RUSSIAN INTOLERANCE

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 18, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 44.

RUSSIAN INTOLERANCE.

RUSSIAN "justice" is becoming pretty well understood, by the world at large, as an aggravated type of injustice. The barbarous treatment to which prisoners of state are subjected has been quite fully exposed. Little by little, the still less excusable violation of pledges made to Lutheran inhabitants of the Baltic provinces, has been made known. The bigoted and oppressive measures put in operation against these courageous Christians, under the pretense of protecting the Greek Church from proselyting influences, are matters of frequent report. But, while we hear of these evils and exclaim against them, and while formal protests and appeals for mercy are occasionally presented to Russian officials by humane organizations, there is yet another direction in which similar iniquities are allowed to go unrebuked. We refer now to the bitter and most unreasonable oppressions to which the Jews in Russia are subjected. These differ in kind, while they resemble in malignity the wrongs heaped upon the Lutherans. The Jews are practically treated as outlaws in Russia. Some surprise was expressed in our public prints when it was announced that the czar's government would not permit the use of Baron Hirsch's gift of $20,000,000 for the training of Russian Jews in agricultural and mechanical pursuits. But what need is there of surprise at that, when decrees are in force shutting the doors of the universities and the medical schools and hospitals against Jews; when they are allowed no standing in court, in case of frauds against their property rights; and when, in respect to civil and political affairs, they are held in contempt by the meanest of the native peasantry? What the influence of the United States in international affairs, if properly exerted, might accomplish in the Jews' behalf, is not at all clear. But the press of this land at least ought to inform the public, in the interest of truth, concerning the conduct of Russia towards her most helpless and unhappy subjects. Hebrew journals are earnestly demanding that something be done. Here is a sample complaint and appeal from the Jewish Messenger:—

"Why is our American press silent at these repeated acts of Russian vandalism? Is not the Protestant aimed at as well as the Jew? Is not the spirit of our age openly travestied? And we cherish intercourse with such a power! Is it because the spirit of the American nation is itself changing, that such inhumanity is unrebuked? Is it because American patriotism is fast being prostituted for selfish gain, and 'business' methods are degrading all parties and sapping the national energies? We dare not, we cannot, believe it. We have faith, ardent faith, in America's mission as priest and prophet, and here is an opportunity to prove to the nations that our country will not endure the spectacle of Russian inhumanity."

Someone may suggest that, if the Jews do not like the way they are treated in Russia, they can move out. And so, by parity of reason, might the Lutherans. But when the Waldenses were persecuted in the Vaudois Valleys, and the whole power of Rome was exerted to kill them off or drive them out, they strangely persisted in remaining. And when, after an enforced exile, an opportunity was offered to get back into the valleys by secret marches, they went back joyfully, knowing that more suffering was in store for them. They are now remembered as heroes, for their persistence in the face of persecution; and it is also on record that they had the sympathy of outside people, and that from the sympathy came timely intervention in their interest. Hence it scarcely will do to pass this modern injustice by with a wave of the hand, and the advice to the sufferers to run away. Least of all does it become Christian men thus to put the whole matter aside. The Jews, along with the Lutherans, merit our concern, and it is fitting to consider if haply any way may be devised to mitigate their miseries, and to bring the czar to a better mind in regard to them.—Interior.