Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-26

ward, heavenward; upward to Him whose
loving providence has watched over our re-
public these hundred years and more IA
vored us in abundant measure and led US
safely through trials and difficulties even
to this day.
Against Tampering with Religious
Freedom.
But again behold In that pointed shaft
the outstretched warning, threatening I'm
ger. Beware OF tampering with our great
est boon. religious freedom freedom of
conscience! Beware OF any attempt in the
direction of a union Of church and state,
or yokfng together politics and religious
dogma. History teaches that from the field
thus plowed springs up a harvest of strife
ana dIsc9ro. tears and blood: and misery
untold. Beware Of the very first attempts
In that direction, however seemingly harm
less: They may jeopardize the splendid
achievements of a century
mad the good brethren who advocate
the introduction Of sectarian amendment
into the Constitution beheld that threaten
ing nnger, and wisely pondere6 the con-
sequences of an adoption of their promo
sltion. they would. In all likelihood, never
nave presumed to improve upon the wis
dom OF the trainers Of our Constitution
had president Cleveland, when writing
ms Thanksgiving proclamation, with the
ashineton monument towering high in
1ull view before him. beheld in II that cau-
tlonlng finger. he-heretofore peculiarly
troad and liberal in his public utterances
would never have penned the words which
virtually exclude one million of loyal citi-
Zens from those to whom the document is
directed. 10
Surely. to rejoice at this departure is
as seinsn as 1t Is narrow and unpatriotic
AS jewish Americans we feel justly ag-
gr1eYed. Our religious convictions do NOT
permit us to subscribe to the sentiment:
And let us. through the mediation of Him
VINO taught us how to pray, implore the
forgiveness Of our SINS
I'VE recognize no mediator between man
and God. And many centuries before the
rise OF Christianity we were taught how to
pray as good citizens by the mouth of
the Prophet jeremiah, saying to the Jew
fsh exiles at Babylon: Seek We the welfare
OF the city whittier I have caused you to
be led captive. and pray unto the Lord
for 1t, for IN the peace thereof shall We
have peacer
True to this principle, the Jew has
proved loyal to the country of his birth or
adoption. amidst the dark ages of persecu-
ton as well as in the light of the nine
teenth century, whether smarting under
the lash Of Russias barbarsm. or bask-
ing in the sun Of religious freedom IN cur
own beloved land. May Gods choicest
blessings rest upon 1t, upon its people ard
government in the future as in the past,
Firmly as the heap Of witness that has
served US for Illustration is planted upon
its basis may our republic stand upon
those fundamental principles that are the
secret of its strength and durability. Stone
upon stone. among them memorial stones
of each and every state OF the Union. close
ly and safely cemented and riveted. ard
carried to its dizzy height, a modern Mig
pah.' or watch tower, may 1t be emblem
attic Of a union that firmly binds together
the confederation of states into one great
nation. keeping faithful vigil over our
precious heritage. strong and invincible
through Righteousness and internal peace,
forever q fair Land of promise, a hope and
an Inspiration to the nations of the earth.