The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-12-20
might OF BtRBARISM
MUSTCLOSE," SAYSRAYNERi
TALKS ON RUSSIAN TREATY
Maryland Senator Delivers Wig
orous Speech in Support of
Abrogating Document.
PLEADS FOR FAIR PLAY.
Declares United States Govern
ment Should Have Taken
Action Long Ago.

WASHINGTON Dec, 1.-THE
night OF barbarIsm must close so far
as we are concerned" said Senator
lsador r. Rayner (Dem., Md, in a
vigorous speech in the senate today
on the abrogation OF the treaty with
Russia.
This is the land OF religious liber-
~, SO ordained by the wisdom OF God
and SO created by the genius OF man.
We cannot permit any antocratic gov
eminent TO visit this iniquity upon
our citizens. The day OF religious in
QUESTION is over II is useless TO talk
OF negotiations. The Russian govern
ment cannot be negotiated with.
Without criticizing the state de-
partment or anyone else cannot un-
derstand why this government has
not long ago demanded OF those in
authority in this despotic land that
II they do rot amend their code OF
religious persecution and become
proselytes az the affairs OF reason and
humanity, they will no longer be toll
Grated 10 retain friendly intercourse
with our free institutions.
What is the cause of this intoler-
ance? Have these people committed
any crime against the laws or institu-
tons of Russia? Yes they have COM
mitted the same crime which their
forefathers committed and which
their posterity will continue TO COM
nit to the remotest generation. They
have worshipped God according TO
the traditions of their faith and the
dictates of their conscience.
II have read it's Draconian code,
which has been translated into every
language, and what wounds me to the
heart Is that this Had OF a people
whose echoing from place to place
has never yet struck responsive
chord upon any OF the highways and
centers OF civilization.
IF the Emperor of Russia, who is
At the head of the ecclesiastical
church OF the realm, by some supreme
act OF humanity directed against
these PROSTATE victims of his intol-
erance, will offer them the alternative
OF either accepting the faith OF their
prosecutors, or the imposition OF any
additional servitude, | think | know
what the result will be. They will
never abandon the affairs of their
fathers.
senators, take this as you VIII, II
Is nothing but persecution directed
against citizens OF the United States.
You ask for other methods Of relief.
There Is no other method OF relief.
DO we propose TO keep treaties and
allow other governments with whom
we have made them, 10 break them at
their wille No other civilized country
on the earth would assume such a
humlliating position. The heart OF
this compact has been pierced and,
raising as II does with us the ques-
ton of religious freedom, its most
sensitive feature has been mutilated
and trampled upon. We deserve the
contempt of mankind If We reel at
the blow and submit TO this degrading
ipdignity. There is no way out OF II
except the abrogation OF this treaty
in such a manner that our protest
will be pronounced.
For forty years the pleading
voices of these helpless victims of
religious intolerance have gone across
the water for their rights. II has all
been in vain. Now they look to us as
their ancestors for forty years In the
wilderness looked TO the cloud by day
and the pillar of fire by night, TO lead
them to their deliverance."