The New York herald., 1876-12-01
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.
Unwilling Of the Jewish Memorial MOnu-
ment in FairmOunt Park.
A MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTE TO FREE AMERICA
An Interesting Commemorative Service-Dedi-
cation by the Benai- Berith-The
Speeches and Ceremonies.
PnILApELMIA, Nov. so, 1915.

Tho beautiful memorial in which the Hebrews OF
tho United States have gracefully sough, express
their admiration for that religious freedom witch
ofthe great foundation stones OF the fpuolc
| to-day unveiled and dedicated with ceremonies of
peculiar interest The idea has been in process OF
| consummation for a long time past. mainly under
| the guidance OF the great Jewish beneficial
society," the Independent Order Bcna- Berth, and II
was tho intention TO have had tho monument completed
long since bat it was, alter all most attng and appro
pirate that the national day OF thanksgiving ana praise
should have witnessed tho bcstowal OF this grateful
tribute to the broad principles OF universal tocraoa
whlcE the proud boast of America testimonial Tho
valuable and interesting because IL is tho fret
time In the history of nations that such ceremony
| has taken place.
| District Grand Lodge, No. 8, OF Philadelphia. acted
the part of hosts for day and cn,ertancd the visit
Ing members OF the order cnia Berth and other
v,cd guests, who participated in to-day's exercises.
| The rendezvous was at tho Centennial depot or the
Pennsylvania Railroad, Just outside The Exhibition
grounds, at noon. Al that hour about 400 members
OF tho orier and guests had assembled. There wcro
no lodges present organizations from outside this
city, but many individual members here who
had come from New York. Baltimore, Washington and
Cincinnati The Committee OF Arrangements In addi.
! ZION TO tho resident Centennial Committee, wero
Mcssrs. Simon Kahn, ~ G. Hrsch Samuel Wcil julius
Baumgarten and M. N. Baycrsdorier. At about half
past twelve
/ PROCESSION
was formed and marched into the Exhibition grounds
along Belmont avenue TO where tho yelled mon ument
stood, facing tho Columbus statue The order oil the
procession follows McCurg's Liberty Cornct
nag; Mr samuel Wei, Chief MarNri; Dr.
| judah lsaacs aud Mr. Isaac Joseph Special Aids:
| the members oi the q. Benai Berth; members OF
District Grand Lodge, No. B. l. o. B b. officers Of
Grand Lodges OF the orders officers Of District Grand
| |. o.. nQl-Bo
rith; Executive Committee OF tho l. .. BcnaBerlth;
| Hon. Horatio Gates jones' attended By Rev. George
Jacobs and Arcd T. Jones, Local Centennial Commit
tee; the sculptor NJ. Ezekial and Adoph /. sanger,
Chairman Centennial Committec; NJ. Elnger, Sccfe-
| tary OF tue Executive Committee OF the Ordcr.
TnE CEREMONIES.
| Arrived At tho monument, IN front OF which plat
form had been erected, several hundred persons
found assembled, among them General Hawicy. rres
dent OF the Centennial Commission; the Rev. Or. Ma
goon, OF tho Baptist Church, aud others
! Alter preliminary music by The band, tho Rev.
George Jacobs delivered the invocation.
Mr. = Kohn, President Of d. q. l.. No. g. the presid-
Ing officer OF the exercises, then delivered brief
illustration Of tho national spirit they about
memoratiDg 10 see many gentlles and strangers
among tho Jews present p
| THE UNWILLING.
