Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-20
SNTE-ts. RELIGIOUS L]BERY
Mll1l1YT PARK

ments, the ignorance of the language.
the battle for economic equality, the lack
Of knowledge OF the social status, yet
with Heroic fortitude. a wide grasp Of
the situation and with intelligent in
sight, they worked and watched, day and
night. not to build a state within a state,
not to establish a sectarian exclusive or
ganization. as menace to the peace or
the perpetuity Of the republic, but in aid
of incoming future Americans, to edu-
cate. stimulate and encourage, to the end
Of bringing these Jewish wanderers into
closer touch, not only with each other,
but with their fellow citizens of all
faiths.
Upbuilding of Men.
The lodgeroom was the school, the CEN
ter of intellectual activities, order, love
of law, discipline by parliamentary dis
cussion, strengthened their love OF and
for American institutions. and enrolled
among its members thousands who
fought, bled and died. fighting in 1851
1865 and again in 1898.
No organization in the history of our
country has been a greater factor in
the uplifting and upbuilding of men. and
while it has been in every sense, in its
idealism, in its religious fervor and love
of kindred, Jewish body. it has by it's
splendid civic virtues, by its philanthropic
work, by it's relief of widows, care and
education of orphans, homing of aged
and INDECENT, establishing manual and
technical schools, active in all matters
Of human rights, contributing vast sums
to the stricken and unfortunate, ire
spective of faith, endowing hospitals to
stamp out the great white plague, whose
doors swing inward for sufferers Of all
faiths, proven itself worthy of the great
republic and established in Europe and
the orient lodges which have caught the
spirit and lofty conception of the found
ers: the duty of comradeship has never
been ignored, thus the struggling and
prosecuted have ever found a friend and
supporter in the order. In Russia, Rou-
mania and Galicia our help and moral
influence have aided materially, and sun
shine inspired by the order has diSpelled
the gloom and despotism Of so-called
Christian governments. No other or
ganizatiOn, secular or sectarian, has ever
shown greater appreciation of the funda-
mental principles of the republic. 1t was
the order of B'nai Birth that erected in
Paramount Park, Philadelphia, within
hearing distance Of the great Independ-
ence Bell. statue dedicated to religious
liberty, as an evidence of loyalty and de-
votion. Sir Mosely Ezekiel, Virginian
by birth. and member of the order, is
the sculptor.
Authors of Kishineff Petition.
The Kishineff petition, which stirred
the whole QlpiomauC WOr1u, was Gre
alton of the order and had the generous
approval of a great President, and was
regarded by John Hay next to the dec
laratiop the most important document
I'm the archives of our government. The
preamble to the constitution gives vi
tality to all of the work, aims and OBJ
jects Of the order, and is in epigrammatic
form a masterpiece. 1t reads as fol-
lows:
'The Independent Order Of B'nai Birth
has taken upon itself the mission of
uniting Israelites in the work of pro-
noting their highest interests and those
Of humanity; of developing, elevating
and defending the mental and moral
character Of our race; of intoxicating the
purest principles of philanthropy. honor
and patriotism; OF supporting science
and art: alternating the wants of the
poor and needy; visiting and attending
the sick; coming to the rescue of vic
Tins of persecution: providing for, pro-
tecting and assisting the widow and or
phan on the broadcast principles of hui
mainly"
The order since 1858 has been governed
by an elected executive committee, rep
resenting all. of the districts. The general
conventions have met in New York, In
1858 and 1885: in Chicago in 1874 and
1900: in Philadelphia In 1879; in Richmond
I'm 1890; in Cincinnati In 1895; In New
Orleans In 1905. and will now meet in
Washington\h 1910.
Since 1868 the order has had four presi-
dents-Julius Bien. 1S6S-1900; Leo n.