The American Jewish world. [volume] (Minneapolis ;) 1915-current, 1921-08-19

cOngraCulaClOn TO MIN. several eX-
tracts from Washington's answers to
these letters are here given:
81 rejoice that spirit of liberality
and philanthropy is much more preva-
lent than it formerly was among the
enlightened nations of the earth, and
that your brethren will benefit there
by in proportion as it shall become
still more extensive"
"The liberality of sentiment toward
each other, which marks every politi-
cal and religious denomination of
men in this country, stands unpar-
alleled in the history of nations"
Major Mordecai M. Noah delivered
an address at the conservation of the
Mill Street Synagogue, New York, in
1918. He sent copies of this address
to ex-Presidents John Adams, Jeffer-
son, and Madison.
Jefferson wrote, in reply: "Your
sect, by it's sufferings, has furnished
a remarkable proof of the universal
spirit of religious intolerance inher-
ent in every sect, disclaimed by all
while feeble, and practiced by all
when in power. Our laws have ap-
piled the only antidote to this vice,
protecting our religious as they do
our civil rights by putting all on an
equal footing. But more remains to
be done, for although we are free by
the law, we are not so in practice"
Adams wrote: "You have not ex-
tended your ideas of the rights of
private judgment and the liberty Of
conscience, both in religion and phil
osophy, farther than I do. Mine are
limited only by morals and propriety."
Madison said, among other things:
"Having ever regarded the freedom
of religious opinions and worship as
equally belonging to every sect, and
the secure enjoyment of it as the best
human provision for bringing all,
either unto the same way of thinking,
or unto that mutual charity which is
the only proper substitute, 1 observe
with pleasure the view you give of the
spirit in which your sect partake of
the common blessings afforded by our
government and laws"
Madison wrote similarly in acknowl-
edgment of the copy of discourse
delivered by DR.. de la Motta at the
conservation of the synagogue at Sa-
vannah in 1920. among the fea-
lures peculiar to the political system
of the United States" wrote he, sis
the perfect equality of rights which
it secures to every religious sect.
And it is particularly pleasing to OBJ
serve in the citizenship of such as
have been most distrusted and OPP
pressed elsewhere, a happy illustra-
ton of the safety and success of this
experiment of a just and benignant
policy. Equal laws, protecting equal
rights, are found, as they ought to be
presumed, the best guarantee of 10y
atty and love of country, as well as
best calculated to cherish the mutual
respect and good will among citizens
of every religious denomination
which are necessary to social har-
mony and most favorable to the adj
vancement of TRUTH"
The notorious Damascus affair of
1910 took place during the admins
tration Of Van Buren,. In a letter
addressed by John Forsyth, Secretary
of State, to David Porter, United
States Minister to Turkey, instruct
ing him to use his good offices with
the Sultan in behalf of the accused
Jews, occur these words: ''The Presi-
dent is of the opinion that from no
ono can s11ch UenerO11s endeavOrS nrO-