The Denver Jewish news., 1918-12-26

gcther at this cradle of American lib
crty as American citizens and as Jews
by race and faith. This is an historic
occasion. For the first time in the
history OF the country have all classes,
all groups, all parties, all factions into
which American Jcwry has heretofore
been. divided. come together solemnly
but hopefully to deliberate. We are
animated by no selfish purposes. For
ourselves we desire nothing. Here in
our beloved land we Jews form mn in
tcgral part of the American people as
fuli-fledged citizens of the United
States equal in every respect before
the law with all of our fellow citizens
whether native born or naturalized.
And we joyfully renew our pledge Of
exclusive and unqualified loyalty to
the Government of the United States.
But we are part and parcel Of
Jewry With our fellow Jews in all
lands we have a common inheritance
common tradition. a common religion
and these, too. impose upon us duty
and responsibility. The duty to be-
stir ourselves on behalf of such Of them
rs are denied those fundamental rights
to which all free men are entitled. the
responsibility of watching and work
ing that thru the enlightened nations
of the world justice may be done to
them. . Ia
This is not the time nor the occas-
ion to deal in glitterins generalitif's.
Solemn decisions arc about to be made
mt the peace conference. decisions that
will affect for generations and cen
turics to come the organization and
the constitutions of the nations of the
world and the fate of hundreds and
millions of their people. As American
citizens we are concerned that those
fundamental principles enunciatetl by
thar Inspiring leader NJ = humanity.
Woodrow WILSON,. shall find acceptance
ut the hands of the European powers; +;
that out of the conflict and chaos a
new world order shall be created that
the noble vision of the prophets shall
be realized upon earth; that there
shall arise n League of Nations estab-
lishcd to promote justice upon earth,
to dispel war and strife to secure for
the smaller peoples true national eX-
istencc, to assure and to safeguard
for every stock and every race the right
of self Of self-dcvclop-
mcnt and self-cxpression.
And as Jews we are especially con-
ccrned with the problems Of Palestine
and with the fate of onr brethren in
eastern Europe and in those newer
countries of central and eastern Eu-
rope that nrc now seeking recognition
for their national existence at the
peace table.
The solution of these questions can.
not he found Mt this congress. Ameri-
can Jewry can but contribute its best
thought and its best men to consult
with the representatives of the Jews
of other lands and especially with
representatives of those Jewries which
as n result of the great and success.
ful battles for human freedom have
now been released from oppression
We at this congress strike the keynote.
Our delegates must 20 hence clearly
instructed as to the fundamental prin-
ciples whose recognition by the world
powers they are to endeavor to secure.
But as to the details and as to the
methods they must be given free
hand.
1t is well that this congress was not
called together at an earlier time. Un.
til the victory was clearly in sight
American Jewry was somewhat divid-
ed. Two years ago the internal con-
flict was great; year ago it had
lcssened; today we are united. a
voice here and there. crying in the
wilderness. may attempt to produce
discord: the sublime harmony of the
great chorus will drown out these pet
ty notes. The principles for which
we stand are clearly cnunciated in the
call for this congress. 1t is that there
shall be secured to the Jews every
where full and equal rights: that there
shall be attained for the Jewish groups
in these countries in which group
rights are rec >gnized and in which the
Jews desire tltat recognition for them
selves, equality with other groups.
And finally. there is Palestine. Since
Nov. 2, 1917. date that marks
new epoch in the history of the Jewish
people. the day when the far-seeing
Government of Great Britain pro-
claimed thru the Zionist Organization
TO the Jews of Great Britain and to
the Jews of the world that His Ma
jcsty's government viewed with favor
the establishment of national home