Middletown transcript., 1870-07-16
A JEWISH INVASION.

We are threatened with Jewish inva-
sion. In Western Russia are some 250,-
000- or BOG, 600 Hebrews, ignorant and in
tractible, whom the Government of the Czar
has found it necessary to treat with con-
siderable severity. The summary inter-
nal policy of Russia cannot be defended
by any humane observer, but it is quite
generally admitted that these Jews have
to blame themselves to large degree for
theis present sufferings. They will not
give themselves to the cultivation of the
soil or the other industries of the people,
but tenaciously keep to the habits of their
race as inveterate bargainers, petty ira
ders. Intelligent and wealthy Hebrews
form an imposing class of mercantile men
throughout the civilized world. They are
asrepectable as any other race in COM
mercial life, and as commerce is one of the
most effective means of the modern pro-
gress of society, they are honorably re-
cognized in New York, London, Paris,
and the German cities, as contributors to
the general veal.
But the misfortune of the race is that
the whole of it persists in trading life.
The poorest insist on being merchants or
finaneiers. An agricultural Jew is a rare
example, and comparatively few addict
themselves to honest handicrafts. as arti-
sans. 1t cannot be denied that these low
er trading Jews are species of social
nuisance in every land under heaven. The
Russian Government has failed, after all
its severity, to reclaim to habits of local
industry the large army of them within its
western border and the result is that they
must emigrate or suffer beyond endurance.
Not only their great number, but still
more their great poverty, makes it impos-
sible for them to escape to this country
without immense charitable all The
great mass of them, however, is in motion
to reach our shores, and we may expect
nm enormous iuundation of about as unde-
sirable population as could well get to
us.
The European and American Jewish
charitable societies are justly alarmed by
the prospect. 1t is creditable to the He
brew race that they are abundantly chari-
table toward their own suffering people,
and their societies for mutual relief are
numerous and liberal !; but the European
Jews, it is said, seem disposed to eyade
the burden of this prodigious emigrant
scheme, ond to foist it upon their Amer
lean brethren; while the latter, Justly a
larmed at both the financial and social liza
bilities that bcset it, reply that their char
table means are totally inadequate to the
demand. They arc called upon to pay
the passage money Of the emigrants, and
to care for them when they arrive. The
New York Jewish Messenger demonstrates
and says:-" We are panied to state tc
those poor lsraelites that we have no funds
at our disposal The managers of the So
cieties are in the same condition, and vel
every vessel brings new arrivals. The
current has begun to flow into the coun.
try, and it seems impossible to stop it,
The irrcclaimable traders have looked tt
California as an eligible field, but the Sal
Francisco Hebrew Observer tells then
that g Mechanics, although the supply i,
the usual branches already transcends tn,
demand, could get work; but as to deal
ers, from the peddler to the importer O
the first class, we could spare seventy-fv
per cent, of the present stock, so over
crowded is the market. Should Americ
receive additional numbers of the sam
color as the immigrants from Russia wer
hitherto, we would consider it great evil
both financially and socially. In Ne,
York they hive already and exc out mis-
cradle existence. On the Pacific coast,
was, till some months ago, not much bet
ter; but since the general depression c
commerce, partly owing to the opening c
the Pacific railroad, matters have grow
worse. And we have not seen the wors
yet An increase. of tradin
men would be great inhiction for the in
migrants, and very undesirable for the er
hanccment of public opinion about Jews.
The American Jews, in almost PAM
of anxiety about this Russian exodus, hav
appealed to Governor Solomon, of Wasl
ington Territory, for encouragement II
says that he will favor the g foundatio
of a colony in the Territory, and that tn
railroads will grant the most favorab
conditions for their transportation. A
a jew himself, be feels deep interest ft
them, but he wants in the new Territor
'' industrious artisans, laborers, and ayr
eulturists," precisely contrary sort
population from these Russo-J ewish pett
trafhckers. They leave Russia becau
they will not become industrious art
sans, laborers, and agriculturists 1t
barely possible that if planted together
a COLONY in that remote region, necessit
may do what Russian power has failed
do, force them to habits of labor, al
thereby permanently reform them; but
will take time for any such result, an
meanwhile much suffering must be CT
dured.
The American people can hardly we
come this great army of foreign trader
Dispersed through the country, they won
become general evil. They are a lov
3 nearly semi -barbarous class-not at {
comparable, in intelligence, self-respet
or morals, with their brethren of IL
country or of Western Europe. The E
ropean Jewish reforms have hardly touc
ed them. Their case presents scrio