Date: September 1, 1918
Location: Springfield, MA
(Original document available here)
It is no mere figure of speech to say that America is “the heir of all the Ages”. Into her making has gone the tradition of all times and the blood of all peoples. No race can say we alone discovered it, we alone founded its institutions, we alone fought to establish and maintain its independence, and to preserve it as a nation. America is broader, richer, more comprehensive by far than that. It belongs to humanity.
We should save much misunderstanding if this condition were always kept in mind. Especially should it be brought to the attention of those who may think America is the product of their own race alone, and therefore belongs to them, and of those who may think it the product of other races alone, and therefore they have no interest in it. We should all remember that our institutions express the highest hopes and ideals of people of our own race, whatever it may be, left free to work out their salvation untrammeled by the bonds of the past. And remembering this there will follow the irresistible conclusion that as none of us are alien to America, it is of equal importance to us all that our nation be protected, defended, and preserved within and without from all foes.
In the making of America the Jew has borne a conspicuous part. When Columbus made his voyage of discovery, with him were several of that race, and one of them, Louis de Torres, was first to set foot on the new world. It is known that Asser Levy had settled in New York in 1654, and soon after, the tolerant policy of Roger Williams brought a Jewish settlement to Rhode Island.
At the time of the Revolution the Jews were of great aid to the patriot cause. Major Nones served on the staff of Washington. Colonel Franks had a glorious record that extended over the entire war and Major Franks was a soldier and the trusted messenger of Robert Morris to Spain and France. Captain Bush died after being wounded at Brandywine. Not only as soldiers, but as financiers did they contribute to their country’s defence. Their names appear on the Colonial bills of credit, and Isaac Moses of Philadelphia gave $15,000 to the Colonial Treasury. Manuel Mordecai Noah of South Carolina served on the staff of General Washington, and gave $100,000 to help the cause. But the great contributor of money was a Polish immigrant, Haym Salomon, who provided more than $650,000, which was never repaid, his descendants refusing to press a claim which Congress had voted to be valid.
In 1720 Judah Morris became a teacher of Hebrew at Harvard, and in 1737 Colonel Phillips became the first Jew who was elected to office in America on being chosen a member of the New York Assembly.
When General Jackson was at New Orleans, he was greatly aided by Judah Touro, who later gave $10,000 to complete the Bunker Hill Monument which had remained unfinished for seventeen years.
During the Civil War the three states of New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania sent a total of more than 3,500 Jewish soldiers into the Union Army, and in the Spanish War, there were over 4,000 soldiers of that nationality. Up to July of this year there were 75,000 Jews in the Army and Navy of America. Among officers there was 1 Brigadier General, 3 Colonels, 8 Lieutenant-Colonels, 53 Majors, 350 Captains, 1,460 Lieutenants, 2 Rear Admirals, and 1 Commander. This slightly indicates the record of the past and present.
It is unnecessary to refer in detail to the authors, journalists, merchants, bankers, professional men, scientists, jurists, artists, musicians, teachers, and philanthropists which the Jewish race has contributed to the building of American civilization.
But these things touch only the material side of our development. Great as they have been they are not the chief contribution from this source to our institutions. Just as America was about to be settled, the Bible was translated into the language of the people. It was preeminently from the teachings of the Old Testament that Americans drew inspiration of freedom and of a state founded upon righteousness. The Old Testament is the book of the Jew. What a wonderful influence this has been in the moulding and shaping of the life and civilization of our country.
No Jew then, wherever his birth, should ever look upon our institutions as an alien. His people have had their tremendous share in making them. If they are imperfect, his is a part of the blame. If they surpass all others, his is a part of the glory. In either event they belong to him equally with others.
Since before Moses led his people out of Egypt, despotism has looked upon the Jew as its enemy, and tried to destroy him because his presence has been through all the centuries an example of liberty. Despotism is making what may be its last great stand now for world supremacy. It may be significant that the ancient city of Jerusalem has been won by the cause of freedom. It may mean that there is to be a new recognition of the truths so grandly stated in that land by the prophets of old, that there is a power above the power of the sword, that governments fail, and nations fail unless they be the instruments of that power which makes for righteousness.
Citation: Vermont Historical Society
The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of Isaac Oberman, who prepared this document for digital publication.