, 1880-12-25

WAituCA ctAIluS pOolnS duN DIlllldHU essays
and he is also the most picturesque histo-
rian of his country. But there the likeness
abruptly ends. The voice of Macaulay was
ever raised on behalf of liberty and the
indestructible rights Of nor did his
sentences ever shine more brightly with
the eloquence and logic which truth and
justice alone can bestow han when he
made bold to advocate the cause Of the
Jews. But Professor Treitschke is a man
who embodies III himself all the prejudices
which his great literary exemplar nobly
sought to eradicate and render powerless,
Several months ago the Professor published
in the Prussian 'Jarbiicher," a monthly
magazine edited by him, an article express
ing his Anti. Hebrew faith, in which,
among other things, he characterized the
Jewish influence as one of the greatest
perils confronting Germany, and otherwise
used his weighty pen in propounding state
ments which could not fail to stir up strife
and heartburnings among the subjects of
the Empire.
His example was infectious, and from
him champions of lesser might were quick
to take their cue. Among others, one of
the Court chaplains here-Herr Stecker,
for his name deserves to be made known
deSpl Q the duties and restraints of his
office, quickly descended into the arena
and struck out for GermaniSm as
against Semitism with q ferocious energy
which would nave endeared him to the
soul of Martin Luther and of John Knox.
Being the founder of an association which
he calls the Christian Social Working Mans
Party, this aggressive ecclesiastic is accus-
toned to give weekly harangues in public
houses and dancing halls to the members
OF the organization which he prescribeS as
L.. L ~ I u
classes; and one of his pet tenets being
the notification Of the Jews, the lecturer
Seizes every public opportunity of loudly
harping on his favourite chord. Free dis
cussion also being invited, it generally
happens that his meetings are dissolved by
the police. amid an understandable scene of
confusion and uproar. The patriotic and
pugnaciOuS priest is the constant object of
pitlless Scorn and ridicule from the more
liberal organs of the Press, and he is rare
ly free from the scandal attending a crimi-
nal prosecution for SANDER but he, never
theless, pursues his dauntless way, secure,
apparently, in the dignity of his Office, and
incredulouS of the words attributed to the
Crown Prince that 'the present persecu-
ton of the Jews is a shame and disgrace
to Germany.
1t will scarcely be wondered at, therefore
if the illiberal sentiments nus loudly pro-
claimed by Press, pulpit, and platform
should have already found expression III
the deeds of the vulgar and intOlerant null
titude. During the last few months the
newspapers have recorded insults and acts
Of violence done to men of Israelitish blood
throughout Germany which would compare
III some instances with the ~indignitieS
offered them in the Middle Ages. Coli
sionS between jew and German have been
frequent in cafes and other public resorts
arrogant officers have jostled Hebrews out
of their way and the other day in South
Germany a One-year old volunteer of the
Semitic race deemed himself to have
been so unpardonably aggrieved by his
lieutenant that he called him out and put a
bullet through him. The officers of the
standing army are animated by such q
well-known spirit of repugnance to men of
Jewish blood that not a single one would
have the slightest chance of being received
into their select and aristocratic ranks.
Tabooed in this quarter, an attempt has
also been made to curtail the Hebrews of
their civil rights. At the instance of the
Antl-Semltic League, a petition addressed
to Prince Bismarck has lately been going
the round of the Empire begging for sigma
lures. 1t recounts the evils against which
it is directed, and then has the unheard-of
insolence to beseech his Highness to exert
his influence in Prussia and Germany
~ to hinder altogether, or at least mode
rate, the immigration of foreign Jews ~
to exclude them from all offices of authority
and aSDacial1v Tn limit their amnlovmant in