Herzl, Theodor, 1860-1904; Zionism; Zionists -- Austria -- Biography
I believe that this power, if rightly employed, is powerful enough to
propel a large engine and to move passengers and goods: the engine
having whatever form men may choose to give it.
I am absolutely convinced that I am right, though I doubt whether I
shall live to see myself proved to be so. Those who are the first to
inaugurate this movement will scarcely live to see its glorious close.
But the inauguration of it is enough to give them a feeling of pride
and the joy of spiritual freedom.
I shall not be lavish in artistically elaborated descriptions of my
project, for fear of incurring the suspicion of painting a Utopia. I
anticipate, in any case, that thoughtless scoffers will caricature my
sketch and thus try to weaken its effect. A Jew, intelligent in other
respects, to whom I explained my plan, was of the opinion that "a
Utopia was a project whose future details were represented as already
extant." This is a fallacy. Every Chancellor of the Exchequer
calculates in his Budget estimates with assumed figures, and not only
with such as are based on the average returns of past years, or on
previous revenues in other States, but sometimes with figures for
which there is no precedent whatever; as for example, in instituting a
new tax. Everybody who studies a Budget knows that this is the case.
But even if it were known that the estimates would not be rigidly
adhered to, would such a financial draft be considered Utopian?
But I am expecting more of my readers. I ask the cultivated men whom I
am addressing to set many preconceived ideas entirely aside. I shall
even go so far as to ask those Jews who have most earnestly tried to
solve the Jewish Question to look upon their previous attempts as
mistaken and futile.
I must guard against a danger in setting forth my idea. If I describe
future circumstances with too much caution I shall appear to doubt
their possibility. If, on the other hand, I announce their realization
with too much assurance I shall appear to be describing a chimera.
I shall therefore clearly and emphatically state that I believe in the
practical outcome of my scheme, though without professing to have
discovered the shape it may ultimately take. The Jewish State is
essential to the world; it will therefore be created.
The plan would, of course, seem absurd if a single individual
attempted to do it; but if worked by a number of Jews in co-operation
it would appear perfectly rational, and its accomplishment would
present no difficulties worth mentioning. The idea depends only on the
number of its supporters. Perhaps our ambitious young men, to whom
every road of progress is now closed, seeing in this Jewish State a
bright prospect of freedom, happiness and honors opening to them, will
ensure the propagation of the idea.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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