Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-07-11

UoOS 10 kneIf t0uFe98 Oy m3ll pCSiaHe pI6pAus lOr
q Is cents per weeS 60 cenfs per month. sI7t for
u The money TO pay for the time required must
IN N cases accompany the order. Otherwise the
1t was stated yesterday In this column that
the people OF Memphis were awaiting I'm uneasy
suspense further developments in regard to the
yellow fever cases. Later dispatches show that
this condition OF passive expectation did not
last long. Acting under the advice OF the
health authorities the citizens have decided to
await the plague elsewhere, and the exodus
Is so great that existing means Of conveyance
from the city are found to be inadequate. II
the yellow fever has appeared as an epidemic
at Memphis or would so appear II sufficient
material were left for 1t to work upon, accepted
beliefs respecting the disease In this country
viii be shaken, and the gravest apprehenStons
OF suffering from pestilence throughout the
South this summer will be aroused. 1t was
thought and freely asserted that the frosts in
this country killed the germs OF the dis
ease, and that they would need to be
imported afresh each year to ensure return
OF the plague. Moreover its appearance as an
epidemic In the United States for two years In
succession was pronounced to be contrary to all
the precedents. But In spite OF quarantine,
sanitary regulations, theories and precedents,
the yellow fever appears on the scene OF
last years ravages, seemingly called to life
by the first excessive heat. Yesterday
the mercury rose above one hundred
degrees In not few cities of the south and
west. In some places the greatest heat ever
known was noted, and at nearly all points Of
these sections temperature OF more than
ninety degrees was indicated. This tropical
heat should develop whatever germs of yellow
south. Every one will hope that the Memphis
panic Is unreasonable. II the disease shall
appear as an epidemic at this early date, nearly
q month before the first death at Memphis
last year, 1t may be expected to work
greater destruction than any previous plague.
Measures to prevent the introduction of the
disease within its limits, to remove the condi.
tions which would give the peStilence fatal
power, II once introduced and to assist and
succor those who are lighting the enemy at a
distance, may soon be matters of duty and ne
cess1ty In Washington and in neighboring
cities. 1t remains to be seen, however, whether
the alarm which the exodus from Memphis has
caused, win be justified.
The District authorities, it will be seen, are
taking measures to abate the sewage nuisance
on the river flats, to the full extent of their
powers and means. At the next session of
Congress, 1t Is to be hoped, they will be en-
powered to carry out some thorough and per-
manent plan OF remedying the evil.
The special business at the meeting OF the
Union of American Hebrew Congregations In
New York yesterday was the consideration OF
the proposal to encourage the adoption OF pas
toral life by Hebrews. II the chosen race is not
yet to return to its native land, it may at least
revive the modes Of life which it practised
there. The overcrowding Of our cities and the
distress Of the poorer classes resulting there
from have called general attention to the ne
eject Of agriculture. One great need of the day
Is farmers. While the idea Of turning the
energies Of the Jewish people from commercial
pursuits, to which they have In great part of
the past been limited, to the adoption Of others,
and especially agriculture, Is not a new one
among the leading minds of the race, it is
doubtless true that the notable concentration
Of population In cities, with its accompanying
and Increasing evils, has had an influence In
causing the idea TO be put into practical shape.
The project Is to establish an agricultural colo
ny somewhere In the southwest, founding a
kind Of school for the education OF Jewish boys
as farmers, and, at the same time, assisting
men who desire to follow the vocation Of hus-
bandmen. The plan meets with general appro-
val. 1t Is believed that In addition to recruits
from this country, practical Jewish farmers
from Hungary and other parts Of eastern
Europe would gladly join the agricultural set
Elements II some aid to em1grate were furnished
them, and others, too, would come with them
who could by degrees be taught farming and
be turned into thriving husbandmen. The
same push and energy which have character
lied the laborS Of the Hebrew race In
every direction to which they have turned their
attention wi no cd
successful farmers. Touching the qualifca-
tons OF the Hebrew for agricultural pursuits, 1t
Is justly said that he Is sober, persevering, OF
simple habits, thrifty, accustomed to pay close
attention to small details, as well as to the more
important duties, and devoted to his family.
The oppressive laws OF past ages which forbade
the Hebrew to hold foot OF land and turned
his energies all In one direction, drove the
race from farming; present conditions furnish
both the incentive and the opportunity to re-
turn In measure to their original pursuits
Very many feet OF land are now held both In
this country and In Europe, by the Jewish peo-
pie. The one step further to be taken is that
agreed upon yesterday, namely, to cultivate,
systematically, land which has been or may be
acquired.
Mr. Watterson, Of the Louisville Courier
Journal, has been heard from in reply to the
abusive missive OF Mr.. Painter, OF the Philadel-
phia Inquirer. He styles Mr.. Painter "a louise"
This would seem to end the controversy. The
stock OF epithets In the English language must
now be pretty effectualIy exhausted.
1t is unfortunate La more ways than one that
the Indians have In the past been so often
cheated by agents OF the government One
OF the minor evils Is that the thought Of Indian
agents drives some editors into frenzy. Indian
agents, collectively, individually and without
exception, are the red rag upon which the
Journalistic bull charges blindly. The Buffalo
Commercial drerttser remarks: