When later on, Mrs. Benas entered, he kissed her hand. Not a word was
said; yet they knew that each understood the other and that they were in
accord. When the rest of the company joined them, nothing betrayed their
secret conference. After dinner they gathered in the small drawing-room.
Dr. Weilen's tactfulness made it easy to guide the conversation into
general channels. He told of the successes of Germany's colonial policy,
and what far-reaching significance it possessed.
"I do not quite understand why this policy is so obstinately opposed
here," said Mr. Benas.
"It is because the masses are short-sighted, and appreciate nothing that
cannot be realized in the near future. Their hand-to-mouth mode of
living is the standard by which they measure everything. Why spend money
upon ventures that will profit only future generations? Decidedly not.
What nonsense! Here are the pennies, here is the bread for their own
stomachs. What business of ours is it, if the coming generation eats
cake instead of hard, dry bread? To-day's policy knows no to-morrow.
Such is the logic of the narrow-minded and the illiberal, the philosophy
of an insect with one day to live. It is obvious why the people espouse
the policy, but it will not do to have it become the dominant policy. It
has always been necessary to force upon the masses what was for their
own good. Reformers and tyrants have had to apply the same formulae. They
have always had to be firm, resolute, not easily discouraged. They had
to rule! Whatever they regarded as right, had to be carried through at
every cost. World-power cannot be attained under a narrow local policy."
"Do you set great store by our colonial policy?"
"Decidedly so. For a long time I worked in the colonial department, and
even now I take pleasure in following up our colonial affairs. The more
I look into the matter, the more I am convinced that a world-power can
be properly developed only upon a colonial basis."
"The Palestinian agricultural colonies for the Eastern Jews are also a
part of the colonial policy," Hugo said; and addressing himself directly
to Dr. Weilen, he added: "I don't know whether this has ever occupied
your attention."
"Surely it has; how can you doubt it? How could anyone who is chiefly
occupied with such affairs pass it by unheeding? Was it likely that I
would be the exception? On the whole it is a matter that attracts more
attention than is generally supposed, even in well-informed circles. The
efforts now being made are well known. They are taken note of, even
though not with approval. Projects for the formation of an independent
government would certainly not be favored. People might smile pityingly
or contemptuously at them, perhaps oppose them as hostile to the
constituted authorities. But the formula of reformers and tyrants
applies to the Jews as well: let them be strong of will, indomitable,
not easily discouraged, and persistent."
"Dr. Weilen!" The exclamation rang with doubt and hope. Hugo stared with
burning eyes, in an attempt to read Victor's meaning. Was he trifling,
or was he serious? Henry likewise looked at the speaker with surprise;
his eyes seemed to plead: "Do not make mock of what is sacred to us."
Then a menacing expression lit up his beautiful, noble face, as he
said: "The leaders of this cause are aware of the importance of their
undertakings, and they surely do not lack courage to carry them
through."
"Are you amongst the leaders?"
"Not yet, but I hope to be; at any rate my life is entirely dedicated to
the cause."
He glanced involuntarily from Dr. Weilen to Rita, and a pained smile
flitted across his lips.
Dr. Weilen caught the glance, and noticed that Rita's pale face had
flushed. In a flash, he recognized the tragedy of his young life; this
enthusiast loved her. But devotion to his ideals, to his unhappy race,
was the stronger motive, and like a hero, he bade adieu to all desires
and hopes, strangled them before they could command him. Rita must have
had some suspicion of his feelings, else why had she blushed? He looked
at her, but her eyes revealed only the most complete surrender to
himself. Deep sympathy for Henry possessed him. A bond united them.
Henry had looked on the lovely flower, had watched in silence the
glorious unfolding of its petals. As a friend of her brother, her
friend, too, and a favorite of the family, he might have won her. But
voluntarily he renounced her, and chose to tread the thorny path, at
whose distant, far distant end beckoned the fulfilment of his ideals.
How could he resign her? He studied the young man. How could he give her
up,--Rita? His eyes sought Rita. On her countenance lay the reflection
of happy pride and inner contentment. It had made her ineffably happy to
hear him speak as he did of the question that engaged her sympathies,
chiefly because it formed the supreme interest of the brother to whom
she was attached so intimately and lovingly. Mrs. Benas likewise showed
her satisfaction with Dr. Weilen's attitude, and she looked triumphantly
first at her son and then at her husband.
