Religious Liberty...on what is commonly called 'The Jew Bill'

Book Description

First Separate Printing of H.M. Brackenridge’s defense of The Jew Bill in Maryland: The Final Hurdle for Jewish Civil Liberties in America(The Jew Bill/ Henry M. Brackenridge) Religious Liberty…Mr. H.M. Brackenridge’s excellent speech in the House of Delegates of the State of Maryland…on what is commonly called ‘The Jew Bill’. Baltimore: The Niles Register. H. Niles, May 29, 1819, appearing on pages 226-233 of a 15pp. pamphlet. Disbound. Minor foxing otherwise Very Good Condition.This is the full text of the important speech presented by of H.M. Brackenridge Esq. in the Maryland House of delegates (1818) when the Jew Bill was under consideration.. It was later printed in Brackenridge’s Speeches on the Jew Bill, in the House of Delegates of Maryland (Philadelphia:1829).“…I hope we shall no longer persevere in withholding from the Jews privileges to which they are constitutionally entitled. The attempt to prove that there exists weighty reasons of state why they should not be allowed these privileges, appears to me futile. We run no risk in following the example of the enlightened framers of the federal compact, with the great Washington at their head. Let us boldly pursue, at once, the only course that can save us from innumerable errors: that is to sever, at once, the unnatural union between power and opinion --- between politics and religion. Let us 'give unto Caesar those things that are Caesar’s and unto God those things that are God’s'."In 1776, Maryland's newly adopted Constitution safely protected "all persons professing the Christian religion," yet said nothing at all for those of other beliefs. Although at this time, the Jews of Maryland lived a far safer life than their ancestors back in 1649, when any religion but that of Christianity was punishable by death. Still, it was "... a fact not generally known among the American people, that in the State of Maryland, and in Maryland alone, a citizen professing the Jewish Religion cannot hold any office, civil or military, under the government of the State..." In 1797 Solomon Etting, Baltimore leader and representative Jewish figure, along with other prominent Jews, such as Jacob I. Cohen, petitioned the Maryland Assembly to address this prejudicial issue and secure equal rights for Jews. The petition was well received but conclusively rejected. Year after year as it was presented and turned down new advocates enlisted including influential Gentiles. In 1818, Thomas Kennedy, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, Ebenezer Thomas, Colonel William G.D. Worthington, Judge Henry M. Brackenridge, and others began a vigorous eight year battle to redress this undemocratic standard. The legislation ultimately to be known as "The Jew Bill" was enfranchised in 1825 and confirmed the following year. Solomon Etting was forthwith elected to the City Council and ascended to its Presidency.

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