The union Democrat., 1869-02-06
SONORA. TUOLUMNE COUNTY, FEBRUARY g. 1869
Aaeien. Per.cea.iea. of tho jews.

l lthas often been asked: Why have the Jews
been the unceasing objects of so much hosrili-
tyf To arrive at any hing like an exposition
nf that problem, we must 80 back to the first
stages of our history. 1t is at this enIich,en-
ed period, when universal tolerance prevails.
that we have leisure to probe the causes and
to seek the motives of this hostility To nation
whsse origin can Oe traced to the infancy of
nature.
The laws of Moses form the basis of all
moiern lurisprudence-;hey have governed
barbarous nations, and every punt Of moral
faith has been drawn from their letter and
spirit. To them the charity, and good faith
of the civilized world owe their origin. How
Is II then thar from the Egyptians to the must
civilized nation, the Jews have been the OIL
jects OF haired and persecution? 1t is not our
religi"n, for the IN vt scrupuluus maitain iss
divine origin. 1t is not our habits and man
ners, for they have ever been simple and unof-
lending. We must ascribe the cause to that
farce OF prejudice, which to'k it's rise in the
first century; preiuiice founded on isno-
rance, and nur>ed by jealousy.
When the world was yet in ignorance Of
the great frst cause " Of our existence :;
when PaganS alone existed. and we're most
intnlerhnt; then arose our great father n, d
4
i>tance and the Unity Of G d he boldly SUI
ported His Omnipotence. and bowed 10 His
Majesty md ll"hneSs. Joseph followed the
axrmple of Abraham, aud continued to sup
part the same faith. Brought forward bv adj
ventitious circumstances Ia govern powerful
penple. he sought to- instil his inst principles
into the minds If an idolatrouS nation. pha-
ra''h humblei the Egyptians by his Difference
To the will of Joseph, and on his prosperity
did they wreak their vengeance. A nation 50
h"latruus. could never tolerate n people whu
acknowledged hut one God. The oppression
It the Jews took its rise in the hatred nf the
Egyptians. Moses. the most enlightened man
uf ancient or modern times. released the chill
'iren of Israel. conducted them TO the borders
of the promised Land. which be could not en-
ter, and under the guidance Of Joshua. the
greatest warrior Of antiquity, they were led
INTO the land IF Canaan. Here they formed
IL civil code. and perfected t..eir religious
laws. Frm tnat period the people became
powerful they made wars and conquered
ui"latr"us nations, who hated the jew on the
score of his creed-his firm religious belief
Kings of Israel arose in sE.lendnr and power :;
they erected magniticen, temples to the honor
ut God. snd BUNDLED, stood before Him as
IL servants. ld"latrv still existed, and the
Jews tu nave eUPtl1PS.
The Kingdom of Israel commenced with
he riegn of Saul, ard was perpotuated IL the
family of David. continuing with the excer-
'i"n of short in'erre. mum, for $50 years
Daring the nerird Ju tah was divided INTO two
distinct Kingdoms, Judah and Israel. Sal
manz 'r. X ng 1t As-yria, destroyed the last
dynasty ilS years before the Christian era
When the jews returned from the Bahvlrrsh
thov D., bod
and theocratic governments, in favor Of the
high priests. who re'ained power until the
reign of Alexander JanneuS. sou of IIircan.
thrn commenced farti"n aud n arrhv among
he people, until they were released hv Judas
Ma"cnhrus. under whose dynasty they We're
ruled for lo6 yrars.
The Greek and Romans were enemies Of
the Jews. The Greeks entered into alliances
"f interest. hut they Sc, reilly detested pen-
pile who worshpprd une God, whilst their
temples we're dedicated to host of idols.
The Romans. who drifrd humanity, and
cnu>ei pro>ely'ism at the spears point. hat
ed the jews for their c"n>tancy and abiding
faith. Jealous of the increasing power Of the
jews, the idnatrous nations comb: ed Ia an
nih'lnte fhem-theV snrceeded in devastating
the land, iesroling their cities. burning the
temple. and dps- -rnying every vestge of civil
'zaiian-hnt they did not destroy the nation.
II was ~ that period that the Lnrd. to pre-
serve Hi covenant and pr te His chosen
people. scattered them over the world and
defeated the object of our enemies. After
nearly two thousand years of persecution and
sufferings we are more numerous. and moIe
prosperous than Mt the period of our d,sper-
sion We suffered for having proclaimed aud
supported the existence of one God that God
has destroyed oar ancient enemies, and CON-
tinurd ns one people. We have ever remain
ed distinct nation our hearts have heen
wounded, but not broken our spirit bent,
hut not subdned. Our common sufferinss
have aemented us together in the bonds of
harmony and affection. and so we preserve.
unslloyed the laws Of "ur ancestors. We
have ou'livsd all our ancient enemies. and
the only miracle now on earth. the most pos
Tive evidence of Divine protection. is at this
dav the preservation Of the Jews. +. He
6re,c.