Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-11-27
GERMANY AND THE JEWS.

The movement against the Jews in Ger
many is perhaps the most extraordinary
phenomenon of modern times. Its equally
difficult to account nationally for its genesis
or its purpose The offense of the Ger
man Jews, SO far as can be gathered from
the literature OF the contest, consists IN
their success. They have, by the exercise
of superior capacity, acquired wealth, po-
sition, intellectual influence. They have
been able financiers, far-seeing merchants,
vigorous journalists, enterprising project
ors They have won success in every aYo-
cation, and it is apparently al unavoid-
able conclusion that their success has
brought upon them the envy and hatred of
certain classes in Germany. It is the more
difficult for Americans 10 understand the
attack upon them because in this country
we have long since learned to estimate
men by their capacities, without reference
to their origin or race. 1t is impossible to
discover any reasonable ground for the
German hostility to the jews. 1t is
not asserted that they are not good citi-
zens. II is not pretended that they are
not moral and law. abiding members of
the community. Yet notwithstanding the
entire absence of any plausible ground of
objection, we find the crusade against them
being pushed even to proscriptive legisla-
ton, and what is most astonishing, we
find the Government supporting the move
ment That Prince Bismarck favors it
can no longer be doubted, but what he ex-
poets to gain by it is mystery. If the
Jews are subjected to civil disabilities
such as the English Parliament removed
from them some forty years ago, the pre-
sumption is that they will refuse to reside
longer in a country which persecutes and
degrades them. Their exodus would no
doubt entail some suffering or at least
serious inconvenience and loss upon them,
butwhat would it dofort the German Empire?
Never since the Moors were driven out OF
Spain has more suicidal policy been pro-
posed, if we except the revocation of the
Eiict of Nantes. Spain and France paid
dearly for their folly and fanaticism
in those cases. Is Germany
emulous of like experience? The
fact that this social war has broken
out in nation renowned for its liberalism
in matters OF philosophy and theology, and
that it has received the support of the
class of educators, adds to the singu!arity
and paradoxial character of the situation.
What has moved grave and learned Ger
man Professors and Presidents to join SO
irrational and bigoted raid against one
Of the most useful and respectable elements
OF the nation? The explanations which
have been put forward do not explain. 1t
is said that the Jews are becoming too in
fuential, too wealthy, too absolute in mat
tiers of finance. But surely these are not
reasons at all. They are merely silly and
vulgar and contemplate prejudices, of a
kind which we should not be surprised to
encounter in mob of ignorant and stupid
peasants, but quite out OF place in cul-
tivated minds.
The Jews may be driven out of Ger
many. and if they go they will take with
them very large proportion of the wealth
,,d A. ;n4aIlaot and fba antarDr;ca of Tho
country. But it seems to us that the
grounds upon which they are being ar
raigned are in no way restricted to any
race. Bismarck appears to be envious of
Jewish wealth and capacity. II this is SO,
however, he would be equally envious OF
the wealth and capacity of those who
should take the place OF the Jews. The
German people must be very simple TO
suppose that the intolerance OF superior
powers which Bismarck is here exhibiting,
can be confined to the Jews. 1t is an in
tolerance which he is quite as likely to
display against his own fellow-countrymen
should occasion occur. And this assault
upon the opportunities and liberties of a
race is bad omen for Germany, viewed
from any standpoint. It is worse
than if it were religious warfare. 1t is a
war by Absolutiam upon popular expan-
sion. The Jews have dared to prosper un-
der the iron hand Of Bismarck. They have