|
To
the Editor of the Occident.
Do
not, my dear sir, the late oppressions of our brethren in Damascus,
Ancona, Russia, and the onerous and servile restrictions laid upon them elsewhere, forcibly call up
before the minds of "those who think" the sad truth, that
there is an utter want of union amongst the dismembered parts of Israel?
In
an age when the reverberatory power of moral truths resounds from nation
to nation, bidding tyrants to pause in whatever act that aims at the
subversion of human liberties: why is it that the voice of reason and
humanity is so weak and powerless, when the woes and oppressions of
Israel are the theme? Is it because we are still considered but canaille,
sunk, depressed so low as to be beneath the pity and consideration of
mankind? Is it because there are none amongst us who dare raise up their
voice against tyrannical oppression, in favour of their downtrodden
brethren? Oh no! we cannot find full shelter under such excuses as
these! but it may, I think, be attributed with much more truth, to the
little union at present existing, and the want of that mutual support
from each isolated portion of the Jewish nation, which their common
origin and religion so imperiously make it their duty to render to that
portion of their brethren, who, for the time being, stand in need of
their assistance.
As
our people cannot, in the common acceptation of the term, claim to be a
nation, nought is left to them but to cling to their ancient birthright
"the Law and the Prophets," with a firm undivided, and
tenacious grasp—ever remembering what the Psalmist has so beautifully
expressed: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to
dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head,
that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard; that went down to the
skirts of his garments: as the dew Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the
blessing, even life evermore."
We
see professors of other religious creeds, whether dwellers under the
heats of the tropics, or the intense cold of the frigid zones—on the
shores of the Atlantic or borders of the Indian Ocean—or even in the
far off country of New Holland—with as great a diversity of language
as of abode, nevertheless united in the same fraternal union, mutually
striving for the advancement of their church, mutually feeling and
repelling the insults and injuries offered to her remotest members; and
let the headlong power of bigotry sharpen its fangs for their hurt, and
like the lightning's flash their voice of complaint and their calls for
succour rush on until they reach her remotest sons: and firmly seated
must that power be that trembles not at the response.
There
are some minds, which unless they themselves originate some mode of
government, would scorn to copy it from another, no matter how well
adapted it be to their own case. Yours, sir, I believe to be not one of
these, but one willing to cull the sweets and healing properties from
every plant, whether growing in your own, or in the garden of the
stranger. Now when we call to mind the systematic energy displayed by
those of an adverse faith, may we not take it as a guide by which we may
build up such a structure as would be capable of affording ample
protection and support to our oppressed and dispersed brethren? And what
antagonistical qualities are inherent in us, as Jews, to prevent this
happy consummation? do not the Jews profess the same creed wherever
scattered? Are they not governed by the same religious and moral code in
all climes, in all countries? Are not the aspirations that mount up to
the throne of the All-Beneficent breathed forth in the same tongue by
those who dwell where the fertilizing Ganges rushes through its mountain
barrier, as well as by those who are lulled to rest in the giant arms of
the mighty Amazon? are not the glorious hopes, foreshadowed by our holy
prophets, equally impressed upon their minds, equally considered their
inheritance, by those who sport amid the glaciers of Mount Blanc, as
well as by those who listen to the thunders of Niagara? does not each
distant son of Israel equally look forward to that joyful time when all
shall return to the Land of the Covenant? Yes! yes! all acknowledge, all
believe, all trust in these glorious hopes, in this happy consummation;
why then will they not unite? why will they not strive and use their
utmost efforts to attain this desirable end?
We
find that there is a something in ourselves, which, if it receive the
proper direction, would be powerful enough to draw together our
separated trunk in a firm and inseparable compact: we feel the task to
be easy when compared with the apparently firm edifices, reared by those
of adverse creeds, out of materials so dissonant, so diverse: and shall
we allow petty jealousies, the trifling differences of Minhag, or the
accident of country to keep us longer from acting together in that
harmony so necessary to the spiritual and temporal welfare of our nation
at large? Lo forsooth! because this or that Israelite was thrown by the
convulsions that tore our nation asunder, into the unwilling arms of
this or that country, he is to consider the accident of being born upon
the soil of one, or the other, as a sufficient reason to allow trim to
assume a superiority over his other brethren; as if Israelites were not
all equally the children of the Most High, all descendants of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob, all equally sharers in their divine birthright. Is not
this mode of thought
impious? Is it not calling Divine Justice into question to suppose that
the dwellers under every sky, the sons of every clime (if pure in heart)
are not equally smiled upon, in every way as acceptable, and equal in
rank before the throne of their common Father?
