The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-17
nIsHRACEFUI..

DISHRACEFUL.
The Bar Association Of Now York city
recently black balled for admission an
applicant on the ground that he was
Jew. After such decision we think
that the next wisest act OF the Associa-
ton would be to dissolve and disband,
as unworthy Of existe ice rs an organized
association Of intelligent American oiti-
zens. especially Of a fraternity claiming
to cultivate the highest regard for the
law. sound constitutional principles and
enlightened ideas Of right and republi-
canism.
The reflections 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 member of that profession,
which has reflected moro honor upon
the bar OF this country than any other
in Its history. has been achieved by an
Israelite. 10 Mr.. Judah z. Benjamin is
due the extraordinary honor OF this
achievement. which has no parallel in
history 70 win high renown as u
military hero, as o political chieftain.
as d great author or minister in
u foreign country is not so i'm
poriant in history but for Il stranger.
an exile and refugee, moneyless.
and burdened with all the reproach and
odium OF u defeated revolutionist, to
overcome such obstacles as oppose the
aspirant for distinction and promi-
hence as barrister OF England. and In
O 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 members OF the Con
federate government, who were no more
guilty Of any criminality In that revolu-
ton than the millions OF citizens who
devoted themselves to that cause with
like zeal and sacrificing 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 authorities in England on his
admirable contribution to law litera-
| hD nj
Property" a book deemed indispensa-
BILE to every law library in the country.
And then we presume, on application
for admission to the Bar Association Of
New York, he would have been black
balled. TO which action that eloquent
and accomplished jurist would have
been afforded the opportunity to repeat
that magnificent reply he once made to
political orator who assaulted him on
account Of his origin and race:
"Let not the gentleman think that my
pride has been hurt or my self-respect
lowered by his evasive allusion to my
race and religion. I rather glory In
, that which he considers reproach-in
, my descent from that race which, under
, the banners Of the princely Maccabees,
had outstripped in all the arts Of civil,
zation, Of science and arms, the other
; peoples Of the world, then stepped in
: barbarism and paganism. 1 glory in
, the fact that my ancestors were wagine
l 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
mia, and worshipping stocks and stones
as their only embodiments of Deity anc
! expression Of religious duty and senti
ment."
a The object Of this splendid rejoindel
a never repeated the provoeation, and Mr.
}. Benjamin's election afterwards to thu
n highest political position in the gift 0
o the people of the State attested the con
q tempt in which all such race and re
q ligious prejudices have always beer
! held by the generous and enlightened
< people of Louisiana.
0 Green Lake, Wisconsin, has AWAY