Demagogues Spread Hatred During Distress, Says Lazaron

Economic distress and selfish aims of demagogues were cited as complimentary factors in present-day intensification of hates and prejudices in an address here last night by Rabbi Morris S. Lazaron of Baltimore at a meeting held under the auspices of the Society of Jews and Christians. The discussion was on “Cooperation Between Jews and Christians in the United States of America.” The Rev. A. Herbert Grey presided.

“In any period of economic distress,” said Rabbi Lazaron, “misunderstandings and prejudices which are always under the surface are usually spread by demagogues for their own selfish ends. The National Conference of Jews and Christians in the United States believes in erecting a tariff-wall in America against the importation of those hates and prejudices which have brought so much suffering to all groups in Europe.”

“This is the appeal, as well as the challenge that it lays upon the hearts of all religionists,” he said in concluding his speech.

Previously Rabbi Lazaron had outlined the development and purposes of the National Conference of Jews and Christians in America.

REASONS FOR CONFERENCE

“It was organized about eight years ago under the leadership of representative Protestants who recognized their obligation as a majority group,” he told his audience.

“It was brought into being as an educational movement with a definite technique of discussion of the seminaria, with the purpose of bringing into being the differences that obtained between the Protestants, Catholics and Jews, throwing the light of critical discussion upon these differences and so interpreting symbolically each group to the other.”

He pointed out it became evident last year that there were forces in America working for division and the spreading of prejudice. As a consequence Newton D. Baker, co-chairman of the National Conference, felt that the time had come for the organization to enlarge its programs, that it should make an effort to organize the liberal forces of the country in opposition to these diversive and hate-producing agencies. These steps were taken but not without difficulties, the Rabbi said.