New Britain herald., 1918-12-23


 thousands of years our people have suffered persecution and discrimina
 tion, and now that the readjustment of the world civilization is about to be accomplished, when it is hoped that the fundam ental prin ciple that all men are equal will become an established fact and tho rights of small nations be equally conserved with those of greater powers, the Jewish people must come into it's own.
 Since the beginning of the world war in August, 1914, the various ele- ments in American Jewry have taken steps for the formation of what today has eliminated in this important gathering. During the development of our progress the United States found it necessary to enter into the world war, whereupon 1t was deter mined that all activities towards the congress cease until such time as hos tilities have ceased and peace was in sight. That time is now here and the administrative committee of the con- greSS, which had in it's representation men of every shade of opinion from the most radical to the ultra-con- servative, have come together in sol emn conclave as 8. deliberative body for the first time in the history of the Jews for the serious consideration of those matters which shall impress upon the peace conference the neces- sity of granting civil, religious and political rights to the Jews in all lands where laws discriminating against them exist. The part played in the world war by our country and her allies in overthrowing autocracy Is augurs well for the accomplishment of our aims. The contribution of blood and treasure in this world war, under all flags, by the Jews through heroic valor encourages to believe that their patriotism and self-sacri- fee will not have been for naught."
 The delegates were cordially wei comed by Director Joseph MoLaugh- lin, a member of Mayor Smiths cabi- net, who said that Philadelphia was honored by having the congress in Philadelphia, the cradle of liberty.
 Nathan Straus was elected u1anf- mously as honorary chairman of the congress-a tribute well deserved by one who has sacrificed so much for the cause of humanity. MT. Straus was cheered tumultously and he de- l livered long and brilliant address in ] which he thanked the citizens of Phil l adelphia for their hospitality. This grand old man ended his speech with the phrase which is so indicative of the man, ''the whole world is my country, to do good is my religion"
 Purpose of Congress.
 Judge Julian Mack of Chicago was elected president of the congress and he delivered a, very impressive speech of acceptance, saying in part:
 We are gathered together at this cradle of American liberty as Ameri- can citizens and as Jews by race and by faith. This is an historic occa- sion. For the first time in the history of the country have all classes, all groups, all parties, all factions into which American Jewry has heretofore been divided, come together solemn1y but hopefully to deliberate. We are animated by no selfish purposes. For ourselves we desire nothing. Here in our beloved land we Jews form an in- tegral part of the American people as full-fedged citizens of the United 1 States equal in every respect before l the law with all of our fellow citizens, ] whether native born or naturalized 1 And we joyfully renew our pledge of ] exclusive and unequaIif1ed loyalty to l the government of the United States !
 'FBut we are part and parcel of l Jewry. With our felIow-Jews in all 1 lands we have common inheritance, l a common tradition, a common re- l ligion, and these two impose upon us 1 a duty and 2 responsibility. Tne duty l 70 bestir ourselves on behalf of such l of them aS arc denied those funda- ! mental risr's to which all free men l are entitled, the responsibility Of 1 watching and working that through l the enlightened nations of the world l justice may be done to them.
 '"This Is not the time nor tha oc- l casion to dea' in glittering general l ties. Solemn decisions are about to 1 be made at the peace conference, de- 1 cisions that will affect for generations and centuries to come the organiza- ton and the constitutions of the na- tions of the world and the fate of hundreds of millions Of their people. As American citizens, we are con- cerned that those fundamental prin- chples enunciated by that inspiring leader of humanity, Woodrow Wilson, shall find acceptance at the hands of the European powers; that out of the conflict and chaos new world order shall be created; that the noble vision ! of these prophets shall be realized upon earth; that there shall arise 8 League of Nations established to pro- mote justice upon earth, to dispel war and strife, to secure for the smaller peoples 8 true national existence, to |, assure and to safeguard for every stock and every race the right of self 1 determination, of self-deve1opn ent and self expression.
 And as Jews we are specifically concerned with the problems of Palestine and with the fate of our brethren in eastern Europe and in those newer countries of central and