avery riot. Doctor Fritz says it
arose from the bitter opposition to the conscription. Many blacks were
murdered, our friend Knopf's school was laid in ruins, and the negro
orphan asylum burned to the ground, the poor black children rolling
crying on the pavement. We have much to do. The world has much to make
amends for.

[Eric to the Banker.]

.... I perfectly understand your sorrow over the fact that there are
some Jews among the Secessionists. General Twiggs, commanding in Texas,
who went over to the rebels with his army, fortress, and munitions of
war, was a Jew.

And that speculators on change also lend assistance to the defenders of
slavery! Why should they less than the professedly pious English?

Why do you require all the Jews, collectively and individually, to
stand on the side of moral principle? They have the right of equality,
even in ill-doing. They are, if one may be permitted to say so, equally
justified in crime with other men. It must be shown, it is now being
shown, that no religion has the monopoly of morality.

You complain that the passion for enjoyment has invaded even your
innermost circle of friends.

That belongs under the heading above indicated. The more I think over
your letter, the more surely I arrive at this conclusion; the Jews, so
long and so cruelly excluded from participation in national affairs,
and condemned to a sad cosmopolitism, will now, in their days of
liberation, behave like natives of the different communities in which
it is their lot to be, and will, above all, remain patriotic.

Moreover, I can assure you that many Jews are here among us, fighting
with valor and self-sacrifice.

The young physician equipped by you is exceedingly able.

The money which you sent over is being conscientiously expended.

I hope yet to sing with your daughter-in-law, to whom please present my
kind regards.

My wife joins me in cordial remembrances of you.

[The Professorin to Eric and Manna.]

All is well. Would that I, could send you some of the spring fragrance
and beauty which surround us here. No tree bears blossoms as countless
as the blessings which go out from my heart to you. Here we sit in
peace, and you are out there in the battle. We can do nothing for you,
only I say to you, my son, and to you, my daughter: whatever may come,
abide quietly in the assurance, that having followed the leadings of
the spirit, we must silent