Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-12-03
Tor Wf E"Y"tFrF.
Meeting of the Israelites Of Richmond City.
RICHMOND. Va. Nov. ~. 1888

RICHMOND. Va. Nov. ~. 1858.
\. meeting Of the lsraelitcs of this city, and
the friends of religious liberty, was held this
evening, at the Synagogue. on llth, near Mar
shall street.
On motion Of Mr.. George Jacobs, G. 4. My
crs, ESP. was called to the chair, and Mr.. &.
Jacobs was requested to act rs Secretary.
Mr.. MYERS. on taking the chair, stated the
object for which the meeting had been con-
ycncd-that Il Jewish child, named Edgar Nor
tara, had been forcibly abducted from his
parents at Bologna, under the prctcncc of his
having been baptiScd To the Catholic faith, by
Il Catholic nurse. lie laid before the meeting
the following documents, relative to the matter.
received from Sir Moses Montciiorc, Bart, the
President of the Board of Deputies Of British
Jews. and presented the following preamble
and resolutions:
Whereas it appears from 4 circular received
from Sir Moses Montcliorc, President of the
Board of Deputies Of British Jews. dated the
18th Of October. 1855. that a violent outrage
upon domestic rights and religious liberty, has
been pcrpctratcd in Bolognc, Italy, in the for
chile abduction, under ~fanatical prcteXts, of
Edgar Mortara, Il child of lsraclitish parents,
and Of his retention, against their wishes. by
the Catholic Church, the distinguished Pre-
sidcnt al the Ioar,l Of Deputies above men
toned. has addressed u circular tn many, il not
all. Of the ISyarlitish Congregations i'll America
and elsewhere detailing the circumstances Of
the abduction Of Edgar Mortara and asking
them to cooperate in the adoption Of such
measures, a. may br deemed cXpcdicnt. by ap-
pcalS to their respective Governments. and
otherwise to seek 10 obtain the restoration Of
the child 10 it, afflicted parents. and also the
prevention of similar outragcS for the future.
And whereas, at Il primary meeting of the
I,raclitcs in Philadelphia on the 18th NOvcm-
her. ISIS. the following resolutions were
adopted:
Resolved, That we deeply sympathise with
in the cruel bereavement under which he now
suffers, by the unpr"yokcd barbarity of the Ro-
man lnIui>ition.
Resolved. That w will clccrfully unite with
ali other l>raclitcS OF America and Europe. in
Il measure which may result in restoring the
stolen hoy To his afflicted parents.
Resolved. That we regard with adherence
the prosecuting spirit under cover Of which
our brothers in the Roman States and other
countries are subjected TO 50 many indignltieS
and >uilcringS. other than mere exclusion from
political equality, Oh account solely Of their re-
ligion.
Resolved, That we will unite with any Others
who may desire TO act with Us. to address a
memorial To the President of the United States,
requesting him. as the Chief Magistrate of Il
free people. who ought not to look with indif.
ference on the sufferings of those not so blessed,
to call the attention of the Papal Government,
through the United States Minister at Rome,
TO tl,e fact that all civilized and enlightened ma
tons, having the least idea Of liberty Of con-
science. uncquivocally condemn the desire for
making proSclyteS which is carried into prac-
tice in the manner and TO the extent that IS
done in certain countries, so as to authorize
nurses and other servants, or any other person,
To perform the rite Of baptism in cases of sick
ness, in consequence of which act family ties
are violently disrupted, and sorrow is carried
10 the hearts of pious parents, who are com
PEELED, ~ in the present instance, to see their
children educated in Il religion which they do
not profess. under the vain plea Of a CONVEX
sion through an outward ceremony, TO which
neither parent or child did or could consent.
Resolved. That the President he further re-.
qucstcd to Use his good offices, through the
Minister at Rome. TO urge, in union with the
representatives Of other Powers ut that Court,
the restoration of Edgar Mortara 10 his parents,
to he educated as they may think proper; and
to obtain. in the same manner, an intcrdict for
the future against the clandcstine baptism Of
children Of other pcrSuasionS than the Catho'
lie, or adults, on the part Of servants or nurses.
or others, or at least to declare such i%nvolunta-
nv baptism invalid and of no effect. either civ
lily or ~rcligiously.
Resolved. That VI will gladly contribute To
any fund which may he raised to dcfray the
necessary expenses which may have to he in
Cured to procure civil and religious liberty for
our brother I>%iaclitcs all over the world.
Resolved. That We communicate these pro-
ccedings to Sir Moses Montctiorc, Bart. the
President Of the Board Of Deputies of British
Jews. with II request TO lay them before the
body over which hc prcSidcS, and the Central
ConSistcry of France. Is an evidence that the
heart of american I~sraclites is with their bro
Tiers in all parts Of the globe, in their allie
tions no less than their joys. and that We truly
feel ourselves one people. though oceans ami
mountains divide Us.
And this meeting entirely cnmci,rrinS with
their co%.rcligioniSt> of Philadelphia in the ol'in-
ions and sentiments above set forth:
Resolved, That We cordially approve and en-
tlorSc the said resolutions.
Resolved, That the President, Of the Con
srcgations kaal Kado>h Beth Shalomc and of
the Beth .thaha, Of this City. he requested,
Jointly, To transmit to Sir Moses Montciiorr,
Bart, a copy of these proceedings. to he used
bv him as indicated in the last of the foregoing
resolutions.
Resolved. That the Editors i'll this city he
requested TO publish these proceedings in their
several newspapers.
Said resolutions were seconded by the Rev.
Mr.. Michelbacker, accompanied with some
pithy remarks.
Mr.. ID. II. London also supported the rcsolu-
tions forcibly and cloqucntly, and they were
then adopted unanimously.
Mr.. Schrivcr moved that the Chairman be re-.
uuested to forward Il ropy of these proceedings
and the documents in relation thereto. TO the
President of the United States which was
adopted.
Mr.. George Jacobs made the following mo-
ton which Was also adopted
That the Chairman and Secretary bc request
ed to forward Il copy Of the proceedings of this
meeting 10 the Chairman of the late meeting
of I~SrcalitcS in the city Of Philadelphia.
pn HiOllon U 'Idco' y. i'tN. Nv hIeS'lliS
then adjourned.
Extract from. the "Tlmc." Newspaper. 9Th sept. lS>.!
foRCIRIE ABDUCTION OF 4 JEWISH CHILD.
The forciblc abduction ~ the Roman lnqui.iiion Of \
Jewish child SIX years old. at Bologna. under the prctencc
OF Is having been. two wears ago. secretly baptized by il
Catholic nurse. has createda most painfulsensation through.
on, the Jewish world. Twcnty-one Sandman congregations
have addressed Il join, and most pathetic appeal to the
London Jewish Board OF Deputies. soliciting il interference
in behalf OF the heart.broken family. The Board NE; OH
Monday last, when il wa, unanimously resolved TO respond
10 the appeal. 4 Subcommittee OF eight was appointed.
with Sir Moses Mon,efore a; its head, TO which full power
was given TO take all necessary steps required by the eincr'
gency. The Subcommittee resolved 10 pu; itself in CON.
municaiion with the israeiiiish Consistorics OF France and
Holland. TO appeal TO the press Of England. 10 endeavor 10
enlist the sympathy Of the English Government in the
cause. and. II need be, TO send a deputation TO The Pope.
The following are the facts Of the case:
(7randdtsd from The Frtnrk.)
"Gentlemen "A cruel and barbarous scene was enacted
a mouth ago in the house .: one OF our brethren at Bologna,