A slight, somewhat skeptical smile played about Mr. Benas's lips, while
Hugo, not able wholly to control his excitement, exclaimed:
"And you yourself, Dr. Weilen, what is your opinion of the movement?"
"From a purely theoretical point of view, as I said, I am throughout in
favor of a colonial policy. I consider the expansion and the extension
of our possessions an absolute necessity in order to meet the increased
needs of the nation. I admire the keen foresight of the Emperor, who has
recognized this, and has made it his chief aim to fill the arteries of
the kingdom with fresh, strong blood. The advantages of the undertaking
will become apparent only to future generations, and it will then be
difficult to understand the opposition of those who objected to his
plans; and that for small considerations, because money considerations
are always petty, unless they further great ends. To save at the wrong
time and at the wrong place is always a poor policy; and to try to set
aside important matters with trifling jests is simply stupid. You can't
help despising your opponents, when you know positively that they don't
understand what they oppose. In the minds of those who are thoroughly
interested in the subject, there is no doubt that the coming century
will be largely occupied with the development of colonial affairs, and
that such measures will decidedly affect social conditions. Mistakes
will be made. There will be disappointments, but every pioneer
enterprise must contend with that. The method of the reformer and the
tyrant will have to be enforced, as has so often been done in the
history of mankind. There is a power that stands behind justice, which
obstinacy converts into injustice."
Here he paused and considered. His explanations had been listened to
with the greatest interest. No objection was interposed, and so he
continued: "Now in regard to the colonial plans of the Jews: no
objection will be made by those who have accepted the colonial policy as
their programme, and who expect in the near future to see a practical
fulfilment of their carefully evolved plans. Why should not the most
beneficial results come from such colonization? Civilization will in its
movement return from West to East, where it began. Why should not the
descendants of those who carried it from its source to all quarters of
the earth be the ones to bring it back? But I must not conceal from you
that this is merely my personal view of the matter. Recently, when I
became absorbed in the question, because I had acquired an especial
interest in it,"--he said this with unmistakable pointedness--"I found
that I did not look at it from a merely objective and logical point of
view, but that my sentiments were involved. At crucial moments you
remember that you are the great-grandson of Rabbi Akiba Friedlaender.
With pride I recall that our great-grandfather, Rabbi Eliezer, with one
of his sons-in-law,--I think it was your father, Mrs. Benas,--was given
an audience by Frederick William III in order to discuss the
colonization of the Jews in Palestine, and to beg his protection. So
long ago as that, and he an old Rabbi from the province of Posen! What
crops out in me as a practical interest in colonial schemes, and what
makes you, my friend, so deeply devoted to the cause, may be the legacy
of our ancestry. Possibly this prevents us from judging these matters
quite fairly; but, then, our family, in whom this idea has been kept
alive for generations, may fitly uphold it without incurring the charge
of being dreamers or political schemers."
He noticed how Rita's face was transfigured while he spoke. He saw that
his host was pleased, and that Mrs. Benas was beaming with calm content,
and showed her pleasure and pride, that a descendant of Rabbi Akiba
Friedlaender should hold these views. He felt Henry's inspired gaze rest
upon him in questioning surprise, and in Hugo's face he read the same
sentiments that filled his own soul at the time.
"If only we could shout to the entire race," the boy exclaimed, overcome
with emotion, "'Don't forget your glorious past, be proud of your
mission among the peoples of the earth, endure sorrow in hope of the day
when you will enjoy an endless period of honor and self-confidence.'"
Rita rose involuntarily, and stood next to her brother. Henry had also
drawn near to his friend; and the three young people formed an
impressive group--Hugo in the proud posture of a conqueror, Henry with
the devoted expression of apostolic enthusiasm, and Rita in pure
happiness, the embodiment of youth and beauty awaiting victory. Dr.
Weilen, regarding the trio pensively, went on to say:
"Young Israel may not be deprived of its ideals; those ideals are too
worthy, too potent, to be lost; their peculiarity should be cherished,
not destroyed." He looked feelingly at Rita, and she seemed to accept
the glance as a promise. Mrs. Benas also read the message and a faint
smile of content passed over her lips.
