Anti-Semitism Must be Fought

Julius T. Loeb, “Anti-Semitism Must be Fought,” Jewish Daily News (New York, NY), Sept. 2, 1906. https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/ytb/1906/09/02/01/article/43

ANTI-SEMITISM MUST BE FOUGHT

Editors Jewish Daily News:

    Since your paper has now assumed the hazardous task of revealing the lamentable fact that even this free country is not altogether free from the worm of anti-Semitism, which imperceptibly eats itself into the nethers of the community, so that one day it is liable to shake the entire superstructure of its harmonious order, I deem it necessary, in justification of your course of action, to mail you under separate cover a pamphlet, the like of which I see but for the first time in America. It appears to be a purely Jew-baiting propaganda, carried on in regular form a la Russia, and printed in the shape of a periodical. I am sure that neither Krashevan, nor Suvorin, nor Grand Duke Mestchersky could beat this nasty sort of “literature,” published ostensibly in Little Silver, N. J., by one named A. C. Baker. (What foul source that contemptible publication emanates from? Who or what is at the bottom of it? is certainly a puzzle to me.)

    Anti-Semitism, like a contagion springs up from the marshy swamps, strikes its roots of gall and wormwood, spreads its venomous breed of miasma, manifests itself here and there in a casual treachery and ill-will among the various sections and spheres of mankind, and before we are aware of its presence, it is smiting its thousands of spreading death and destruction on all around; as was the case in many a civilized country across the ocean, and from which baleful effects both Jew and Gentile alike are the sufferers. 

    The vicious growth of anti-Semitism must be nipped in the bud, if the peace of this commonwealth should be secured, and our future destiny therein preserved. The danger must be pointed out ere it is too late to avoid it. To the ostrich-like Jews, who riot in their temporal security without ever caring to perceive aught beyond their own devoted heads, to them the fact must be demonstrated that their stability is moth-eaten, and liable to give way at any moment. To all of the Hebrew race who are solicitous for the welfare of this country, and with it the future destiny of Israel, the warning voice should be sounded that they gather together to stand for their lives in time of peace as in time of war. Let Jewish right and liberty be asserted through the strength of union and honorable self-recognition. Let us stamp out from our midst the wonted affectation of showing a smiling face toward the ruthless foe, and of kissing the rod that smites us. Let the Jew learn to meet his enemy in the open, to look the world straight in the face, and prove equal to every emergency. Let the Jewish people, once for all, adopt the principle of self-help, as propounded by the great Hillel: “If I make no stand for myself, who will?” Let every Jew exercise the greatest care in his personal conduct and his dealings with his fellow-men so as to give no cause for complaint; yet at the same time let us know to mete out the just measure of compensation in the terms: “With the guiltless thou wilt act innocently; and with crooked thou wilt be equally perverse.” (Samual II., Chap. XXII, 27, and its analogous passage in the Book of Psalms, XVIII, 27.)

    With fair, square dealing as the rule of our duty, let us ward off the attacks of our enemies. Let every just means be employed for the extirpation of Jew-baiting in America. Down with anti-Semitism, the blood-thirsty monster, the Satan, the destroyer of the world’s peace! 

    JULIUS T. LOEB.

    Wash., D. C., Aug. 29, 1906.