Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-06-12
JEWS As SOLDIER $.
Services in the Revolution, Rebel
lion and spanish-Americnn wars.


indianapolis News)
The public reprimand recently given by
the president to an army officer in con-
nectlon with the case of a young Jew de-
sirous of winning a commission in the
army was, Of course. approved by all
right minded people The incident Is
closed, but 1t may serve to remind other
army officers and proscriptively inclined
persons that the Jews in America have
fully earned their right to fair treatment.
They got here nearly as soon as any
body, and have done their share in build
ing up the repdblc. Thirty years after
the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock
Jacob Barsumson and Jacob Aboaf, fore
runners of many more. arrived at New
Amsterdam, and began to assist in build
ing up the town which we now call New
York. From that time on they were
among the pioneers in different colonies.
Though not numerous, they furnished
their quota of 'separatonists," as those
were called who favored separation from
the mother country. A document favoring
separation, which is still preserved and
exhibited in Philadelphia, bears the sig
natures of Benjamin Levy, Samson Levy,
Joseph Jacobs, David Franks, Moses
Mordecai and others equally distinctive.
No need to inquire into their pedigree. In
ITO paper drawn up in New York, TO
make the non-importation act more
stringent, had among It's signers Samuel
Judah, Jacob Moses, Jacob Meyers, Hannah
Levy and others. Former President Roose-
Welt says: Even in our colonial period
the Jews participated in the upbuilding Of
this country, acquired citizenship and took
an active part in the development OF for
eign and domestic commerce During the
revolutionary period they aided the cause
Of liberty by serving in the continental
army and by substantial contributions to
the empty treasury of the infant republic
During the civil war thousands served
in the armies, and mingled their blood with
the soil for which they fought"
At dark period in the revolutionary
war when Robert Morris, the Philadelphia
tlnanoier, called for funds, Haman Solo
mon subscribed 5000 He was a Polish
Jew, friend OF Pulaski and Kosciusko.
and by subsequent advances he more than
doubled his investment in the cause of
independence. No part of It was ever
repaid to him or his family. Isaac Moses.
OF Philadelphia, contributed $4,000 to the
colonial treasury, and Manuel Mordecai
Noah, of South Carolina, not only served
In the army on Washington's staff but
gave 100000 to the cause. Scores Of Jews
served In the revolutionary army One of
the most distinguished soldiers in the war
OF 1872 was Brigadier-General Bloomfield.
Jew. Others were Colonel Nathan
Meyers, Captain Meyer Morris, Lieutenant
Isaac Mertz and Adjutant Isaac Myers.
At the battle Of New Orleans Judah Touro
rendered efficient aid TO General jackson
and many years later Touro contributed
the $4,000 necessary to complete the
Bunker Hill monument General David de
Leon Jew, received the thanks of con-
sress for valuable services in the Mexican
war, and there, were quite a number OF
Jews In the ranks. An officer at that
time was Major Alfred Mordecai His
son, General Mordecai. was graduated AT
West Point in 1861, and after a brilliant
military record and long service as chief
OF ordnance is now retired
Several thousand Jews served IN the
Union army in the civil war and scores
OF them attained distinction as Officers
Over 1000 Jewish soldiers served during
the Spanish-American war Fifteen Jews
lost their lives in the Maine when that
ship was destroyed, and Rear-Admiral
Mark of the navy, Judge-advocate of the
Maine disaster board OF inquiry, and stiII
living, is a Jew. This very incomplete LIST
OF Jews who have at different times and
In different ways rendered patriotic service
TO the country is enough to prove the
folly and injustice of raising a racial bar
against them.