New-York tribune., 1901-06-23
HEBREW PERSISTENCE AND PROGRESS.

HEBREW PERSISTENCE AND PROGRESS.
The fine photo-engraving Of the graduating
class of the College of the City of New-York.
which we published on Wednesday last, might
almost have been mistaken for n picture Of a
meeting of the Young Mems Hebrew Associa-
ton, so numerous were the faces in 1t Of an I'M
mistakably Semitic type. The impression thus
created was confirmed by reference to the roll
of the class in which Jewish names were In
decided majority. Or was this condition singu-
lar to this years class? II has long prevailed
| in the City College, that many have called
that institution, in one spirit or another, the
Jews College" That descriptive appellation,
however which is by no means one OF reproach,
rs shall see. may also be given TO other in
stitutions of learning, in less though still con-
siderable degree. The rosters of the two gro at
local universities. especially In their schools of
law and medicine. show n large and increasing
proportion of Jewish names.
The fact is significant Of the genius Of the
race. Numerous as they are, Hebrews form
only a small minority of the population of this
city. They are therefore represented in the
city's highest public institution of learning far
beyond their due proporton-and probably in
the universities also. II may well be thar
larger proportion of Gentiles than Of Hebrews
full recognition of this fact, the record seems
to indicate that larger proportion of Hebrews
than of Gentiles in this city are seeking higher
education. which would mean that the educa-
tional standard Is higher among the former
than among the latter Certainly that appears
10 be the case in the humber walks OF life.
For many of these Hebrew collcgians come
from the poor, cOngested. tenement house re-
gion. region which, we fear, sends few Gen
tile lads 10 college. Nor do the young Jews
merely flock TO college in great numbers. they
excel In scholarship and surpass their Gentle
comrades I'm standing we'll rs I'm numbers, as
IS evident from the lists of honor men and lr;ze
winners.
We have said that all this is significant Of the
genius OF the Hebrew race. 1t IS significant OF
its splendid physical and intellectual vitality
and vigor OF fits indomitable overcoming OF
obstacles and OF It's ability, in some way or
another. TO reach the goal ahead ot all competi-
tors. 1t Is merely the latest chapter in one OF
the most remarkable national or racial histories
| the world has ever recorded. Practically
every other nation of ante Christian antiquity
has perished But here Is this one, one OF the
earliest Of them and the one against which for
thousands OF years the most unrelcntlng op1osi-
ton and persecution have been directed. sur
viving and hourislrng In pristine vigor. and
maintaining unaltered and unmpaired after
forty centuries the very characteristics and in
dlviduality which in those ancient ages stamped
It as a peculiar people" Contemporary with
Egypt In the height OF the latter's glory, and
antedating Athens and Rome; made the object
of suppression and even of extinction by Egypt.
Assyrla. Rome and many another power and
down TO within the memory OF men still living
the object OF hostile discrimination by pearly
all Christian atiOns, the Jews are to-day ire
pressbe anh indomitable, holding their place
In the very foremost rank OF the worlds best
peoples 1t is spectacle provoking the wonder
and meriting the admiration OF the world