ng teaches them the truth; for the
longer Anti-Semitism lies in abeyance the more fiercely will it break
out. The infiltration of immigrating Jews, attracted to a land by
apparent security, and the ascent in the social scale of native Jews,
combine powerfully to bring about a revolution. Nothing is plainer
than this rational conclusion.

Because I have drawn this conclusion with complete indifference to
everything but the quest of truth, I shall probably be contradicted
and opposed by Jews who are in easy circumstances. Insofar as private
interests alone are held by their anxious or timid possessors to be in
danger, they can safely be ignored, for the concerns of the poor and
oppressed are of greater importance than theirs. But I wish from the
outset to prevent any misconception from arising, particularly the
mistaken notion that my project, if realized, would in the least
degree injure property now held by Jews. I shall therefore explain
everything connected with rights of property very fully. Whereas, if
my plan never becomes anything more than a piece of literature, things
will merely remain as they are. It might more reasonably be objected
that I am giving a handle to Anti-Semitism when I say we are a
people--one people; that I am hindering the assimilation of Jews where
it is about to be consummated, and endangering it where it is an
accomplished fact, insofar as it is possible for a solitary writer to
hinder or endanger anything.

This objection will be especially brought forward in France. It will
probably also be made in other countries, but I shall answer only the
French Jews beforehand, because these afford the most striking example
of my point.

However much I may worship personality--powerful individual
personality in statesmen, inventors, artists, philosophers, or
leaders, as well as the collective personality of a historic group of
human beings, which we call a nation--however much I may worship
personality, I do not regret its disappearance. Whoever can, will, and
must perish, let him perish. But the distinctive nationality of Jews
neither can, will, nor must be destroyed. It cannot be destroyed,
because external enemies consolidate it. It will not be destroyed;
this is shown during two thousand years of appalling suffering. It
must not be destroyed, and that, as a descendant of numberless Jews
who refused to despair, I am trying once more to prove in this
pamphlet. Whole branches of Judaism may withe