Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-03-26
The Jews il the ConfederaeE.


Since the commencement Of the rebel
lion, Richmond has been visited by sWarms
Of Jews who have been attracted thither
by the sllurements Of game and the op.
portunities to use capital to advantages
during times Of disturbance Of social and
financial affairs. This state Of things
caused 6 large influx Of Jews to the Con-
federacy, both from Europe and the North.
Fer time all went sWimmingly and the
representatives Of this peculiar people
reaped golden harvests. At Richmond,
Charleston and Mobile, the Jews engaged
in active business pursuits. Seizing upon
the advantages the times gave them, with
thst shreWdness characteristics Of the race,
they levied tribute upon the necessities Of
the people.
Their very success in money-getting
excited sad called into existence feeling
Of hatred among the rebels against the
Jews, which has been manifested on va
rious occasions. A requisition for men
and money called for the exhibition
on the part Of the Jews Of those manly
virtues-generosity and patriotism. The
Jewish citizens were especially included
in this appeal, but instead Of responding
to it they tried to run off with the fortunes
they had realized in trading with the reb-
els. Some Of them tried to run the block
ade in vessels which had imported their
goods. Others suffered themselves to be
shrouded in eOfins and shipped of to Eu-
rope. Some more fortunate ran over the
lines and found q refuge in Washington,
Baltimore and New York. A few of these
were caught convicted Of blocksde-run-
ming, and sent to Forts Warren and La
fsyette. Those who did not escape JEFF.
Davis oonscription and tax bills, and who
were caught in their fight, were sent to
Libby Prison or Castle Thunder.
Another cshse Of compliant against the
Jews, was the cunning and adroitness
with which they avoided all commercial
regulations. The Jews did not pay much
attention to laws it was impossible to en-
force. They overrun the Confederaoy in
all directions, especially where cotton was
to be got; established depots Of that sta
pie in Savannah, Charleston, along the
Mississippi; went to Texas, crossed the
Rio Grsnde, invaded Mstsmorss, and soon
engrossed the whole trade of that city, 10
the great prejudice Of merchants Of long
standing, unable to compete with their
sdroitness, economy and unparalleled ao-
tivity. Very soon Mstamoras be oame the
capital of an Illicit trade, between the
Confederstes and European merchants and
spectators, in which the Jews acted as
agents. Large quantities Of cotton were
shipped from that port to England and
France, in return for which the rebels re-
ceived whole csrgoes Of those articles they
were in greatest need Of, such as blankets,
shoes, cloths, etc. This contrabsni trade
was carried on very briskly for over q
year, till the expedition Of General Banks
to Brownsville threw disorder and dismsy
among the Jewish speculstors, and obliged
them TO give up that region.
Compelled to fall back from that posi-
ton to a safer one, they then took an east
ern route, ranged the Mississippi shore,
made an inrosd into Alabama and Geor-
gis, purchasing and selling cotton wherev-
er they could, attempted to run the block
ade at Charleston and failed, and finally
settled in Wilmington, the only rebel port
Offering them some chance for contrsbsnd
trade. They shipped from that point sew
eral cargOes Of tobacco, cotton and rice to
European houses which sent them in re-
turn csrgoes Of wines and liquors, in such
abundance that Wilmington was actually
glutted.