Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1877-05-26
JUDAH p. BENJ.ihIN.

The New Orleans Democrat, in delivering
the following deserved rebuke to the New
York Bar, also pays a merited compliment 10
one of our most distinguished and worthy
former citizens, who now stands at the head
of the Bar of England, and of whom, not
only the Jews, but every citizen of the United
States should feel proud. No on, but bigot
would refuse to recognize his worth and
honor and esteem him therefor upon the
ground of his being an lsraelite, which is
an honor instead Of disgrace, when the Jew
is worthy descen liant of that grand old pa
triarch from whom he derives his national
appeIla,ion;
The Bar Association OF New York city
recently black balled fer admission an appli-
cant on the ground that lie was Jew. After
such decision we think that the next wsest
act of the Association would be to dissolve
and disband, as unworthy Of existence as an
organized association of intelligent American
citizens, especially of fraternity claiming to
cultivate the highest regard tor the law. sound
constitutional principles and enlightened ideas
of right and republicanism.
The reflection conveyed by this action Of
the Bar Association of New York upon the
reputation Of the profession in this country is
heightened by the fact that the most splendid
triumph ever won by a member of that pro-
fession, which has reflected more honor upon
the bar of this country than any other m its
history, has been achieved by an lsraete
To Mr.. Judah p. Benjamin is due the extra
ordinary honor of this achievement, which
has no parallel in history. To win high
renown as a military hero, as political chief
tain, as great author or minister in foreign
country is not so important in history; but for
a stranger, an exile and refugee, moneyless,
and burdened with all the reproach and
odium of defeated revoluuonist, to overcome
such obstacles as oppose the aspirant for dis
tinction and prominence as u barrister Of
England, and in period Of ten years struggle
and effort to become the leader of that bar, so
as TO be compelled on account Of the pressure
of his engagements, to decline briefs and
return large fees; this is what has never
before been compassed by any man, Christian
or Jew
Had not the Federal Government adopted
the cruel and vindictive policy pursued by it
Immediately after the war toward the men,
bers of the Confederate government, who
were no iDOte pui'ly VI any CiiiiIindHty III
that revolution than the millions of citizens
who devoted themselves TO that cause with
like zeal and seIfsacrificing devotion, Mr..
Benjamin would have settled in New York,
and there entered upon the career which has
gained SO much honor for the profession
Our own country would have shared in the
respect and consideration bestowed by the
highest judicial authority in England on his
81. l,,r
lied the "Sales Of Personal Properly" a book
deemed Indispensable to every law library in
the country. And then we presume, on
application far admission to The Bar AS-ocia-
ton Of New York. he would have been
black baiied. To which action that eloquent
and accomplished jurst would have been
afforded the opportunity To repeat that mag
nicent reply he once made ~ II political
orator who assaAcl him On account Of his
origin and race:
Let not the gentleman think tina, my pride
ms been hurt or my seIf-respec, lowered by
his evasive allusion TO my race ami religion.
l rather glory in that which he considers a
reproach-in my descent from that race
which, under the banners of the rncely
Maccabccs, had out>tripped all the arts OF
civilization, of science and arms, the other
peoples of the world, then stepped in harbar>
ISM and paganism. ] glory in the fact that
my ancestors were wasing "A war for the true
God, for Liberty and Religion. when those of
the gentleman who now seeks to reproach me
were tending swine in the swamps OF Bohe-
min, and worshrping stocks AMI stones "a
their only embodiment Of Deity and express
sion Of religious duty and sentiment"
The OBJECT OF this splendid rel Under never
repeated the provoca,ion, and Nj. BenJ,nin's
election afterwards to the highest political
position in the gift Of the people of the State
auested the contempt in which all snch race
and religious prejudices have always been
held by the generous and enlightened people
Of Louisiana.
Tho .l.u -, - ~