The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-05-03
Jews in America.

The Jews of the United States are
planning to celebrate thetwo hundred
and iftieth anniversary of their arrival
in this country. While the first Of the
raceto land on our shores were perse-
cuted exiles from Brazil, it is held that
there were Jews in the ships Of Col
umbus, who came with him on his first
voyage of discovery.
To us Americans at large, however,
the early history of the Jews in this
country is not so interesting as their
later life and their present position in
the affairs of the nation. From the lit
tie colony of despised and abused Heb
rews that came to seek the protection
of Governor Peter Stuyvesant, and
found a prison instead, has sprung
one Of the most powerful factors in
the world
The Jews were made to suffer in
those early days the sternest disabili-
ties, and it was many years before
they were permitted to exercise with
freedom their religion or enter COM
pletely into the trade Of the commu-
nifty. But the tenacity Of the race,
their inexhaustible patience and their
qualities Of citizenship then as now ui-
timately told in their favor, and from
a grEdging toleration the colonists
gradually conceded to them the full
privilege of citizenship. Their loyal
ty to the government was never ques-
toned, and in later years they We're
among the staunchest supporters of
General Washington; and their SYM
pathies and material substance helped
to carve the republic out of the colony.
Again, in 1912, they We're found firmly
supporting the young republic with
men and money; and in the cival and
the Spanish wars Jews were enlisted
in large numbers as soldiers under the
flag.
Gradually their numbers grew. and
they ventured forth and took part in
the upbuilding especially in the
conmerce-of the states, until there
is hardly community from the At
lantic to the Pacific where they are
not prominent and are not recognized
as among the most progressive and
public-spirited citizens. Only in late
years have they entered the learned
professions to a great extent, but in
them they have already made their
shining mark.
The Jews are the bankers of the
world, and here as in foreign coun-
tries they have attained distinction in
this particular to a marked degree. In
Russia alone are they prevented from
taking the lead in large financial en-
terprises. That governments system of
oppression has stifed thesr natural
talents. but it has been the means Of
increasing the Jewish population of
the United States by many thousands.
New York today contains more Jews
than any other city in the world-in
1904, 672,77s.
Since 1884 they have been coming
here in ever-increasing numbers to
find that freedom and satisfaction in
life to which all men are entitled. I'm
speakably poor they were, and the
fear was expressed that they would
become public charges; while many
are still poor-among the late COM
ers-that prediction has never been
fulfilled. The little Jewish children
are among the brightest in the public
schools. They grow up and them
selves become teachers; they enter
the law, medicine, journalism-and in
ali they excel. In merchandising
one but has to read the names on the
signs in five miles Of busy Broadway
to see how they have made their way.
In America the Jews have record
all to the good; they have succeeded
and are of the brainy, progressive, pa
triotic citizens Of the nation. Their
celebration will be a success, for they
have something worth while to cele-
brate.-New York Commercial.
Great Boring Machines.