The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-02

Thanksgiving &C tho Greene Street Syna-
gOgue.
On Thanksgiving day the Rev. DR.. RaphalI
preached sermon at the Greene street church, in
which he alluded to Gov. Clark 3 proclamation. he
said
Ny Friends-we meet here this day to join In the
public thanksgiving to which we, and our fellow
citizens have been invited by the Mayor Of New
York, the able and honest chief magistrate Of this
great city. Able call him, for such his brief but
expressive proclamation bespeaks him honest
consider him, for such his respect for the dearest
rights Of his constituents-the rights Of conscience
proves him l had occasion last year on Thanks
giving day. to animadvert on the proclamation OF
the then Governor, who addressed the inhabitants Of
tie State as Christians" ard theleby-as far as in
his power laid-excuded all who not Christians.
sid that the constitution Of the State Of New
York does not recognise any religious distinctions,
ut considers all citizens rs equals that Governor
Of this State holding Office under that constitution.
il hound in any public document proclamation to
address the people as citizens only that he has no
light to prefer any one religious persuasion, how
ever overwhelming the majority formed by its pro-
fessols nor yet to address the people generally
II one particular denomination, however honorable
hat denomination may be in itself that, conse-
queDty Governor Seymour in his proclamation bad
violated the constitution, and had outsteppcd the
legitimate power Of his Office by infringing the
rights Of the minority and needlessy wounding the
feelings Of many thousands of his constituents whom
lie shut out from the general Thanksgiving. Few
and nple us were my remarks on the occasion,
they reached the OF Governor Seymour, who felt
himself bound to offer an explanation which, in hi.
name, was rendered to me by mutual friend. And
as was left at liberty TO use that explanation in
any manner l pleased, I thus publicly state that
Go, crnor HoratIo Seymour-through the medium
OF DIR Ebert H. Champiin, Of Washington place. In
this city expressed to his regret that he should
have given cause for my anmad versions, which he
admitted to be just, well founded and in perfect
cordnLce with the letter and spirit OF the constiu-
ton OF this State that the proclamation In qnes-
ton, however, had not been drawn up by himself;
but from the press Of business he had been COM
PEELED TO entrust it to clerical friend and that he
by wished TO wrong his Jewish fellow citi-
Gems to lessen their rights. Now II this apology
was due to us from Ex-Governor Seymour, who in
his proclamation last year used one single phrase
not san. toned by the constitution what amends can
be offered by his Excellency Myron d; CLARK. our
pleased to favor his fellow citizens With an entire
dissertation on theology, OF the most curious kind,
overwhelming them with grace, and faith and
works. in manner which doubt whether any two
Of the many religious denominations throughout The
State would receive as orthodox. Now, with his
Excellency the Governors theology in the abstract,
do not fnd fault 50 long as It keeps in its proper
came right Of conscience which !! desire for
myself, the same respect for our feelings which
l clam for my people, am in duty bound,
fore, his Exceency Myron H. Clark, who gives US
singular ard nncalled for specimen Of his theolo
eicsl requirements. should be permitted to hold
forth from any pulpit throughout the land, and
should there expound his views on faith works,
SO, he has as good right 30 to do as have to ad
dress you here; for Myr0n Clark, in his private Ca
pacty can and does profess the persuasion his con-
science prefers. The State Of New York, however,
does not profess any particular religion; and his
Excellency the Governor, who represents the State
must not hinge his official acts with particular
religion more than with any other. When, there
fore, his Excellenoy the Governor permits his pri
his public duties, when he fOsts his peculiar views
into general proclamation, and when he does this
in manner offensive to the minority and uncalled
for by the majority, say he violates the constitu-
ton under which he holds Office, and is guilty of
tn ason against the rights Of conscience. Let it not
be sale that this expression is too harsh We are
republicans freemen, and bound to watch that lber
+. be net injured by the men we raise to power
We are Jews, and bound, to the utmost, to main
ia rerfect religious equality. 1t il most pre-
cious, most highly cherished possession. 1t shall
not be touched even BY sacnleglous finger, with.
through the land; and that protest. know, will re-
teive tie support Of every whoe-souled American;
for have read In the New York HERALD twelve Of
TIE pfCCibNhutuS 1Ssueu III tuo Sbdtts WICu tUQhy
Gel, brae their Thanksgiving; and find that in the
majority Of these proclamations-issued in seven
States, which, however, jointly do not contain q
1.-THE Of the number OF Jews residing in the State OF
New Yoik-no expression is used that the cham
pion for religious equality can find fault with. Let
u.s. then, consider and treat the proclamation issued
by his Excellcncy Myron Clark. and which shuts
Us out from joining in the thanksgiving, as mere
piece Of waste paper Aud now enough OF Myron
Clark II the Allmerciful spares You and me until
next year have no doubt Of being able to announce
to you that the people of this State in justice to the
Governors extraordinary theological acquirements
sr sa stndv of ~ 90 shstrnse as faith
and works and grace; while we, in our thanksgiv-
ing, shall, amidst other public mercies, have to
n AXE special mention Of the removal from Office Of
an unworthy public officer. Let US now accept the
invitation OF his Honor the Mayor, and direct our
attention to the words Of the PsalHst:-"Let the
nations give thanks to thee, God! Let them
give thar ks to Thee, the nations all OF them. The
earth hath yielded her increase. God, our God,
doth bless God will bless us, and all the ends Of
uI,a fnar d,