Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 May 1884 — Benjamin’s Retort in the Senate. [ARTICLE]

Benjamin’s Retort in the Senate.

Judah P. Benjamin’s father was a small dark-skinned Spanish Jew, who kept a little fruit - shop on Market street, Charleston, S. C. Benjamins early life was spent in that shop. He was educated by the Hebrew Orphan Society of Charleston, graduating under their care at Charleston College. He was a grass orphan by that time. His mother, disagreeing with his father, had left her home and gone to Beaufort, where she opened a general country store. Forty years ago she was conducting it successfully. Both Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin were devoted adherents of the grand old religion of their fathers, and Judah P. Benjamin was educated in it. He has alwayk retained his respect for his race, although he married a Gentile and has never been identified with the Jewish Church. You remember his fine reply in the Senate, when he was taunted in a hot debate with being a Jew. “The Senator,” he said, rising gracefully, and speaking in his usual Bilvary way, “will please remember , that when his half-civilized ancestors were hunting the wild boar in the forests of Silesia mine were the princes of the earth.” The Senate was electrified and the carping Senator was silenced.— Cor. Philadelphia Record.