Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1864-04-06
Beast Butler and the Jews.

Some time since General Butler statet
in an official telegram that give Jews wer,
captured trying to run the blockade, etc.
Forthwith Mr.. NJ. S. Isaacs, of $50 Mas
sau. street, New York, addressed him let
ter, iuquiring why be specified the religion
of these contraband traders, and comment
ing upon the fact as an invidious religious
distinction. Butler, in reply, explains tha
the phrase was meant to "designate nation
ality; not religion" as one would say "fivt
Irishmen, FIVE Germans, or five Italians
He adds: .'.,.
81 have always considered the Jews {
nationality, although possessing no country
The closeness with which they cling togeth
er, the aid which they afford each other
on all proper, and sometimes improper oc
casions,, the fact that nearly all of them
pursue substantially the same employment
so far as l have known them-that of ira
ders, merchants and baDkers-the very
general obedience to the prohibition against
marriage with Gentiles their faith, which
looks forward to the time when they are tc
be gathered together in the former land Of
their nation-all serve to show closer tie
of kindred and nation among the Hebrews,
and a greater homogenity than belongs to
any other nation, although its people live
in closer proximity"
Repeating his disclaimer of any reaec.
ton upon their national religion, the Beast
tsays it is net unreasonable nto suppose there
may be in all the Jews of the South two
of whom certainly are in the Confederate
Cabinet) at least ,fve Jews who might at
tempt to carry on contraband trade"
Mr.. Isaacs promptly replied, expressing
his regret at so grievous q misconception,
or rather conflict of ideas as to the meaning
of the term "Jew." He says that he is an
American by birth, but Jew in the sense
that Butler is Christian. (Query: Is
Butler Christian y He undertakes to
prove that it is Ga serious mistake to charge
that the liberal professions are avoided by
the Israelites," and contends that "the ar
my, navy, and marine corps have fair
representation of Israelites, some of them
distinguished, all earnest and patriotic. -
One regiment is composed mainly of Israel
ties. Mr.. Isaacs proceeds: .-.....
"You will not forget, when reminding
me that there are two Jews in the rebel
cabinet, (who is the other besides Benja-
min p that pattern of distinction in the
church militant is Maori General in Davis
army, and that Davis himself processes to
be devout member of.the church. There
are traitors among professors of Judaism,
unfortunately, as we'll as among Christians.
A good Jew can no more be traitor to
our flag than an earnest believer in Chris
tianity can be numbered among those who
speculate on the miseries of their country
Mr.. Benjamin does not adhere to Judaism
he married Christian"
Mr.. l., in conclusion, requests that when
any men with foreign patronymic is cap
tured hereafter, his nationality may be des.
ignated by calling him German, Russian or
French, as the case may be, and not Jew.
The correspondence closes with letter
from Butler, in which he says:
~ am very glad to have my opinions
corrected by one who apparently under
stands so well the condition of the Hebrews
as nation, and of their faith as religion.
81 admit that my experience with men
of the Jewish faith or nation has been an
unfortunate one.
"LiVing in an inland town in Massachu.
sets prior to the war, I had met but few,
and since the war, those whom 1 have seen
have been principally engaged in the occu-
pations which caused the capture which has
occasioned this correspondence, and you
yourself will admit that mode of making
their acquaintance has not been favora-
BILE one. I refer to Mr.. Memminger,o of the
Confederate Cabinet. l have also been in
formed that Mr. Mallory is also ofthe Jew
ish faith or naieuatIty.
m acknowledge the fairness of the bit in
regard to Maj. Gen. Polk and Davis. They
are both members of the Christian Church
upon whose services I attend" -.
ssShe above correspondence is published in
tssaessssgish MessenasrT(N. Y.,) and the
/ ealsor seNS in note that "neither Mem
minger nom alloy are of the Jewish faith.
Inc latter Is gably confounded with Ex-
Senator ulee' now engaged in res.
Wing. Is,
) LETTUCE aN9 ebg Mi is sta.