THE MACCABAEAN
But the longing of his heart for the physical and temporal restoration of Zion did not prevent his realization that in a great true sense Zion is not a place but a spirit, and he wrote that beautiful poem-prayer which we all would do well to make our own.
Oh! would that I might beA servant unto Thee,Thou God, by all adored.
Then, though by friends outcast,Thy hand would hold me fast,And draw me near to Thee, my King and Lord.
When we can all pray this in sincerity, then will true civilization be hastened, for civilization at its best is only the realization of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man and the application of this great faith to the affairs of human government.—
From an address delivered in Baltimore on February 18, 1917.
Other American Statesmen on Zionism
A number of other leading statesmen of America have recently given utterance to favorable opinions regarding Zionism, revealing a clear, sympathetic understanding of the Jewish national ideal and its ultimate implications. One of the most significant statements is that made by Hon. Champ Clark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, which he made in writing in the course of an interview had with him by the Washinoaton correspondent of the “American Jewish Chronicle.”
Champ Clark said: “I hope when the Transatlantic war is over, that Palestine will be taken from the Turks and erected into a Jewish State under the protection of some strong and friendly nations. At one time Palestine supported a large population and was a great kingdom. Perhaps by irrigation, Palestine could be made to support a large population once more. At any rate Palestine should be emancipated from Turkish rule and given a chance to restore her ancient prosperity, power and glory as a Jewish State. I feel reasonably certain that will be done. If we have anything to do with settling the conditions of peace at the close of the war, we should strenuously insist upon the things above set forth.”
Senator Ollie James, of Kentucky, said: “The beautiful ideal of Zionism appeals to me in just about the same way as that little classic, ‘The Last Class,’ by Alphonse Daudet, touched my sympathy and understanding. The dreams of Alsace-Lorraine to become once again a part of the French nation, the wonderful appeal made in this touching story of Daudet’s by the old schoolmaster to his pupils to be faithful to the French language—‘For while a people preserves its language it holds the key to its destiny’—just as that story doesn’t seem at all strange, but on the contrary touches a natural chord of sympathy in me, just so does Zionism appear quite natural. The old Alsatian schoolmaster appealing to his pupils on the eve of the German occupation to preserve the ideals and literature of France, to fight against assimilation—even so does Zionism seem to me, appealing to the Jewish people that they do not turn their backs on their beautiful language, do not cease to yearn for a restored nation, to hope
on, strive on, until their aspirations are realized. . . . At the close of his last class, the old schoolmaster write on the blackboard: 'Vive La France,' Zionism writes, 'Long live the Jewish Nation!'"
Senator William E. Borah, of Idaho, said: “Everyone must entertain the hope, that when peace comes in Europe, it will find the civil disabilities of the Jews in the different countries utterly broken down and destroyed, and that they will be treated as they are entitled to be, as a great race. It is natural, I presume, for the Jewish people to entertain the desire for establishing a nation. If the Jews, therefore, get together and re-establish themselves as an independent, separate nation, certainly, we as a people ought to sympathize with such a movement—that is to say, we should recognize their right to do so and extend that sympathy and moral support which we would give to any nation seeking to re-establish itself in the family of nations. The Jews have done a tremendous lot in the upbuilding of this country, with their ingenious minds. I hope they will continue to come here in growing numbers. Speaking my sincere view, therefore, I could wish that every Jew would desire to make his new Jerusalem in America. But if the effort is made to establish practical Zionism, I repeat, that as a nation, we can do no less than recognize the moral force which brings a scattered nation together. I sympathize thoroughly with the national aspirations of the Jews. No one admires the nationalistic spirit in the heart of man more than myself. I wish America possessed more national spirit today. The spirit of Nationalism is one of Humanity’s great God-given gifts; without that spirit the life of the world would be the tasteless and spiritless.”