[B] Dr. Herzl addressed a meeting of the Maccabean Club, at which
Israel Zangwill presided, on November 24th, 1895.
_VI. Conclusion_
How much has been left unexplained, how many defects, how many harmful
superficialities, and how many useless repetitions in this pamphlet,
which I have thought over so long and so often revised!
But a fair-minded reader, who has sufficient understanding to grasp
the spirit of my words, will not be repelled by these defects. He will
rather be roused thereby to cooperate with his intelligence and energy
in a work which is not one man's task alone, and to improve it.
Have I not explained obvious things and overlooked important
objections?
I have tried to meet certain objections; but I know that many more
will be made, based on high grounds and low.
To the first class of objections belongs the remark that the Jews are
not the only people in the world who are in a condition of distress.
Here I would reply that we may as well begin by removing a little of
this misery, even if it should at first be no more than our own.
It might further be said that we ought not to create new distinctions
between people; we ought not to raise fresh barriers, we should rather
make the old disappear. But men who think in this way are amiable
visionaries; and the idea of a native land will still flourish when
the dust of their bones will have vanished tracelessly in the winds.
Universal brotherhood is not even a beautiful dream. Antagonism is
essential to man's greatest efforts.
But the Jews, once settled in their own State, would probably have no
more enemies. As for those who remain behind, since prosperity
enfeebles and causes them to diminish, they would soon disappear
altogether. I think the Jews will always have sufficient enemies, such
as every nation has. But once fixed in their own land, it will no
longer be possible for them to scatter all over the world. The
diaspora cannot be reborn, unless the civilization of the whole earth
should collapse; and such a consummation could be feared by none but
foolish men. Our present civilization possesses weapons powerful
enough for its self-defence.
Innumerable objections will be based on low grounds, for there are
more low men than noble in this world. I have tried to remove some of
these narrow-minded notions; and whoever is willing to fall in behind
our white flag with its seven stars, must assist in this campaign of
enlightenment. Perhaps we shall have to fight first of all against
many an evil-disposed, narrow-hearted, short-sighted member of our own
race.
Again, people will say that I am furnishing the Anti-Semites with
weapons. Why so? Because I admit the truth? Because I do not maintain
that there are none but excellent men against us?
Will not people say that I am showing our enemies the way to injure
us? This I absolutely dispute. My proposal could only be carried out
with the free consent of a majority of Jews. Action may be taken
against individuals or even against groups of the most powerful Jews,
but Governments will never take action against all Jews. The equal
rights of the Jew before the law cannot be withdrawn where they have
once been conceded; for the first attempt at withdrawal would
immediately drive all Jews, rich and poor alike, into the ranks of
revolutionary parties. The beginning of any official acts of injustice
against the Jews invariably brings about economic crises. Therefore,
no weapons can be effectually used against us, because these injure
the hands that wield them. Meantime hatred grows apace. The rich do
not feel it much, but our poor do. Let us ask our poor, who have been
more severely proletarized since the last removal of Anti-Semitism
than ever before.
Some of our prosperous men may say that the pressure is not yet severe
enough to justify emigration, and that every forcible expulsion shows
how unwilling our people are to depart. True, because they do not know
where to go; because they only pass from one trouble into another. But
we are showing them the way to the Promised Land; and the splendid
force of enthusiasm must fight against the terrible force of habit.
Persecutions are no longer so malignant as they were in the Middle
Ages? True, but our sensitiveness has increased, so that we feel no
diminution in our sufferings; prolonged persecution has overstrained
our nerves.
Will people say, again, that our enterprise is hopeless, because even
if we obtained the land with supremacy over it, the poor only would go
with us? It is precisely the poorest whom we need at first. Only the
desperate make good conquerors.
Will some one say: Were it feasible it would have been done long ago?
It has never yet been possible; now it is possible. A hundred--or even
fifty years ago it would have been nothing more than a dream. Today it
may become a reality. Our rich, who have a pleasurable acquaintance
with all our technical achievements, know full well how much money can
do. And thus it will be; just the poor and simple, who do not know
what power man already exercises over the forces of Nature, just these
will have the firmest faith in the new message. For these have never
lost their hope of the Promised Land.
Here it is, fellow Jews! Neither fable nor deception! Every man may
test its reality for himself, for every man will carry over with him a
portion of the Promised Land--one in his head, another in his arms,
another in his acquired possessions.
Now, all this may appear to be an interminably long affair. Even in
the most favorable circumstances, many years might elapse before the
commencement of the foundation of the State. In the meantime, Jews in
a thousand different places would suffer insults, mortifications,
abuse, blows, depredation, and death. No; if we only begin to carry
out the plans, Anti-Semitism would stop at once and for ever. For it
is the conclusion of peace.
The news of the formation of our Jewish Company will be carried in a
single day to the remotest ends of the earth by the lightning speed of
our telegraph wires.
And immediate relief will ensue. The intellects which we produce so
superabundantly in our middle classes will find an outlet in our first
organizations, as our first technicians, officers, professors,
officials, lawyers, and doctors; and thus the movement will continue
in swift but smooth progression.
Prayers will be offered up for the success of our work in temples and
in churches also; for it will bring relief from an old burden, which
all have suffered.
But we must first bring enlightenment to men's minds. The idea must
make its way into the most distant, miserable holes where our people
dwell. They will awaken from gloomy brooding, for into their lives
will come a new significance. Every man need think only of himself,
and the movement will assume vast proportions.
And what glory awaits those who fight unselfishly for the cause!
Therefore I believe that a wondrous generation of Jews will spring
into existence. The Maccabeans will rise again.
Let me repeat once more my opening words: The Jews who wish for a
State will have it.
We shall live at last as free men on our own soil, and die peacefully
in our own homes.
The world will be freed by our liberty, enriched by our wealth,
magnified by our greatness.
And whatever we attempt there to accomplish for our own welfare, will
react powerfully and beneficially for the good of humanity.