F - General Correspondence, 1958-1980

1958, 1961, 1964-1971, 1973-1976, 1978-1980. Correspondence with David Fellman, Vilas Professor of Political Science, University of Wisconsin, and President of the American Association of University Professors, regarding Konvitz's book, Expanding Liberties, with regard to judicial review of Congressional legislation; the clear and present danger test; the importance of David Hume's contributions to American intellectual history and, particularly, James Madison's theory on factions; the role of Catholicism in Al Smith's political defeat, etcetera. Doctor Konvitz mentions that he is very interested in Hume's philosophy and that Hume is an important concern in his course in jurisprudence (June 10 and 16, 1966). Correspondence with Fellman regarding Konvitz's book Religious Liberty and Conscience; and the problems of defining conscience and referring to conscience as a standard (November 29 and December 12, 1968). Konvitz comments on voting procedures at American Association of University Professors annual meetings and on the importance of following the reports of Committee A that concludes that censure is not warranted on the facts found (May 1, 1964). Konvitz describes his discussion with Doctor Jerome Holland, President of Hampton Institute, regarding the problem of the relatively large number of Negro colleges that are on the list of censured colleges and universities (April 29, 1964). Other correspondence with Fellman regarding personal matters. Correspondence with Judge Sherman G. Finesilver, United States District Court, regarding Finesilver's request for information concerning Konvitz's writing and about writings on the relations between Jewish law and American law (May 11, 1972). Correspondence with Professor S.M. Finger, regarding publication of a memorandum, sent on March 10, 1975 to Prime Minister Rabin and a select group of Israelis, on "Guidelines for an Alternative - A Four Year Plan: A Constitution for Israel and Peace with Her Neighbors." the memorandum was written by Helel Kook and S. Merlin, both Israeli members of the first Knesset and of the Board of the Institute. The memorandum was published in Israel (April 30, 1975). Correspondence with Bernard Forer regarding Konvitz's attitudes about the Nazi parade in Skokie, Illinois on April 20, 1978. Konvitz comments on a statement by Forer regarding the Skokie demonstration. Konvitz mentions that for the Supreme Court to affirmatively act on the statement it would need to establish new constitutional principles (Which Konvitz outlines). Professor Konvitz also mentions that he does not believe that the American Civil Liberties Union should have undertaken to represent the Nazis. He argues that the American Civil Liberties Union is not obliged to accept every case that is presented to it and that their refusal of the case would not imply that the American Civil Liberties Union is in opposition to what the Nazi party demanded from the City of Skokie. It would only imply that the American Civil Liberties Union decided to use its limited resources on other cases (April 18, 1978). A copy of the statement by the Sarasota-Manatee Committee Against the Nazi march in Skokie. Other correspondence regarding routine personal matters. Correspondence with Senator Philip A. Hart, United States Senate. Konvitz sent Hart an article on the filibuster of the nomination of Abe Fontas which appeared in the October 25, 1968 Cornell Daily Sun. Konvitz commented that because the letter raises important constitutional issues, it should be made a part of the record of the case (October 25, 1968). Correspondence with Justice Abe Fortas, United States Supreme Court, also regarding Konvitz's October 25, 1968 statement (October 25, 1968). Extensive and detailed correspondence with Doctor Isaac Franck, Senior Research Scholar at the Joseph and Rose Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Center for Bioethics Georgetown University (1974 [1979-1981]) regarding publications and discussions of topics including Spinoza, Judaism, Einstein, and ritual. Also correspondence on each other's articles; and regarding a book on Spinoza and Judaism by Franck which Konvitz encouraged Cornell University Press to publish. Correspondence with Doctor Charles Frankel, United States Assistant Secretary of State, regarding Konvitz's review of Frankel's book, The Neglected Aspect of Foreign Affairs. Also personal and routine correspondence.