The Maccabaean

Herzl,—his short life was full of things said and done—once declared that he had given so much stability to the movement that after his death, the next congress could be called to order, and all things proceed along their natural course. This was, in part, an over-estimation. It is true that after he had passed away, the congress was called to order—which was more than the anti-Zionists anticipated, but it was found that his death had created an un-fillable gap—and it has not been filled to this day.

Is it true that from Moses until Moses there was none like Moses? Herzl's leadership was constituted out of his personal brilliancy, his magnetism and his enthusiasm and of his ability to do. Outside of the commercial world, the Jews have exhibited little aptitude for doing. As active workers for a national cause certainly they had achieved no success until Herzl came. His mental attitude, continous activity, was unique. Herzl won to himself about twelve men who accepted Alexander Marmorek's motto, "Schimfen darf mann aber loyal muss mann zein." (You may scandalize but you must be loyal). They were his aides, his real followers, his trusted co-workers. He demanded of them real sacrifice. He set them hurtling through Europe. He sent them hither and thither. He took their time, their money, their brains, their energy and he gave all his in return. Neither side stinted. He trusted them; they trusted him. They differed with him, they criticized him as comrades will, but they did his bidding—and did it

to the hilt. If ever this set of men will write out the individual stories of their share in the struggle to effect Zionism—some are dead, alas, and have left no memoirs—there could be set together the most brilliant page in modern Jewish history. It was the "Three Musketeers" in actual life, recomposed to a twentieth century setting.

Behind these men and creating the source of their "elan," was a Zionist unity. They themselves set forth the principle, they understood it alike, they never needed to debate between themselves as to what they meant. Sometimes they might have differed on methods. Yet so united was this corps that those who survive never need to caucus to achieve agreement of ideas. At that moment when new ideas were injected into Zionism the force of his group was broken. They were still the "flying wedge" of Israel, but the battle ground changed. Herzl did not think he had to convince the Jews. When he set out, he thought he had the Jews with him and his business was to convince the world, and he worked at it day and night. But he had to shift his ground. The non-Zionists raised a hubbub and he and his immediate followers had to devote half their time to convincing the Jews. From the point of view of effect, this was a pity. It cut a short career in two. But when the Zionists began using the Congress as the stumping ground for all manner of ideas, the Herzlian effectivity was again divided.

And in that devoted group none was