After
his banishment from New Orleans by Northern forces, Rev. James K.
Gutheim became rabbi of the Kahl Montgomery Congregation in Alabama,
plus circuit-riding every six Sabbath to the B’nai Israel Congregation
in Columbus, Georgia. He returned to his congregation in New Orleans
after the war; Mrs. Gutheim was a founder of the Ladies Confederate
Memorial Association of New Orleans.
Bernhard Thuersam, Chairman
North Carolina War Between the States Sesquicentennial Commission
"Unsurpassed Valor, Courage and Devotion to Liberty"
"The Official Website of the North Carolina WBTS Sesquicentennial"
Rabbi Gutheim Prays for Confederate Success
“One
of the leading rabbi’s of the South, Rev. James K. Gutheim, who had
inaugurated his rabbinical career at the Nefutzoth Jeduhah Congregation
in New Orleans, [believed that religion], for him, was not intended to
be mixed with specific political considerations.
[In
May 1863], The Union’s military policy in New Orleans required that
each citizen take an oath of allegiance to the United States, or be
transported into the Confederacy. Innumerable men took the course of
least resistance and pronounced the words of the oath, rather than give
up their homes, livelihoods, and personal belongings; they did not
really think they were committing a sin; it was the enemy of their
people whom they were deceiving.
But
Gutheim was a rabbi; he could not take a false oath to God, nor could
he betray “the cause of right and justice” which was, to him, the cause
of the South. So he prepared to go into exile. The day before his
departure for Mobile, [Alabama], he wrote to his friend in Philadelphia,
[Rabbi] Isaac Lesser . . .
“My Dear Friend – Day after tomorrow
I shall leave . . . by order of the military authorities. All those
who have refused to take the oath of allegiance to the Dictator of
Washington are ordered beyond the lines – that is, into Dixie. I am of
that number. Nearly the whole of my congregation are similarly
situated. We can now realize what a [deportation] means. Nothing for
my wearing apparel and provisions for ten days are permitted. My heart
feels sick. Amidst the general distress I forget my own. I am so far
lucky, that I have an asylum for my wife and child – at LaGrange, Geo.
Where the family of Mr. Jones [Mrs. Gutheim’s father] now resides. What
shall I do in the future, I cannot say. I trust to God, to guide my
steps. If possible I shall write you from the Confederacy. Yours
truly, James K. Gutheim.
Neither
Lesser nor Gutheim need have had any fears about his future. Jews all
over the South knew and respected him as one of most eloquent and
learned of the Southern rabbis. His reputation, indeed, was enhanced by
his heroic decision to remain true to the Confederacy.
His passionate loyalty to the Southern cause is revealed by a prayer which he delivered in Montgomery:
“Regard,
O Father, in Thine abundant favor and benevolence, our beloved country,
the Confederate States of America. May our young Republic increase in
strength, prosperity and renown; may the helm of state be piloted with
judgment; may wisdom resound in the halls of legislation, and harmony,
obedience to the law, fortitude in trials and a self-sacrificing
devotion prevail among the people.
Behold,
O God, and judge between us and our enemies, who have forced upon us
this unholy and unnatural war – who hurl against us their poisoned
arrows steeped in ambition and revenge. May they soon discover the
error of their ways, relinquish their cruel designs of subjugation,
their lust of gain and dominion, and yield a ready and willing ear to
the dictates of humanity, of justice and of right.
Bless,
O Father, our efforts in a cause which we conceive to be just; the
defense of our liberties and rights and independence, under just and
equitable laws. And we pray, Thee, O God, to bless and protect the
armed hosts, that now stand forth in the defense of our sacred cause.
Vain are the exertions of man without Thy aid.
Behold,
O Father, and cover with the shield of Thy heavenly Guardianship our
sons, our brothers and our friends – the flower and the hope of the
land. Endow their hearts with courage – nerve their arms with strength
in the hour of combat. May the breaches lately made in our lines soon
be repaired, a series of glorious victories blot out our recent
reverses, and the unrighteous invaders be repulsed on every side,
abashed, confounded and discomfited.
Thou,
O Lord, who makest peace in the highest heavens, mayest Thou bless us
with a speedy and honorable peace, so that safety, confidence and
happiness again smile upon the land, and our independence be recognized
by all families of the earth . . . “
