The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-30
The Mortarn Abduction Case.

I MEMORIAL OF THE JEWS TO THE PREsIDENT--TUE
| ANSWER OF GENERAL CAss TO THE MEMoRIALIsrs
memorial has been prepared and numerously signed
at Philadelphia, requesting the ntercesson Of the Pres
dent Of the United States for the release of the Jewish
boy Mortara alleged to have been abducted from his pa
rents at Bologna and thence conveyed 10 Rome where
they denied access to him. for the reason that he
had received Christian baptism in the Catholic church
The spirit Of this memorial may be gathered from the io
lowing extracts
n Mortara the abstract rights Of man have been vio
lated and the mental distress Of his parents their
guish and their tears appeal TO all liberal and free
| people 10 redress the insult which has been
offered TO humanity in the person Of the little
boy for whom now ask your kind Offices. We are
well aware that the United States never do, nor
should assume the right TO interfere in the internal
relations Of other lands also know that may be
SAID that person living in the Roman States must sub
init to their laws however arbitrary and cruel they may
be- stil we trust and firmly believe that the Roman
government would listen respectfully to any suggestion
coming from the President of the United States especially
you would represent to his Holiness the Pope that thu
universal sentiment not alone Of lsraeles but of Pro
tetants also OF the United States condemns which
so unreasonable unjust and cruel and that to persist in
II might more than anything else retard the progress of
Catboctv in the Union where every bosom swes the
thought of liberty and where the tyranny Of church,
whatever may be its name, Is no less odious than the
worst arbitrary deeds of the most detesed crowned heads
We would, therefore, respectfully request of you TO
struc the Minister Of the United States at the Court Of
Rome 10 ask as an act q grace towards the government
and people Of all persuasons OF this country
the boy Edgar Motara TO his parents to be educated
they may deem proper, without ooercng their VIII or
Offering any undue nducement TO change their original
intention 81 rearing him Isrsec. Secondly, OBJ
tain in the same manner revocation OF the canon OF the
Roman Catholic church which its adhercnts 10
administer baptism under certain circumstances, at
least declare such involuntary conversion null and
void when the parents Of children adults themselves
thereafter refuse recognise the baptism valid when
administered al time when they unconscious
under the full persuasion that the head of the Catholic
church desire, in this age OF progress force
persons 10 become his belief by which
neither gain strength benefit those whom thus holds
within us grasp"
How far our government Is inclined interfere with
this delicate question may be inferred by the subjoned
letter Of the sbe Secretary Of state written
py letter from Mr. Abraham Hart the Prcsiden, OF
a Hebrew congregation in the city Of Philadelphia
GEN. CASs' REPLY.
DEpAi1axSf SrATx. \
WARRINGTON, Nov. n, 1858 /
sIE--I have received and submitted 10 the President
your liter a thc 18th ust respecting tho alleged forcble
abduction from hi parents Of jewish child by the public
authorities al Bologna. the Paps dominons and asking
expressions q conformation the part of this 60
verumcnt
This took place within the territories OF
independent power, and without affecting the rights Of
any American citizen. IL i the settled policy Of the
tned stats 70 abstain FROM all Interference in the
ternal concerns q any other country Certainly there i
nothing IN liz circumstance ~ tbs CASE they
reported, .LIeL would isnlO-c this upon the
government. But u deemed proper TO adhere 10 the
established principle which has heretofore regulated its
sonduct ia it, Intercourse with other nations.
LEWIS CAsS
To Mr. A. Hart President II the Congregation IN ekvc
Israel, Chcrr! street. Philadelphia