The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-08-04
JUDAH ToURo-THE HEBREW RACE.

One of the most estlmable men known TO
New Orleans was Judah Touro, Jew. He
had been for a number Of years resident of
tha: city, which be adorned by his virtues and
charities. II would seem that he formerly
lived in Newport, (R. L) To that place his
remains were conveyed for intermeat of the
ceremonies accompanying which we find the
following account in the New Orleans Pica-
yune:
"The Funeral of Judah Touro- The
Providence Journal of the 9th inst, contains a
full account of the funeral of our late lament
ed fellow-citizen, in the cemetery given by
himself years ago to the town of Newport, r.
l. He was buried by the side of his mother,
in accordance with his last wishes. The re-
mains were borne into the same synagogue
where his own father ministered eighty years
ago. Rev. Mr.. Guthelm, of this city, CON-
menced the funeral services and pronounced a
fitting eulogium. A large and distinguished
procession followed the body to the cemetery;
during which the bells Of the city were tolled,
and the places of business were closed. Rev.
Mr.. Lesser, of Philadelphia, then pronounced
an appropriate discourse. The Coffin being
lowered into the grave, quantity of earth
from Palestine was then thrown upon it by
Rev. Mr. lsaacs, of New York, who made
some remarks. Each Rabbi, and many of the
laity threw earth into the grave three times.
And then it closed upon Judah Touro, and the
last (says the JournaD OF his family, the name
being now extinct"
What hallowed affection and what tenacity
of purpose it argues to find a race who have
been exiled from their native land for eighteen
centuries still so clinging to its memory that,
wherever its members die, they are not con-
tent to be buried without there is also buried
with them some of the soil which bore up the
forefathers of their race! The most miracu-
lous fact in all history is the purity Of the
Jewish blood. Nothing has been suffered to
debase or contaminate it. The Jews seldom
intermarry with other races; yet have capaci-
ties and energies equal to that of any race on
record. This fact of itself coniutes the idle
notion, that race must run out, unless it is
crossed with other races. The generic char
acter of the Jews seem to be indestructible.
No matter how they may be scattered and
peeled" its features stand out always promi-
nent. No persecution, no sufferings, can
either obiterate or change them. What other
race has stood such awful trials and lived ?
What other race has so often again and again
come out of the fiery furnace unchanged,
with hardly so much as the smell of the smoke
upon its garments! The Assyrian, the Chal-
dean and the Mede, who once subjugated the
Jews, have perished from the face of the earth.
The Egyptians also led the Jews captive, but
who can recognize the old Egyptian in the
modern Copt!
Once, the Jews were a people divided
among themselves. Divisions destroyed them.
But, since their dispersion, these feuds have
been forgotten. They now live to cultivate
the most fraternal affection among all the
fragments of their scattered race. Separated
by language, by manners, and by geographical
boundaries, they are one in heart; and we
might add almost one in face. This fraternal
affection is mighty bond of union, and a
sure guarantee Of perpetuity for their race
1t is, we believe, the porten of great events
yet to be more fully revealed. The undying
love for Judea which pervadcs tho heart Of
every Jew the world over, may realize the
hope SO widely diffnsed among them of resto.
ration to their native land. Ia Palestine might
be again revived that splendid and solid Jew.
ish Commonwealth which has once already
illustrated the Holy Land. For the erection
of such State the genius Of the Jew is per-
fectly adequate, Judea may be again the seat
of gifted seers, of inspired teachers, of bards
equaled only by the Prophets and Psalmist
who touched the harp of old, Of famous law
givers, of men deservedly renowned in the
Cabinet, the Senate and the field. Perhaps a
splendid commerce more than riyalnp all
that we read of that magnificent intercourse
between Solomon and Hiram, King of Tyre,
would again spring up on the ocean waters of
Judea. The architecture of renovated Judea
may restore the glories of the Temple in its
palmy days. An originally great race that can
cherish its history, preserve its faith and pro-
tect the purity of its blood like the Jews, must
be reserved for great achievements through
the nstrumentalty Of a national sovereignty.
That the Jews will be gathered and reunited
under one political head seems but manifest
destiny.