On the Establishment of a Jewish Colony
in the United States
We present our readers with the subjoined article of
an intelligent correspondent, himself a native of Germany, who had visited
many countries where Israelites dwell. His plan will speak for itself,
and will, we trust, call forth comments from persons of our community
both in this country and Europe, who, we doubt not, will give it the
deep consideration which it deserves. We thank Mr. Stern for having
so soon given us an opportunity of adverting to the political state
of the Jews by his sensible communication. We agree perfectly with him
that the Israelite would be an agriculturist or mechanic if he had the
same advantages with other portions of the community. But this he has
not. He has every where to contend with too much prejudice, especially
if he is truly desirous of observing his religion strictly, ever to
become a successful mechanic, except under happy circumstances; and
agriculture as a pursuit is out of the question in the old world, where
either he cannot purchase land in his own name, or where the soil is
too dear except for the purse of the wealthy. Besides it must be remembered,
that in the densely peopled parts of Europe, where a highly artificial
mode of cultivation prevails, it would take a much longer period
than in the prairies and woodlands of the West to acquire a proper knowledge
of husbandry. And as it is but lately that the permission of becoming
owners and cultivators of the soil has been accorded to us, it is evident
that as yet we can have but few practical farmers to compete with the
skillful agriculturists who are to be met with in Europe, who know how
to obtain the greatest possible amount of produce from the small plots
of ground which they cultivate. In the new lands of America this would
be different; a colony there would operate as a school of agriculture
and husbandry in all their branches, and with a small number of practical
Christian farmers to guide them, young Israelites would soon learn to
love, by being successful, those healthful and ennobling pursuits which
number among their professors the names of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses,
and David, names which the Hebrew pronounces with reverence, and which
have become the light and example of the world.
We do not agree with Mr. Stern that it would be expedient
to found a Jewish state, or even to desire it, since necessarily its
peculiar laws could come in conflict with those differing from it on
all sides. Our criminal laws could not be well executed in any part
of America for many obvious reasons, which it is useless to enumerate
here; and our civil laws would necessarily be greatly modified if we
formed but a part of a confederacy where all our enactments would
be subject to the revision of a tribunal which might or might not respect
our peculiar views, which at all events would be composed of persons
whose religion differs from ours. Independently of the consideration,
therefore, that it is not very likely that a sufficient number of Jews
would settle in any one district to entitle them to compose a separate
commonwealth: we ought not to desire it if we could succeed. All we
need is that we form communities, not states, where we could act in
harmony for a general good; for the rest the equitable laws of the United
States and the freedom of opinion, equality, the protection guaranteed
by the Constitution must satisfy us whilst we are scattered in small
numbers all over the world. We could extend our remarks; but we must
defer them for a future occasion; in the meantime we call public attention
to the subjoined communication, with this single remark, that we invite
a discussion on the subject, and we gladly offer The Occident
for its publication.
[Communicated.]
Being convinced that the Israelites of Germany do not
enjoy the full privileges of citizens in our age, and that many causes
operate to defer the attainment of this desirable object for a considerable
time, I, some years ago, expressed a wish that a considerable number
might emigrate to the United States and found a colony in some of the
western territories.
A considerable number of our people has indeed come to
this country, but without a common plan, without a fixed object to unite
their interests; and every one, therefore, was obliged to rely upon
himself. As many had not learned a trade, and a few only understanding
agriculture, commerce was the only resource which they had left; but
most of them being without the necessary means to be merchants in the
proper sense of the word, they were obliged to become itinerant traders
or pedlars, a business most troublesome, and, in the present scarcity
of money, most unproductive and most onerous. Under these circumstances
these people cannot possibly attain that happiness, for which their
heart yearned when they were still in their native country, to secure
which they left parents, friends, and acquaintances, all that was dear
to them, and braved the treacherous billows of the ocean, underwent
the discomforts of a sea voyage, came into a land, to the language,
manners, and customs of which they were strangers, and where they, with
their eyes turned to the east, pine for the land which gave them birth,
where they spent the golden days of their childhood, to which their
heart is chained by a thousand sweet recollections, by many dear and
charming ties.
