Protests Against Poland's treatment of her Jews Adopted

28 June 2012 | The American Israelite

Had the United States joined the League of Nations, such injustices as the Polish case would not exist.”

1 July 1937 | American Israelite

Public Opinion Is Called Sole Hope In Polish Horrors | President of Federation of Churches, City Official, and Rabbi Are Heard

Protests against Poland’s treatment of her Jews were adopted by resolutions Tuesday evening, June 29^th, at the Cincinnati Jewish Center. Speakers included the Rev. Dr. Jesse M. Halsey, president of the Cincinnati Federation of Churches; John D. Ellis, city solicitor and acting city manager; and Rabbi Samuel Wohl of Wise Temple, chairman of the Emergency Committee for Jews in Poland.

The meeting was called by Oscar Berman for the American Jewish Congress and Rabbi Wohl for his Emergency Committee . . . Dr. Haley expressed hope that “the shining sword of truth” might be the weapon of victory against oppression in the Polish as in other modern crisis.

“Had the United States joined the League of Nations, such injustices as the Polish case would not exist,” he said. Dr. Halsey was sent by the U. S. State Department to Poland in 1917.

“It is our belief,” said Rabbi Wohl, “that the time has come when American Jews must express their complete solidarity with their stricken brethren in Poland and formulate a program to safeguard their lives and protect their status as human beings and as citizens.”

“It is important that we should indicate to the Polish government that the Jewish community of America is united in horror at what is taking place in Poland and that we are determined to protect our fellow Jews.

“The recent pogroms are the most sweeping that this generation has known and the result of the poisonous propaganda tolerated by the government. For three years, the Polish government did nothing to stop the cold blooded pogroms that destroyed the economic position of the Jew, pauperized him. It appears now that the Polish government is also tolerating blood pogroms.”

He asked the meeting to send a delegation from Cincinnati to join similar delegations from other cities in the country to go to Washington and confer with the President and the Secretary of State and be called for action which will make clear to the Polish government that the Jews of America will not sit by idly and watch their fellow Jews in Poland murdered in cold blood.

He urged that action be taken to indicate to the Polish government that the horror of the Jewish community of America, as indeed of the entire Jewish world, is shared by all right thinking citizens.

“The Jewish people have helped in the reconstitution of Poland and have been its most loyal citizens and sacrificed themselves on the battle-field, and we Jews of America, together with the non-Jews, have sacrificed life and blood that Poland may be free,” he said. “Treatment of the Jews by Poland violates the peace treaties, violates the consideration which guarantees civil rights to all its citizens. This treaty of Poland was also made with America and we must insist that no nation especially a nation that owes so much to the United States, shall flout and destroy its treaties and its constitution.

“The time has come that all honest Christians shall cry out in one voice that all outrages against the Jews must stop. We of Cincinnati are particularly happy to have the friendship and understanding of all enlightened citizens.”

“we are grateful to the president of the Federation of Churches, Dr. Jesse Halsey, and to the acting city manager, John Ellis, for their expressions of sympathy and cooperation.” . . .

Civic Leaders to Voice Indignation At Treatment of Jews in Germany—Protest Meeting Is To Be Held Tuesday Night.

20 November 1938 | Cincinnati Enquirer

A city-wide protest meeting against Germany’s treatment of Jews will be held at 8 o’clock Tuesday evening at Emery Auditorium under auspices of Clergymen, educators, labor leaders, and city officials.

Councilman Russell Wilson will preside. Mayor James G. Stewart will head a list of speakers representing a wide range of community interests. Charles L. S. Easton, headmaster of the University School, will be Chairman.

Sponsors include Dr. Raymond Walters, President of the University of Cincinnati; Rev. Jesse Halsey, President of Cincinnati Council of the Federation of Churches; Jack Hurst, President of Central Labor Council; Jack Kroll, head of Cincinnati Amalgamated Clothing Workers; Phil E. Ziegler, Secretary of the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks, Judson J. McKim, Executive Secretary of the Y.M.C.A.; Dr. William Keller, and Mrs. Lowell Hobart, Jr.

