Evening star., 1923-08-26
Harding MUurned nn Friend of Jews.

Harding MUurneu nH Frtenu OF jews.
With bowcG heads the Jews of the
United States stood at the death of
the late President Harding. In his
demise the Jews have lost Il friend
whose sympathies with the Jewish
people were not limited to the citi-
zens of this country alone. but eX-
tended to the unfortunate members of
the Jewish race. victims of the post
war conditions in the darkest parts
of Europe.
Speaking on behalf of the American
Jewish committee OF which he is
president. Louis Marshall voiced the
sentiments of all Jewry when speak
ing of the passing away of President
Warren G. Harding. he said: NO ele-
ment in our citizenship has been more
stunned and overwhelmed with grief
because of the untimely death of
President Harding than the Jews of
America. who have a double reason
for remembering his good works and
his kindly deeds Suffice it
to say that even as the people of the
United States. Jew and Gentle. all
creeds and shades of belief. bow their
heads in profound grief now at the
passing away of this great man. there
arc corresponding thousands on the
other side of the ocean, including poor
little children, wan women and grim old
men, who shed tears of regret at the
announcement of the death of the great
heart and generous hand which they
take to represent the heart and hand
of the most mighty and glorious re-
public on earth.
I'm Warren e. Harding the Jews of
America had a friend whose genuine
sympathieS were their boon and main
stay both in their citizenship here and
their struggle to help their race
abroad. From the day I had my first
interview with him l said. and I say
he
human being and his memory Will
ever be revered by the Jews wherever
they may be on earth"
The Jew and the Nation.
Speaking in his own home town.
Bennington. Vt. at the dedication of
the first synagogue. John Spargo. that
brilliant writer and outstanding
American. made some remarks which
for their wisdom and lofty idealism
should find and stretch far beyond the
confines Of that historic city.
1T is a melancholy reflection" he
said. that in the aftermath of the
great war which so nearly ensulfed
civilization fear and hatred of the
lew seem to have found new sources
Of strength. like foul weeds nurtured
and fertilized by the precious blood
spilled upon the far-flung hattlefelds.
The iniquitous propaganda which
would set Christian and Jew in bitter
strife has found its way into this land
From the poisoned fountains of Eu-
.ropean reaction misguided men have
drawn every shameful slander and
every grotesque fable and poured
them out over the land in blightinG
stream. Backed by great resources of
material wealth. it is directed against
the jew not only. but equally. against
the most glorious traditions of our
spiritual and political heritage.
In spite of the abundance to the con-
trary we are asked to believe that
the wealth of the world. its industry.
its commerce, its statecraft and its
learning are being monopolized by the
Jews. In so far IS there IS
real Jewish peril" in the world il
lies not in the afiuence and power of
wretched poverty, his unutterabe
and indescribable misery. The cry
of the Jew is not the exultant cry of
an advancing conqueror but the des-
pairing cry of a sinking victim;
There was never a greater Illusion
than that the Jews are rapidly ap-
preaching financial and commercial
control In the country. Even If this
wero true it would involve only an
incredibly small minority of the Jew
iSh people; the fact would still remain
that the great mass is composed of
hardworking people at the bottom
layer of the struggle for existence or
barely rising above it. But let US
thank God that they are rising; that
here al least they can find the ladder
of opportunity. That is what Amer
lea means TO all. TO the Je" HpI less
than to others, and it is our crown
ing pride and glory"
Stone of Temple of Solomon the Wise.
4 stone from the ruins of the
temple at Jerusalem and formerly
part of the famous "Wailing Wall.
Grooved and furrowed as the legend
would have it. by the tears of the
Jews bewailing the destruction of the
temple. has finally completed its jour-
ney from the biblical capitol to New
York, where it will find its place in
the new Synagogue House, now being
erected by the Federated Central and
Free Synagogues which are under the
leadership of Rabbi Stephen S. Wise.
a special place will be followed out
in one OF the foundation walls to re-
ceive the stone. so as to make il part
of the foundation of the structure.
The stone will be marked by metal
plate bearing an appropriate inscrip-
ton.
Or Stephen s. Wise, when visiting
Jerusalem last year. accepted this
stone ss gift from Sir Wyndham
Deeds. the civil secretary of the man
date government. a mishap occurred
in the transportation of the stone.
For months it appeared to have been
lost in transit. but after a long and
diligent search it was traced and
brought safely to it's destination.
Treasury of Jewish Art and Learning.
The acquisition by the Jewish
1heoiOSlcal seminary OF New Ork or
the remarkable collection of books.
10000 volumes in all, which formed
[ part of the famous Elkan y. Adler
library, has aroused nationwide in
terest and comment. Many papers of
the secular press the country over
have proclaimed il as an event of the
utmost Importance. And so it is.
Henceforth scholars the world over
Will have to turn to this collection for
information and material in their
studies in Judaism.
Many of these books and manu-
scripts are beautifully and richly il
Illuminated, the work of endless pain
and love. Beautiful Hebrew lettering
standing out on imperishable parch-
ment as if they were written yester-
day. Many headings and initial let
ters are done in pure silver and gold
The Jew, forbidden by his religion to
engage in the plastic arts. lavished
all his love and craving for the beau
tiful on these sacred, olden manu-
scripts.
There are among them books and
manuscripts of great antiquity, many
dating back to a time prior to the
Gutenberg invention of them moveable
type. Works of great Jewish mas
ters are found in this collection in
their original form in great album
dance, and among them Bibles of the
oldest antiquity.
But to Jews il portends something
more than a mere collection of books.
tt indicates a wonderful spiritual re-
vival and growth on the part of
American Israel. it denotes an earnest