[Footnote 3:  Congressional Record, Vol. 13, part 7, Appendix, p. 651 et seq.  The speech is accompanied by an elaborate tabulated statement of the pogroms and a map of the area in which they had taken place.]

Is it said that the Russian peasantry, and not the Government, are responsible, I answer:  If the peasantry of Russia are too ignorant or debased to understand the nature of this cruel persecution, they have warrant for their conduct in the customs and laws of Russia to which I have referred.  These discriminate against the Jews.  They have reference to their isolation, their separation from Russian protection, their expulsion from certain parts of the Empire, and their religion.  When a peasant observes such forceful movements and authoritative discriminations in a Government against a race, it arouses his ignorance, and inflames his fanatical zealotry.  Adding this to the jealousy of the Jews as middlemen and business-men, and you may account for, but not justify, these horrors.  The Hebraic-Russian question has been summed up in a few words:  “Extermination of two and one-half millions of mankind because they are—­Jews!” [1]

[Footnote 1:  loc. cit., p. 653.]

After giving an elaborate account of the horrors which had taken place in Russia during 1881, he wound up his speech with the following eloquent appeal: 

This people is one of the survivors, with Egypt, China and India, of the infancy of mankind.  It is at the mercy of the cruel despot of the North.  With a lineage unrivalled for purity, a religious sentiment and ethics drawn out of the glory and greatness of Mount Sinai ... with an eternal influence from its law-givers, prophets, and psalmists never vouchsafed to any language, race or creed, It outlives the philosophies and myths of Greece and the grandeur and power of Rome.  It is this race, broken-hearted and scattered, to which the Czar of all the Russias adds the enormities of his rule upon the victims of the ignorance and slander of the ages.  The birthright of this race is thus despoiled; and, Sir, have we no word of protest?  Struggling against adversities which no other people have encountered, do they not yet survive—­the wine from the crushed grape? [1]

[Footnote 1:  loc. cit., p. 656.]

The resolution introduced by him on that occasion was to the following effect: 

Whereas the Government of the United States should exercise its influence with the Government of Russia to stay the spirit of persecution as directed against the Jews, and protect the citizens of the United States resident in Russia, and seek redress for injuries already inflicted, as well as to secure by wise and enlightened administration the Hebrew subjects of Russia and the Hebrew citizens of the United States resident in Russia against the recurrence of wrongs; Therefore

Resolved, That the President of the United