The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-08

to orthodoxy which brought calamity to the
jews and gradually transformed them into
deadly enemies OF the Christian monarchy. It
was during the seventh century that Spain.
which had been to them a paradise. became an
inferno for the Jews. What rendered the
change OF treatment peculiarly calling was
the fact that the Jews had come to be not only
the brains. but the right arm Of the yisigothic
State. Not only were they farmers. mechanics.
merchants. physicians, turists. and diploma
tIsts but they were soldiers OF surpass-
ing vslor. To the jewish frontiersmen
who dwet at the southern foot Of the
Pyrenees had been committed the defence
Of the passes leading from Gaul to Spain.
against the repeated assaults OF the Franks
and the Burgundiana They were regarded as
tho most trusty guardians Of the border. and
their martial courage gained for them remark
able distinction. II was probably. BY the way.
the descendants Of these same Jewish from
tiersmen, who. when obeyina Moslsm instead
ottChristian lords. inflicted at Roncesvailes the
memorable defeat on the rear guard OF
Charlemagne's retreating army. In spite OF
such services the Jews were made. as soon
as the Visigoths turned orthodox. to drain
the cup OF misery to the dTegs. They were
prohibited from contracting marriages with
the Christians. from acquiring Christian slaves
and from holding public Offices Such children
as were born Of intermarriagss wore forcibly
bAptissd- The Jews were thus made to as
sumo an isolated position. which pained them
all the more. as they had previously lived not
merely on equal terms. but had. in fact been
more privileged than the Catholics Most
harsh OF all was the restriction touching the
possession Of slaves All well-to-do people In
the country had slaves and serfs who Guilt
waited their lands and provided for the wants
OF their householdsi tho Jews alone were to
be deprived Of such services. But this
was only the beginning Of oppression.
As time went on. the Jews were forced to
choose between emigration or an acceptance
In writing OF the Catholic faith. The majority
became ostensible converts. but in secret they
chung steadiastly to their prohibited religion.
With q view OF putting an end to such a state
OF things. the representatives. OF the Catholic
Church eventually issued decree compelling
the so-called Judaizing Christians TO spend
the Christian and Jewish holy days under the
eyes OF the clergy. SO that they might be
obliged to observe the former and disregard
the latter At the sAme time Christians were
forbidden to betriend the secret Jews under
penalty OF exeom unleAtion.
The result OF this persecution. which with
some brief periods Of intermission was kept
up for upward OF q century. was three insur-
reetions on the part of the jewish population.
the Moslsm invasion and assured its success.
In 672 the tormentsd Jewish converts took
part In revolt against the newly crowned
King Wanda Count HildeTic. Governor OF
SeptlmAniA. . province OF Gaul attached to
Spain. refused to recognize this ruler. and In
order to gain adherents and resources prom
issd the converted jews q safe refuge and re-
liRious liberty in his territory. AvailIng them
selves OF the invitation. ths Jews smiRrated In
nm haHa anAe h. aNu
portions as to give hopes OF . triumphant
Issue. but ultimately the insurgents were de-
feAtsd. and Narbonne. the capital OF the prov
inee was surrendered. There followed still
ssyerer legislation against the Jews. Both
they and JudaiEing Christians were prohibited
from owning landed property aud houses. and
were forced to surrender all their real estate
to the exchsqueE They we're also forbid
den to repair to Africa. or to trade with
that continent or to transact business
with any Christians whatever. Driven to
despair by this law. which II was impossl-
BILE to syAde. as their real estate was Getu-
ally eonnseatsd. the Jews again formed a
conspiracy against their unrslsntinR foa
They entered into an alliance with their more
fortunate brethren In northwest Africa. and
we're undoubtedly encouraged both By mall
eontent mobiles In Spain. and by the AOhAmms-
dams who were already advancing boldly along
the African coast. This second attempt to throw
on the Hisigothie yoke was made in 604-less
than twenty years before the MOslem invasion
and had a fair chance Of success. for. owing
to the disssnsion. weakness and unnatural
vices Of the ruling elAsA the country Wss
fast sinking into dissolution But the con-
spiraey OF the Jews was discovered before It !
had mAtuTed. aud feToeiOus punishment
was inflicted not only on the convict
ed eulprlts. but on the whole jew
ish population OF the kingdom. which
as Ne have seen included the GGulish prov
ines Of SsptmAniA- Thsy we're all sSntshesd !
10 slavery. presented 70 various masters. and
distributed throughout the COUNTRY. their
owners being forbidden sVsr 10 set them free
again Children Of seven Years Gnd upward
we're torn from tAslr pAEsnts And given 70
Christians 70 b. educated The only SxssD-
tiOA made was Ia favor Of the before men |
toned Jewish warriors Of the narrow passes |
Of the PyTsRsss. Who formed ; bulWArk against |
Invasion tromF ths AOTth. Ihsy asHs indie |