I
recollect when a child of being shown the strength of union, and the
weakness of a disunited state by the common simile of “the bundle of
sticks.” “If separated, the weakest infant might break and destroy
them, one by one, but if united and firmly bound together, the strongest
force was not sufficient to destroy them.” This I could comprehend and
feel the truth of as a child, and my more mature judgment admits the
full force of the simple illustration. May not our people in their
present state, be compared to these sticks separated: liable to be
broken and trod upon by each weak creature of caprice or bigotry, bent
by every blast, consumed by the burning heat of man’s passions; and
frozen by their own apathy? But, let these weak reeds be collected
together; let them be bound by the firm bands of fraternal love,
sympathy and mutual interest:—and where is the power (unless deserving
of God's wrath by contumely, the want of faith, or the neglect of duty,)
that dare oppress them, the hand strong enough to do them injury, or the
arm long enough to reach them to their hurt? The rains of heaven would
then refresh them! the sun, instead of parching up their blood, would
reinvigorate them by his noonday heat! and Israel might soon sing the
glorious songs of the restoration!
O
that our elders and those whom God has endowed with wisdom, would set
abut the holy work—the reunion of dispersed Israel! O that they would
cast all prejudices beneath their feet, as unworthy their high
prerogative, and unite upon the large ground our pure faith affords! And
with a strong united will, and a firmness of purpose not to be deterred,
is it hoping too much to believe, that the Most High would prosper the
holy undertaking?
I
am aware that weak suggestions and arguments may even injure a good
cause, and I have waited in the hopes of seeing those older and more
able than myself, give publicity to their views on a question so
momentous to us as Hebrews and members of the human family: thinking
that the expatriation of so many of our brethren on the Russian border,
would have so electrified our nation, as to cause even the weakest and
most apathetic of Jacob's sons to join and use whatever talents and
power they possessed, in devising and fabricating a shield, that might
protect their bleeding and heart-sore brethren from the tyrannic
scourge, wielded by the malevolent minions and creatures of a despotic
prince. Now whilst the sword hangs suspended (not withdrawn) over the
heads of our kinsmen, even he of little understanding may speak in the
hope of calling forth such suggestions and arguments as the case demands
from those whose knowledge and influence qualify them for the task.
Nor
can I find an excuse for those of limited faculties or means, that will
convince them that they are not equally bound to use their small
endowments towards the furthering of any object, that shall render the
whole nation more prosperous at large, and elevate its component parts
in the scale of social being. Does not Holy Writ assure us, “that the
poor shall never totally cease from out the land?” And does it not in
tones of command bid “every Israelite” to appear thrice a year
before the Lord at the place where He shall choose to put his name?”
each to give according to the means with which the Lord has blessed him?
And if the poor are thus commanded to give their mite of worldly goods
(no matter how trifling,) in proof of their acknowledgment of their
dependence on their Creator: is it not equally incumbent on them, to
give their mite of mind towards the advancement of any object that shall
serve “to glorify the law, and make it honourable?”
Let
the humblest son of Israel do any act, which the finger of scorn may
point at, and is not the ignominy of it cast as a stain upon the whole
nation, the virtuous as well as the vicious? If one becomes distinguished, does not the whole nation feel a
glow of satisfaction? Then why will not the mass of our people throw off
their inertness? why will they not, by the force of will rightly
directed, break away from the bands that apathy and sloth have cast
around them; and resolve once more to be the favoured children of
immortality? Should not each individual feel what Louis of France so
forcibly expressed: “I am the people?” O if they would think thus! O
if they would resolve thus to do! then would there be no cause to blush
at the name of Jew! then would our nation glory in the sublime
distinction that the Most High has thrown like a halo round their brow!
then would the term Jew be synonymous with all that is good! all that is
lovely! all that is honourable! Trusting that these hopes may be
realized at no very distant day, I am, with sentiments of the highest
esteem,
Respectfully
yours,
S. S. |
