The Denver Jewish news. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1915-1925, 1920-03-17
u. S. Constitution Exemplifies
Justice
CONTINUED from Page One

ton became no longer tolerable, with
the aid of Providence, they started on
their journey thru the wilderness and
when, after having visited upon them
all the vicissitudes Of that exodus they
had reached the promised land. and
ut time when exhausted from their
trials and bowed down by their trou-
bles. their very souls had begun 20
doubt.
So. too was the law of Washington
and Madison and Franklin and Hamil-
ton given to the people of the thirteen
Colonies, who, too, had thrown off by
bloody conflict the yoke of religious
and civil intolerance: who. too, had
travelled thru the wilderness of Lex
ington and Bunker Hill and Valley
Forge who. too, from their very
agonies had begun to doubt. for you.
who know something Of the history
of this country. know of the anarchy
which followed the Revolutionary war
when debts were repudiated. the
common treasury bankrupt: when
Shay headed his 100 men in open
rebellion against the Courts of Justice
declaring the courts to be intolerable
grievances and lawyers common
nuisance: when conventions were held
where it was claimed that all prop
erty ought to be held in common be-
cause all had aided in saving it from
confiscation by the power of England
and voted that taxes were needless
burdens, when even a squad of 50
mutineers justly indignant at not hay
ing received their pay had made the
Congress of the United States move
from Philadelphia to Trenton. Such
is but passing view of those troub-
lous times.
That the constitution provides for
equal freedom to Jew and Gentle is
not Il mere fortuitous happening hut
The result of calm deliberations and
the acknowledgment of Jewish equal
ity. 1t must be remembered that most
of the States ut that time had pro-
vided in their respective constitutions
for oaths which were to b. administer
ed to all holding civil offices. which
oaths required the affiants to confess
their belief in the divinity of the New
Testament as well as the Old. thus in
effect discriminating against the Jew.
That this condition was brought to the
attention of the Constitutional conven-
ton we know 1t will he interesting
l am sure to listen to II portion of II
letter addressed to the convention in
regard to this matter, letter which
is now part of the records Of the
convention.
SircS-'I the subscriber being one
of the people called Jews of the city
Of Philadelphia, Il people scattered and
dispersed among all nations do behold
with concern that among the laws in
the Constitution of Pennsylvania there
is clause to-wit: I do acknowledge
the scriptures of the old and new tesla
ment to be given by a divine inspira
tion! To swear and believe that the
view WIS SINtu u. l'lNiht
Inspiration is absolutely against the
religious principle of Jew. and ii
is against his conscience to take any
such oath. by the above law Jew
is deprived of holding any public of
flee or place of government which is
contradictory to the bill of rights
Ia is well known among all the
citizens of the II United States that
the Jews have been true and faithful
Wings and during tho late conflict with
England they have been foremost in
aiding and assisting the States. With
their lives and fortunes they have SUP
ported the cause and have nravcly |
fought and blcd for liberty which they |
can not enjoy.
Therefore. if the honorable cOnven-
ton shall in their wisdom think fit
md alter the said oath and leave ont
the words | do acknowledge. etc. then
the ISruclitcs will think themselves /
happy to live under government
where all religious societies are on an .
equal footing. | solicit this favour for
myself. my children. and postcrity. and .
for the benefit of all lsraelites thruuut
he thirteen United States of America