The New York herald., 1871-11-25
TIE HEBREW ELEMENT In RUSSIA.
Improved Condition of
the Jews.
Wonderful Influence Of the Herald and
Of the Press Generally.
ALIENS TRANSFORMED IiTO PATRIOTS.

The remarkable increase OF Jews in countries
where they have been treated as Pariahs and out
casts has always been OF astonlshment to
dents OF history. In the Russian empire, where
perhaps more than in any other country In the
world they have been oppressed and downrodden,
they have increased more rapidly tnan anywhere
else; and all the circumstances attendant on their
increase and perpetuation and dispersion point to
them as singular race and people, and their fate
different from that or any other race. As In Egypt
OF old 80 IN Russia and elsewhere In modern times
tue more they were afncted and oppressed the
more they multiplied aud grew For centuries the
condition OF the Jews in Russia and Poland has been
most unenvlable. They formed in those countries,
30 to speak, nation within q nation, being practi-
cally cut or and separated by cast and prejudice
from all other classes OF the population, and only
now and then transactlng petty trade or busi-
ness with Gentiles. The Russian Jews were an ex-
cluded race, living almost beyond the pale OF
civilization. They lived so much ao0f that, though
generations have been born on the soil OF Russia
and Poland and centuries nave passed since they
nrst occupied those territories, still the language
has been strange and foreign to them. They have
chung to dialect or jargOn OF their own consisting
OF q compound OF German and Hebrew, with few
Russian or Polish words and phrases interspcrsed.
Their schools were entirely devoted to the study OF
Hebrew, Talmud and Rabbinical writings Their
lives, the cutting Of the hair ana wearing or
apparel were regulated altogether according 10 the
Eastern anu obsolete Rabblnlca rules and customs;
30 that the Russian Polish Jew was viewed by
Ills own German cOrelgionists as strange
phenomenon.
In their religious pract the Russian Jews were
extremely orthodox, ana cnging to all the caDalis
tic ana spurious notions and supersitions which
during tue Middle Ages made such fearful inroads
Into fpa, md of
general rule, the Gentilcs in Russia despised the
Jews but the Jew. instead OF feeling Inundated,
deemed his external and internal separation from
the Gentle blessing. For, thus lie thought. he
could best keep his faith intact aud pure. In fact
the Russian Jew cared very little Tor the realities Of
social or political life, attending to the con-
oerns OF another world than this. Being treated as
an alien, and deeming himself mere stranger In
his native land, he harbored no true feeling Of pa
trlotlsm or love Of iatherland.
The Emperor Nicholas attempted to civiize his
Jewish subjects but the means he employed did not
succeed. new era Of enlightenment and welbe-
Ing commenced with the reign OF Alexander H.
THIS good, humane aud wise monarch appeared on
the throne OF Russia ike the raliatlng Orb or the
whether Pagan, Jew or Christian. Under llls aus
Pices and protecting agls public schools cstab-
lsned 1Or no secular educ tlOn OF jewish children
Nany avenues or social distinction were opened 10
the desplsed race. The gates or lawful activity
many an israelite has rapidly risen to consequence
and public distinction. To cvllize the Hebrew
masses who for centuries have been lrodden under
loot. ana 70 bring them 10 feel confluence their
Oppressors, was not OF course, rs Will be readily
perceived, an easy task. But this century ana age
present a1lS to civilization such as no other pre-.
cedng age or century presented. Foremost
among those agencies Is tnc press and by its assis-
tance tins great change mas been wrought among
the Hebrews Of Russia aud Poland. A Jewish lsabbi.
who, though not q Russian subject, loved his race
and peO and sought to fui her The good Intentions
Alexander j.