After tho 'sStur Spangcd Banner had been played,
Mr. n. Ezekiel, sculptor OF the memorial, presented
tho statue TO Mr.. A. l. Sanger, chairman Of tho Cen
tennia Committee, In very brei speech, in which he
said that he had faithfully and gratefully fulfilled
commission entrusted him to the best OF his ability
and begged the committee TO allow his work speak
for him The statue was then unveiled, and while the
| their admiration OF tho artists work by their long
| continued and hearty applause.
| RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.
| The statue IS eleven feet in height and comprises
| three agurcs. Tho principal figure a woman, repre-
scn,ing the Goddess of Liberty she Is dressed in
coat OF mail and mantle, and on her breast Is
shield with the American Tag relief On her head
is the phrygan cap The stars on the cap. thirteen
upon the iasces the scroll OF tho constitution and
wreath Of laurel Her right hand IS extended in
| GESTURE waving or all interference. Faith is SYM
Dolizcd by nude boy standing on tho right, and
partly sheltered by Liberty. His head and one hand
hand he holds a vessel in which IS burning the
| undying flame OF religion. Intolerance is repre-
coilcd partly around the asccs. and extends tho
rear OF the group finally protrudne from under the
garment Of Liberty With It's .alons buried deep in
| tho largest group which has been mado during the
present century. II is thirteen tons weight and
j MR.. sASGERs ADDRESS
Mr. sangers speech, accepting the work and in turn
tercsting. II was as foows:-
At tho last Convention OF tho 1ndcpendcnt Order
B'na Berth, held at Chicago in the month OF Janu-
| ary. 1874, res. luton adopted, by which the
/ Order decided that, under It's supervision and
on tho hundredth anniversary Of American
independence, IN commcmoraiion OF religious lib
ertx Mindful that one OF the m,ssions uud,rnken bv
the Order to develop and elevate the mental and
moral character OF our race by liberal support Of
science and art and tho inculcation OF tho hottest
L
ism, the Convention properly assumed tho duty Of
giving effect TO sentiment not only inherent
among all people Of enlightenment. We believed
that the recognition OF the principle OF religious
| liberty should be made historic, ana It's influence,
under which so many have found happiness. be
| suitably acknowledged. Unforeseen difficulties hav.
time originally fixed But wc are glad that We nro
able to erect and dedicate this monument before tho
| expiration Of this Centennial
Here. then. stand to-day, to sigualixc the triumph
OF an idea which has shed more lus,rc on country's
history than the nobIcs deeds OF us warlike heroes.
Here, this day OF general thanksgiving. when q
whole ration stands in praise before the Great Gycr
OF good and Father of all mankind, Join in
their to commemorate the wisdom OF the
| founders oil our republic.
1t not in special character OF Jews that We
offer this tribute, for do not conceive that it IS
strictly Jews that enjoy religious liberty that
being blessing which Is offered freely ALL In other
countries progress been made In tocration from
time time, by gradual removal OF disabilities.
But is the browning glory OF our constitution that
guarantees perfect religious equality 10 all, not from
passing reasons OF cxpedcncy but on tho high ground
ofjustIcc and humanity. And great as mu-t be our
admiration OF the wisdom OF the fathers acting
upon such lofty views, cannot but be st further
enhanced, when We reflect how completely these ideas
at variance with the spirit OF the times tho
form Of government, although in those days rare,
not altogether without encouraging precedent; hut
government entirely rcnouncng AL Official connection
with religion, was unhcard OF anomaly. deemed |
impossible to establish or maintain.
We have therefore, no special cause 10 our
gratitude Tor blessings which shared common
by all tho people ol TINS government do pro-
fcss any distinctive characters MS members OF great
community. Tor In all matters affecting rights aud
privileges ctzens the question OF be lon
IN tho background We como together with |
TINS gut Offering amid the general |
fesuvity, TO cement closer union with |
fellow counirymcn ana joyfully 10 manifest |
sympathy and hearty co operation IN their com
mcmoraiion OF this national event While con- |
iribuiine this testimonial evidence Of apprc-
cation Of that religious liberty which Is voucsacd TO
the people OF every creed and nationality who
Joy the protection OF this government, may |
properly urge rights to equality with every
of he A o u "a ri
clsing powers by nero suncrance or liberation
Wuhin fow feet OF this spot, ana like spirit from
the awakened echoes OF the past, stands the heroic
figure OF Columbus, once, like the jews, tho victim
prejudice and pursued by tho relentless
malice OF HIS enemies To-day, renowned In history
and indicated throughout tho world la tho
famc year that marked the banshmcDt Of the Jews