Easton said last night that the meeting has been arranged “to show Cincinnati Jews just where Gentiles stand” on the Nazi anti-Semitic program.

This protest, he declared, was not merely “an empty token of sympathy,” but a militant stand against what Nazism represents in the world today.

Christians must understand, he asserted, that their own interests were endangered, too, by the wave of intolerance and reversion to force seen now in Germany.

Help Britain and It Won't Happen Here

Cincinnati Enquirer | 24 October 1940

"These are days of judgment--and we regard them not."

12 February 1940 | Cincinnati Enquirer

"America is on the Jericho Road . . . You will defend the right, you will fight for justice at the expense of your own ease and pleasure." --Rev. Jesse Halsey

Season's Greetings | 1944

1944 Christmas Card | Westhampton

Westhampton, N.Y.

Christmas Day

1944

Dear Dad—

Merry Christmas! Wish we could all be there to wish you all that greeting. Maybe some Christmas we can all be together in the old homestead. What fun that would be. Somehow Christmas just doesn’t seem like Christmas without you and Mother, Honey, Abbie, and dear old Freck and Bill. I look back on those days in Cincinnati, what a job you and Mother must have had selecting the things for your children, trying to satisfy each and everyone of us. Then too we had a lot of Fairy God Fathers and Mothers whose Christmas gifts were usually those of untold splendor. I am using today a toolbox and a beautiful set of augur bits, given to Freck and me by Mrs. Smythe or Miss Becky many years ago. Even Freck’s old lathe that “Santa” brought him works in my shop. Somewhere in Southampton a train engine locomotor waits for future use given by Mrs. Reed. There are other things I don’t remember, but which I still have around.

Today we received a present that has been the trump of the day and the grandest gift imaginable from the swellest person I know. War Bonds for all four of us from My Dad—I can’t begin to thank you . . . I don’t know how, but any way we appreciatie them more than words can express.

Today I am lazy and nearly exhausted—for nearly a month my machines have been busy sawing, drilling, etc., making toys. Then week before last I stayed in on my work full time usually from 9 AM to after midnight. In that time I made a barn, a train, a farm wagon model with team, a doll house, and drilled several cradles, in addition to the one that went to Sophie. Each and every item was sold representing about 50 dollars worth of toys. On top of that I made a gun for Chaddie and a rocking horse for Billy. I finished the latter at 11 last night. It is a cute little horse and cuter still when its young master swings into the saddle and rides away. He can really make it go.

Abbie certainly showered Chaddie with presents, we had a box from her and in it was a machine gun, a helmet, and a periscope. He is tickled pink with the helmet as well as the other equipment.

It looks as though we might have a white Christmas. It snowed last Monday and it snowed quite a bit, although there is still quite a bit on the ground it is going fast.  Today has been above freezing and it’s a heavy fog all day and occasional rain.

THANK YOU FOR MY BOND –BILLY

Fran just plopped his majesty in my lap and I thought he better learn to write early—

Friday morning I played Santa at the school party. Charlie is not at all sure it was Santa in fact he had a darn good notion it was me. When he came home I was working in my shop when I came upstairs he looked me over very closely. I had make up on, but washed it all off. My lips however showed signs of having been actual.  He mentioned the fact that I had paint on my face and he was quite positive that I was Santa. We changed the subject so may be he has forgotten.

There has been ice in the bay for a week or so, at last maybe with this thaw we are having I will break up enough to be able to go out and make a couple of dollars. If N.Y. has a meat shortage, which is threatened by the dealers or something, maybe clams should sell at a good price.

I wish you all could have been here today to help eat our 32# turkey. Next year I will have to raise some so that you can have one for Thanksgiving day and Christmas. Maybe a goose for New Years.

Our box went express last Thursday I hope it arrived in time to greet you today. Yours will be here I guess sometime this week as you said it was sent express on Thursday.

Before I forget.

Charlie’s Birthday Aug. 5, 1936

Billy’s Birthday Nov. 3, 1943

Jean Grace Raynor May 16, 1944

Thanks again the 4 of us for your wonderful gifts.

