| 4th of July post... (George Washington's letter to the Jews of Newport RI, 1790) |
[Jul. 3rd, 2009|07:23 pm] |
Gentlemen:
While I received with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens.
The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security.
If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good government, to become a great and happy people.
The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy�a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.
It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration and fervent wishes for my felicity.
May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants�while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.
May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy.
G. Washington |
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| Comments: |
A quote taught me in high school and that has remained high in my thoughts ever since whenever all-knowing folks comment on the USA founded as a Christian nation!
Dunno if you know him, but ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) mabfan read this letter as part of his seudah shlishit drash at our shul this evening.
yea I know mabfan,have for years. Great guy
I wonder whether his decision to send this letter to congregation Yeshuath Israel (the Touro shul), which had been Tory during the war, rather than to the Patriot shuls Shearith Israel in NY or Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, was intended as a gesture of reconciliation.
Could be, also I think RI was slow to ratify the constitution so it may have also been a move to make them feel better.
To be honest I never really thought about it. | |
