The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-14 00:00:00

The Mission of Sir Moses Monteflorc.

A large and influential meeting was hold at the London
Tavern yesterday, at 1 o'clock, for the purpose of expressing
its sense of the great services which had been rendered to
the cause of civilisation and humanity by the mission which
Sir Moses Montefiore had recently undertaken to Morocco.
The chair was taken by Mr Alderman Salmons, and among
those present were Mr G. J. Goschen, M.P., Mr Samuel
Gurney, M.P., Sir A. do Rothschild, Sir F. IL Goldsmid,
Rev. Dr N. M. Adair, Sir M. Farquhar,Bart., M.P., Messrs
John Abel Smith, M.P., W. Wm. Gladstone, B. Hankey,
Thomas Masterman, Wolverley Attwood, G. Barnett,
Joseph M. Montefiore, Jacob Waley, M.A., Rev. 11. Marks,
Richard Hoare, Charles Barnett, Hugh Smith, W. J, Hall,
Horatio Montefiore, Aaron Goldsmid, John Irving, Lau-
rence Levy, Alfred. Goldsmid, Sampson Lucas, Julian
Goldsmid, Saul Isaac, Ernest Hart, Louis Cohen, Eliot
I\lsenaughten, W. John Hell, John Pearce, Alfred Davis,
J. Q, Henriques, Sol. Schloss, S. H. Gedefroi, the Rev. A.
L. Green, D. S. Sasson, Abraham Mocatta, D. Q. Hen-
riques, L. Gideon, Samuel Isaac, J. Sebag, J. J. Solo-
mon, &c•
Letters of apology were received from Sir James Duke,
M.P., Mr Crawford, M.P., Mr Alderman Phillips, 4tc.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, expressed
his pleasure in presiding on such an occasion, when they
were met to do honour to so good and benevolent a man.
Sir A. DE ROTHSCHILD proposed "That Sir Moses Mon-
teflore, by his voluntary zeal in undertaking, at an advanced
age, a laborious journey for the purpose of remonstrating
ageinat the cruelties inflicted on the Jews at Tangiers and
&It'll, and by his successful representations to the Emperor
of Morocco on behalf of all the non-Mahometan subjects of
the Emperor, has rendered an important service to the cause
of humanity, and that Sir Moses Montefiore has thus added
to the many claims he has already established on the grati-
tude and admiration of the Jewish communityand of his fellow-
citizens at large." As he was so nearly related to Sir Mosos
Montefiore, it gave him the very greatest pleasure to propose
this resolution.

Mr. GLADSTONE seconded it.
Sir F. GOLDSMID moved—" That an address expressive
of these sentiments be presented on behalf of this meeting
to Sir Moses Montefiore." (Hear, hear.) Ho would ask
the meeting to look at the matter which had been accom-
plished by Sir Moses Montefiore in comparison with a some-
what similar object which was accomplished two centuries
ago. He referred to a remarkable intervention which was
undertaken in the 17th century by Oliver Cromwell, on be-
half of the persecuted Protestants in Piedmont. Milton,
the Latin Secretary to Cromwell, thus addressed the Duke
of Savoy—" Linked together with its distant brethren, not
only by the same typo of humanity, but by joint communion
of the same religion." Milton went on to say--" What-
ever had been decreed to their disturbance on account of
religion should be abrogated, and that an end should beput
to their oppressions. That such a multitude of our inno-
cent brethren may not miserably perish for want of succour
and assistance. A free pardon, and alas such privileges
and graces as cannot but give Is sufficient evidence of the
great respect borne both to his person and mediation.' But
there was nnother point in Cromwell's letter. While it
was perfectly "respectful," he did mention that if the
intercession were not granted, there might be some " pos-
sible recourse to other measures." (A. laugh.) It was a
striking characteristic of the present day that no possible
force could be employed in backing up the prayer of Sir
Moses Montefiore. He would direct their attention to
what the Chancellor of the Exchequer had said respecting
"moral support." "Now, I grant that what is called moral
support, as between country and country, is in no inconsider-
able degree a modern idea; but it is one of those modern
ideas to which, as it appears to me, we ought to attach the
price and the greatest value. Moral support is a
power in Europe." He (Sir F. Goldsmid) thought
real
latest
that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whoa() brother
they had the pleasure of fleeing present, might now say it
was a real power not only in Europe, but in Africa also.
(Cheers.) The Chancellor of the Exchequer went on to ob-
serve : " Genuine public opinion—not the opinion of any
one State—is a real power in Europe, and it is a true sign of
advancing civilisation and cf progress in the affairs of men
—not a visionary but a real and substantial progress—when
you find that you have passed beyond the region in which
no reel influence was known, except that of sword clashing
against sword, and enured into that domain in which the

