The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-27
BOB 1NGERsoLL's EuLoGY.

lat g STREET, WASHINGTON. July 90, 1879.
Hon. J. ]. NOAH
MY DEAR FRIEND-As . matter Of course, I am
utterly opposed to the oppression OF Glass; and
regard the action of the propretors of the Manhat-
tan Beach Hotel in reference to the Jews bigoted.
mean and disgraceful. Such action belongs to the
Dark Ages. Tho persecution of tho Jews should
bring blush TO every Christian cheek. Nothing is
moro infamous than the oppression of class Each
has tho ri8hfto be judged upon his own merita.
To Cypress him to hold him in contempt on
account of religion, race or color is q crime.
Every should be treated justly and kindly.
not because he is is not Jew Gentle but be-
cause he is human being, and such capable of
JOY and pain. If at any hotel fails to act IN
decent and becoming let him be put out. not
on account of the nation to which he belongs but
account of his behavior. Any other course is un
just and cruel.
1t will not do for tho keepers of public houses to
brand entire unfit to associate with them.
Some of the leading mon Of the world are Jews.
These wonderful people. although dispersed de-
spised. and for many ages prosecuted in all coun-
tries where people loved their enemies and returned
good for evil have contributed to every science and
enriched every art. He who has heard the music of
Mendelssohn and Meyerbeer. who has studied tho
grand philosophy of Spinoza and has seen upon the
stage Rachel. mistress of passion. will hardly unite
in the condemnation OF the race to which these
Neither should it be forgotten that the Jews fur
nished their prosecutors with a religion. and that
they the only people, according to the dogmas OF
our day, with whom the Almighty ever deigned to
have any intercourse whatever.
When We remember that God selected Jewess for
his mother, passing by the women OF India Egypt,
Athens and Rome. as well as the grandmothers OF
Mr.. Corbn II is hardly in good taste for the wor-
shippers that God to hold the Jews in
We should also remember that the Jews were the
only people inspired All the sacred" writers-all
the .prophets were of this race and while Chris
limos in Ahral tIsta N
affair OF Hagar. and his Willingness to murder his
own son; and while thoy hold in almost infinite
respect DAVID. the murderer. and Solomon the Nor
mon, 1t certainly is not perfectly consistent
to dcnounce men and women Of the same race who
have committed no crime.
The Christians have always been guilty OF this in
consistency with regard to the Jews-thev have
think it would be much better to let the dead take
of themselves. while we respect and maintain
the rights of the living
Icannot forget that during the Revolution the
Jews prayed in their synagoguos for the success of
tho colonies. cannot forget that during our civil
war thousands OF them fought for the preseEvation
of the Union, many OF them rising from
tho ranks to tho most important commands. Neither
can forget that many of the Jews to-day among
the foremost advocates Of Intellectual liberty; that
they have outgrown the prcjudccs OF race and creed
and believe i'll the universal brotherhood OF man.
And in this connection IL not DO out Of place to
speak of your father. lie was man who adorned
every position he held and who lawyer. judge,
sayst and philanthropist was an honor to his race
1t will not do in this. tho second century of the
United States. to insult gentleman because Of his
nation.
We arc. ut last, great rich and prosperous people
Greatness should be great. Wealth should be gen.
crous and prosperity should at least beget good
manners.
Every American should resent every insult to
humanity, for while the rights OF the lowest arc
tramped upon the liberties OF tho highest are not
safe.
While for the ancient myths and fables of your
people have not the respect entertained by Chris
tians still hold the rights of Jews be sacred
as my own. Yours, respectfully.
Il q. INGERSOLL.