Ing Hebrew secular paper which should reach every
%Ssxevsr u Jew veS. AS I has been alrsady saated
che Anssian Jews chung most tenaciously, amid all
their soirows, to the uebreS M lang suage. Ind hence
them any good must be presented In the holy
In the year 1855 the Rabbi Lippman sllberman,
alone 0nu unaded, established weekly newspaper
printed wholly in Hebrew. The language aud Lhe
Idea which underlie It's publication readily OBJ
tanned II iavOr among Hebrews everywhere. The
headquarters were established at Lyck, III East
Prussia, and on the imaginary line which divides
that Kingdom from Russia so That the concern
might nave the more assured liberal protection Of
appeared. English editors were called 10 The assist
ance OF the devoted founder, aud the narrator
started Its peaceful mission with sails filled with
Anglican ana Hebrew literature, current news and
general information from every quarter. 1t soon
became The recognized jewish organ OF Eastern
IBERIA, India, Cnina Egvpt ana other locaiza;iOns OF
Judaism. IL began 10 awaken In tue hearts OF the
Russian Jews love lOr education, literature, his
tory, &C., and aroused among them feelings OF pa
triotIsn. And those who had looked upon them
selves and been looked upon by Others as strangers
and foreigners in the land OF their nativity began
both TO consider themselves and TO be considered by
Others as the manner born" and as forming
They began to shake on Their eXcluslveness and TO
toentny themselves with the Russian people gener
ally. Rabbi Silberman had TO struggle against
many difficulties. but being man Of integrity and
energy, ne did not relinqush the noble task he had
undertaken. During the Polish nsurrectlon he con-
stantly urged upon his coreglonists In Poland 70
abide Dy their humane and great sovereign,
Alexander, aud not espOuSe an lconceiyed cause.
The influence OF The Hdindgid in the Russian en-
pre- to-day Is incalcuable. lt Is continually sway
Ing the minds and hearts OF the Polish and Russian
Jews, anu Is thus helping considerably to promote
the welfare OF the empire at large.
the laDaagid, as has oeen Indicated, has very
large circulation. 1t Is read by the lsraelite on
the shores OF the Ganges AMI on the banks OF the
mississippi. The Israellte i'll the city OF ST. Peters
burg corresponds through this paper with his core
ligionsls IN san Franclsco; and its Hebrew diction
and style are pure and classical. The Hdnadgid is
tile first paper published In the tongue OF the Bible,
and literary journal II stands high. Rabbi
i. Silberman It's editor and publisher IS greatly es
teenlel by Jews all over Tie world but lie is espe-
cialy hailed by the Jews OF RUSSIA as their Dene-
factor.
whence his eight page Hebrew Narrator derives
Its influence aud power. Tne NEW YORK HERALD
Is received by II regularly IRON the London agents,
way, OF course) to initiate the enterprise OF the
HERALD. In its issue OF October 20, 1871, 1t makes
extracts from the articles and reports the jewish
Rosh Hasnana, which was celebrated here IN Sep.
tember, and comments upon the enterprise, liner-
the HERALD III giving Jew and Greek BARBARIAN and
be heard through It's columns. The following Ii u
translation OF the Hdn1lgtd'S edtorla:-
We feel in duty bound to express, in the name OF the
swhole House of israel" deepfet thanks YORK
HERALD its clevatinc the name of Judaism. The HER.
Ain IA the Great foremost all American lournas
Is have to royal personages and
Inluence is vast But The most excellent feature
of that world-renowned Journal is It's freedom
from all sectarianisin ana religious pecularities
We lind the HERALD, to great Joy every Sunday
senoarhlc reports of English sermons preached
preccdng sabbath day. by kabb OF New YORK. such as Drs
tidaver, ,iuhem and lsaacs.
following short extract Of an editorial OF that paper
over Rosh iashana New Years Day):-Here follows
translation Of the HERALps article Tho Hmtgd con
kinues such sentiments uttered by non.lsraeite
TLcy the love OF truth and good viii which inspires
the great n ew YORK HERALD.
: Such II the estimation In which the HERALD IS
held even In remote parts Of the earth, and where
ever II Is received ana READ 1t IS recognized as the
leading eurnal In America. NO wonder, then, tnat
The UdWup,d should have great influence WIN nc
hrews every wnere when 1t draws It's Inspiration
from the leading Journal In America, not IN the