Tribute to the exemplary role played by Louis Marshall in the life of the city, state and nation, aside from his outstanding contributions to Jewish life the world over, is paid in the following editorials which appeared in the New York press yesterday:
New York “Times”-The eminence at the bar of New York which has long been universally accorded to Louis Marshall he attained without adventitious aid. He rose to it, from humble beginnings, solely through native ability and unflagging industry. His reputation as a master of constitutional law not only led to his frequent appearance in cases before the highest courts but gave him the distinction of being thrice selected as a member of a Constitutional Convention in this State. His services in that capacity, showing as they did that he was thoroughly versed in the higher reaches of the law, received warm commendation from his most competent associates. But Mr. Marshall did not content himself with the activities and rewards of professional practice. He had a keen sense of public obligation. To a wide variety of philanthropic and religious causes, as to civic movements, efforts to establish the rights of minorities, and to political work in its largest and best sense, he gave himself for many years without grudging time or strength.
“Mr. Marshall was a living illustration of America as the land of opportunity. Doubtless in any country his remarkable powers would have made him a man of note, but in the United States they had a freer course than they could have found elsewhere. What he became he made himself by sheer penetration of mind and untiring application. His death removed one whom his fellow-lawyers have long delighted to honor, and a citizen whose usefulness could be measured only in terms of an abounding and gracious personality which cannot itself be measured.”
New York “World”-“Louis Marshall who died yesterday in Zurich at the age of seventy-three, had for many years taken abundant time from his successful professional career to devote to the public service. His services were equally disinterested whether he was settling labor disputes in New York City or acting as a member of international bodies debating the common interests of great nations. As a leader in the legal profession he was deeply interested in the watchfulness of bar associations over the ethics of the bar. Of especial usefulness to the Jewish faith and people were his generosity in material means, his sage advice in time of trouble.”
New York “Herald-Tribune”-“In no selfish or narrow sense Louis Marshall stood forth as one of the great Jewish leaders. He was proud of his heritage, proud of his religion. His active sympathy went out to the Jews of all lands whose rights were in need of assertion. His influence was especially potent in obtaining the guaranties of the League of Nations for the treaty rights of racial and religious minorities. He was a prime mover in raising the $75,000,000 fund for Jewish sufferers from the World War. Since 1912 he had been the president of the American Jewish Committee, eminent in charity and the sure reliance of manifold projects for Jewish welfare. Not of the Zionist group, his last labor at the session of the Jewish Agency Council in Zurich was to help in bringing about the pact of harmony between Zionists and non-Zionists pledged to the cause of rebuilding Palestine.
“Above his Jewish affiliations Mr. Marshall was intensely American. None had a firmer grasp than he of the scheme of American government. He was in the first rank of constitutional lawyers and expounders of the Federal Constitution. He was a delegate to three constitutional conventions of the State of New York. He was a figure of the New York bar admired for professional ability and for the application of his keen mind to every issue of public interest. Among the wide range of his activities in this state forest conservation was perhaps as close as any to his heart. He was always on guard for the preservation unspoiled of the Adirondacks; he was an earnest advocate of reforestation. He was, indeed, a wholesouled man in whatever he undertook, a fair, courageous man. Apart from his fine contributions to Jewish and to general progress, New York will miss a citizen of uncommon parts and energy, whose character supported his intellectual attainments.”
New York “American”-“America has lost an eminent citizen. Louis Marshall served his country as a private citizen and thereby demonstrated a favorite theory of democracy-that the citizen is the important unit.
“Louis Marshall typified in almost every respect the ideals of American citizenship. His ambitions were for public service rather than personal advancement. He achieved success to the end of making it useful to his fellow men.
“The Nation has lost a statesman in private life. Marshall believed firmly in the Constitution of the United States, and was one of its foremost champions as a declaration of personal rights and of political, social and religious freedom. He studied it profoundly and was a leading authority on its interpretations.
“New York State lost a real philanthropist who gave, not only time and money, but the application of constructive genius to its public demands. Thousands of New Yorkers lost a good neighbor, for Marshall was a man of the warmest human sympathies.
“International Judaism lost one of its ablest leaders. Marshall was not a militant Jew. Instead of engaging in the controversy with Henry Ford he brought about its abandonment. He saw beyond racial and religious prejudice.
“In the field of law Marshall was regarded as a great judge. Although he never sat upon the bench he determined many legal questions outside of a court room.
“He stamped his wisdom upon the constitution of New York State and upon its codes of civil and criminal procedure.
“Only through his absence from the scene of his many activities will the full scope of his value become fully realized.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
