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[From our Washington Correspondent]
To the Editors of the "Jewish Messenger."
Residents of Washington derive no inconsiderable amusement from the
perusal of the so-called "news," hailing from this place, and supplied to the
metropolitan journals with such reckless professes. Contrary to the usual rule, quantity,
and not quality, is what the dear and patient public seem to require; and the natural
consequence is, facts, stubborn facts, are at a discount, and imagination of the most
approved bug-a-boo style is in high request, and finds ready listeners. If all the
sensation-mongers could only be persuaded to make up a pleasant party, and take a six
months' tour of Europe— although it would bankrupt the telegraph companies— the
community would be surprised to find how soon the lowering clouds, which now obstruct the
political horizon, would give place to the bright sunshine of a nation's happiness. I have
never ceased to have an abiding faith in the returning sense of the well-intentioned,
though, perhaps, misguided masses of the people, and I think it requires no prophetic
vision to discern a happy consummation, and that too shortly, of the wish nearest and
dearest to every American heart— the settlement, upon a firm and solid basis, of our
national troubles. May the Almighty so will it!
Apropos of the Union. I must remark, that we have a rich treat in
store for your gay beaux and belles, — the grand "Union Ball"
announced for Inauguration night, and I would like to see our people well represented on
the occasion. A building to cost $4,000, exclusive of decorations, to to be specially
built in the rear of our City Hall, with a main entrance through that spacious and
beautiful edifice. The committee, composed of the most eminent men in the country, of all
known and unknown political affinities, promise a most recherché re-union.
The tickets are to be $10 each, admitting a gentleman and as many ladies as he may have
the moral courage to bring with him. Supper and wines without limit, being included in the
price of admission, I can very well fancy that some people will get the full
worth of their money. More anon.
A casual observer would hardly believe that our people in this city number
over eighty families; but such I am informed in the case, though the contributing members
to the Congregation are only twenty-nine, who worship in the third story of a
very untidy building, which is the more to be regretted— not the worship, but
the presence of the accumulated dirt in and about the entrance way— because the
attendance is good, and disposition manifest to adhere to the rites of our Holy religion,
worthy of a more congenial locality.
A short time ago, an effort was made to purchase a church for $10,000, and
convert it into a Synagogue, but as a matter of course, the limited number of
contributors, who are mostly persons of limited means, prevented the attainment of their
meritorious object. With but a small addition to the rent they are now under, they could
borrow money sufficient, say $4,000, to put up an unpretending, though appropriate
building, in a retired neighborhood, fully equal to their present and future wants for
some time to come. Here, as elsewhere, among our people, our high notions are in an
inverse ratio to the means at our command, and, although I would be the last to discourage
the commendable desire to erect costly Temples to the worship of the God of Israel, still
I would think that object but poorly attained if inextricable debt were the consequence.
In my next (whenever that may be) I propose giving you some account of the
last levee of the season at the President's, with the remarks of my learned and
well known friend A. Chootsper, Esq., who accompanied me.
SEMI-OCCASIONAL
Washington, D.C., Feb. 18, 1861
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