American Jews Owe Debt of Gratitude to Louis Marshall

(Communication to the Editor)

Sir:

On December 14th, Louis Marshall will be seventy years young. His accomplishments, in behalf of American and World Jewry, stamps him for all time as one of the most distinguished Jews mankind has known. Courage, he has always had. Defeat has never daunted him. Having confidence in himself and the causes he has so ably represented, he has had the backbone to maintain his stand against all criticism. Subsequent events have demonstrated that the authors of this criticism were actuated to a very large degree by personal venom and animosity. Whether it be a world or local cause, he has always been found ready and willing to cooperate with his fellowmen. He has, however, never followed anyone blindly.

During the eight years that I served in the House of Representatives, more restrictive immigration measures, were brought up for enactment than had been presented for over a century. Yet, Lous Marshall, on a moment’s notice, was always ready and willing to leave New York and even to come from a further distance, to continue the fight in behalf of liberal immigration. When others were notified, they found ready excuses for not coming. No so with Louis Marshall. His service has not been of a lip service kind. Lifting his powerful voice in behalf of humanity and tolerance, has not at the same time prevented him from following it up by deeds and sacrifices. One instance which occurred in 1916, demonstrates beyond all language which one might utter, the unselfish and loyal devotion of Louis Marshall to the cause of his co-religionists.

The adoption of a plank by the Republican Party in reference to the Russian passport status was up for discussion at Chicago. I had no knowledge at the time that Mrs. Marshall had just passed away and that she still lay at her home. Yet in the midst of that intense grief which he felt, he gave me on the long distance telephone his approval of the proposed plank which I had helped to draft. Not one word came from him at the time to tell me that he was talking to me at such a trying hour. He did what he knew his dear and beloved one would have asked him to do. The rising generation may well follow Mr. Marshall’s example of constant attention to duty regardless of hours.

The hundreds of thousands who were admitted to the United States during all the years that Mr. Marshall has fought for liberal immigration, owe him a debt of gratitude which they can repay by taking an active interest in community endeavor. They might bear in mind that Mr. Marshall has tried in his own splendid way to impress our people that the religious education of the child is as important as secular education in order that Jewry may be preserved for the good of humanity. His deep interest in urging war relief has shown him to be one of mankind’s greatest benefactors. Whatever minority rights were obtained, came primarily in consequence of the aggressive battle which Louis Marshall led. Busy as he has been in communal work, yet he has won a place at the Bar, equalled by few. No one outranks him as an authority on constitutional law. His service on the judiciary committee of the Constitutional Conventions of the State of New York in 1894 and 1915 received the highest praise and commendation. No man has loved America more than he and there are very few men who have done as much to uphold the true meaning of our Constitution. He has indeed been a blessing to humanity, our own country and the world at large.

I feel that I express the hope and the wish of all who know Louis Marshall, either personally or of his great works, when I say what they would like to say in unison–God bless Louis Marshall with long life and continued good health.