The conversation then assumed a more general character, although they
came back several times to the subject that had given Dr. Weilen
occasion to present his views. Dr. Rosenfeld found an opportunity to
express his opinions of the present position of the Jews. He spoke in
his melancholy, but sympathetic manner:
"It is quite inexplicable that the Jew so often lacks courage to
acknowledge to himself exactly what he is. The adherents of other faiths
think they must protect themselves against Jewish influence, and they
fear a loss of their national peculiarities. Astounding that this
instinct of self-preservation is lacking in the Jew! That he is not
proud and haughty enough to defend his characteristics and to uphold
them, just as the other races do, especially since his inheritance
includes such worthy and brilliant qualities. Until recent times there
was a bond that united the Jews, it is true, not in free, courageous
self-consciousness, but in humility and subjection. The bond was their
faith. But to-day, when this faith is shaken,--for as soon as the
revered old forms and customs are changed, it becomes insecure,--to-day
when among many Jews this faith is undermined by destructive criticism,
by the onslaught of rationalism, something else must take its place, and
that something is historical consciousness. Everywhere except among the
Jews the feeling of nationality has reached a higher expression than
ever. Yet the consciousness of their great past and of their mighty
cultural development would justify their taking such a position. It is
urged that the religious, conservative Israelite will continue to exist
despite the modern Jew; but one thing is forgotten, that every new
generation is the modern generation; the old die off to make room for
the younger. But where among the new, the newer, and the newest, in
generation after generation, do you find those who maintain their
traditions unaltered? Let us not deceive ourselves. Where is the Jewish
home to-day like the home of yesterday? The spirit of the new age has
brought about a change even in families maintaining the old traditions
with reverence and pride. At best, in some quiet, retired corner they
build a temple in memory of the past, possibly only when an aged,
venerable member of the family guards the sanctuary like a priest and
patriarch."
"Rosenfeld," teased Mr. Benas, "your allusions are plainly personal."
"Forgive me, Mr. Benas," he answered, his pale face flushing, "it was no
hidden allusion, but a plain reference to the example of your family,
all the members of which, though living a modern life, and having
discarded religious tradition, yet are preparing to celebrate a festival
according to the old Jewish custom. What is bringing them together,
however, is not their faith, not their customs, but one of their number,
who has attained the age of a patriarch,--an old man whom they wish to
honor, whom they regard with devotion and affection. This old sage will
be ninety years old, and these sentiments of the occasion are purely
personal, concerning a single individual. It is not faith, only filial
reverence. How long will Israel continue to have patriarchs? How long
will honor be brought to them? And if this bond is broken, and the
historical sentiment does not grow strong in Israel to take its place,
what then? There are many who say, Our mission fulfilled, we dare not
complain, if we, the small minority, dissolve as an independent
influence. One cannot oppose such a view; there is much to justify it,
and it contains much truth. But it is a sad truth, and I should not
like it to be my conviction; for I would not have my race to disappear.
It is worthy to survive. It has great and glorious possibilities. Under
the sunshine of a free development these will blossom forth and bear
fine fruit and make Israel great among the nations."
His speech was apparently dispassionate, and his arguments were set
forth clearly and objectively. But his voice vibrated, as with
suppressed grief, a bitter appeal, and inner distress. His noble, quiet
countenance seemed to convey a silent plaint, but the speech of his eyes
was eloquent. They expressed entreaty, enthusiasm, and hope.
Mr. Benas was lost in thought, while Hugo impulsively clasped his
friend's hand.
The suspense and excitement that had taken hold of all was broken only
when Mrs. Benas asked them to think of more material matters, and
invited them to take a glass of beer or wine and a sandwich. The clever
woman had waited for the right moment. They chatted yet a while of
indifferent matters. Somewhat later, when Dr. Weilen found himself alone
with Rita, he asked: "Who is this Dr. Rosenfeld?"
"A student friend of Hugo's. Hugo brought him here, and he has become a
favorite of all of us."
"Of you, too, Rita?"
"Yes," she said simply.