The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-03-01
Washington On
Religious Liberty
Letters Reveal Tolerance Of Founding Father-Now
Available in Pamphlet Form

People who clai to be Americans
and have something up their
sleeves against citizens OF denom-
nations other than their own have
no business to take place In OBJ
serving the bicentennial OF George
Washington. This Is clearly set
forth In O pamphlet edited by
Professor Edward Frank Hum
phrey. head Of the history depart
ment Of Trinity college. and pub
1isksd In connection with the Ma
tionai Conference of Catholics.
Jews and Protestants to be held
mt Washington, d. c., March Z to
what the author of tho pamphlet
A broadcast at this time, when so
much Ia being said In the press
and other places regarding what
the Father of His Country said
about religion and other matters,
always OF interest to the human
family. A. copy OF the pamphlet
should be placed In every home In
the United States.
The 23-page pamphlet, entitled.
SGeorge Washington on Religious
Liberty and Mutual Understand
ing" comprises selections from II
letters written by Washington be-
tween 1888 and 1893 to various in.
dividuals and church groups. II al
80 contains q preface by Everett r.
Clinchy, director OF the National
Conference OF Jews and Chris
tions, explaining the connection
between the letters and the ma
tional roundtable to be held in
Washington.
Addressed 20 the Bishops OF the
Methodist Episcopal Churches In
United States, the first letter.
dated 1889. states, ut shall still
overt acts the purity OF my inclina-
lions for promoting the happiness,
as well as the sincerity of my de.
sires to contribute whatever may
be In my power towards the pres
ervation OF the civil and religious
liberties OF the American people"
Washington's rejoicing that big
otry had been overcome Is con.
tanned In a letter to the members
of the New Church in Baltimore,
dated 1893. I'VE have abundant
reason to rejoice" he wrote. that,
in this land, the light of truth and
reason has triumphed over the
power Of bigotry and superstition,
and that every person may here
worship God according to the die
tates Of his own heart. In this
enlightened age, and In this land Of
equal liberty. 1t Is our boast, that
mans religious tenets will not
forfeit the protection of the laws.
nor deprive him of the right OF
attaining and holding the highest
offices that are known in the
United States.'
Gave Hebrews Assurance
To the Hebrew Congregation in
Newport, r. l., he wrote. 1T Is
now no more that federation Is
spoken of, as If it was by the in
diligence of one class of people,
that another enjoyed the exercise
of their inherent rights. For
happily the government of the
United States which gives bigotry
no sanction, to persecution no as
assistance, requires only that they
who live under its protection
should demean themselves as good
citizens. in giving 1t on all occas-
ions their effectual support"
In another letter, dated 1888.
and addressed to the general COM
mittee representing the United
Baptist Churches in Virginia.
Washington asserts. "If could
have entertained the slightest APP
prehension, that the Constitution
framed in the convention. where ]
had the honor to preside. might
possibly endanger the religious
rights OF any ecclesiastical society.
certainly would never have
placed my signature to It; and. "
could now conceive that the
general government might even be
so administered as TO render the