Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-06-25
The Jews. As Citizens.

"NoT A SINGLE JEW REQUIRISG TEyPoax RI
LrEF."-Such is the report of the missionaries ana
coporteurs appointed by the New York Society
for the amelioration of the Jews in that city,
Exchange paper.
Such would be the report in almost every city
in the United States-we might say in the woc,l
This ancient race can boast that there are fevsr
paupers and fewer criminals than any other r~..
can exhibit. When the history of the Jevs d
considered; when the hardships trials, and 49,.
cutions to which they have been subjected arr
borne in mind, it is indeed wonderful that thex
should have retained most OF those better tr,its
that dignity and adorn civilized man. Opprss,,d
by rigorous laws in every country, defraudsd. In
suited, beaten, and spit upon by every people. n ia
surprising that they have not been rendered 6srce
resentful and malignant 1t is surprising too, that
they should have retained their elasticity and thar
business capacity.
Denied citizenship in the most of the countries
of Christendom, debarred from the pursuits of am,
bition, incapable of holding Offices of honor snd
profit, kicked and cufied by all mankind they hare
bent their energies to one object and that the &C.
cumulation of money. But even money. when Oh
tanned, attracted to them more rigorous perseu-
ton. That persecution, which broke their maaH
ness served at the same time to quicken their vita
sharpen their sagacity. and drive them into closer
and frmer brotherhood With no friends in The
wide world they learned to cling with afsctiouste
tenacity to one another. The wit that undsr ths;r
prosecutions enabled them to Accumulate mouey. 81
enabled them to conceal their treasures from the
vigilant eyes of their enemies. Many Of thsD,
even in the dark ages, were princes in wealth. but
very babes in the spirit and in heIpliness.
But, happily for this ancient race-shis. the
Oldest and purest of earth's aristocracy foe fbey
are descended from the kings, prophets and mobiles
of IsraeEhappily for them as the world become
enlightened ond christianized. persecution relazed
its hand, and privileges were accorded to them
Now, in this golden age, they are allowed to
come and go as they will They can choose chair
abiding-paces as inclination may dictate Bat the
liberal institutions of this favored land inducs
many to live amongst us. The jew here has the
same privileges, social religious and political, that
any other class enjoys. He exercises the right Of
suffrage. He is eligible to Office All the profes-
sions that ambition delights in. all the pursxits
that the love of gain incnes to, are open to the
jew as to any other man.
The habit of aequisitiveness which seems to be
natural but which may be the result Of opprssaiop.
still clings to them. They seldom enter the pro
fessions. They seldom turn their attention to
politics. They seldom till the soil. They seam to
prefer trade and commerce.
Yet some of the finest lawyers and orators that
this country can boast Of belong to the ancient
Jewish race. We did not, however, design writ
ing an essay on this subject. That would be better
adapted to a review, than Journal like oursL-
We only intended to call attention to that fact Ia
yeloped in the statistics of the country, that the
Jews are among our best citizens II we entar
penitentiary prison of any description the mark
ed face Of the Israeite is rarely to be seen witAa
its walls. Such thing Jew in poOr-houss vas
hardly ever known. jews seldom commit murder
or any of those crimes and offences that are Iuarsd
by violence and passion. The offences committed
by them and they of rare occurrence are frAads
and small larcenies. A Jewish beggar ia thing
almost unknown.
But they are generally regarded as close snd
cold-hearted race. That they towards the
outside world, is perhaps true for their boustiss
charities and benevolence are rarely extended be-
| yond their race and brotherhood. But none can
| deny that they take of their poor, ee2fqyt
their afflicted and relieve their distressed In this
| they set example worthy Of all imitation Tbsy
are among the best, most orderly, welI-disPossd of
! our citizens.
/