The Basel Congress, by Theodore Herzl – Vilna 1897 – end of the first Zionist congress – German – rare!

An important and touching article which Binyamin Ze'ev Herzl wrote immediately after the first Zionist congress, in which he describes his impressions of the congress and the influence of the congress on the general population. He also explains the direction of the Zionist movement and the nature of its activities. We have before us the original and rare edition of the booklet, which is written in German.
Amongst other things, Herzl writes: "we see an important action, whose power is new and great: the Basel Congress! In the congress the Jews showed by their decisions and their clear opinions, that they are a nation". Herzl points out the inherent innovation of the Zionist movement in comparison to the actions that were taken beforehand: "many said, that the Zionist way which I have chosen, is no different than those which preceded it in their attempts, Baron Hirsch and many other generous people, who tried to transform the poor people of our nation into farmers. But I think that my way is different than their way. Baron Hirsh, and similarly Chovevei Zion approached their activities as private acquirements, whereas we, the state Zionists want to establish our movement on the community judgement".
Herzl describes at length the strong influence which the impassioned speeches which were given at the congress had, and amongst other things writes: "the rabbi from Basel (Rabbi Asher Michoel Cohen), who was not a member of the Congress but rather came as an individual person to contemplate and to listen, got up on the stage at the end of the gathering, and in heartfelt words publicly admitted that he was a total opponent of Zionism, and now he has changed his mind. And this straight man, who we also respected up until now, when he was our opponent, now he is one of the expanders of our movement".
"Like a prophetic turn of phrase the scattered ones of Israel were gathered from the four corners of the earth and came to the congress in Basel" Herzl enthuses in his writing, and in his poetic language describes the historic feeling which existed at the congress: "what did we feel at that time, when our nation rose to resurrection, and opened its eyes for the first time? The eyes of old men, who have already gone gray, shed tears. Fire showing strong willpower burned in the eyes of the youth".
Published by the "Welt" newspaper in Vilna, which Herzl founded. The official newspaper of the World Zionist organization.
22 pages.
Size: 21 cm.
Condition: very good. Some of the copies have a cover and others, such as the one before us, does not. Written in German by hand.