Condemning anti-Semitism as “an attack on the hopes of free men around the world,” Harold E. Stassen, former Governor of Minnesota, last night called upon the people of the United States to fight racial bigotry in this country. He spoke at a dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria launching the 1946 $5,000,000 campaign by the Joint Defense Appeal of the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League of the B’nai B’rith.
Judge Joseph M. Proskauer, president of the American Jewish Committee, who presided, called upon the people of the United States “to build a community free from State, prejudice and ill-will of man toward man.” He outlined the functions of the joint Defense Appeal and the work carried on by the American Jewish Committee and the anti-Defamation League, and pointed out that New York is expected to raise half of the $5,000,000 which the Joint Defenses Appeal seeks.
Emphasizing that the fight against bigotry conducted by the Jewish organizations is not an isolated battle, Stassen said: “Anti-Semitism is not only an attack in the Jews. Anti-Semitism is an attack on the American way of life. Anti-Semitism is an attack on the hopes of free men around the world. It must be recognized as such and dealt with as such. I am optimistic about the future. I do not underestimate the pensions and tragedies that follow in the wake of war. But there are a number of favorable developments since the war. First among these I would list the establishment of the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations Organization. This Commission will give world-wide emphasis to basic human rights.”
Enumerating other factors and developments which demonstrate the growth of inter-racial goodwill in this country, Stassen warned: “But let not this note of optimism dim our vigilance and determination in the months and years ahead. The seeds of hatred were sown widely and cleverly before the war, and the resultant vicious growth has not entirely disappeared. The recent Senate filibuster on F.E.P.C. and the contents of some of the filibustering speeches sharply point the dangers. Reports from Europe show the tragic aftermath of hatred and of war. Misinformation and misunderstandings are widespread. The efforts by subversive elements to thrive on discrimination are continuing. Some seek to increase the discrimination, as a means to divide and undermine. Others seek to exaggerate the discriminations, also as a means to divide and undermine.”
Henry Monsky, president of the B’nai B’rith, spoke of the role Stassen played at the San Francisco conference of the United Nations in securing the establishment of the Human Rights Commission. The dinner was attended by 1,600.
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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.