I minds of men act upon one another, an .d
in whi44:without:
a resource to force, the power of higher principles felt!,
and recognised. That 1 believe the meaning of tuerid sups
pert." (Cheers.) He thought they would fityl .:etromr
evidence of his "moral support" in the misstestinf Sirel
Moses Montefiore. There was another distinguiehindate-
ture of this mission. It was undertaken by a man who was
not a diplomatist. Perhaps it might have been partly
owing to the fact that Sir Moses Montefiore was not a
diplomatist that his mission was so eminently successful;
because, not being a diplomatist, he was able to devote
himself solely to the work he had in hand.
Mr. ATTWOOD seconded the resolution.
Mr. ABEL SMITH proposed, "That this meeting desires to
express its deep obligations to Earl Russell, her Majesty's
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, for the readiness with •
which he afforded to Sir Moses Montefiore the countenance
and suppor t of the Government, and to offerits earnest thanks
to Sir John Drummond Hay, her Majesty's Consul General
in Morocco, and to Mr. Consul Reade, and to all those who
personally aided in carrying into effect the objects, and thus
contributing to the success of his journey." He was glad
that the meeting had associated the name of Earl Rus-
sell with the noble and benevolent efforts which had berm
made on behalf of justice and humanity. (Hear, hear.),
Every honour was due to Earl Russell for his exertions on
behalf of the freedom, happiness, and progress of mankind.
(Cheers.) He (the speaker) could well imagine the cheer-
fulness and willingness with which Earl Russell would
give his assistance to Sir Moses Montefiore. (Lear, hear.)
Not given because it was pressed for, but because it was
the impulse of a generous nature, sympathising with the
sufferings and wants of others. (Applause.) The course
which the British Government had taken in the matter was
most creditable to them. As long as uprightness, honour,
and disinterested benevolence were valued, such conduct as
that of Sir Moses Montefiore must command the admiration
of his fellow-men, and be a bright example to others.
Mr. Sergeant &mole seconded the resolution.
Mr. GOSCHEN, M.P., proposed—" That this meeting,
bearing in mind the gracious reception accorded by his Ma-
jesty the Emperor of Morocco to the representations of Sir
Moses Montefiore, wishes to record its high appreciation of
the desire shown by that enlightened sovereign to extend
his protection and to insure justice to all classes of his sub-
jects, without reference to religious creed; and that this
meeting would be gratified if her Majesty's Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs would communicate this resolu-
tion to the Emperor of Morocco, through the British Con-
sul-General at Morocco." (Hear, hear.) The Emperor of
Morocco had taught the world at largo a most valuable
eeeaon respecting the value of civil and religious liberty.
(Hear, hear.) He (the hon. gentleman) trusted that some
of those Governments which still refused to make any con-
cession in this respect would follow the example which had
been set them by the Emperor. (Cheers.)
Professor J. WALEY seconded the motion.
Mr. A. COHENS proposed, and Mr. HENRY ISAACS
seconded—" That this meeting contemplates with deep
satisfaction the social and political equality now happily
enjoyed by all the subjects of his Majesty, feeling proud
and gratified in remarking how the example thus set has
contributed to induce other countries to adopt the same
beneficent principles."
The above resolutions were all carried unanimously.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.