Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-11
CREVICEINTnEDYKE.
HnA 10 Hetss-rgs Resolution Means
70 tho American Jev.
SERMON BY RABBI CALIsCh.
ses HE Voice Against the Proposed
'"osauon-Church and state Should
Remain Separate.


se OF Liberty" and his discourse was
addressed TO the Morse-Frye resolution.
"nich has attracted such widespread at
isntion.
S"oos'ng MS text from the 2eth chapter
jeremiah, wherein the prophet urges
me people to seek the welfare OF the city.
WHITTIER they had been exiled. md pray IN
"s penaif unto God. the speaker showed
now this had been the sentiment OF the
people az all times, that they always re-
Earded "the law Of the land as the law"
ana had been always loyal citizens even
Nhder most trying conditions.
with the knowledge OF This fact be-
FORE us" he continued. 81 want TO call
Your attention to an incident that is
threatening our position in this country
There has been introduced into the SEN
ute and House OF Representatives Of the
United States, by Senator Frye. of Maine.
end Representative Morse, of Massachu-
ketts, a Joint resolution proposing an
amendment TO the Constitution OF the
United States as follows 0he amendment
being put in brackets) we, the people
II the United States, C'devoutly acknowl-
edging the supreme authority and just
government OF Almighty God in all the
affairs OF men and nations, grateful TO
Him for our civil and religious liberty.
and encouraged by the assurance OF His
Word to invoke His guidance. as Chris
tan nation, according to His appointed
way, through Jesus Christ'D. in order TO
form a more perfect union etc, etc.
SUBVERSIVE OF OUR EXISTENCE.
THAT this resolution is subversive Of the
very foundations Of our national existence
g plain. even 10 the dullcst. II taints the
atmosphere OF liberty. and IS a most dis
sordant note in the anthem Of our national
being. IL is a blow at religious liberty,
and therefore a menace TO the safety OF
our highest blessing. and that its infamy
aud its menace may be known, and fought.
and crushed, do l bring it to your no
tice.
1t is a singular fact that both the gen
tlcmen. who stand sponsor for this ehu-
sion. are from the New England States;
singular from the fact that the settlers
OF the New England States fed from
religious domination and religious per-
secution. and now these men. forgetting
the history of their s.res, are trying 10
enforos that from which their fathers
fed.
Let us. however give 20 them the
credit that their intentions are the best.
They are filled with the consciousness
that in the unfolding Of the glorious
destinies of our country there is present
q Power. greater than human. that with
unerring Eisdom. guides and controls The
loom that is weaving its history; anu
In reverent recognition thereof they de-
sire TO place the name Of that Power IN
the preamble of the Constitution. But
they forget that It Is only their conception
OF that Power they wish TO ndne. and
that by no means do all the people accept
that conception. And as long as there
Is any one who does not, there il nothing
within all the boundaries Of justice or in
the atmosphere Of American institutions,
that permits them TO place it there.
RELIGION a THING OF THE HEART.
They forget that religion is thing
OF the heart and not Of legislation You
cannot enact belief. or place faith within
mans bosom by putting it on the
statute book. Law cannot control the
struggles of the soul, or legislation check
or restrain its flight There may be a
thousand constitutions. with a thousand
preambles TO each, and a thousand men,
tionings of the deity in each. yet they will
never turn the atheistic heart or place
God within bosom where He is not al
ready enthroned and acknowledged
For this reason the union of church
and state Is wrong For this reason that
union, wherever 1t has been, has been
dangerous and pernicious And for this
reason this resolution, which seeks TO re-
establish this union. ia threat to the
safety Of the country, whose greatest
blessing has been in the separation OF
these two great factors of human civili-
cation.
1T Is probable that this bill will not
become n law. 1t must pass the House
and the Senate with two thirds ma Jority
in each. II must be ratified and concurred
sr by the conventions or legislatures of
three fourths of the States of the Union.
but II is in every degree possible The
sense OF justice In some of the followers
Of the creed favored therein may be strong
enough for them 10 admit that this reso'u-
zion is an infringement on the rights and
privileges of many citizens, but IL will
not lee strong enough In all instances 10
produce any opposition TO II. Its sdyo-
Gates will be tireess and uti ilIious
Enough many of them VIII doubtless be
ministers OF the Gospel and pronounced
professors of religion. yet we know from
e,Dci 'oEco that not in all cases will they
hesitate to use means Inscriptions abd
dishonest. With them the end justliies
the mesns. To have a formal and constl-
tutional declaration OF their faith will he
sufficient to set In motion all the mach,-
nations OF politics All The tricks, me-
tiiodr. and media known AMI yet 20 be
invented, will be resorted 10. Appeals
vii: be made TO cupidty, fear, supersli-
ton, social ambition, TO the love OF gain
and distinction. and like Esau's mess Of
po.'age. the birthright of the dearest priv
ilcge OF American citizensnip Will be bar
tered for a vote for a hangmars Office
- the Jan'torship Of public building.
WHERE THE DANGER LIES.
srhe great danger lies In the indifference
If the public. While mayhap n great
many people viii not openly advocate the
measure yet because II does conflict with
their personal interests or sentiment or
thought they will be Indifferent 10 IT.
But we. the Jews. dare not be Indifferent.
Ne are most directly and vitality inte-
. rested Shall we stand by in idleness and
wee this measure be brought TO pass?
IT has been well said that those whom
the gods wish to destroy. they first make
mad and II American Israel wishes 10
rave Itself from destruction. IL must arouse
itself from the iethargy which numbs II
20 the extent of madness. Shall II be
said that we Jews OF the last decade OF
this century had not courage nor heroism
20 defend our own? Shall 1t be said OF US
Ir days to come that the dazzling sun
Of this brilliant century sent its last, ex-
piring rays to light up the shadows OF a
people disgraced disowned. dishonored.
and iisfranchised?-a people that allowed
their dearest privilege to be wrested from
thcm--nor lifted tongue or pen or finger
20 prevent?
But II will be said. this measure
does not propose to disfranchise any one.
or take away from any his slightest privi-
1ege or prerogauye.' An, have you never
beard OF the camel that wanted to put
pnly his nose within the Arabs tent? This
y but the entering wedge OF more that
viii inevitably follow. and We cannot, we
dare not permit II. We must be rather |
like the heroic Holland boy. who saw the |
rrevicc In the dyke through which only the |
ymallest rivulet was trickling. but who |
knew that II II was left untouched would |
eoon widen and widen. Till tho mighty |
J mass OF waters would burst through and |
bring havoc and destruction, thrust his |
Finger therein and held 1t all the night
through Til he was discovered and res
eoed. Il