The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-10-12

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10 the epjoyments OF independence, the lights
oil learning and civilization, and the obligation
of industry and morality, they can cultivate a
friendly and afectionate understanding with
the whole family Of mankind, and have no
longer enemies on earth.
TN calling the Jews together under the
protection of the American Constitution and
laws, and governed by our happy and salutary
institutions, It is proper for me state that this
asylum is temporary and provisionary. The
Jews never should, and never will relinquish
the just hope of regaining possession of their
ancient heritage, and events in the neighbour
hood of Palestine indicate an extraordinary
change of affairs.
The Greeks are almost independent of the
Ottoman Porte. Tie Turkish sceptre becomes
weaker daily. Russia will march upon Con-
stantnople. The Egyptians are cultivating
the useful arts, and are encouraging commerce
and agriculture. The Turks, driven beyond
the Bosphorus, may leave the land of Canaan
free for the occupancy of its rightful owners /;
and the wealth and enterprise of the Jews
may make it desirable for them 10 reclaim
their former possession by and with the con-
sent of the Christian powers, who, more en-
lightened, and consequently more tolerant,
may be duly impressed with sense Of justice
due to an injured and oppressed people.
"Called together to the Holy Land by the
slow but unerring finger of Providence, the
i Jews, coming from every quarter of the globe,
would bring with them the language, habits
and prejudices, Of each country. Assimlating
only in religious doctrines, and divided on
temporal affairs, they would present innumer-
difficulties IN nieev
OF government, and the diversity of opinions
and views would create factions as dangerous
and difficult to allay as those fatal ones which
existed in the time of the first and second
Temples. 1t is in this country that the go
vernment of the Jews must be organized.
Here, under the influence of perfect freedom,
they may study laws, cultivate their minds,
acquire liberal principles as to men and mea-
sures, and qualify themselves to direct the en-
ergies OF just and honorable government in
the land of the Patriarchs.
"Conforming therefore to the constitution
and laws of the United States, there is no diff
Il Guilty IN organizing and concentrating the Jew
ish nation. Originally we were a race OF
shepherds; each man governed his own fami-
~, and TO the enjoyment of domestic happi-
ness they added the blessings of pure reli-
gion. Israel accommodating in strength was
led to Egypt, delivered from bondage, and
conducted TO the promised land, by the illus
trious legislator of the Jews and the great
benefactor Of mankind. The moral, political
and ecclesiastical code of laws, which the AL
mighty through Moses presented to the child
rem OF Israel, forms, even at this day, the
bass OF every civil and religious institution.
The victorious Joshua settled the Israelites in
the land of Canaan, and divided it according
10 tribes. Alter short interregnum, on his
death, the government of the Judges COM
menced, which existed 800 years, until it was
merged IN the kingdom which commenced
with Saul. and terminated, after a brilliant
epoch, in the captivity. The government Of
the High Priests succeeded and continued
428 years, followed by the Maccabean Kings
OF Judah, and the nation became finally dis
persed under Herod the Idumean.
" In selecting from the primitive, the ludic-
ial. the regal and sacerdotal governments, a
form best adapted to the times, and also to the
condition of the Jewish people, have deem
ed it expedient to reorganize the nation under
+ the direction of the Judges.
+ "The authority of the Judges extended to
all religious, military and civil concerns-.they
were absolute and Independent, like the kings
OF Israel and Judah, without the ensigns Of
sovereignty. The Judges were immediately
from the people, mingling in their delbera-
tons, directing their energies, commanding
their armies, and executing their laws. The
offlce, which was not hereditary, conforms in
some respect TO that of chief magistrate, and
IS In accordance with the genius and DISPOSE
ton of the people of this country.
The Hebrew nation, with its sublime
Theocracy, its moral laws, its warIike cha
racter and powerful government, originated in
a family of shepherds. From an ancestry not
more illustrious arose the heroes and saees of
Greece, and to the neglected children of the
forest was Rome, once mistress of the world.
indebted for existence. From origins the most
humble, and from projects the most doubtful
the world has been indebted for signal benefits
and blessings few pilgrims, driven to our
continent by European persecution, have laid
the foundations OF splendid empire. We
have less difficulties TO encounter, because we
are surrounded by civilization and few Je VS.
IN this happy land, admonished by the past,
and animated by anticipations of the future,
may increase rapidly and prosperously, and,
under good government and wholesome laws.
may fall back in time towards the Pacific O.
cean, and possess country the most fertile, as
il is capacious and valuable. We have long
been captives in a land of strangers: we have
long anxiously expected temporal deliver
ance; but throughout the most terrible periods
OF calamity, we have done nothing for our
selves. The Almighty, who has covered us
with the shield Of his paternal love, has given
US moral agents, by which, with his divine aid.
we are to effect our own deliverance. we
nave senses, judgment, power of selfgovern-
rnent, energy, capacity and wealth. If with
all these great requisites we still s'hang our
harps upon the willow we still cover our
selves with sackcloth and ashes, and do NOT
make one effort for independence, how can
we reasonably continue TO supplicate God for
our restoration, who made man on his own
image, and proclaimed him free. Why should
the parent Of nations, the oldest Of people, the
founders OF religion, wander among the go
veinments OF the earth, intreating succor and
protection, when we are canahle nj nrofoc.;,