Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-02-24
LEGISLATURE OF MARYLAND.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES. .LEIY BILL.

HOUSE OF DELEGATES. .JEW BILL
JoHS s. TYSON, Esq. of the city OF Baltimore, sue
ceeded Mr. Kennedy, in the following Speech
After having been for twenty years engaged
in this arduous struggle for the rights of man
and sustained during the whole Of that time re
pulse upon repulse, and disaster upon disaster
having felt the sweets Of a victory obtained al
one session embittered by discontinue at ano
ther-lhe friends Of religious liberation sue
ceeded during the last assembly, in making
breach in the walls of the enemy. Under aus,
pieces the most favorable, with renewed vigor
in their arms and ardor in their hearts, they a
gain approach the broken wall, exclaiming in
the language of Henry before Harleur, and
with the like assurance Of success,
Once more unto the breach, dear friends once more.
1t is natural for US to enquire, why the tri-
umph Of this cause has been so long delayed?
Ianswer, because ofthe ignorance of some Of
the people, the prejudices of others, the bigo-
try Of one portion, and the honest, but mista.
ken zeal of another-an ignorant prejudice and
zeal fostered by political demagogues, who
though in heart and soul they were neither
Christian, Jew nor Turk, proiessed TO be the
humble supporters of the religion Of Jesus.
Hence il was, that an opinion was inculcated
called, was bill to abolish christianity.-that
the state was about to be inundated with Jews
and Turks-that Maryland would become ano-
Their Judea, and Baltimore another Jerusalem.
Those demagogues have, however, within the
last wear, preserved commendable silence
The people have been left free to think and act
for themselves-and they have left their dele
gates free to think and act for themselves; and
the question is noW submitted TO an unpledged
Legislature.
On all constitutional questions, and particu-
larly on one Of this kind, the first cry is that
the constitution is sacred instrument, 1t
ought not TO be touched; 1t is much better to
endure grievances, than to remove them by an
alteration. of the constitution.
In India, the people worship the great Mo-
gul-in Europe, they worship their Kings and
Emperors; here, however, they worship their
constitution. This, though better than the O.
theirs, is bad; because il is idoatry. Idolatry is
still idolatry, whether the idol be constitution
or king; and may add that tyranny is still
tyranny, whether the tyrant be piece Of paper
in the shape Of law, or despot in his kingly
robes. AS the idolatry Of a people towards
their king is the strongest support OF his des-
potism aad the inherent vices OF his nature, so
the idolatry Of people towards their constitu-
ton, is the strongest support of the tyranny OF
tina, constitution, and its inherent vices.
Think not that undervaue the great char
ter, by which our government is bound togeth-
er-I venerate, though do not adore our con-
stitution, and il is because venerate it, that
am anxious to purge it Of whatever is calcula-
ted TO render il less and less, an object Of reve
renee.
The constitution itself gives US the right to
alter and amend il. 1t is our duty to put this
right in exercise, whenever experience demon
strates its necessity. | would search for the
evil even through the ruins Of the superstruc-
ture, and cleansing the foundation, build up the
edi6ce anew, rather than permit the evil 10 re-
main, until it should itself have undermined
the constitution, and in some Inflated moment
should bring 1t down in ruin upon our heads.
But, sir, the evil we are now considering, is not
so difficult Of access-it is upon the surface Of
the constitution, aye, sir, upon the house top,
standing and disgraceful spectacle in the eyes
Of all the world.
But the benefit Git may be said) of this act Of
federation will be circumscribed within narrow
limits, will oe enjoyed by only few individuals.
So solemn an instrument as state constitution,
should not be altered for the benefit of few.
What then?-Wil you do it when their num-
DER Snall DC RTcdST. INO. iou VIII iicu say,
that it would be dangerous to grant cons,itu-
tional privileges TO so many Jews. Sir, the
Hebrews of Maryland are more entitled now e
not to your justice, a, least to your symp -,
and charity, than they will be when tt sAthies
handful shall become a mr'i,t. 81 present
they are weaker, more ? rurude; because
magnanimity: ~. dependent upon your
selves the .sss-able 10 maintain OF them,
y. ,;;,s tss'rights offreemen. Would you ice,
,ons less indignation towards The iron hearted
srasping guardian, because the victim oil MS
rapacity was an infant orphan! Oh! no, you
would execrate him the more, because OF the
weak and defenceless condition OF the suffering
innocent.
So should you regard the unfortunate he
brev,. They are the political orphans oil your
.,.,e not made so by their follies or their
crimes not BY any Of the natural and inevitable
e,lamities of life; but orphans by desertion, a
baudoned by their parent cheated OF their
S;rthright-nay even deprived OF their legiti-
macy.
..rned. A nation may be dishonoraole In
49, small matter-a nation may be dishonora'
~. nav. even cruel, without committing SIN