New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-06-25


information nor documentary evidence can he rem
dcred effective, and the result in the present
Instance is a compile Of thick volumes which tell
us scarcely anything about the subjects which was
not common property years ago, and which fail
a. tell us precisely what DR.. Loewc was peculiarly
fitted 10 put on record. All the world has long
been perfectly familiar with The outlines Of the
OF Sir Moses Montciiorc and his bcncfac-
tons. lie had the instinct of his race for money
making. and being connected or intimate with all
the great English Hebrew houses, together with
a number Of Continental ones. such the Roth
schilds, Mochttas and Avgdors il may
we'll he supposed that lie enjoyed special
opportunities II is enough to know
that he both inherited wealth and accumulated it.,
hut few years Of prosperous business seem TO
have quite satatcd him, and thenccforth the
pursuit Of his life was philanthropy. From the
moment he appeared before the world IN that
not-hackncycd role, his career became a centre Of
interest No doubt, though the fact is not latter
Ing the attention which is aroused by the spectacle
Of generous givcr is in large part caused by the
inability OF the many IN comprehend the motives
end feelings of the few. The majority are con-
ecious that in themselves there is no impulse to
give, and they wonder at philanthropy at
something which. while they recognize as per-
tanning TO the higher life, they yet feel to lie
beyond their utmost efforts.
Sir Moses, however. was not one who took up
philanthropy as Il pursuit rs another man might
take up collecting this or that. II was born with
him. as these diaries sufficiently prove, and ell
that he did consciously toward It's development
consisted in the direction OF practical details and
the iudcious arrangement of expenditures Natu-
rally the good man looked first 70 those of his
own race, and they have the strongest reasons for
lonorinr and missing his memory l,ut like
many of his race, he was emincntly broad and
liberal and he did not draw the line at Jews
when he was planning TO do good, but Included
oil who in distress and needing help
Still. his most active and persistent work may he
said 10 have been done in Palestine. Seven times
he visited Jerusalem his last journey there being
made when he was more than ninety years of
nge; and from first to last his best Offices were
given to his prosecuted co-rcligionists His dis
tinction powerful influence and tender heart
caused Sir Moses gradually 70 occupy a peculiar
position. Whenever and wherever Jews were
oppressed. abused, prosecuted, whether in Pales
tine, Turkey Russia. Germany. or any other place,
lie was sure TO be appealed 70 for aid, and he was
equally sure Ia bcstir himself. Not that he was
slways successful in his ntcrcessons He found
the Cor Of Holy" Russia more inaccessible than
The semi-savage ruler of Morocco, for example
The treatment of the Russian and Polish Jews
was frequently worthy only of the Dark Ages
brutal and supcrstitious pcasantry and proetnriat
found it an easy and aluring enterprise TO perse-
cute It's creditors, and so add repudiatlon ana
confscaton TO the related vices OF unthnft and
tntemperance; while the bureaucracy did not move
with any energy 10 repress this persecution, be-
cause il saw in the situation only promising
opening for fresh corruption. 1t held of that
The prosecuted people might lie driven to ony
police and other protection, and no doubt II cursed
what seemed to it tile oiiciousness OF Dir Moses
Monteiiorc
On his side Sir Moses pursued his with
patience and perseverance, smoothing obstacles
away with his sweet temper and gentle speech
charming the most grabbed and fractions Of Off
Gals and really efecting more than half dozen
average Governments could have done. No doubt
he owed his in part TO the general recogni-
ton Of the formidable financial power which was
felt 10 I've behind him, power which no Govern
ment on the Continent of Europe can to-day even
afford 10 leave out Of its calculations, and which
possesses even greaer authority than strong
battalions and army corps, the which it can arrest
on their way TO strike enemy. and command a
halt 10 the greatest armies There is no power in
Europe which is independent of the mighty
moneyed element, or which would venture 10 ig
more it, and Sir Moses could. therefore, always
count upon respectful attention. even from the
troudest OF the most corrupt court Yet he had
less success in Russia than elsewhere and Tor The
reasons given above; and short time before
his death-when he was ninety eight-he
had almost made up his mind 10 risk journey
70 St. Petersburg. in the hope by personally in
tercedng with the Gar TO secure protection for
his countrymen. There is, however, one feature
of his transactions on behalf OF these pcrsccuted
people which gives room for reflection. Some OF
ill.,, ttA6 in
volumes suggest doubt whether Sir Moses was
not sometimes over-credulous. There are stories
here. Of oppression and outrage, which really do
not carry conviction with them, and the fact
that they come from Orientas does not strengthen
ones confidence in them When. for instance the
European Consus at Damascus were gravey
charged with banding together TO torture poor
Jews, il does not appear that any serious EFFORT
was made TO establish an accusation so incredible
on It's face.
Yet il must be owned that In most cases. when
others challenged his statements lie was prepared
TO substantiate them, and at all events he was
confded in 10 a very unusual extent Kings.
princes prime ministers. statesmen OF all political
shades. appear Ia have been under the influence
of personality which must have been singularly
winning. People of the most diverse character
united in prasing and in helping him. Reverence
and honor followed his footsteps There can he no
doubt that he was noble and lofty and pure man
apart from his philanthropy, and that strong
element Of what might be called patriarcbal wis
dom added much TO his dignity. He was truly
religious man, almost necessarily, and his religion
must have been natural TO him as his benevo-
lence for it not the outcome of research and
the balancing OF probabilities. but rscnbled that
large. unquestionng. optimistic faith and trust
which is best in beautifully minded children.
These diaries abundantly testify to the unaffected
and earnest pety OF the well-assortcd couple, and
surely never was man more happily mated than
Sir Moses.
II is TO be regretted that DR.. Loewe has not
no rio mol