As the proverb says, "Silence is gold"; but perhaps, under the given circumstances, in view of the serious question of the Israelites in Hungary, it would be better to speak in the current silver money in the papers.
Let us rectify errors, and remain modest but not timid. In faithful devotion,
F. Liszt
Budapest, February 6th, 1883
321. To The Editor of the "Gazette de Hongrie"
[Published in the Gazette de Hongrie of February 8th, 1883, Budapest. A translation of it also appeared in German papers; amongst others, in Lessmann's Allgemeine Musikzeituug, at the wish of the Master, who was annoyed with the aspersion against himself of having promoted the Antisemitic movement.]
Mr. Editor,
It is not without regret that I address these lines to you; but, as there has been some report spread here about my pretended hostility to the Israelites, I ought to rectify the mistake of this false report.
As is well known in the musical world, many illustrious
Israelites, Meyerbeer first and foremost, have given me their
esteem and friendship, and the same in the literary world with
Heine and others.
It seems to me that it would be superfluous to enumerate the many proofs I have given, during fifty years, of my active loyalty towards Israelites of talent and capacity, and I abstain in like manner from speaking of my voluntary contributions to the charitable institutions of Judaism in various countries.