2005-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005
Fervent, impassioned, at times vehement occasionally half-heartedly apologetic, he lets loose with a long litany of wrongs that Robert Lyon (whom he often refers to as “R. L.”) founder, editor and publisher of the N.Y. based “Asmonean” inflicted by a recent article against Leeser. Although remaining anonymous he clearly indicates by his ending that he is indeed Jewish. The letter terminates: “I am, sir, with the best wishes for Jewish progress” [signing in place of the usual signature] “ONE OF THEM.” Four pages; 8 x 10. Undated but clearly circa early 1850’s. Addressed: “TO R. L., THE EDITOR OF THE ASMONEAN.” Letter opens: “…An article which appeared [in recent] Asmonean titled ‘The Occident and the Asmonean’ challenges the [criticism] not only of the friends of [Leeser] therein spoiled, but also of all friends of truth, justice and decorum of society, all of which this article violated. …This, Sir, is a strong and may seem to you harsh and rude ascertain, but I assure you that it is not made in a wanton spirit of unkindly insult, nor with a view to provoke in your bosom any angry feeling…but is dictated solely by a sense of justice to the object of your unmerited abuse, and to that religious community of which you aspire to be a guide and shining light, whose dignity and respectability you have outraged by the contemptuous and scornful language you have held toward a man who has entitled himself to…highest regard and esteemed reverence…if you view [your] article in a calmer frame of mind…you will feel ashamed of the grossness of tone and unworthy jealousy [in which you have cast censure] upon a man whom your Jewish [character] conjured into an enemy and your jealous fancies converted into a rival…” At that point the writer dissects “R. L.” and the article in that same angry yet smooth-spoken tone, condemning Lyon and highly defensive of his idol Leeser: “…whose midnight labors, illuminated by the pious zeal which urged him on the path of usefulness, in disregard of personal pain or privation, prepared for his co-religionists suitable and correct translations of the forms of prayer used by both Minhags for the service throughout the year, freed from the grammatical inaccuracies and barbarous and inelegant phraseology which disfigured those previously in use”…and much more in similar supportive tones, lauding Leeser’s accomplishments, then taking a shot at Lyons himself to bring him down a peg: “…but let us as gently as we may examine the pretensions of R. L…who has recently assumed a prominent position as the editor of a religious [paper] ostensibly devoted to the diffusion of religious truth and knowledge [holding forth as] champion of Jewish fame and rights…viewing his literary efforts…to promote Jewish progress I have been disposed to approve them…but it is fair to impugn the acrimony, the insolence, the jealousy, all evil passions, which the editor of a religious paper exhibits in an attack against the personal character from any individual [especially] against one whose fame and honor should be cherished by every Jew and by those of America but as a subject of national pride! ...R.L. derides arrogance, chastises insolence and rebuts falsehood. Did it not occur to him when framing his attack that the public participate in the sentiments swelling in his bosom ? …and that he might be crushed by the recoil of his own gun ? When he read [what he wrote] and asks himself if he ever penned anything more arrogant, insolent and false than this contemptuous derogation of the merits of a rival Editor whose position is as eminent…as his own has been obscure ?...I have been forced to use harsh and ungentle expressions. My feelings have been those of the surgeon, who cuts but to cure and whose heart feels pain while his patient bleeds.” …The Asmonean never reached the popularity of Leeser’s Occident; it ceased to publish with Lyon’s death in 1858. Nothing better reflects the heated passions created by his bitter attacks against Leeser than this bitter denunciation. Normal aging. Exc. +
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