Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-09-16
"RICH AS A JEW. "

This is phrase which has become so COM
mon that it is an everyday expression, just as
the old Roman, wheu, measuring a mans
wealth, spoke of him as being 'as rich as
Cresus." We had a conversation with the
late Johns Hopkins few years previous to his
death 90 the growing wealth of the American
Israclites, and there were few men of bis day
whose judgment on such matters was more
sound and safe. Speaking Of the Jews of Bal
.lmore, he said Il have always found them
safe meu to deal with; they value their credit
more than they do their money, and will ma ke
any sacrifices to maiDtain it, ln his banking
operations he had dealt largely with them, aud
found them true to their engagements, and ire-
uuenty anxious to take up their notes before
they were due to save the interest. During
the past twenty years the Jews of this country
have made rapid strides 10 the accumulation of
wealth, and in mapy branches of mercantile
business they are realizing pre- emineDce that
is creditable to their sagacity and enterprise.
Men who were at one time roaming over the
country under pedler's pack are now at the
head OF leading mercantile firms, 10 the West
and South especially, and in Texas all the lead.
ing business Of the country is in the hands OF
the Israetes. At Saratoga, Cape May, New
port and Long Branch aud all the principal
summer resorts, they are to be found every
summer In large force, and when they display
rich equipages diamonds and other evidences
of wealth, there is an assurance In the mind OF
the beholder that there is an abundance OF
stocks, bunds aud secure investments behind
them. This is not always the case With ylsl-
tors at these fashionable resorts.
1t might be well for the Genties to inquire
into the causes that enable the Jews to keep on
amasslpg wealth steadily and rapidly. In the
Jewish family all are active workers. There
are no drones 10 the hive. Care is taken to train
the SOUS to business habits and they are reared
with the special object Of taking position along
side Of their fathers as soou as their education
is flushed. We seldom hear OF Jew being a
drunkard or living beyond his means, or, IN
other words, living Oh the money of his credi-
tors. They have no "prodigal sons scattered
over the world spending lin rlotous living
the money which their parents have labored to
accumulate. 1t has become with most classes OF
people an axiom that the rich men OF one age
are the poor mems sons of the preceding age,
aud that the sons Of the rich generally die poor.
This however, is not the case With lsraelites 10
any portion of the world. Wealth with them is
never sQuaDdored, but is Away multiplying and
increasing. The wealth of the Rothschilds has
grown through several generations, and will go
On in the same ratio in all coming time. We
seldom hear of Jew Investing money in any
of the bubbles that tickle the cupidity of the
less wary Investor. He likes good percentage
but he must also be sure that be is not riskiug
the principal to secure good rate of interest.
lu short, neither father uor SOD ever lives be-
yond his income, aud never wastes money in
endeavorDg to make show or to rival his
neighbor in equipage or dress nntil he is amply
able to do so without fear of having to ever
make "a step backward. 1t would be we'll for
all the world to initiate the lsraelie in this par
tlcular. Baltimore american.