Daily Los Angeles herald., 1881-08-04
spais. usroecs ~.d she Jews.

spsas, usrsecs and she Jews.
Perhaps one of the most notable
events in recent history was the
cordial Invitation extend by
Spain to the prosecuted Jews of
RussiA to come and settle in the
land OF his most catholic majesty.
It is quite probable that these
Hebrews are the descendants Of
the identical Jews expelled from
Spain during the ages of intoler-
ance which ruled that kingdom, in
which the Jew was as much hated
- the Moor. Spain, which has so
mercllessly prosecuted the Jews,
now probably feels like entering
hee protest against like persec u
tion of the Hebrews 10 Morocco.
The Jews of Morocco represent
one or the most gifted and distin-
Guished sections of the Israelite
race. They speak Arabic, and they
are. to . large extent, descended
nom those Spanish Hebrews who
contributed go much to the power
and lustre Of the Arab and Moorish
rule In the Peninsula. Some of the
brightest names connected with
the schools of Arabian science and
6 learning are the names of Jews,
and members of the same nation
ality not only figured In the coun-
oils Of the Moslem Princes, but,
after the occupation of Andalusia,
held posts Of the highest trust un-
der some of the Castilian Kings. It
was not until after the conquest of
Grenada that system of persecu.
tion was adopted in CASTLE, and
the Jews who were banished at
that epoch, for the most part,
Joined the Moslem exiles in seek
Ing ! refuge across the Straits of
Gibraltar. They had the best of
reasons for expecting kind treat
ment in Morocco, for the same toll
Grant policy pursued by the Moors
In Spain had heretofore been fol-
lowed by the rulers of that country.
Up to . certain date, indeed, the
history OF Islam in western Africa
and In the Iberian Peninsula, had
presented q close parallel. The
Edrisites, who reigned at Fec, like
the Omyiad Caliphs of Cordova,
were q dynasty of the purest Ara
bian stock, and the Almoravides
and Alm0hades, who ruled in sue
ceasion ct Morocco, were the same
resolute reformers who had given
new lease Of life to the Moslem
power In Spain. Under these cir
cumstances 1t was natural that the
Spanish Jews should seek new
home In Africa, aud there is no
doubt that the accession of these
emigrants gave great impulse to
commercial and industrial activi-
ties, and heightened for time the
prestige Of the universities at Fee
and Morocco.
Since the beginning Of the sew
enteenth century, however, Mo-
rocco has been crushed by con.
tiDual civil wars, and by the extor-
tions and expressions which are
: the fruit of such q state of things.
In the desperate struggle of Arab,
Bsrber, and Moorism elements for
I supremacy, the whole political and
social structure has been disinte-
grated, and every healthful fea-
ture Of the old civilization hss been
destroyed or has decayed. From
this war of races the Jews have
held aloof, persevering as best
they could in their peaceful avoca-
lions, and as . consequences they
have been made the victims of
each race by turns. The fact that
not only the whole internal COM
merce Of the country, but the maxi
ing Of jeweiry and the work in sill
yer and copper, are wholly in the
hands Of the jews, has marked
them out as special objects OF plum
der. With q view too, of concili-
atlng public opinion and excusing
their own extortions, the rulers
have fostered religious prejudice
among the lower class of Mosl emf
and connlved at explosive out.
breaks Of intolerance. . The result
n that nowhere, at any period Of
history, has the lot OF the Hebrew
bsen 80 unspeakably wretched at
It's In the very country which his
ancestors did 40 much to strengthen
and glorify under preceding
dynasties.
During the Tunisian expedition
Of the French Spain has had hel
eyes fixed jeaIously upon Morocco
Hsr generals recall the exploits IL
: thnt country of Field Marsha
~ DonnelI. and they thirst for new
military glory and conquest. Il
would be one Of the marvellous de.
volopments Of the nineteenth cen.
tuRy II epain's new born interest