Not until we are able to earn a respectable and independent
livelihood, and live without the corroding care of procuring our daily
bread, shall we be able to rejoice for having emigrated from Europe,
look upon this land as a second fatherland, and cherish it from the
core of our heart. But to attain this object it is requisite that the
greater part of us should devote themselves to the pursuits of agriculture
and the breeding of cattle, which occupations are the best props of
every state, the safest means of securing to a family a happiness based
upon a rock which can brave the storms of the times.
This object could be best accomplished, and would require
comparatively little exertion and outlay of money, if a number of Israelites
were to purchase a large tract of land in one of the western territories,
where Congress disposes of the land at $1.25 per acre. On this tract
a number of dwellings might be immediately erected for those who are
not occupied in agriculture, in a place which would form the center
of the first agricultural district. The farmers would of course live
each on his farm.
It cannot be doubted that some rich and noble-minded Israelites
would come forward to advance a capital for such a purchase, since they
would be more than sufficiently secured by holding the first mortgage
upon land which by constant improvement would become daily more valuable.
In such a colony, the highest capacities of mind and heart,
which, as every unprejudiced observer will confess, can readily be discovered
in a large number of individuals of our nation, would be sooner and
more rapidly developed than our present social life admits of, where
so many circumstances unite to stifle the most splendid, most promising
natural abilities in the bud.
Facts would soon prove that the idea that our people are
too lazy to till the ground is but a foolish prejudice. It would soon
become evident that their aptness and intelligence would produce also
in this branch of human industry useful inventions and salutary improvements.
In the breeding of cattle, the acuteness of perception of our people
and their application would also become distinguished, and lead to many
favorable results. The mechanics of such a colony would, to a certainty,
work with pleasure, and to more advantage, than they do now; particularly
in Germany, where a young Israelite obtains admittance into a workshop,
either as apprentice or as journeyman, with the greatest difficulty,
and where, when admitted, he is ever exposed to the jeers of his fellow-workmen.
Those, too, who devote themselves to commerce, would carry on their
business with a better spirit, and occupy a more dignified position
in the world than is possible under present circumstances.
Many factories of different kinds would no doubt form
another branch of their industry, and their articles of commerce would
not only consist of cattle, flour, salted provision, butter, and wool,
but would also comprise different kinds of manufactured goods. This
species of employment would furnish them with an opportunity of displaying
also their ingenuity in the construction of new machines, and the improvement
of the existing ones.
Upon our holy religion, however, venerable on account
of its age and its intrinsic worth, the blessed and salutary influence
of such a social reunion would be most evident, for never will it be
able to appear in all its dignity, its glory and greatness, so long
as our people live dispersed among the followers of other creeds. And
more completely yet might all these ends be encompassed if the Israelites
were gradually to transform their colony into a state, a thing by no
means impracticable, as, according to the laws of the United States,
only 70,680 souls are necessary for this purpose. This would entitle
them to their own legislature, and by a general law, they might obtain
the privilege of consecrating to the Lord, as it was in the flourishing
times of our nation, every week a silent and holy Sabbath. But even
if they should not form a state, they might yet elevate their places
of settlement into separate boroughs, which would give them the right
of making their own municipal laws, and of appointing the officers necessary
for their execution.
Most salutary would be the influence of such a colony
upon the education of our youth; for there, more than in any other situation,
might we gratify the best and warmest wishes of our hearts, that of
educating our children for the noble and elevated pursuits of life,
for the attainment of wisdom and virtue. There the highest gratification,
the noblest pleasure which this world can bestow, the happiness of possessing
high-minded children, useful members of society, would be afforded to
us more frequently than under present circumstances, where business
and amusements not rarely exercise a very baneful influence upon their
education.
In such a society, excellent men and worthy women might
spring up, who would deserve to be called an ornament to Israel, and
an honor to mankind.
Julius Stern. |
