New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-19

Russian immigrants They lived in squalcr
and worked hard. Their poverty did not
improve their morals. and for many years
they were a heavy burden on their more
enlightened and prosperous brethren
Schools, asylums, hospitals and workshops
were founded for them and organizations
were formed for their moral and patriotic
uplift. and many Of those who were inter
ested In the earlier stages OF the movement
lived to see the wretched immigrant greatly
improved in his condition AMI appreciative
OF the help which had enabled him 70 help
himself.
BEGAN TO HELP THEMSELVES.
They did help themselves in many ways
Although some became intoxicated with
the air Of freedom Of which they had the
first Whit in the United States, ard abused
the privileges which came suddenly into
their possession, others made the most o.
their opportunity, with the result that the
second generation showed marked I'M
provement. The children Of the destitute
Russian Immigrant crowded the public
schools. they found their way into WORK
shons factories and places OF business aho
IN a comparatively short time they became
noticeable in the learned professions.
Rut although the ambition cf these pee
ME. their evident eagernesS TO better theH
position, aroused admiration. the pre)udlce
AGAINST the Issian and the Poiack re-
NAMED. The Russian, however, began 10
see that he was rapidly assuming the place
in the Jewish population in relation 70 MS
",ptoyn" brethren which the Germans
held toward the Portuguese generation
ago At that time the Portuguese hved
onart from the newcomer. only 10 realize
later that their day Of glory had vanished
and that the despised German had taHeh
their places. Those who have given the
matter careful study think that history -
repeating itself. and that the Germans are
being eclipsed by the Russians az rms
Portuguese were by the Germans.
Many signs point in that direction.
,cnaration ago an almost unsurmountabls
barrier existed between the Germans ana
the Russian Jews. Then the Russian "ss
looked upon as unalterablv orthodox and out
Of sympathy with any modernism. But NJ
has shown since that he may be won over
Numerically, he has a seventold adNdntags
IF his German brother. lie Is new largely
represented IN the learned professions, ana
that he IS acquiring wealth is shown by the
recently published statement that In re-
srrIcted district Of New York. only one ana
one half miles in extent. fyc hundred jews
are reported TO dwell who arc worth from
10000 10 100000 each.
Although II has been said by conlmunsi
leaders and workers IN those parts OF the
CITY where the Russians make their nome
that the standard Of morality among those
who came 70 these shores IN the great
exodus which began in 1850 was not as high
as that of the Jews who welcomed ana
provided homes for the newcomers, Al
though many of the proud boasts OF the
earlier Jewish settlers have been destroyed
since the Russians came, even those whose
preiudices are most deeply seated do not
deny tlat the progress Of the Russian i'm
migrant has been upward, and the fact that
the descendants OF the poor Russians now
stand in the pulpits of congregations where
Il would probably have been difhcult Tor
their fathers to nave gained membership
few wears ago, that one of their number IL
soon to assume the pastoral duties OF the
foremost Reform congregation In the United
States, gives color TO the prophecy that IN
time the German Jew will stand in the
Mace which the Portuguese now occupies
and the descendants OF the Russian imml-
grants will be the representative American
Jews