We know not even whether it be
East or West. But be the road never so long, it cannot seem too long to
the wanderers of two thousand years."
Pinsker's impassioned appeal made a deep impression. It was obvious that
colonization would be the shortest road to renationalization. But as to
the place in which the colonies should be established, no agreement
could be reached. Pinsker, like Herzl after him, left the problem
unsolved. Some preferred America or even Spain. In southern Russia a
society, 'Am 'Olam (The Eternal Nation), was organized on communistic
principles. It sent an advance guard to the United States, where, as the
Sons of the Free, they established several settlements, the best-known
of which was New Odessa, in Oregon.[8] The majority, however, preferred
Palestine, the land which, in weal or woe, in pain or pleasure, remains
ever dear to the Jewish heart; the land to which the ancient exiles by
the waters of Babylon had vowed that sooner than forget her would their
right hands forget their cunning and their tongues cleave to the roofs
of their mouths; the possession whereof had been held out as the most
alluring promise, and to be deprived of which the prophets had regarded
as the severest punishment.
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