Blackstone Memorial

The Blackstone Memorial (1891) was a Zionist petition written by William Eugene Blackstone and presented to the President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, in favor of the delivery of Palestine to the Jews, and signed by a number of leading American citizens. Its text is as follows.

Related Topics:
Zionist - William Eugene Blackstone - President of the United States - Benjamin Harrison - Palestine

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What shall be done for the Russian Jews? It is both unwise and useless to undertake to dictate to Russia concerning her internal affairs. The Jews have lived as foreigners in her dominions for centuries and she fully believes that they are a burden upon her resources and prejudicial to the wellfare of her peasant population, and will not allow them to remain. She is determined that they must go. Hence, like the Sephardim of Spain, these Ashkenazim must emigrate. But where shall 2,000,000 of such poor people go? Europe is crowded and has no room for more peasant population. Shall they come to America? This will be a tremendous expense, and require years.

Related Topics:
Russia - Sephardim - Ashkenazim - Europe

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Why not give Palestine back to them again? According to God's distribution of nations it is their home, an inalienable possession from which they were expelled by force. Under their cultivation it was a remarkably fruitful land sustaining millions of Israelites who industrially tilled its hillsides and valleys. They were agriculturists and producers as well as a nation of great commercial importance -- the center of civilization and religion.

Related Topics:
Palestine - Israelite

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Why shall not the powers which under the treaty of Berlin, in 1878, gave Bulgaria to the Bulgarians and Servia to the Servians now give Palestine back to the Jews? These provinces, as well as Roumania, Montenegro and Greece, were wrested from the Turks and given to their natural owners. Does not Palestine as rightfully belong to the Jews? It is said that rains are increasing and there are evidences that the land is recovering its ancient fertility. If they could have autonomy in government the Jews of the world would rally to transport and establish their suffering brethren in their time-honored habitation. For over seventeen centuries they have patiently waited for such an opportunity. They have not become agriculturists elsewhere because they believed they were mere sojourners in the various nations, and were yet to return to Palestine and till their own land. Whatever vested rights, by possession may have accrued to Turkey can be easily compensated, possibly by the Jews assuming an equitable portion of the national debt.

Related Topics:
Berlin - Bulgaria - Servia - Roumania - Montenegro - Greece - Turkey

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We believe this is an appropriate time for all nations and especially the Christian nations of Europe to show kindness to Israel. A million of exiles, by their terrible suffering, are piteously appealing to our sympathy, justice, and humanity Let us now restore to them the land of which they were so cruelly despoiled by our Roman ancestors.

Related Topics:
Israel - Roman

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To this end we respectfully petition His Excellency Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States, and the Honorable James G. Blaine, Secretary of State, to use their good offices and influence with the Governments of their Imperial Majesties-

Related Topics:
Benjamin Harrison - United States - James G. Blaine - Secretary of State

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• Alexander III, Czar of Russia;
• Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Empress of India;
• William II, Emperor of Germany;
• Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austro-Hungary;
• Abdul Hamid II, Sultan of Turkey;
• His Royal Majesty, Humbert, King of Italy;
• Her Royal Majesty Marie Christiana, Queen Regent of Spain;

and the Government of the Republic of France and with the Governments of Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, Roumainia, Servia, Bulgaria and Greece. To secure the holding at an early date, of an international conference to consider the condition of the Israelites and their claims to Palestine as their ancient home, and to promote, in all other just and proper ways, the alleviation of their suffering condition.

Related Topics:
Republic of France - Belgium - Holland - Denmark - Sweden - Portugal - Roumainia - Servia - Bulgaria - Greece

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(Followed by approximately 400 signatures)

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