England and the Jews

By 1. 1.

The one most regrettable occurrence in this representative government will soon upset to take that oath. About the same time, David present European war is that England, an their plans and rout them from their purposes. Salomons was elected to parliament. He like- outstanding protest against monarchical ab- After the Catholics in the English islands wise refused to take the prescribed oath. But solutism, should see fit to come to the aid of were freed from their civil disabilities, the instead he took his seat and insisted on vot- and fight alongside of Russia. None other Jews, or those who were in favor of their ing. His breach of parliamentary rules was than international entanglements could compel emancipation, started their fight for their then referred to the court, which decided so progressive a nation as England to ally political freedom. Almost at every session against him. He was fined five hundred itself with Russia, a most barbaric country. after 1830, the bills granting political equality pounds for each vote. A few years afterwards The Jew, who has little sympathy for Russian to the Jews were read in the House of Com- he was elected Lord Mayor of London. In leaders, can scarcely take sides against Eng- mions. And after the first time, the House 1858, the battle of over twenty-five years was won. A conference land. For this latter nation time and again passed it, but the Lords, being conservative, committee submitted a re- held it up. So persistent was the opposition to port, in which it recommended has been the exponent and defender of the that any person this bill by the nobility that the supporters who was elected to Parliament who refused oppressed and defenseless. And to so long as it tried another plan than that of forcing the take the prescribed oath, may be admitted can aid Russia by to stave off defeat from the al- House of Lords to grant the political equality. resolution which allowed them to omit the liance, so long will the Czar, with his hirelings, They sought to secure for the Jews the right words that Rothschild objected to. Three continue to oppress the weak and unprotected. to hold and administer offices inferior to that years later Lord Rothschild took the oath with It is unfortunate, indeed, thait England pur- of legislators. And so they succeeded five covered head, substituting for the words with poses to assist Russia. years after they initiated their movement in which he found objections, the phrase, "so In this war, no country has a better claim passing the so-called Sheriff's Declaration Bill, help me, Jehovah." In the early sixties, fur- to the support and aid of the Jews than Great which permitted the Jews to hold this impor- ther restrictions and disabilities were removed Britain. For in no country do the Jews enjoy tant office. Ten years later another far-reach- that practically freed the Jews of England. such unrestricted liberty as they do in these ing bill was passed, removing the minor civil In the middle of the eighties, Sir Nathaniel islands. Quite different to the conditions of disabilities of the Jews and allowing them to de Rothschild was the first to be elevated to the Jews in America, our brethren in England hold municipal positions. In that decade a the House of Lords as Lord Rothschild. A not only enjoy political freedom but social as most presistent struggle transpired, which en- little while later two other Jews were similarly well. Even in our great republic, the social abled the advocates of this bill to work from distinguished. In 1890, all restrictions on prejudice has not been broken down as well the bottom and succeed in opening all offices Judaism and Catholicism were finally and com- as the political. In England, on the other to Jews lower than that of .members of par- pletely removed. In the struggle of over a half hand, the Jews are made to endure very little liament. The gaining of this victory furnished century, many of the leaders aligned themselves of that hatred. Somewhat dissimilar to the them with a handle to pry open the other re- for this bill. Most famous among them in situation in this country, the political and so- maining political embargoes and to lift off literature was Lord Macaulay. In fact, the cial rights are closely linked together. In these other restrictions. whole fight may be ascribed to the liberal other words, when the former is granted to Now the fight returned to securing the right party, as the conservatives were its only op- any particular people, the latter usually ac- for the Jews to hold the position of member- ponents. At no time companies it. In short, the absolute and com- either, when the bill ship to parliament. In fact, all now centered failed of passage, did the opposition carry plete political emancipation of the Jews of their fight on this important aut desideratum. England meant their social liberation as well. their point by a large majority. In fact, by In 1847, Baron Lionel de Rothschild was a very small margin. Though the Jews took It is probably because of this fact that the elected to parliament from the city of London fight for their equality entailed so much effort an active part in this fight, 'the prominent non- by a large majority. He refused to take the and persistency. For the aristocracy Jews of the time were its supporters. The then real- oath, which contained the words, "on the true ized that to grant the Jews freedori and equal people, too, always seemed to favor it. faith of a Christian." As a result, he could not political rights would mean ultimately elevat- Since then, the Jews have had very large ing them, or some of them, into their social be seated: Three years afterwards he again numbers of members in both houses, far out and again he refused spheres and positions. This some resented was elected to parliament of proportion to their popuilation. Apart from rather than begrudged. Resented it because that they have held and still hold other promi- they who opposed this bill were perfectly sat- nent positions, such as cabinet members and isfied with the status quo and were reluctant to THE VINTAGE. many municipal offices. Time and again Jews alter or change it. In other words, they who have occupied the enviable position of Lord fought against the emancipation of the Jews Clinton Scollard, in the New York Sun. Mayor of the largest city of the world. In did so not so much out of any dislike for them, all the governmental positions they have been as they wished to maintain and retain the con- Rumors of ravaging war perturb the invited or enlisted. In the army and navy, ditions as they then obtained. They opposed mind, many Jews are enrolled and many have dis- it on principle. Ruffling the channels of our wonted tinguished themselves. In the Transvaal war The fight that the liberal party made for the ease; particularly over two thousand Jews enlisted emancipation extended over a number of AndWithin hear the grim sky portents we read shiveringred auguries, down with over two hundred officers of Jewish birth. years, two or three decades. And in that time the wind. Russia, which claims that the Jews make they persevered in the attempts to liberate Not as aforetime do we fondly find such poor citizens, could learn the lesson that politically their Jewish subjects. The fight Orchestral notes or lulling harmonies the Jews would be patriotic if it but adopt was a slow one, as the In the long plunge and murmur of the conservatism was stub- seas, the policy of England. As ILussia denies the born and refused to be dislodged. But discords horrent unto all mankind! Jews even the most insignificant rights, it is The history of this struggle is a most inter- expecting too much of them to manifest any esting side light on the psychology of the Eng- The fields of France are bright with loyalty. poppy flowers; What people would that has received lish people and a timely clue to the best form Along the terraced vineyards by the nothing but evil at the hands of the govern- of government under which the Jews can live Rhine ment? But England, with its representative Some have thought that aristocracy of all na- The ripening grapes are crimsoning for government, has demonstrated beyond a the wine; tions are invariably and continually hostile to Beneath the sun what fairer sight to shadow a doubt that the best way to inspire Jews and their interests. But England fur- see! people with a love for their country, is to per- nishes a good instance of the fact that in coun- But ere the march of many hastening mit them to participate in its administration. tries which have a representative government, hours, The salvation of the Jew in Rusuia must occur the Jews will gain their own despite What will the bloom, what will the the no- vintage be? in Russia and will follow as soon as that coun- bility. Of course, in some countries they will try has a government modeled along the lines seek to stoop to curtail their rights but of the British.