The Washington herald., 1910-04-04

That the attitude of Congress toward
restrictive immigration laws is a gro
tesque parody on the colonial anthem o.
freedom, and that Senators who oppos,
the entrance into this country of reli-
gious refugees are dishonoring their
togas was the assertion Of Lucius l.
Solomon. of San Francisco, in an ora
ton TO B'nai Birth constitutional lodge
at the Eighth Street Temple last night.
The orator arraigned legislation which
requires a physical and financial examina-
ton of Hebrews who come to America
to escape European persecution.
An audience OF more than 500 persons.
many of them Gentiles. applauded when
he declared the deportation OF aliens who
ask our hospitality TO be an outrage.
History of Race.
attracting the history Of the wandering
tribes through the ages in a picturesque
tribute to that subtle. psychological
force we call the Hebrew consciousness,
he said the United States is now ready
TO shut her doors in the faces of the
children of Israel who come seeking a
land Of religious and racial tolerance.
The position of the wandering Jews
who come TO this country" he said. lis
on a par with the position of those
cOlonists who braved the unconquered
deep and CALAMITY hewed homes from
a stark wilderness in order that they
might worship in peace and call them
selves free.
They, like those sturdy men of his
tors VINO made this nation, are fugi-
tives. But there were no immigration
restrictions then. There was no head
tax and no financial and physical test.
The land was to those men a temple of
liberty and stronghold of peace.
What contrast to-day! Are we any
more tolerant than they of history who
tortured a race in the name of Him
whom they wOrshiped as the Saviour OF
the world? Are We more tolerant when
Senators. descendants OF that people who
made the wilderness a temple Of free
dom. dishOnor and disgrace their posi-
ton and the proud name Of their race
by excluding fugitives who should have
their hereditary sympathy?
Apply Cynical Term.
"Sympathy-and such is the plea Of the
undesirable citizen OF to-day. What
cynical term to apply to the people who
gave 10 Christend6m a part OF their re-
ligion!
We, the children of Israel. ask justice
OF the civilized world and no more We
have always given more than We have re-
ceived. because we have been the teachers
of the world"
Mr.. Solomon said the Hebrew race is
unique. in that it is not a nation, but a
race, the only true race, held together by
the ties Of faith. blood, and hereditary
consciousness. He said a Jew may be
born and live in England or Austria. for
instance but that he is always a Hebrew.
and never an Englishman or an Austrian
The acme Of nonsense comes when |
Jews and Americans are placed in contra |
classes. There is no American race.
America is a conglomeation of many
races. but the Hebrew maintains his |
racial integrity and is withan a true
American"
Aids FFaternal strength,
He said B'nai Birth is to-day what if /
was when it was founded an altruistie |
organization unselhshly building I'D fra
ternal strength and striving 70 uplift the /
race. He asserted the order stands for
self-sacTifice, and tends toward a great
leveling process which stimulates the
failure and lends him helping hand.
The meeting at the Temple last night
was the second session OF the annual
lodge convention Of B.nai
Birth. which numbers 10000 enlightened
Though Mr.. Solomon was the orator
Of the occasion, Rabbi Simon made brief
closing the service, and offered
a benediction.
II am glad such an Grafton as Won
have just heard has been given in this
temple he said. because faith and
must always walk hand in
hand People of the faith must be fra
ternal, and B'nai Birth must join with
the synagogue. because the trinity Of
faith, fraternity, and freedom must ever
be its foundation"
At the opening of the service Prof
Sol Minister gave a violin solo. Simon
Wolf introduced the speaker of the
evening.
Crowded with Delegates.
With the Arlington ballroom crowded
with delegates, their families, and men,
bers of Argo Lodge. of Washington.
President Adolph Kraus' gaveI fell
at 10 o'clock. and the first B'nai
Birth oonclave ever held in this city was
declared in session.
Rabbi Henry Cohen. of Galveston. Tex.
delivered an invocation, and in HIS PRAYER
he asked the blessing of God on this
united children of Israel, come TO a ma
ions capital from the East and the West
and the North and South to unite in
1rothariy love and benevolence for the
glory of the race"
Commissioner Rudolph extended a
friendly word of welcome on behalf of