New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-17
AGAINST GOD IN THE CONSTITUTION.
rrtp pPopOsEp AMENDMENT ARoUsEs HEBREWS

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT ARoCsEs HEBREWS
A PETITION TO CONGRESS-.
Tho nronosed introduction into both houses OF
Congress- OF a resolution amending the United
states Constitution in order that the haiileS VI
{; ID and Jesus Christ may be mentioned therein
has aroused opposition in many quarters n 'hoNe
,,ent has been started By a large number OF prom
lnent Hebrews OF this city with view 10 present
=, monster petition to Congress, urgins the reJec-
ton Of the proposed amendment The reasons
which the petlton will advance against the amend
ment follow:
/. That the American principle OF separation OK
Church and state may be ma,i's@hop cit,zaos may
be conserved and perpetuated. II Is manifest that
,ra oaontion Of such an amendment to the Con-
stitution would be- in fact the Incorporation OF
certain religious and sectarian dogmas IN the iu.'
damenal law cf The land nuch yarv carefy
guarded against by the wise founders OF the Re-
public. both In the Constitution as originally adopt
ed and IN the Ist Amendment thereto
3. AS the Constitution now stands. no dlscriinna-
ton. the ground OF religion, can De legally MAJ
OF experience amply justifies this wide tolerance
and forcbly pleads for It's continuance Men OF all
shades OF religious belief can and do render al
lesiance to and acceptaby serve the state, ana
this the sround OF their own Acknowledged re-
liglon Should this proposed amendment be adopt
ed Il would at once shut out OF public life candid
and honest men. whose reason for the cause Of
is thus unjust. In that II depr.ves a part OF our
citizens OF their equal rights because of differ
shown conclusvey that every attempt TO force
from the citizen direct or Indirect acknowledge
ment OF the truth OF any OF the dogmas or religion
l. disastrous Ii creates religious hatreds and
intenses the old. ii demoralizes religion and cor
rupis the State: Il tramples the equal rights ard
liberties OF the deserving citizen. and puts into the
hands OF only class Of men a dangerous and
terrible power over the property persons and lives
OF their fellow-cltizens.
s. BY allowing to-day dogmatc doctrine TO
rightfully rule supreme this country. we may
expect another In the near future TO take its place.
and create great deal OF CONSERVATION among
the peaceful citizens. who have hitherto been
spared the trouble Oh account or religion. In this
great Republic.
That step would logically follow the one which
your honorable body has been asked TO take. and
against which We respectfully protest
The God-in- the Constitution amendment. as 1t has
come 10 be called. has been prepared by the Ma
tional Reform Association. and reads
We the people OF the United States. 'devoutly
acknowledging the supreme authority and just
government OF Almighty God in all the affairs of
men and nations; grateful to Him for ciyil and
religious liberty, and encouraged by the assurances
of His word TO invoke His guidance. Christian
Nation according TO His appointed way, through
Jesus Christ. etc.
w. M!ntz. OF the originators OF the move
ment. when yesterday at his office. No lS2
Canal-st. said that the petition had been already
signed by about thirty thousand people and he X
pected the number to reach total OF at east
hundred thousand He added that about - per
cent OF the signers belonged TO other creeds than
the Hebrew.