Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-02-24

constitution, which WOulu SUBJECT 10 StIlpeo vi
imprisonment, every freeman who would flee
from foreign land for refuge to your shores
il might happen that not solitary being would
suffer himself to be the victim of such injus-
tire; but would the nation be any the less disho-
norabIe or cruel? No-because dishonor and
cruelty, as well as honor and humanity, are in
the heart in the intention, not in their external
manifestation by outward signs. Therefore,
although there was not single Jew in Mary
land, the clause which subjected them to OPP
preston being in the constitution, the dishonor
is as great as it would be, if an hundred thous-
and Jews suffered under its tyranny.
The honor Of the state, ! repeat it AGAIN. the
honor Of the state is involved. The people OF
Maryland have gore on for many years past, as
If they cared nothing about the honor OF the
state, when it was furnished by themselves
They have jealousy enough for the honor OF
the nation abroad-if foreign frigale faes into
an American sloop Of war, or foreign govern
ment insults an American Ambassador, how
sensitive are we on the occasion. The cry oil
vengeance rings from Dan, even unto Bershe-
ba. We are ready to put the whole nation in
panoply of offence. But much worse dlsho-
nor we will suffer to remain untouched when in
ficted by our own hands, upon our own coun-
try Yet in my apprehension this is Infinitely
worse. because in the former cause, we being
the victims OF another's outrage, another shares
great portion Of the shame, whereas, in the
latter case we bear it all alone.
The next objection which will notice, is ONE
of very singular character, and YET l have fire.
quently heard il in conversation with some OF
the members of this house. They object 20
this bill and will not vote for it because it is
ly Jew bill, and not also Mahometan bill
Gentoo bill-a Chinese bill-in Gne, bill
sweeping away at once, every religious test
from the face Of the constitution lfsuch bill
were now before the Hou Sc, venture to affirm
that some Of these very individuals would OBJ
ject TO it because it was not exclusively Jew
bill am afraid, lest with some, this objec-
ton is used as cover to the world Tor real SEN
timents, or as a quietus upon self-reproach.
If there are any who sincerely entertain the
objection, would ask them whether by an u
UNIVERSAL abolition of the test bill, one of the OBJ
jects 10 be gained, would not be the relief OF the
Hebrews? Why not then join in their relief
now9-have you charity enough to comprehend
the whole multitude of discordant faiths in the
woodland have you at the same time too lit
tie for the prosecuted Hebrews alone?
I, sir, am as strongly in favor of the entire a
BOLTON Of the test as any member in this house
can be- Indeed, one Of the reasons which have
urged to the support OF the Jew bill, is the be-
lief that it would open The door for entire and
unconditional federation; but know thar can
not obtain that now. Am therefore to suffer
my charity to grow cold, and fall at once from
the very boiling point to half dozen degrees
below Zero? No; will keep it warm and vivid
by exercising it upon the sons Of Abraham. |
would fear that if ii should perish now, even a
bill for the universal abolition OF the test would
not hereafter be able to restore it to existence.
Sir, can see many strong reasons, conVlnc-
ing to my mind, why the portals of religious
freedom should be first opened to the lsraellle
his religion ranks next to ours.-Ihe God OF
the christian is the God Of the Jew. For the
knowledge of that God, we are indebted TO his
fathers; that knowledge, like the sacred fire OF
old, was preserved by them from century to
century, until the power Of Omnpotence, thro'
the minisIration of Jesus Christ, scattered it
abroad upon the face of all the earth to burn
with unextinguishable brightness We owe
to them the history Of the antideuvian world;
we owe to them great portion of the holy
scriptures-above all we owe to them the birth
of Jesus Christ. Let them therefore first enter
the temple Of religious freedom, and not in
company with the disciple of Mahoniet, or the
worshipper of Juggeruaut, whose
presence is an abomination to the Jew.
Having thus disposed of these preliminary
objections, which, if admitted, would close the
very door of discussion upon us: let us look a,
those, which govern the merits of the bill.
The Jews are unworthy Of relief! Why are
they so? Bring forward your charges in the
face of day; but first gather the dispersed ofJu-
dab, from the four winds of Heaven, and as
sembe them at the bar of this earthly tribunal,
where mortal man presumes to act as the vice.
gerent Of Heaven. Sir, as the advocate of this
people, plead to your Jurisdiction. deny
your right to preside over the conscicnces Of
men. All! but l hear you say, we have the
power, and we will exercise it. That is true.
You have the power, and you will exercise it;
and we must prove our innocence, or suffer the
punishment Of guilt.
When tyrannical parliament had summon
ed the whole American nation at its tribunal
bar, to show cause why they should not be de.
prived Of the rights Of freemen; the immortal
Burke stood forward as their champion He
told the British parliar v6s that it was hard to
draw bill Of i ,,1ctment 40 ans. a whole peo-
pS ere this great man now among us, ana
~ locating Gas he would advocate) the cause o'
the oppressed IsraeIites-he would say again.
{. It is hard to draw bill of indictment against
a whole people, There is nothing like II III
the history of the world; there is no instance on
-..ud of the trial of a whole nation, at once,