A Merry Christmas—belated but in time to wish you a very Happy New Year.

Love from us all.

Your son,

Charles

January 1944 | Abigail Fithian Halsey to Jesse Halsey

Sunday Afternoon

Dear Jesse,

Well, this week our good friend Dr. Nugent left us, the funeral was yesterday. He has been bed ridden and I guess stricken on one side since Nov.—Only last week I went in and he said, “Come up.” He and Helen and I had such a good time. I had had a call from Ada Bishop and regaled him with her account of Henry losing his false teeth at night. He lay prone on his bed, but chuckled away and enjoyed it. Helen has been so fine all thru and called me and asked me to write an article for the Press—says it is one of her greatest comforts, it’s so like old times.

I told her I tried to write something he’d like to read and that she and Liz would approve of.

I’ve been shut in the house all week with bronchitis—that ends in a wracking cough, but it’s letting up and I shall get out tomorrow. Jerry had chicken pox and now Jean is down with it, well broken out. Ibby is the valiant one of us all, but is expecting her call any time, is very well. Jerry was home Thurs. after working all night and so tired he slept most of the day. But a great comfort to Ib. to have him come.

The Rulands celebrated their January birthdays by going to Tobey’s (Camp) for supper last night and took Jerry with them. The Herricks are happy today with John and Dorie and Connie all at home. Adelaide spent a day with us and is grand and Ethel takes lovely care of her going and coming. They came in after Dr. Nugent’s funeral Friday.

Dan Halsey and all of them were sick but are better now, also Mr. Van Brunt. Days are very late in the morning, but the sun stays up a little longer.

Let me know your plans, when and where you will be coming out next month—would you be home sometime to get some oysters if I could get any to send? Henry hasn’t been along for two weeks, but the ice must be out now for it is mild for a change.

I have loved Dunnybrook and wish Adelaide Wentworth [of Cincinnati] were here to read of her Kittery. Of course, you knew Dr. Kennon Dunham’s son [Harry] was lost in aviation [while serving in New Guinea]. Sarah Withrow’s letters are full of it, says Mrs. D. stands it wonderfully, Dr. Dunham not so well. A lovely letter finally from Mrs. [W. E.] Stilwell [in Cincinnati] who is broken hearted over the University School going out.

So ends my weekly chronicle with my love for you and all, am anxious to know Abbie’s plans. I hope you all are well and I look forward to being with you all, but feel I am in the right place, and Ibby is certainly fine. Ed is in Wash. And last week had Eddie and Helen and Anita Howell down to N.Y. for a lovely weekend all together Eddie was in and looks well, goes into the Navy tomorrow. Take care of yourself and take time to rest.

Lovingly,

Abbie

1939 General Assembly

26 May 1939 | Denton Record Chronicle

"Dr. Higginbottom today appointed the Rev. Dr. Jesse Halsey of Cincinnati, vice moderator."

"Great Germany has become gross Germany"

14 November 1938

"Calling on his congregation to consider the benefits of freedom, Rev. Mr. Halsey cited persecution of minorities as the inevitable result of loss of freedom.

"'Tell the truth, trim your words, let no slander escape your lips concerning any man, or his race, or his religion,' he urged. 'In the face of world confusion and torment and persecution we proclaim anew our belief in freedom and tolerance of diverse opinions as God-given rights.'"

Halsey Denounces Persecution of Jews

November 1938

"Dr. Nelson also declared that the German situation should be a warning to Americans to 'master the racial prejudices insidiously present in this country.'"

Telegram from Sam and Dorothy Warr to Jesse Halsey

April 28, 1942

On Patriotism

Patriotism need not be construed as being synonymous with racial arrogance or national selfishness. Nationalism can run rampant and defeat its own purpose.

The United States should lead in peace, pressing upon other nations a unilateral pact for non-aggression suggested by President Roosevelt in which each nation should pledge itself not to send military forces across the border on any other nation.

The President should be authorized to place an embargo on credits to nations that send military forces across the boundaries of other nations. This should apply not only to arms and munitions, but all credit.

