[The purpose of the Digest is informative: Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does indicate approval.–Editor.]
The death of Oscar S. Straus, noted American statesman and Jewish leader, is lamented by the Jewish as well as non-Jewish press.
The Jewish papers take occasion especially to emphasize that throughout his life, replete with constant and varied activities as a diplomat, statesman, international peace arbitrator and author of numerous learned works, Oscar Straus never failed for a moment in his loyalty as a Jew. As the “Day” puts it: “Jewry gained a tremendous force in Oscar Straus, the American. America was enriched through the life and work of Straus, the immigrant. And who knows,” the paper speculates, “how many Strauses America and the Jews in this country will now lose because of the quota laws?”
The “Jewish Morning Journal” points out that “with the exception of Judah P. Benjamin, Secretary of State in the South during the Civil War, who prior to that played a conspicuous role in the United States Senate, Oscar Straus was the most prominent Jewish statesman developed so far in America. The fruitful career of the statesman and diplomat which has just been concluded, can be regarded as a symbol of the growth of American Jewry.”
In performing his duties as diplomat and statesman, the “Jewish Daily News” writes, “Mr. Straus felt as all true Jews feel under similar circumstances, that his work was related to Jewish honor. He strove honestly to enhance through his own work the name and honor of the Jewish people, and in this he succeeded in no small degree.”
The happy fusion of Jewish loyalty and American patriotism exemplified in the life and work of Mr. Straus is also stressed by a number of non-Jewish papers. Says the New York “Herald-Tribune”:
“Mr. Straus was firmly attached to his faith and yielded to men of no other creed in belief in and warmth of devotion to American ideas and institutions.”
“This immigrant paid more than lip-service to American institutions. He was a patriot in the real meaning of the word. He was an American asset,” the “Evening World” remarks. While the “World” prefaces its editorial with the observation:
“Coming to this country a Jewish immigrant boy, Oscar Straus in his long career contributed public services notable even in a family distinguished for its public spirit.”
The New York “Telegram” feels that with the passing of Oscar Straus ends “one of the busiest and most useful careers of the notable Americans of foreign birth.”
Referring to the Straus family, the New York “American” declares: “Oscar, Isador and Nathan Straus, became exemplars of the finest traits of the American people — courage honesty, tenacity, fighting ability, kindliness, energy, love of family. The entire Straus family has been as notable for its domestic virtues as for its patriotism and for its benevolence.
“How much we owe.” the paper concludes, “to the free spirits whom American opportunity a half century or more ago lured as exiles to our shores ! How rich that did spirit of hospitality has trade us and how foolish now to cast it aside.”
“It is hard to say.” the New York “Times” observes at the end of a lengthy editorial enumerating Mr. Straus’ many achievement, “wherever Oscar Straus will be move mourned and longer remembered for his public services than for his unusual virtues and personal qualities.”
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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.
