The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-09-21
VOICE OF
zA II An
p e Q PL E
THE JEWISH
ATTITUDE TOWARDS
THE WORLD WAR
By ISAAC
Associate Bachelor Of Arts.

Associate OF Arts.
Editor TINES:
Whatever views may have been held
by the individual Jewish citizen about
the desirability of the United States
participation in the present world war,
all voices are now hushed once the step
has been taken and the cause announc-
ed. All thoughtful Jews begin 10 re-
slize now that we have gone into this
cruel business without hate or malice
toward any particular people. but for
the benefit of humanity. and to make
the world safe for democracy" Unjust
confess that at first I couldn't quite un-
derstand why the United States, the
country of real freedom and liberty.
should compel her children to give
their blood for a couse that. as il seem
ed to me, did not concern us the least
bit. 1t was only after I read the ia
nous speech of President Wilson on
the declaration Of war that my enthus-
iasm rose 70 the highest degree. Jewish
patriotism II 1 may Judge it accord
ing TO my own, is of the highest.
Already Jewish men are enlisting in
the army and navy There is a large
contingent OF my Jewish brethren in
these two branches of the service right
now Even in our city, Indiana Harbor.
a small Jewish community as it is. has
given her share in a far greater per-
centage than any other nationality.
Furthermore. they were at Vera Cruz.
and in large numbers on the Mexican
border. We appreciate very much the
kindness shown us by the American
people, and we consider ourselves as
part and parcel Of the entire American
body. Some of us are aver descended
from ancestors who fought in the Rev
dictionary War. Some Of them stood
by the flag in the war or 1912. In the
North and South Jews fought side by
side with other Americans in the War
of Secession. Also the Spanish--Amer-
lean war cost many Jewish lives. 7
venture to state that there is not a
heart that beats ,ruer to the United
States than the Jewish.
This f~aithfulness. [ believe. is par
ticularIy true Of the present war in
which the American people have proud
~ and bravely raised the banner Of de-
mocracy. The whole origin OF Jew
ish life goes back to this fundamental
thought OF democracy. Most people inn
agine that democracy was born in
Greece. for the very word is of Greek
origin. and Athens was supposed to be
AAAD AANSA 4GAAAQLA aEAL lily AA LHt MQlAAr
AS a Jew. proud OF my heritage, I
know Il better. A thousand years be-
fore Athens came into existence with
its 10000 free men and 4o0. 1000 slaves.
the children Of Israel lived under as
democratic q form Of government as
ever existed. Why. then. were the
children Of Israel released from Egypt
ian bondage if not for the sake of
making them a free and democratic
people2 Why were the Ten Command
ments given in the wilderness? Israel
would have chosen 10 receive them
within her own borders in the Holy
Land God gave these holy words in
the desert, no mans land, to emphasize
the fact that these Commandments
were for all mankind. When the peo-
pie of Israel wanted to honor their
leader Moses, they did not cali him
king. but Moses our teacher. When
the children of Israel. TO their weak
ness. asked for a king. Samuel without
fear refused them. and when Saul was
finally selected, his rule rested so light
~ on the people, that the Israelites
followed a shepherd youth, David. as
his successor instead of SauI's own
son. Democracy is opposed to royal
rule. When Rehoboam taxed the peo-
pie unduly. the men Of Israel revolted
and formed another kingdom. y royal
head with autocratic government was
never essential to the government Of
Israel.
Today. when democracy is fighting its
greatest battle, I as well as all the
Jews who are taking refuge under the
great principles of American demo-
crazy. stand foremost IN emphasizing
the duty Of the hour. When the hour
shall come and call on any one Of US
TO take his part in the battle Of democ-
racy. not one will hesitate for a moment
TO join the ranks Of lovers of democ-
racy and night, as we did in ell our
history, the battle of humanity and de-
mocrscy.
September 10. 1917.
Indiana Harbor. Ind.