The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-10-12
KEOKUK, IOWA . FRIDAY. OCTOBER H. 1886.

vAea1lsy sf the Jewish Rass - 0arsps.
Very interesting papers on this subject are
furnished in the journal Of the Statistical So>
cietHof Pans end ia tie eannals Of Hygiene
aud Eeksa Medicine in the sssne city. Our
restricted limits will confine us to q brief no.
tice ,f their contents. NJ. Legoyt, the author
OF the first Of these papers, truly says: The
history Of the Jews is, in many respects, one
of the grand episodes of modern civilization.
We cannot but wonder 1t their persistent and
eventually victorious struggles against i'm
placable persecutions, insugated As we'll by
religious hatred as by q desire to become
possessed OF their great riches; their force OF
expansion, which led them to emigrate to all
parts Of the known world; the concentration
IN their hands of q large part OF international
trade; the triple agency, OF an admirably
special aptitude for trade aud finance; z, OF
sounder notions of the power of credit, at q
time when Gnproductive concealment and
boarding were the methods OF saving; 8, their
exclusion, by the laws Of the countries which
tolerated their stay in them, from all active
empioynents; the adhesion to their religion,
Notwithstanding the incessant endeavors to
proselyte, which were often strengthened by
the secular arm; the not less determined re-
tention in the land of their exile, of the man.
ners, customs and traditions OF Judea their
refusal TO mix with the races by which they
were surrounded; finally certain energetic
vitality superior to those races, which enables
them TO be readily acclimated in all parts OF
the world
We behold in the Jews people whose
records show fewer marriages, smaller num-
Der of children, fewer deaths OF them IN
family, u smaller number of still bosn, more
older persons, fewer suicides, larger mean
duration Of life. The Isrsehte weighs care-
fully the responsibilities and cares Of matri-
mpny, and is slower in taking on its bonds.
If the marriages Of his people are less fruit.
full, more time is allowed tor mother $ care
and tenderness, and hence the less propor-
tionate mortality of Jewish children to the
population at large. NJ. Legoyt expresses
his surprise at the large number of Jews who
live 10 a very advanced age. Their temper
ate habits explain good degree ofthls favor
able result Their sobriery has always been
known intoxication is rare-habitual drunk
ards can hardly be found. We see here
practical commentary on the saying OF the
celebrated Haller, thatby far the larger mum
Der of those who were noted for their long
evity were sober and lived plainly. To this
course the Jews wonld be naturally led by
the die.etic incnlcetions of the Mosaic laws.
The love OF family, SO strong IN the Jewish
people, insures constant care of the children
and the aged, and to their poor assured and
judicious assistance. Their charity is with
out limit. Their fortitude and serenity Of
mind under trials are marked features in
their character, and can only be accounted
for by their deep faith and conndinguess in
over ruling Providence.
The Jewish population in the different
countries Of Europe is estimated in table
before us. to be 4,672 49,, Prussia not in
eluded Russia contains The largest number,
] .425, ia. Next comes Austris i.o5s, Ia.
| bird on the lis, is Poland, 599,s75 Ing
land shows Is 900, and Ireland the loves,
figure of all being only 3D.. The National
Almanac for lse4 sets down the Jewish pop
ulatinn of the United States at 100000
This is an estimate, and evidently not too
high