The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-15

American Judaism-social aad Political Pro-
II is clearly manifest that American Judaism
shares in the social and political progress char
acteristic of this age and country. The chill
dren of Israel who have sought and found a
home in the United States have hitherto mainly
devoted themselves to commercial and mercan-
tile pursuits. They have added largely to the
wealth of the community by engaging with
success in almost every branch of industry and
trade. They must also be numbered among
our most liberal patrons Of music and the
drama. The efforts which they have steadily
encouraged to provide for the better education
the learned professions with many conspicuous
ornaments. In law, in medicine, in journal
ism, in literature and art as well as in bank
ing and in other departments of business
American Israelites have attained high and
honorable positions, and in more than one in
stance they have become members Of the
House of Representatives and Of the Senate.
Among their theologians have been found
some of the most eloquent orators of the day,
and not few whose familiarity with Biblical,
Talmudcal and modern Hebrew lore is equal to
that of the best European scholars. The pres
ent controversy between what may be called
the old and the new schools of
American Judaism is waged by the respective
organs of each school with an ability which
commands admiration. AS to the theological
of kruo ritz NJ
tend to decide; but we are glad to see that
both agree in their respect for American insti-
buttons and in sympathy with the progressive
spirit of the age. An article in the Jeaoish
Times, which we elsewhere reproduce, ex-
patiates on 'those reforms and notifications
which the spirit of the age and the demands
of modern civilization imperatively requires"
while the He6rew Leader, although deprecat-
ing s'the exaggerations Of our radical re-
formers" cites with approval the eulogy of
Mr.. s. Wolf at the recent Schuetzenfest in
Washington on ''the matchless achievements
of America" Mr. Wolf said in his interesting
grafton that ''the Atlantic cable, the Pacific
Railroad, the unity of the country in behalf of
tolerance and liberty mark the age as heroic,
and we feel pardonable pride to share these
for the line of demarcation must be wiped
away, and in republic there must be only
citizens whose aim is to work for the general
welfare without injury to private or social
rights" This is a correct and praiseworthy
expression of the sentiments of our German
Gil 80 IL 81. 80
belief. We would not have religious '1ines
of demarcation" aggravate the animosities
Of our political contests. But at the same
time, when we remember that New York has
become ''the third German city in the world, !"
comprising larger German population than
any, except two towns in the Faderland, and,
moreover, that in this population (som ewhat
loosely called Germany there must be
counted at least sixteen thousand Polish
voters, nearly all of whom are Israelites. like
great number Of their ''German" friends, we
are not surprised that Tammany itself is
closely watching a curious and interesting
movement on the part of the Israelites of New
York city to elevate one of their most popular
coreligionists to the important post of Super
visor post for which they deem him pecu-
liarly well qualified by his integrity, energy
and wealth. Now that the Germans In gene
raj, and the Israelites in particular, are more
than ever disposed to exercise Independently
their rights as citizens, those minor wire
| pullers who fatter themselves that they carry
''the German vote" in their breeches pockets,
and even the Grand Sachems of Tammany,
must learn that new and strong element,
which cannot be ignored, has at length been
poured into the political caldron.