Speech #620062242

It is appropriate that a Democratic House should pass this resolution. for the Democratic Party has at all times concerned itself to maintain. and enforce the fundamental. and constitutional rights of the citizen. without regard to creed or race. The platform of this party declares that: We demand that all over the world a duly authenticated passport. issued by the Government of the United States to an American citizen. shall be proof of the fact that he is an American citizen. and shall entitle him to the treatment due him as such. We pledge. ourselves to insist upon the just and lawful protection of our citizens at home. and abroad. and to use all proper methods to secure for them whether nativeborn. or naturalized. and without distinction of race. or creed. the equal protection of law. and the enjoyment of all rights. and privileges open to them under our treaties. Russia insists that the treaty of 1832 means that "American Jews shall have such rights only in Russia as are accorded by that Government to its own citizens of that faith." Even if the terms of the treaty were ambiguous. it is inconceivable that this Government would ever consent to an interpretation of its language which would deny to one class of our citizens rights freely accorded to others. who rest their claim to the privileges conferred by the treaty. solely on the fact that they are American citizens. .Apparently the Russian Government holds to the view that it can unilaterally annul this compact. and in the full enjoyment of its benefits on their part. deny to a portion of our citizens the reciprocal rights which the plain terms of the instrument affords. It is time for this Government to impress upon the Emperor of all the Russias. the fundamental fact that " the Jewish citizens of this country. under our Constitution. laws. treaties. and actual practice. are the equals of all other citizens." and enjoy the fullest protection of our lawsthat our treaties are the supreme law of the land. and are made for the benefit of all the people.