It seems that the Greek Athena newspaper was one of the few to consistently denounce Simonides. It refused to be blinded by his
ostensible Hellenism. (To look up these newspaper articles about Simonides, use "
Σχετικά με τα χειρόγραφα του Σιμωνίδη" or just "
Σιμωνίδη" in the "title" or "any field" search box.)
Here is the Athena's denounciation of Simonides and his "scum-bag gang" of admirers in Leipzig (I have amended the google translation somewhat):
"You have already learned extensively about the loud-ringing Simonides from the German newspapers and from the pamphlet of K. Lykourgos; which revealed the most, and these were well received throughout Germany, and in no small measure contributed to the national honor, considering that a Greek exposed the cheating Greek, just as this
newspaper of August (see note 2 at end) intimated in its assessment of this pamphlet. .
"This truth is felt and confessed by everyone and by those who have even the slightest spark of national feeling. Unfortunately, however, in this society, to the shame of Greece, there are also some malignant scum-bags, called Greeks, but having neither education nor the sense of Greekness, really betray the national conception and are full of Jewish malice!
"Everyone who has even a small spark of national feeling feels and confesses this truth.
"These, not only before the arrest of Simonides (whence it was possible for them to have rights as unknowingly deceived), but also after this revelation of the fraud (so that, as it seems consistent) do not stop defending the forger with fervent zeal, as those of the same habits.
"Since they have neither the courage nor the strength to defend him publicly, and their united voice is not heard at all, having no other way to cure the great disfavor of their ignorance, the wretches take refuge in darkness, writing anonymous letters to the honorable faces of German Philhellenes, taking an active part in the discovery of the fraud, full of insults and much nonsense.
"To such means this "nice" and "law-abiding" (criminal) gang have resorted in former times - means that are both reckless and obscene, and that show desperation in failures; but let it and its experienced officers learn that those days are gone, and the persons are different. And let them be content that their wickedness may remain known only to themselves, the ones in Leipzig, and let them not move the spectator too much, for they will repent to no avail when, publicly and in name, they stand before the Panhellene. The prudent few."
.
NB:
This link will pull in other interesting stuff by Simonides, but (strangely) it leaves out many of the articles above.
NB2: Not sure why the article above, dated "3/3/1856," appears to predate the article to which it refers i.e. "this newspaper in August" article, dated 2/8/1856. (I can find no reference to an earlier article in August of the previous year - 1855.)