The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-02
THE JEWISH RACE.
A Discussion of the Question of Am
gamatlon.


Mr.. p. W. Hirsch In the Jewish Spectator
Considerable excitement has been Gro
ated in New York City by the publication
of an interview in the New York Herald
with Baron Hrsch, Of Paris, France, and
a reporter on the staff Of that paper. 1t is
therein stated that Baron Hirsch recon-
mcnded the adoption OF a policy on the
part of the Jews which would result in
their eventual absorption by the Gentle
world. He advocated gradual social,
political and religious determination.
Naturally such a radical opinion from one
heretofore recognized and regarded as a
staunch pillar Of Judaism, must arouse
intense feeling not so much on account OF
the novelty of the opinion us the changed
views ascrited to the utterer We have
grave doubts as to the authenticity of the
interview, and in fact some OF the New
York papers contain denials. To us the
correctness OF the interview is immaterial
Whether true or false, ii has provoked
discussion, and until new sensation has
arisen, will continue TO provoke discussion
in the public journals Of the day. We
feel, therefore, that the time is opportune
for an expression Of our views, and will
endeavor to give them calmly and dispas-
sionately. 1t is not question TO be
treated with levity, for it involves the hap
plness and well being Of thousands Of
beings, and we should approach it with
full sense OF its grave import.
We say in no vain, self-laudatory spirit
that the jew has been q most important
roll in. hn a al.
only is Judaism the mother OF the two
most important religions OF the world, but
she has given TO mankind code OF morals
which today governs, in all it's pristine
strength, society. However spiritual tho
Christian doctrines may be, however efli-
cacious they may be in the movements of
the heart when once they take possession,
it is an unquestioned fact that in the regu-
lations Of society and in the government
of men the principles Of justice are admin
istered, not by Christian, but by Jewish
code. Hence it is that Jewish thought
still continues TO exert on our present civ
ilization the most powerful influence, an
influence in its kind and character con-
coded by the most profound thinkers as
absolutely Indispensable. Nor does the
potentiality OF Jewish thought rest upon
its present value. II has well-deiined,
well-cut possibilities, which, as ciyiliza-
ton advances along the lines OF progress,
will become actualitos in our civil govern
ment The laymen may doubt these
statements, but they are admitted by close
observers OF events. TO believe in the
existence OF thing. we need not ALWAYS
have the thing itself before the eye The
mathematician knows that n certain result
will follow from certain premises, though
he has not penned sentence or formed a
figure. The architect knows by laying his
material in a certain manner one, aud only
one, kind OF q building can be erected.
What, then, prevents the philosopher
from seeing from well ascertained condi-
tons a certain result will arisc2
III these facts are once conceded 10 be
true, then the assimilation OF the Jewish
race is premature, and the destruction OF
its identity impolitic. Until mission has
been fulfilled, II would be uuwise, foolish
and indiscreet TO destroy the agent in
trusted with the agency unless he has
proven incompetent or recroant TO his
trust. The jew has never been charged
with the former; regarding the latter. we
put in plea Of confession and avoidance
in modified form. IL must be admitted
that the jew has not always proven true TO
his high trust. Material interests have
sometimes caused him TO swerye from the
path OF duty, and at no time Is this more
apparent than the present However, he
Is not entirely 10 be blamed. Crushed ana 2
Inundated in the past by physical condi- [
tons, and freed and unrestrained by pres
ent surroundings, 1t is no wonder that hc
has ialtcred and dropped by the wayside.
But rs a man, rs In governmental affairs,
he has his possibilities, and is fully capa-
BILE Of moving upward, and by his own un.
aided efforts attaininga higher civilization.
So that Il would seem there isno necessity
Of this fusion Of race or religion. The jew
and GENTLE can well live side by side in
concord and harmony. In the race Of
progress they stimulate each other 10 no.
bier cXcrtions. They act and react on
each other, and thus make both better and
worlhier Preserving their separate idcn-
titles, yet constantly In friction, they
bring out purcr aspirations, higher inccn-
tivcs and grandor possibilities by union
they would destroy ambition lose energy,
aud mankind would move backward. Led
the jew remain ~ he II, a distinct indiyid-
uality, at least in thought, II not In race,
aud II IL h true, as some have maintained,
that all religions crumblo and fall like ems
pircs and nations. IL will be- found that id
the burial Of mother and child, nj the sand
time and in the same tomb, a new religion
will be- erected, like n monument owed
their grave, TO bless aud ennoblc bus
maniiy.