The Denver Jewish news., 1924-10-30
Moulders of Jewish
Public Opinion
Continued from page ~

tContlnned from page ~
which produced the phenomenon n PC.
Rod OF unrest, period which pro-
duccd the phenomenon Of Coxy's army
and Its proposed march 10 Washing.
ton. nm army which was to he compos-
ed Of unemployed strong spirited men
who left the necessary OF giving express
sion to their dissatisfaction with social
and economic conditions at that time.
II was the movement which created
Coxy's army that kinGled the imacin-
alton Of young Edlin, awakening in him
n desire to come closer to the social
problems, to study conditions, to re-
fleet and give expression to his ideas.
A student of Palo Alto, he devoted
himself mainly to the study Of econ
omics, dreaming that at some time in
the future he would become professor
of sociology. He soon found himself
among the choicest OF the American lit
erary elite Intimate with Jack Lon
don who includes Edlin in one of his
novels) he was kindled with the desire
to strive for social equality and justice
in his new country. The boy who did
not see a railroad before he was on
his way to America found convincing
arguments. only five years later. to ad-
vocate public ownership of the rail
roads of this great country. Anxious
to reach the bottom of the social justice
problem. he concentrated on the litera-
ture and philosophy of the subject.
The Yiddish press and periodicals ap-
pearing at that time in New York. de-
voted mainly TO the advocation of So
cial reforms. were very delectable food
| for his mind
Thus the young Russian Californian
Jew was prepared TO become one Of
the foremost advocators both In print
and in spcach of the social justice idea,
coming to ii not through the channels
of influences from abroad, but through
n thoroughly American course of de
velopment and viewpoint. Joining the
American Socialist Labor party, he as
sociatod himself with John Spnrgo and
Russell Slobotin, he was carried by the
1896 when William ]. Bryan came in
TO national prominence as the Silver
tongued Orator of the Platte, William
I Edlin acquired fame in labor circles
as the Golden-tongued Orator of the
Golden West
1 Working with Daniel de Leon, the
editor of THE People at that time the
official organ of the Labor Party. Edlin
was an active journalistic force in the
Labor movement. Edlin was also much
sought as an orator, ranking among the
best lecturers and champions Of the
cause.
j His aim wins English Journalism.
On account Of hi5 work he drifted into
the vital force of the Yiddish press.
which was at that time at its be
ginning.
Preceding Abe Kahn in the editing
of the Forward" editing the Morn
ing Journal and other periodicals, Ed
lin found him self in the midst of the
Yiddish press Of America. He was
not in any way Zionist, or even Il
Jewish Nationalist. To his mind the
most convincing Jewish Nationalism
and ZioaiSm was the American concep-
tion of fair play. No matter how hard
a campaign between two rival candi-
dates for office, when one is successful
the other finds it a pleasurable duty
to congratulate the winner and 10 adj
init his own defeat For over two
thousand years. the Jews have been re-
s!sting national dependence, having
fought bravely. justly, honestly and
still being far from any possible chance
of returning to the previous State, it
is nothing more than fair to admit de
feat and look for IA solution in adapata-
tion.
This was Edlin's trend of thought
previous 10 the World War When
Palestine, through the Balfour Dec
laration was again brought within
reach of the Jewish people, EdIin,
seeing the catastrophe results for the
Jewish people, devoted himself to the
championship of the rebuilding of Pal
eltsine as the Jewish National Home
land and the ndvoeation of the Jewish
National Idea in Dlaspora.
What is the outstanding problem in
Jewish life in American" asked Mr..
Edlin, after long conversation at an
uptown ncwspapcrmen's club.
"Whilc It is true that Jewish life in
! America is being stabilized and is 90
ing as far as its external appearance is
concerned; while new institutions and
buildings are going up daily, while new
congregations of worshippers are being
organized in all parts of the United
STATES tbprn Is an ,Irppnt necessity for