The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-04
From the New York Commercial Advertiser

The HEBREws.--We have chroncled divers
movements by several of the European govern
ments for the removal at least the Moderation, of
various disabilities heretofore imposed by law on
this ancient people. In England, France, Prussia,
several of the minor German States Sweden, Den
mark, and even in Russia laws have been enacted,
tending more or less toward placing this class of
citizens the same level with others in point Of
eligibility to Offices of various grades, and throwing
open TO them, as to Others the paths through which
men may hope to arrive at honors and distinctions.
There is something more be done, however, than
the mere removal Of civil disabilities there is a pre-
JUDGE to be overcome; and though legal enactments
may have influence TO this effect, the perfect
work cannot be accomplished without moral agen-
cies.
Such agencies may be applied in two modes, and
by two classes of agents The Jews themselves
have resting on them large share Of the work to
be performed, by exhibitions of personal exceen-
cies; and it must be admitted that they not back
ward in the cause, when it is remembered that there
are such men as Cremieux, Monefore, Rothschild,
Mendelsohn, Jacopi, and many others in Europe,
and when we run over the long list of Hebrews in
this country who have done honor to themselves
and their by traits Of intellectual and moral ex-
celence. The rest is TO be accomplished by those
who are not Hebrews--by generous recognition of
Jewish good qualities-by bearing frank testimony,
ofpraiseand by taking judicious advantage of every
favorable occasion to correct erroneous judgments,
and do away irrational prejudces.
A notable instance of generous action on this prin-
ciple occurred some time ago, in the British House
of Lords the second reading of bill for the re.
moval of certain disabilities resting Jews in Eng
land. The Lord Chancellor, after explaining the
nature of the BILL and pointing out the hardship and
injustice of the existing provisions which it was de-
signed to remove, spoke thus on the general sub.
ject:
81 say nothing as to what takes place in France
in Belgium, in the United States and, above ALL in
Holland, where, without any restriction during a
great number of years. persons Of the Jewish reIi-
gion have been admitted to high Offices and no in
convenience has resulted from the measure, which
has met with the general concurrence Of persons OF
liberal and enlightened minds. less liberal policy
prevails in the Austrian states and in Germany,
but there also they beginning to relax in their
rigor. Prussia has set the example to the Ger.
man states. There, persons of the Jewish religion
are admitted to the schools and the universities
where they read lectures and take degrees The
| most admirable consequences have resulted from
this proceeding, for some OF the most learned men
| in those universities--those who have most dis
tinguished themselves in literature and science
are among those persons. As proof of the
good effects produced in Prussia by this liberty ac
] forded to the Jews, will read passage from a let
| ter addressed 10 me- in answer to one from myself
making inquiries on the subject, by one whose au.
thory is such as to place his opinion above all con-
troversy. He says The civil disabilities have
been removed in Prussia earlier than in any of IN,
other German states, This, and the admission q
the schools, have had the effect Of showing the supe
riority of the race in intellectual activity and power
Jews, converted and uncovered, hold the highes
places in civil life; and those who occupy emnen
places are greatly out of proportion point of mum
bers, if we compare their numbers with the rest o
the population This confirms, my lords what
said of the results that have followed elsewhere t.
literature and science from the removal of these dis
abilities; and urge these things in order to answer
the objections started by vulgar minds who first de
grade the objects of their dislike by civil restrictions
and then urge that degradation arguments for III,
continuance of those restrictions"
! The bill was supported by the Marquis Of Lans