The Washington herald., 1911-05-17

gave freely of his money to finance
the American Revolution in a time
! of dire need, is coming into his
own, and even at this late date.
President Taft took pleasure last
night, before an audience of more
than 1000 members and friends of
the Argo Lodge of B'nai Birth, at
the Eighth Street Temple, in voic-
ing the gratitude of the nation to
the devotion and willing sacrifice
that was made by the man who con-
tributed not a little to the great
cause of American independence.
TO ERECT MONUMENT.
All the Jews of the nation are now en-
deavoring to raise a fund to erect a
monument to Hyam Solomon, and the
movement, which is being fostered in
Washington by the local lodge Of B'nai
Birth, was given a great impetus by the
words of the President.
Il came here to second the motion for
a memorial to the Jew who stood by
Robert Morris and financed the Revolu-
tion,'' said the President; the friend Of
Kosziusko and of Pulaski, both Of whom
parently. gave all he had, for he had
nothing when he died. or, at least. there
was nothing except what he ought to
was thrown into prison as a spy under
Clinton, and who escaped because he
could talk ten different languages. and
because somebody. who had custody of
him. thought he would be more useful
to him as a live Interpreter than as
dead man
He subsequently escaped and devoted
his entire time and fortune to helping
along the cause OF the revolution. 1t Is
not the man only who wears the uni
form and carries a gun or a sword and
his epaulettes that is necessary to effect
successful revolution. Money is the
sinews of war, and the necessity for
money impresses itself as the fight goes
on. and you will observe that Hyam
Solomon was most active during these
later years when the strain grew harder
in the fight and when people were likely,
because of the long struggle, to become
tired out and to lose their patriotic in
terest- Then II was that he negotiated
those large loans: then 1t was that he
helped his impecunious associates, and
then IL was that he entitled himself to
the gratitude Of the entire country. II
there should be erected a memorial to
him in Washington to testify to his dis
interested self-sacrifice in behalf of his
country, it would be most appropriate"
Duty of President.
In speaking of the Jews as regards re-
ligion, the President said:
1T is the duty of the President Of
the United States, in so far as he may,
to testify to this interest in every re-
ligion in order that it may be understood
of all men, that the absence from the
Constitution of the United States Of any
recognition of a State church gives no
right to any man to infer that the gov
ernment is against the churches. On the
contrary, the government is for all the
churches. and it eliminates a State
church in order that it may embrace all.
and support all. and protect all without
guiding or restricting any. One Of the
privileges of the President of the United
States is to attend. and to feel at home.
at the religious services of every denomi-
nation that Is fostered under the flag,
no matter what his own church.
The President scored snobbery and So
cial ostracism OF Jews, and said: Il be-
lieve, and 1 am proud of the fact, that
the Jews in America enjoy an equality
that they have in only a few other coun-
tries of the world. don't mean to say
there is not racial prejudice here. +
don't mean to say there are not social
clubs and other places where the small
headed men, who occasionally get into
a directory, manifest their greatness by
using the black ball and shutting out
men Of importance in the community;
but. my friends, while 1t Is aggravating
and exasperating, still 1t Is not the worst
thing that could happen. have had it
happen to friends Of mine-Gentiles-
who have been kept out Of clubs by peo-
pie who were not worthy to button I'D
their shoes, and who have no standing
save in clubs.
1T is aggravating. I agree, but q man
is what he Is by reason of his respect
for himself. and II he knows that some
one who affects to snub him and look
down upon him is not worthy; II he
knows that person Is not his equal. and
he cultivates any Of the philosophy that
he ought to call to his aid, he will always
have the advantage over the small
Drained and narrow-minded man."
Opened the Meeting.
The meeting was opened with prayer
by Rev. DR.. Louis Stern. Dr. Abram
Simon, master Of ceremonies, introduced
sulzer. Of New York. who
made short address favoring the move-
ment Dr.. Madison c. Peters, Of New
York, addressed the audience on ''Hyam
salomon. the Jew, the man. the patriot,
and the backer OF the American Revolu-
tion." DR.. Peters is giving his time to
obtain for this hero tae recognition
which he deserves.
On the platform with President Taft
were Secretary NaSeL DR.. Madison c. |
Peters, Simon Wolf. Representative Hon
~ 0oidfoglA Of New York: Rspreoenta- |
tive William sulser. Of New York; I. L
Blount. president Of the Temple Consfs-
cation: Julius Peyser. president Of Ar-I
80 Lodge, B'nai Birth: DR.. Louis Stern, |
and DR.. Abram Simon. rabbi Of the tenn
pie.
Following tAs meeting. many psesons
made pledges jof large sums toward ths |