The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-03-08
Renan and the Jews.

Ernst Renan, the French savant and
author of La Vie de Jesu," has, says
the Vienna correspondent of the London
Telegraph, Just addressed d most appro-
pirate Christmas letter to the Rabbis of
Santo, in Hungary. 1t will be remem-
bered that some time ago young
Christian girl disappeared mysteriously
from a. small locality called Tissa Ezlar.
The jewish community were charged
with having enticel the girl to their
place of worship, and of having sacri-
feed her in what was represented to be
an old Jewish religious ceremony. The
deed was said to have taken place at
midnight, and several Christian inha bit
ants of the village were reported to have
witnessed it. A lengthy judicial investi-
cation resulted in the discharge of
those who had been arrested on suspi-
cion. One of the chief witnesses was q
lad, who, as was afterward proved, per-
jnred himself, at the instigation of de-
signing persons, dozen times during the
inquiry. But the whole matter created
a violent anti-Semetic agitation among
the less enlightened classes of Hungary,
and was the origin of the subsequent
anti-Jewish manifestations in that part of
the empire. The Tissa Ezlar affair was
turned to account by the Hungarian fan
atics who attended the recent anti-Semi.
tic congress, and it required the direct
interference of the Minister-P President to
quiet the dangerous and discreditable
movement thus set on foot. M. Tisza's
intervention comes rather late. and was,
perhaps, not as spontaneous as it might
have been. but it has for the present, at
all events, put an end to the scandal of
an anti Jewish crusade. M. Remains re-
markable letter runs thus: "Of all the
calumnies prompted by hatred and
fanaticism, the most absurd is certainly
that accusing the Jews of murder in
order to obtain material for sanguinary
religious ceremonies. One Of the chief
characteristics of the Jewish religion is
the prohibition of blood for human food
This measure of precaution, which in
former times was calculated to inspire
respect for life >, pas been conscientiously
observed by the Jews, even at periods
and under circumstances of civilization
that rendered it painful. And yet it is
now maintained that the pious Jew, who
piece of meat not thoroughly cleansed of
UlOOu, las tuSteu UIoou az ICiiSlouo
ceremony. This is a monstrously stupid
assertion. 1 am fully convinced
that none of the stories connected
with that sanguinary Easter meal
have the remotest foundation.
If such deed had really been perpe-
trated, not only would it be necessary to
admit that the wretches guilty of it had
violated all Jewish prescriptions, but I
go further and do not believe that such a
crime could be committed. Human i'm
agination is not very fruitful in the
sphere of calumny. The fable of mystic
rious meals, where human blood has
been tasted, has always been a tavorite
accusation against those whom blind
prejudice has thought to ruin. This
same calumny was uttered against the
Christians. And yet the sacrament of
Christians had never been polluted
through such wicked proceeding. The
Easter festivities of the Jews are equally
innocent. 1t would be worthy of Christ
endom to prevent this disgracetul false
hood, which began by inhicting so much
suffering on Christians, from being now
turned to account against other bodies.