The Denver Jewish news., 1921-09-28
Jews Play Important Part
in American History
fContinued from Pace 81

10 cherish the mutual respect and
Iigious denomination which are nee
eSsary to social harmony and most
favorable to the advancement of
truth
The notorious Damascus affair of
1910 took place during the aIministra-
tion of Van Buren,. In letter ad-
dressed by John Forsyth. Secretary of
State, to David Porter, United States
Minister to TURKEY, instructing him to
use his good offices with the Sultan i'll
behalf of the accused Jews. occur
these words: The President is of
the opinion that from no one can
such generous endeavors proceed with
SO much propriety and effect as from
the representative of friendly power,
whose institutions, political and civil.
place upon the same footing the wor-
shipper of God of every faith and
form, acknowledging no distinction be-
tween the Mohammedan, the Jew, and
the Christian"
Upon the death of President Harri-
son in 1911, his successor John Tyler,
issued Il proclamation to the people 10
observe a day of mourning: in this
proclamation he called this nation a
"Christian people" In response to
letter of protest against the use of
this term as applied co the American
people, from Mr.. Jacob Ezekiel. of
Richmond. Va, the President wrote:
'In speaking in the first paragraph
of the duties of Christian people,
meant in no way to imply that similar
duties should not be performed by all
mankind. The last paragraph is an
invitation to all and excludes the idea
of any special invitation. For the peo-
pie of whom you are one. I can feel
none other than profound respect"
The same President, in letter to
Joseph Simpson, of Baltimore, Md.
wrote: "The United States Govern
ment has adventifred upon a great and
noble experiment. which is believed to
have been hazarded in the absence of
all previous precedent-that of the to-
tai separation of Church and State.
No religious establishment by law en-
lists among us. The conscience is left
free from all restraint and each is
permitted to worship his Maker after
his own Judgment. The offices of the
Government are open alike to all. No
tithcs are levied to support an estab-
Il 10 fn1l il.,
Judgment of man set up as the sure
and infallibIe creed of faith"
Grant Expelled Jews from His de-
partment.
When the famous order No. II com
manding the expulsion of Jews from
his department was issued by Gen.
Grant. President Lincoln ordered it
revoked as soon as it was brought TO
his notice Altho we have not the
Presidents own words, his biographers !
as follows: Lincoln had a profound /
respect for Every form of sincere re- |,
licious belief He steadily refused to |
show any favor to any particular de-
nomina ton of Christians, and when |
General Grant issued an unjust and
injurious order against tho Jews ex-
pelling them from his department the |
President ordered ir to be revoked the |
moment it was brought to his notice"
In his address at the celebration of
the two hundred and fiftieth annirers-
ary of the Settlement of che Jews in
this country, ex-President Grover
Cleveland used these words: 1T is
time for the unreserved acknowledge
ment that the federation and equal op- |
portlnity accorded to the Jews of the
United States have been abundantly
repaid to us. And in making up the
accounts, let us not omit to put to
their credit the occasion presented 40
us thru our concession to them of toll
cration and equality, for strengthen
ing, by wholesome exercise, the spirit
of broadminded justice and consld-
Grafton, which, as long as VIC are true
TO ourselves, we must intIexibly pre-
serve as the distinguishing and saw
ing traits of our nationality.
II know that human prejudice
especially that growing out of race
and religion-is cruelty inveterate
and lasting. But wherever in the
world prejudice against the Jews still
exists. there can be no place for 1t
among the people of the United States
unless they are needless of good faith,
rccrcout to tItc underlying principles
of their free government, and inscn-
sible to every pledge involved in our
boa sted ctrlality of citizenship
President Roosevelt, in letter ad-
dressed to the presiding officer of this
same celebration, wrote: