In the American experience, anti-Semitic decrees have been virtually unthinkable. Religious liberty is enshrined in the Constitution, and early in his presidency, George Washington went out of his way to assure the young nation’s Jews that “the Government of the United States . . . gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” During the long centuries of Jewish exile, powerful officials had often promulgated sweeping edicts depriving Jews of their rights or driving them from their homes. In America, that could never happen.
But 150 years ago this month, it did.
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History lesson? Interesting. Where is the hidden right-wing political message here this morning? Must be too early, I don't see it.
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To Mr. Jacoby's credit he is, in fact, consistent in his opposition to arbitrary and discriminatory laws and to arbitrary and inconsistent immigration policies.
It was rumored he attempted to have them pay retail, but it was considered too harsh...
This comment is abusive because pvalen is trying to connect all people who are Jewish the stereotype of being cheap. I have always found the comment "cheap Jew" as being hurtful. However, I think comments like this need to be published to expose the ignorance of some people.
carafram, you're way too sensitive. Many Jewish comedians over the years have played to the stereotypes. I find that somewhat distasteful and unfunny, but people can't be overly sensitive one minute and laugh the next.
I'm of Italian origin and I've heard all the jokes and put downs. So what? It's not an important issue.
It's amazing that historically speaking, everywhere the Jews go they’re impugned. It’s always astounding considering the positive, stimulative effect that they actually have on communities wherever they go. They’re industrious, socially concerned, and rarely engage in violent criminal behavior. Yet, counter intuitively, they’re consistently disparaged. This was an encouraging story on the epistemological change in Grant. Let’s just hope that the rest of the world derives the same conclusion he did or even better, never have such bigoted ideologies.
It's very simple, bumpy. Industrious people succeed, and that success galls the less industrious and successful, and they lash out hatefully. One of the least attractive of our human characteristics, I'm afraid.
Actually, FredBil, I think you're wrong about that. Some of the greatest anti-Semites were not "less industrious and successful." Minor bigots, such as those that might deface a synagog, are not really a serious problem or threat.
It's those who don't fit that category who are the biggest worry. People such as Grant, Henry Ford and Richard Wagner, not to mention Adolf Hitler and the hierarchy of the Third Reich -- those in positions of power are the real threat to Jews.
Some people have no sense of humor.
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An interesting piece of history.
Thank you for presenting it in a positive way, as well: there seems to be nothing here for us crazy moonbats or reflexively obnoxious wingnuts to slander each other over.
Interesting piece. I thought I knew most of what there was to know about General/President Grant, but I had never heard this story.
Just a few weeks ago, Jacoby wrote his infamous voter suppression column and displayed the moral rot at the heart of the discredited conservative movement. Now he seems to be seeking moral redemption with this column. I don't trust anything this liar says.
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If that's the case, Kitch, why do you respond so vehemently to Carroll? You obviously dislike his views, but at least he has some integrity, unlike most of what Jacoby writes.
great column. i read about this in another book about grant, very popular and successful president elected twice with large majorities but given a bad rap by historians and due to scandals
Scandals are okay then? Is that what your saying?
I think scandals *deserve* a bad rap, and there were a lot of scandals under Grant -- rampant corruption. Grant wasn't personally involved, but he a very poor manager and had terrible judgement when it came to making appointments. That doesn't take anything away from his military skills, but he was a near-disaster as a President.
Grant's decree was odious, Lincoln's repudiation of it was exemplary, but the timing of Mr Jacoby's "historical" footnote from 150 years ago is suspect.
The Jews control the media banking industry and the weather.
I think the Rockefellers, Morgans, Bush's, Moore's, Forbes, Cabots, et.al, in addition to most clear thinking and civilized people would disagree with you with their facts. Reasonable people with facts speak louder than conspiracy freaks.
Jeff, thanks for bringing these little known facts about U.S. Grant. Grant fighting the Confederates (who fought for slavery) and sending out anti-Semitic orders is dripping with irony. However he made up for it. Changing ones' beliefs and having the power to make significant amends is what makes people great.
Proudly, Captain Philip Trounstine resigned as a result of Grant's "General Orders #11" expelling the Jews "as a class." The letter, as discussed online at http://www.jewish-history.com/civilwar/trnstine.htm and kept in archives in Cincy, seems to speak to our blood connection. There is some dispute in my family that we are related but being that we hail from Cincinnati, (settling there some years before the letter was written) and that my grandfather was named Phil, it's hard to imagine not
"This letter was written in response to General Grant's 'General Orders #11' expelling the Jews "as a class" from the military department commanded by General Grant, including Northern Mississippi and West Tennessee....Captain Trounstine was so outraged over General Grant's 'Order #11' that he sent in his resignation in protest, being ordered to round up and expell his fellow Jews."
The letter of resignation was from Moscow Tennessee, and dated March 3, 1863. Trounstine gave as his reason "Anti-Semitism from other officers as a result of General Grant's 'Order #11' anti-Jewish expulsion decree."