. .
. Gentler spirits will call my ideas utopian. But what is
the difference between a utopian scheme and a possible one?
. . . a possible scheme rests . . . on a known and existent
propelling force.
The
force we need is created in us by anti-Semitism. Some people
will say that what I am doing is to kindle anti-Semitism
afresh. This is not true, for anti-Semitism would continue
to increase irrespective of my project, so long as the causes
of its growth are not removed . . .
People
will say that I am furnishing our enemies with weapons.
This is also untrue, for my proposal can only be carried
out with the free consent of a majority of Jews. Individuals,
or even powerful bodies of Jews might be attacked, but governments
will take no action against the collective nation . . .
Again
it will be said that our enterprise is hopeless
because . . . only the poorest Jews will go there [to Palestine].
But it is precisely the poorest whom we need to go first.
Only desperados make good conquerors. The rich and well-to-do
will follow later. . . .
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. Let each
of them but think of himself, and what vast proportions
the movement must assume! And what glory awaits those who
fight unselfishly for the cause! A wondrous generation of
Jews will spring into existence. The Maccabeans
will rise again.
