Life, 1921-08-04 · page 8 of 34
Life — August 4, 1921 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"Sanctum Talks"** depicts a conversation between a man named Morgenthau and the magazine's editor ("LIFE"). The discussion concerns Jewish identity and American citizenship during what appears to be the early 20th century. Morgenthau expresses frustration with Zionism, arguing that Jews should prioritize American identity. He claims the movement is "impractical" and "wrong," and that Jews cannot simultaneously be fully American and Jewish. The editor counters that Morgenthau himself possesses admirable qualities while being Jewish-American, suggesting both identities can coexist. The cartoon addresses assimilation debates within Jewish-American communities—whether immigrants should fully abandon ethnic identity for American nationalism, a central tension in this era's immigration discourse. The accompanying illustration shows a domestic scene unrelated to this dialogue.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Sanctum Talks AY I come in?” “Certainly. Whom have I the honor of—why, hello, Mr. Morgenthau! I’m right glad to see you.” “You really—?” “Surest thing you know. tired. Take this easy—” “I am tired, Lire; this Zionist move- ment makes me very tired.” “More tired than Henry Ford does?” “Dear me, yes. We Jews are cer- tainly having a hard time of it; Henry Ford is nothing; it’s only when we get fighting among ourselves that the real trouble begins.” “What's the matter with the Zionist movement, Mr. Morgenthau?” “Why, it’s not only thoroughly imprac- tical, but it’s wrong. My friends ought to see it by this time.” “Tdealists?” “T fancy so; and my people. The world is increasing at the rate of eighteen mil- lion a year, and all the Jews there are number only about thirteen million. If we cannot be Americans in America, we certainly cannot be Jews in Palestine.” “What can I do about it?” “Well, it’s no joke. And as for you, Lire—” “My dear friend, you don’t quite un- derstand. I don’t know of any man that I would rather associate with than a man like you; it seems to me that you are an American first, and a Jew after- wards.” “Exactly.” “Tt seems to me that you have qualities that we Americans might well envy— “Now, now— “Wait a moment; you have a great responsibility, Mr. Morgenthau. You see, I have to bring up a country; you have to bring up a race; you have both, and I have only one.” You look “That is the reason why I want you to help me, Lire, by not-—” “My dear Ambassador, if there is any- thing I don’t like about your people I'll whisper it in your ear.” “And if there is anything I don’t like about—” “Our people, Mr. Morgenthau?” “Our people, Lirz. Thank you, and good morning.” “Au revoir!” T. L. M. 3 RB? LIFeE LiFe’s Fresh Air Fund Live’s Fresn Arr Funp has been tion for the past thirty-four years. time it has expended $191,130.33 and ha: a@ fortnight in the country to 41,505 ; children, Contributions, which are acknowledge about three weeks after their receipt, sio made payable to Lrre’s FRresu AiR Fup, and sent to $98 Madison venue, New York City, Previously acknowledged . Carroll B. Whitcomb, Brookdya, N, “In memory of Dr.’C. W. B., saic, “In memory .. BL & J. Mrs. Eckley Dalton’ Pa In memory of “Billy,” Los Ange James R. ston Philadelphia. H. F. Barnard, New York. Babetta & Chapman d’Utas: hurst, L. Edward P. Abe Cook: Vancouver Be C Mrs. Winnifred R. ‘Rymer, town, Conn, Lucy N. Robinson, Middieto Gareth Downing, Edward Salt, Brooklyn, N. Rickenbaugh, New York. gy, Norwalk, . eo, Pa ilbert, Washington, T, Adair, Yonkers, N. Hi, Wood, Batiste, N eo Riad Noi Amb Middle- é In memory W.H. Sprinetel, Ma: Mrs. Sam‘l Bird, idgefield, Conn. (Continued on page 30) “Mother, if I was to try awful hard, do you think I could be six instead of five my next birthday?” comicbooks.com