Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-11-05
From the National journal.

RESTORATION OF THE JEWS.
The proc laination to the Jews, issued
by MIR. Noah, who styles himself Go
yeinor and Judge OF Israel" is a docu-
ment calculated 10 excite various reilec-
tons. Il would have been more salts
factory had this gentleman explained he
grounds upon which he has assumed the
title, in virtue OF which he has uttered
his commands to individuals resident in
the four quarters OF Me earth, and even
recognized the American Indians as the
Descendants OF Inc original Hebrew taIni-
iy. We do not exactly perceive the
connexion between The dipnilies oil a
Christian " Consul OF the United States
iorthe Kingdom and city OF Tunis, High
Sheriff OF Newly York, and Counsellor a.
Law" and that OF " Governor and Jndge
Of Israel" and there may be those who
may deem il little anu-republican, II
not profane, In him, to proclaim that be
has received his commission "by the
Grace of God" The wealthy Jews OF
E1rope, ASA, and Africa, we fear, will
dispute his claim to pre- eminence, and
the "Cny of Refuge" is only Intended
as resting place, with view TO the
eventual re-estDblishmeni of the Israel
ltes in their ancient city of Jerusalem, il
would MOI have been better 10 have To-
Gated it nearer to Judea. twill be urg-
ed that this was impossible. from The pre-
JUDGES OF the Chris ian and Mahomme-
Ian nj h. II MT ~
seems 10 US equally impossibIs to co.tect,
on the small space OF Grand Island"
a suificien, Number of individuals, Of the
Hebrew persuasion, TO form a colony OF
proper strength, preparatory TO the con
templated emigration 10 the Holy Land.
This opinion IS confirmed by an expires
sion in Mr. Noah's proclamation, which
invites his beloved people, throughout
the world, ii! common ruth those Of
every religious deaominatton," to come
and abide within ms dominion whereby
it would seem, thar "Arrarat" is not de-
signed as a place OF repose exclusively
for he Jews, but for any body that may
b. inclined to domesiicate himseli on the
/" Grand Island" with the convenience
OF more room.
Il other religious sects are admitted,
as he proposes, we do not see in what
M. Noah's plan differs from that of
olher founders of colonies or fowns, So
many OF which are continually sprlnging
up within he limits OF the United States
ard their territories and his general and
indisc rlninate invitation may induce ma
n IN he taU hal he bf.ie Of ,,p
thing more than new method OF prose-
cutting land speculation. Vine her Mr..
Noah's subjects Qor he speaks in The
syle OF legltimaed majesty) will readily
ply the capitation tax OF three shekels
il silver per annum," we cannot under-
take to say but by fixing the rate of con-
,ribution " in silver" he has adopted
treasury from losses, by the receipt OF
spurious or uncurrent bank paper,
How tar Mr.. Noah Will be obeyed, il.
is difficult to determine. HIS proclam
ton expresses sreat benegoence for the
Hebrews, and holds forth the prospect,
although dubious and distant one, OF
the revival Of thsil temporai power, His
aboition Of palyganlj nay be regarded
as d moral ,nandate; but submission, in
this particular is rather questionable.
His permission o those VINO do not wish
to repair to the Island, 70 remain where
they are, will, doubtless, be accepted by
many. The strict neutrality which he
commands in The az bs weep the Greeks
and the Turks, is more prudent than IL
Ia