Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1913-12-11
~ 9sd ary%aSs 's eS;es s sSsx.ce
Impressive Scenes Mark csrs.
mony Of His Induction
Into Office.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<AAA>>r
Sir Rufus Isaacs is lord chief justice
OF England. yet it is barely half q CEN
tury since the last disabilities were
removed from Jews in England and full
parliamentary rights bestowed upon
them. Baron Rothpchild could not
take his seat when elected to the house
of commons in 1S47, and the first Jew
ish peer sat in the house OF lords In
1886 Thirteen years earlier Sir
George Jessel had been made judge.
1t was 80 years ago that Lord Ma
caulay, in supporting the bill remov-
Ing the civil disabilities which for CEN
turtles had rested upon the Jews In
England. said: The Jew may he q
decide issues Of fact. but not issues of
law He may give 100000 pounds
damages; but he may not in the most
trivial case grant new trial" 1t was
upon that occasion that Macaulay de-
clared that he should think he bad In
suited the Christian religion il he held
that 1t cannot stand unaided by in
tolerant laws" And now one of tho
Jewish race and faith rises to the high
est judicial office, place for which
his great learning in the law and sur
passing ability had designated him az
clearly as party leadership designates
the prime minister to be appointed by
the sovereign. The century-old barrier
of prejudice has been effectually
broken down in England and no longer
stands as an obstacle to political am
bition and demonstrated merit.
Bigotry has an increasingly hard
struggle for it's life in modern civil
ization that is. in states that are really
and fully civilized, and prejudice aris-
ing out of differences of race and faith
tend to disappear and will disappear.
The feeling. which evidently now WELL
nigh universal. that they have no basis
save in ancient superstition, makes an
end of them. To enlightened minds to-
day they seem absurd, and what is
absurd cannot endure. Sir Rufus 1saacs
was by the general testimony the lead
er of the English bar. His brilliant
career. his great learning. and his
popularity have made him conspicu-
London Times says that public opin-
ion had destined him for the place.
Surely. 1t would have been evidence Of
national pettiness instead of national
greatness had England. because of
narrow and outworn prejudices. de-
eminent a man in the place he is so
well fitted to adorn.
An imposing scene was enacted in
the lord chief Justices court in Lon
don. on October 81. when Sir Rufus
Isaacs was sworn in as the successor
Ol LOTu AlSGTSIOuG- Inc friends ana
admirers of Sir Rufus rallied in great
numbers, and the court was crowded
to it's fullest capacity by leading MEM
bers of the bench and bar Ladies'
filed the jury box. and hundreds were
turned away from the public gallery.
while the corridor outside was impass-
able. Among those present were Lady
Isaacs. Godfrey Isaacs, Harry Isaacs
and Alfred Sutro. who 10 now the chief
Justices brotherinlaw.
Sir Rufus made an impressive fgure
in his judges wig and scarlet ermine
robes. The sole ornament visible was
collar of S." peculiar jewel which
the chief justice shares with the lord
mayor and one or two other high per-
sonages. Its exact origin is unknown,
The first ceremony was the taking
of two oaths of office. Sir Rufus, hold
ing the bible. in a clear voice swore
allegiance to the king. whom he would
we'll and truly serve in the office OF
chief justice, and administer the law
without fear or favor, affection or
i'll WILL
Lord Chancellor Haldane then paid
a striking tribute. which was inter-
rupted by regrettable incident. Hal
the feelings of all here" when mans
voice interjected: mo, no; speak for
yourself" Then followed the sound Of
Suppressed struggle, and the inter-
rupter, wearing a barrister's robe was
elected.
Haldane. continuing, said: "It is not
often that one is found who has such
mastery Of law and such keenness in
dealing with facts as Sir Rufus Isaacs.
We of the bench and bar know him as
man OF the highest attainmentA
whose desire has been to do right be-
tween man and man. We know him
10 be a man of the highest honor. and
that his greatest desire is to seek out
1.-The truth"