The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-10-09

An interesting chapter of the series
THE Spiritual Unrest" which Ray
stannard Baker contributes to the
American Magazine. appears in the
october issue OF that periodical; 1t is
devoted to the Jews in America, and
ceals with their disintergrat!on and
the decline of their religious faith. OF
the part the Jews play in the life and
activities OF New York City. Mr.. Rak-
er says:
How much the Jewish population
means In the life of New York City.
Few people realize. Within the past
few years quietly, almost without no.
t!ce. the Jew has become the chief
single element in the population Of
our principal American city-and In
very real sense one of the don,inat-
ing factors OF our life. Out of the to-
al population Of Greater New York
nearly 100000 are Jews, or more
than one In every five. Nowhere at
any time In the worlds history were
80 many Jews gathered together in
one locality. Jerusalem the Golden In
all the 5000 years Of its history never
lad quarter as many Jews as now
I've In New York city. and all Pales-
re today. in spite Of the efforts Of
- thuslastic Zionists to fire their peo-
pie with desire to return to their
home land has not as many Jewish
residents a. may be found in half a
dozen blocks on the East Side. Not
only are they the dominant factor on
TIE crowded East Side. but they oc-
cupy whole neighborhoods in other
parts Of the city--in Harlem and the
Bronx. in Williamsburg and Browns
viiie--almpst to the exclusion Of other
population. And they are not mere
renters OF homes and tenements; for
considerable proportion Of the valu-
able lands on Manhattan Island ar.
now held by Jewish owners. The
largest single industry in the city
clothing manufacture--is almost Ell.
tirely in the hends of Jews. They ccn-
troll many of our greatest banks and
other financial institutions, and their
domain In finance Is rapidly extend.
Ing: they dominate and direct almost
exclusively the amusements, both the
atres and operas--of the greatest
American cities. About half Of the
principal newspapers Of the metropo-
is are owned by Jews-and some Of
.he other papers have Jewish editors
In important positions. They control
The greatest part of the wholesale and
retail trade. Many Of our ab.est law
Nyers. doctors and scientists are Jews.
More and more the Jew is becoming
great factor In politics; II Tammany
Hall Is beaten at the polls this fall,
the Jew will do 1t.
Many Jewish judges now admins
ter our laws and not few Jews in
pur legislatures and In congress are
helping to make them. The educa-
tion of the children OF New York
city Is. to a surprising extent, In the
hands OF the Jews-and becoming
more and more 30. examined the
lists recently published of newly ap-
pointed teachers for the public schools
1t reads for long spaces like a direc-
tory of the East Side. Hundreds of
teachers In New York who we're born
In despotic Russia and who came here
only few years ago. Knowing not a
word of English, are today teaching
American children the principles OF
democracy. Some of the strongest
benevolent and civic activities Of. the
city are controlled by Jews and final.
ly. the Jews. rssistinx Carissia uity.
have built up at least one religious
or ethical movement. which has at
tracted many Chrisatans. Not few
Christian churches, slowly surround
ed by Jews. have given mp ufne strug-
gle and the buildings have finally
been purchased and convsnued into
synagogues. II may cczne as a sur
prise to many people. hut 1T is a fact
that there are now Tar more syna-
gogues (organixations. not buildings)
on Manhattan Island than there are
Christian churches The number OF
Jewish synagogues In greater New
York Is sos. Of which 7S8 n1e in Man
haitian Island and the Bromx. Assur-
ediy New York city has become the
New Jerusalem OF the Jew"