split the top Of
his desk with the gaveI when the delegates
stsrted TO applaud the opening prayer.
Directly after the prayer came the May
as speech, that Of 1.-The greatest and best
vsxor that the city OF New York has ever
had" as the grand master expressed IT.
Eut his honor was not altogether eHcour-
sging in the beginning.
at would be g great deal better for the
es+x." said he. IF / were somewhere else
taking care OF my health"
still. he meant it as q compliment. and
a. such most Of the delegates took the re-
mark. But he was forced TO let it sink in
for the time being because In the rear Of
che han late corners were making such
mise taking their seats that his slight
hoa-seness wouldn't let him continue.
The Mayor Sarcastic.
'T snl reminded by the hum of your
-oices OF the political meetings I used TO
s+tend here last fan." the Mayor inter
pelated sarcasticaIly. Now. If you viii
sust b still and let me get IN word edge
wise wen have it over with all the soon
er."
The closing Of the doors had the desired
eject. and the speaker continued:
81 an well aware that am, speaking to
the best representatives. Of your race In this
country You seem to be one thousand
strong Really. where do you ali come
rom? and you stand for great organiza-
ton. an organization given over TO caring
so- the widow and the orphan
81 suppose many Of you were born in this
country and know the traditions Of our
great Tag; and others were born in other
Countries. some in the despotic countries
OF Europe, from which very likely you had
20 fee to escape religious and race bisotry
and oppression and cast your lot here,
where the people-the intelligent people
govern by their votes. There is an old say
sng that you can hire one-half the people
10 shoot down the other half. This is the
reliance Of despotism everywhere, but in
q country ruled by universal suffrage #
does not hold good.
~ y1a fcEy
tan countries OF Europe is an cid story.
hut il is happily dying out by slow degrees.
i has existed in them all. without excep-
ZION. II Is & vyoful blot on Christian char
;tv. No other ages OF the world present
ANYTHING so dreadful. It was caused by
religious a2d race hate without precedent
ana without cause IN Asia the Jew WAS
never treated in this barbarous way, only
r. The Christian countries Of Europe. We
al now depiore it deeply. and want 10 con
fess II and make amends for It
Protected by Great Men.
Tnen the Mayor pointed out that the
greatest tnteIIects among the rulers which
Europe has had distinguished themselves
h protecting the Jew and admitting him
n Slu citizenship. He named Frederick the
Great Of Prussia, Cromwell and Napoleon
Beside such examples as these how
small the present ruler Of Russia appears!
ne went on; but we must remember Inal
h is not q free agent.
he asked why the Christians should hate
fhe Jews. and could find no answer. par
ticularly, as he explained, after they had
sccepted as divine the greatest offspring
ri that nation Of great characters and had
.appropriated the sacred Hebrew Scriptures
Re smoke also OF the great debt the Chris
tan world owed the Jews OF more modern
times. Then ne praised the Hebrew re
lgon.
An the people Of this great city unite
with ne, 7 an sure" the Mayor said in
closing. sln welcoming you. We have here
more Jews than there are in Jerusalem
And or the whole they have been good cit
Es1s. They vote for good government and
nor merely FOR party. They have not all
, Kindly herded in one party They have
Distributed themselves among ali parties
according TO their intelligence and best
Judgment Nor only do they vote for good
government, but they Loyalty and honestly
support officials who are trying to give
good and honest government And you are
not turned aside by miserable demagogues
who only lcok TO themselves and don't give
ZAP for the welfare Of the city.
and now open your convention and
wish you Gods guidance in your work
The convention viii last three days. the
.lecrion Of oficers taking place on Tuesday.