--Jesse Halsey, c1934

The War Is Over

Reverend Jesse Halsey | c1945 | Chicago

The war is over—and the half million soldiers who are back from service in camp or overseas, a half million since Pearl Harbor.

For them the war is over—if we do our part.

But the war is not over for us, not for many months. Let the expert say how long, but with unabated energy we and all our people must prosecute the war to a victorious conclusion, in order to make possible the peace and security of the four freedoms and much else for which our men have fought. It is not too soon to make plans for those already back and the great multitude who will follow before and after the peace. Rehabilitation will be a tremendous task, the government is already vaguely aware of this. Congress has already appropriated $100 to the man who is honorably mustered out who has been in an American camp—this is $300 if he has been overseas.

As long as any man is honorably discharged, he has at his disposal the services of the Veteran’s Bureau, immediately or at any future time that he may need. The best intelligence of the Welfare organizations will undoubtedly be oriented in this direction. Our concern here is with “What is the church doing for Johnny when he comes marching home?”

Tales of My Father's

by Rev. Jesse Halsey

Better even than the reading was the story evening hour. 'Listen my children and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere' was no more attractive (except for versification) than were a dozen oft repeated tales of my Father's.

The favorite one was of how our great grandfather (his name was Jesse) on hearing of the Battle of Lexington, took his one horse farm wagon, pulled out the king bolt and left the rear wheels and body behind when he hitched his horse to the tow front wheels on which he had rigged a seat. On this, he and and his brother sat perched while they drove to Sag Harbor. They joined others and in a whale boat rowed to New London and reached Boston in time for the Battle of Bunker Hill. Great grandfather served with Washington with the rank of Captain until Monmouth where he was wounded near Molly Pitcher's well. He was in the Valley Forge winter.

His orchard and the ruins of his house could be seen when I was a boy. Two miles from home we passed them as we drove to our most remote woodland at Camp's pond. At that pond in his time, this same great grandfather had shot deer with his army muzzle loader. Father's father had had the gun remade from a flint-lock and the barrel shortened by a foot. I have the old gun still; it is over six feet long even now.

This old veteran kept up the good fight long after the war. He used a crutch but tended his farm. One day he got into an argument with a Tory neighbor who said that never could they make a woolen cloth as good in the States as in the old Country. The argument grew hot, the crippled captain knocked the Tory down with his crutch and sat on him till noon when his son came home from the field and took him off!

This great grandfather had a brother--Henry Elias. 'Twas he who shared the bumpy ride on the springless two wheel improvisation. He--Henry Elias--had been a whaling captain and was given privateering papers during the war. When Benedict Arnold, having turned traitor, came with a British force to burn New London, Captian 'Lias was given charge of the artillery to defend the town. The fort in the harbor was abandoned but they fortified the east bank of the Thames-Groton heights. Charles Carleton Coffin in his story of the Revolution tells how Captain Halsey stood by an eighteen-pounder jammed to the muzzle with canister and old chain links. As the British came up the hill he waited until (like General Warren) he could see the whites of their eyes, then he fired his gun. Twenty fell.

Can you imagine the thrill that would give a twelve year old? I suppose this explains why I have never succeeded in becoming a pacifist. Captain 'Lias was killed at Groton Heights and his name is on the monument. When the British general came into the fort to receive the surrender, he called, 'Who commands here?' Colonel Ledyard, the senior American, answered, 'I did not but do now,' and handed his sword to the Britisher, hilt foremost. The British officer grasped the handle and rammed the blade into the vitals of the American. The wounded Americans were loaded and tied onto gun carriages and sent rolling down the hill to the river. It was known to many generations as the Massacre of Fort Griswold and in token thereof a well worn shred of a pamphlet from which my father read to me, I have among my possessions. I can believe tales. Only after twenty years when I found myself in a Scottish University, did I begin to abate my hatred of the British.

[Ed note via Dr. Samuel Warr: During WWII, Rev. Jesse Halsey headed the Bundles for Britain, long before the USA entered the war.]