Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-04

The acquttal of ten prominent Jews In Hungary
upon The charge or having committed murder in
The performance OF certain religious rites is a
triumph OF justice and liberaity over persecution
ana prejudice. The trial was deliberate attempt
10 make the law an engine OF persecution. 1t was
conspiracy against the Jews, in which officers OF
the law engaged The charge In detail was that a
Christian girl named Esther Sll0mosy was muir
deTed within the walls OF Il synagogue and
her blood used to nix Passover bread 1t must
nave required strong combination OF ignorance
superstition and prejudice to give dignity enough
10 such charge, In this day o. enlIghtenmen. TO
get IL beforea court. The prosecution was markell
by perseverance and vindictiveneSs The only
direct testimony against the accused was that OF
Hebrew boy, son OF one OF the defendants, Eho
Swore positively that he witnessed the slaughter
OF the girl by peepins through keyhole OF the
synagogue The boy stuck to isstory with logged
pertinacity through the scverest croSs-axamina-
tOE, and circumstance, still unexplained, lent
color TO his statement The girl had mysteriously
DISAPPEARED about the time OF her alleged muir
Ger, anu INC defense was unable TO throw any
Hight upon her singular disappearance This di-
rect and Circumstantial evidence WIS sufficient to
mn me the anti-JewiSh sentiment to such an ex-
tent that for time 1T threatened 10 override law
order ana justice. The p0pulace cried out
guilty" before the defense had been heard and
GENEROUSLY demanded the blool OF the accused.
notwithstanding the ineXplicable disappearance
OF the girl. the defendants were finally enabled TO
make their innocence manifest Tie jury were
taken to the synagogue and the perjury OF the
boy witness was made manifest. 1t was shown, By
examination, that 1t was impossible TO see within
the temple through the keySc.= pointed out as
the one which made him a witness OF the ALLEGED
crime The jury, despite popular prejudice, were
convinced OF the innocence of the accused AMI
rendered verdict Of acquittal- The idea that
human blood Is required any part Of Pa ,sover
observances is superstition OF the dark ages and
1t Is curious Illustration OF the slow progress of
civilization IN some plrtsof the So-caled Christian
world that IL should still be found TO survive
--> s
The republicans OF Maryland are entering uoon
the pending political campaign In that state with
higher hope OF success than has encouraged them
Ter some years. This hope is based mainly upon
two phases OF the situation, which show them
selves quite plainly. One is the discussion exist
Ing IN the democratic party; the other Is the
unity and earnestnesS OF the republicans II is
quite probable that the latter Is an outrroyth OF
the former. The democrats have held sway so
long in the state that the party has become arDi-
frary and dtctatoriaL The evils usually atten.-
ant upon continued power afct the party Biz
bosses and little bosses have grasped the entire
party machinery, and the effort OF the fndepenient
democratic voters 10 free the organization from
such rule has resulted III weii-de fined antarOn-
i5rla. The republicans inspired by the prosnect
opened To them through democratic divisions
have pretty wen healed Up all their disSeniionS
The coming election IS q very important one
Upon It's result depend the political control o; the
state Tor two years from next winter, and a Sena-
torial prize Is among those 10 b. struggled for
Outside OF Baltimore the state is quite evenly ai-
vidsd. politically. Many OF the counties are doubt
lui even under The most favorable democratic
con'itions; and, WITH that party harrassed by in
ternai STRIFE, it IS easy 10 how the republicans
may win, or IN Ike gaius very damaging to demo-
cratic aScendency.