Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-12-18
GOD I'M the CONSTITUTIONS.
OpIaIens Of the great Jewish Rabbi, Or.
LiIileathaI.

} organic law. Congressman, senators
and one supreme Judge, Strong, have
| signed this petition. The learned He
brew scholar, DIR. Lillienthsl, week
ago, delivered 8 powerful discourse
on the subject. His text was;
Ths Lord will give strength unto His
people, when the Lord viii bless His peo-
pie with peace.-PSGLns ITiE2.
Hesaid:
Now, it hurts my inneFmost feelings
to say one word against America or
our American fellow citizens. l am
known in this community as man
who, though born in foreign country
is an American throughout-an Amer
lean by principle, word and senti-
ment; and as one whom nothing af-
lords more qualification than an oppor-
tunity on which to glorify the wise
and almost inspired institutions and
documents which the immO. tai men
Of 1776 bequeathed to US, as a sacred
legacy to our country and her coming
generations.
But now, when movements like
those quoted in the above extracts are
set on loot; when men who are the
executive officers of some of the old
est and most prominent States of our
Union, by their signatures counte-
nance such a violation of our most
sacred principles of religious liberty,
as warranted by our constitution;
when clergymen again use the infiu-
euce of their pulpit and position to at
tempt the dangerous scheme of
union of state and church, no matter
by what phraseOlogy they try to dis
guise their intent and purpose; then
it becomes the imperative duty of
every man. whatever his country,
who is 10 An to her institutions, to pro-
nOunce boldly and unequivoeally his
solemn protest against such treason
against our constitution; then it BE-
comes the duty of every scholar who
is acquainted with the bloody results
of religious intolerance; Of every citi-
zen who has the peace ana prosperity |
of his country at heart; of every man |
who takes an interest in the welfare |
and progress of humanity at large, to |
use all justiiable means tOI arIesting |
such a nefariOu5 scheme; and TO stand |
up with undaunted courage, warning |
of the assailants with the earnest, de
termined appeal: Hands of. This |
treasure OF religious liberty belongs to
the world. FaUaticism and bigotry /
shalt neither cOntaminate nor detile il.
1 have faith in the good sense and
sound Judgment of the American peO-
pie. They will not support, when
the second sober thought arises in
their minds, such a reasonable and
abOminable scheme, though it be sd-
vocated by all the governors OF all the
States, and headed even by Judge
of the Supreme Court of the United
States Much as the Americans love
their churches and denominations,
they do not love the less their Ameri-
can liberties. Much as they support
their sectarian institutions, they do
not revere the less their constitution
and their declaration of independence,
the nOblest record in the annals OF hu-
man history. In the end they viii
undoubtedly come out all right.
What do we now see in Europe?
What are the news which every
steamer brings US form the Old Con-
tinent? Everywhere, with the ex-
ception of Russia. the prevailing and
ruling motto is: Separate Church and
S ate! Not only England and%Franse
have long ago adopted this salutary
principle, even italy and Spain have
it heneeforth to be their
policy. Germany follows the noble
example; EltraEOntane Bavaria has
it to be the unanimous senti-
ment of the government and her
leading statesmen; and even p, ussia,
the representative 'par ex-
OF the christian State, has
this principle, and in his
famous answer to the dissatisfied |
catholic bishops Of the new German
Empire, Emperor William has de-
ciared in the most emphatic manner
that hereafter all religions are to be
treated and considered as equals in
the German realm.
And we, the American peopla,
should now, when the eyes Of the
whole civilized and progressive world
are dwelling on this country, sell our
Of human justice, human
wisdom, and human H6ertyI We
Americans should now, when all the
world ridicgles and diseards the nick
name of priest-Tiddan eOuntEy,'s as
sumo it, and surrender even more to
the pNlitical Influence of the clergy,
10 abn6rmal fanaticism and untimeIy
bigotTyl Shame, shame, il such an
outrage on human right could be COM
mitted in our enlightened country,
and our good country Hide first your
bury your declaration of
renOuuce the proud
name of Americans; tear your heaven
born, starry banner to shreds, and
iEead 1t in the dust, and then, then
only, you may hoist the black flag Of
sectarian strife and religious animos-
ity.
Let now a union of church and state
be attempted; let, by such an attempt,
the rights and liberties of the citizen
be endangered, and storm against
church and creed will be aroused that
will shake them to their very fOunda-
ton. The open enemies to religion
will shake OF their Incidence and in.
difference, and preach modern cru
SADIE against the modern hierarchy.
The men whose rights as citizens be-
come questioned will join this league.
and, above all, the various churches
themselves, e69h claiming the title of
will soon stand arrayed
one sgainst the other, with all those
latent, bitter feelings which the power
Of the state has so far kept st bay, but
which the state, united with one church
Or the other, must assist in fighting out
10 the very bitter end.
OH let US beware OF the furies of 8
religious war. If the present unrea-
l., koff h.
by one side OF the other, this warning
Is not merely 2 cry of unjustifisble
alarm, but extorted by an uneasine9s
which is shared by many thoughtful
and loyal citizen. Our country is still
bleeding from thousands of wounds
inflicted by the last unhappy civil
war; we are burdened with a heavy
national debt, aDd thousands Of once
sweet homes are still in mourning and
distress. We cannot stand another
similar national calamity. We need
pesce, political and deu0minational
peace, under the divine protection and
blessing of which every religion will
De equally respected. every moral de-
lominStiOn revered; peace which in
ruth, will assist In promoting 'peace
IN earth and good will to all men,"
Let US beware Of repeating on the stage
)f our country the sunerings of the re-
igiOus war in the Netherlands, Or the
devastation Of Germany during the
bloody thirty years war.
Therefore, organization first. Our {
are organizing, and intend
% petition and influences the congress
or establishing qualified union of !
Church and State. Let Us call on
every loyal citizen, on every stesd-
ast and unprejudiced friend OF Ameri- !!
IAN liberty, on every man who knows !
now to value the priceless treasure of J
,ivil and religious liberty, to join 8
hands, to organize, and to present pc I
itiOns to congress raging for the pre- !
OF our rights and our con- !
'titution. / have still faith in our
congress. They ere not all politicians.
who for vote and the almighty dol s
ar, viii bargain away their con-
Icience, their country, and her God |
blessed diadem Of liberty. There are !
IT'LL plenty of men in the house and
Ienate who will fearlessly denounee
my seetarian infringement on the con-
ititution, provided they will see that l
a their landable efforts they are
,seked and supported by the loyal I
thinking masses Of the people. Let Us
nave our counter petitions, and this l
oigoted assault on the constitution 9