The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-09
AMERICAN JEWS.

AMERICAN JEWS.
The pages Of history contain no
record as astonishing. we might al
most say on natural baIis, as miracu-
lous, as that Of the Jews. Scattered
among all nations, speaking the Ian
guags and conforming to the manners
OF those among whom they dwell, and
even assuming names conforming to
the lands where they take up their
residence. they still retain their pc.
culiar identity, they are everywhere
and always Jews. Prosecuted, hated,
tortured and slain, stl the old faith is
retained. Driven into the meanest
districts cities possess, impoverished
and surrounded by ignorance that
daily violates the laws Of health and
we'll being, the Jews have always sus-
tanned their students Of the peculiar
learning they delight in, and in ooedi-
ence to the requirements Of their faith
have been healthy, vigorous and in
creasing in population where Others
fell victims 10 their evil surroundings.
Living in countries devoted to super
stitions, martyred by hecatombs be-
cause they refused TO adopt those evil
ideas, they have retained unsul
lied their sublime faith in the
one God whe made heaven and earth.
scorned and despised, they have ever
been students and supporters OF learn
ing. In philosophy, in oratory, in
music, in philology, in medicine, and
wherever genius could manifest its
power and skill show its accomplish
ments, these wonderful people have
shown their superiority. In finance
and trade, when the world knew little
Of the principles that govern both, and
to-day now those principles are pro-
foundly Investigated, they are still,
among the arst and most successful.
In this country, to an extent none
other has gone, their fine qua lities
their liberal charities, their unsur.
pass ID tolerance and their natural
aptitude and Astounding talent are rec
ognlsed and respected. We have no
better citizens, conforming to law and
supporting public order. Our institu-
tions appear fully adapted to their
nature, and they are stsunch uphold
ers OF Liberty and the free enj )yment
Of natural and social rights, A wide
perusal Of their publications reveals an
almost passionate love for this coun-
try, where they are citizens standing
as the peers Of all other citizens, safe
and free in their persons, and ex-
ercsing their religlon-except, We
reprst 10 say, the full privileges OF their
So bath without molestat Oh, under
the ample protection Of law aud con-
sttution. We have been led to make
these remarks by tle perussl OF an
article in the Clncinn d IsrGelite in IA
vor OF educating Jc Wish children in
our public schools, an instance Of 10y
atty 10 just American principles not
shown by all the sscts. The Brdelite
says Of this admirable compliance with
a fundamental American institution:
This is undoubtedly the best course
to pursue, in order to educate citizens
Of free country to become useful
men and women. The special relig-
ious education is transferred t. the
familJ and tho Sabbath school. The
consequences is that our young people
speak NJ jargoD, are no strangers
among their Contem poraries feel and
think like other Americans. Oar
fathers have been long enough stran.
gesst homeiu the various countries Of
their miseries; wear3 determined TO be
at home right here, under The banner
Of liberty and equality, and to this
end iS this.very plan Of education, We
have no armies aud no Joshuas with
which to capture Canaan, aud to es-
tablilh R home FIR all future genera
tons; but we have America aud free
education, which will accomplish the
same end il We MAKE proper ule oI
them. No sectsrsnism and no pecu
liariues outside Of the synagogue
These words manifest au aimirabla
spirit aud an enlightened intelligence.
Would that all who come among us
were animated by sentiments as ex
allied and rs praise worthy.