The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-06
SlleenY.

| vigorously llulpoSeu upon Hill.
Sheeny.
Mr.. MAX DAVIS objects to the applicatio,
of the term Shceny to the Jewish race. ant
he asks us to express our opinion on TIN
subject. We oblige him checrfully.
In the Hebrew language. as he explains
Sheeny Is tho termination OF n word dis
tinctly complimentary in its Specification
1t means brightness. quickncss, alertness
and hence in itself Is peculiarly applicable
to the Jews. since the successful OF the ract
arc distinguished for such qualities. Be
cause they are so distinguished is one o.
the reasons why Shecny has come into ust
in the opprobrious sense to which Mr.
DAVIS objects. II they were dull instcat
of sharp-wittcd. unsuccessful instead o.
prosperous. they would not be called Shce
mics in Wall street and elsewhere.
The wisest way for people Is to accept
good-naturcdly designation which is en-
ployed derisively and opprobrlously and
by treating it rs an honorable rather than q
dishonorable distinction to disarm it OF its
intended offensiveness. The more they re.
sent it the more surely 1t will stick to Thorn.
for they will betray the pain which it was
applied to cause. and their enemies and de.
tractors will have the encouragement OF
success in accomplishing their intended
purpose. If the Jews make it known that It
hurts them to be called Shecnes. Sheenies
they are bound to be called by those who
dislike them. A just appreciation OF this
truth is shown in the letter OF another jew
which we publish elsewhere to-day.
The term by which Jews are called by
people not of their race is matter OF no
consequence to them: and when the desg-
nationi is complimentary in its derivation. us
Mr. DAVIS explains. they arc foolish to
show that they take offence Mt it. The great
| and important subject OF consideration for
both them and the rest OF the people of this
country. and particularly OF this city, is tho
remarkable increase here OF the Jewish
race and the social and industrial conse-
Qucnces which are coming FRONT it.
According to the most intelligent Jewish
estimates. tho Jewish population of New
York is now Of the great number OF $50, 900.
and it is rapidly multiplying by immigra-
ton and by natural increase. Tho expul-
sion Of the Jews from Russia and tho
philanthrophic schemes OF Baron DE
HIRsCH for their benefit are resulting in
sending many thousands OF them to this
port. and hero in New York very large
part Of the immigrants are remaining. In
the past the Jcws have como over In COM
paratively small numbers each year.
They were impelled hitherwnrd by their
individual enterprise. and not assisted
by philanthropy on a large scale like
that Of Baron DE HIRsCH. Hence the new
settlers were the more enterprising and
venturcsome OF the race. people able to take
care OF themselves and confident in their
own ability. Coming thus sporadically
and being OF such quality. the Jews speed
lily distributed themselves throughout the
Union from the seacoast to the furthest and
newest settlement OF civilization. and by
their energy and acuteness wero successful
in their undertakings to IN extraordinary
degree. AS Mr.. DAVIS says. they and
their descendants have made themselves
dominant in some branches OF trade and
conspicuous in finance. They have also been
absorbed In the general mass OF tho popu-
lation US much as it is possible for race SO
peculiar to be assimilated. They have be-
come thorough Americans and valuable citi-
Zcns distinguished among all immigrants
for their prosperity.
Within the last five years, and more
especially within the Inst two years, the
character of the Jewish immigration has
changed greatly. and It's volume has in
creased enormously. Instead OF the enter
prislng spirits of tho race. we arc getting
the feeble and the incapable. Poverty and
squalor distinguish them. and they
further glut departments OF labor which
before their arrival were already suf-
fnrin frNp
own case is made tho worse by their
coming. and tho situation of tho rest
OF the laborers. very many. IL not most
OF them of their own race. Is rendered de-
plorable In the extreme. They fall hope
lessly to the bottom OF society. instead OF
rising rapidly TO prosperity after the man
nAr of tho earlier immigrants. who might
have begun in Chatham street. but have
ended in the Fifth avenue.
The great mass Of Jews in New York
to-day are recent immigrants and are
poor. miserably poor. representatives OF
the least self-helpful part OF their race.
They are not distressed by fear that they
will be called Sheenics. but because they
are barely able to keep soul and BODY
together Nor Is tho term applied to them.
1t Is applied rather to the prosperous
OF the race and by them resented, II
Mr.. DAVIS can be taken rs their exponent.
Sheeny specifically, as We understand the
term. Is well-fed Jew who comes into sue
cessful competition with Christians. not q
poor and wretched Jew whose misery alone
attracts their attention. 1t Is designation
which goes with prosperity and not with
perjury. and hence may we'll be tolerated by
those to whom 1t Is applied.
The Jews have no cause for distress be-
cause OF any such epithet. The designa-
ton constitutes no bar to their advance
ment. 1t Is not term of contempt so
much as term coined by envy. jealousy.
and unavailing competition. But Jewish
poverty and degradation bring real re-
proach on the race. AS a peculiar
people. and therefore obnoxious to the
rest. they are kept down the more.
and their chances OF rising are made
next to impossible. Even by their own