(JUDAICA) Levin Lewis C A Lecture on Irish Repeal

Sale 2368 - Lot 138

Price Realized: $ 1,500

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Estimate: $ 700 - $ 1,000

(JUDAICA.) Levin, Lewis C. A Lecture on Irish Repeal, in Elucidation of the Fallacy of Its Principles, and in Proof of Its Pernicious Tendency, in Its Moral, Religious, and Political Aspects. 24 pages. Large 12mo, disbound; minor foxing, small hole on third leaf. Philadelphia, 1844

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Lewis Charles Levin (1808-1860) is best remembered as America's first Jewish congressman, representing Pennsylvania as a Native American or Know-Nothing party member from 1845 to 1851. This pamphlet dates from the period where he made his local reputation, leading anti-Catholic and temperance campaigns in Philadelphia. This strongly worded tract was directed against the Irish independence movement, a popular cause among the many Irish immigrants of the period. He describes the Pope's goal as "the overthrow of American liberty . . . an object so monstrous, so appalling, so hideous, as the possible overthrow of American Freedom" (page 16). Levin's activism helped spark the Philadelphia Nativist Riots of 1844, landed him briefly in prison, but also helped get him elected to Congress. No other copies of either of Congressman Levin's works have ever appeared at auction to our knowledge.