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You have had to part with all your children-yet at no time have I ever seen you shed a tear on the occasion-your grief was deep and silent. But on the return of a long absent boy-the tears of joy would trickle down your cheeks-the heart was then too full to say much. How often have you employed me as your little agent in distributing from your own scanty portion, a share to the sick, the miserable, or the poor, even at an age when I knew not the meaning of the term benevolence-your uncommon goodness in this respect made such lasting impression in my mind, that no distance of time or space can ever efface them.

My dear parents; were I to dwell on your worthy characters, those who are unacquainted with you might suspect me of flattery, but flattery I despise and motives of interest can have no weight in this dedication-perhaps it may, never be seen by either of you, and if it should, all I ask from you is your blessing.

If ever the following pieces entitle your son to fame, that fame he wishes you to share, and truly famous will he beif he lives a life like you, a life that will lead to citizenship in a country where humble modest merit shall be exalted."

Little did the Jews of Maryland, smarting as they were under the sting of political boycott, realize that in a short time, there was to appear the heroic figure of this Nineteenth Century David, who was to smite the Goliath Prejudice that stirred the General Assembly. When the outlook appears darkest in the Diaspora it would seem that some illustrious figure, with a mind and spirit of faultless rectitude invariably appears to make the burdens of Israel lighter. This time it was Thomas Kennedy from the hills of Western Maryland. With an exalted reverence for the letter and spirit of the Fourth Commandment, an inborn love for the principles of freedom and virtue, this man proceeded, with unflinching courage, indomitable will to "right a fearful wrong."

CHAPTER IV

THE FIGHT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Kennedy was elected as a delegate from Washington county in 1817, and soon began to prepare for his great battle to remove the disabilities of the Jew. After making a study of the constitutions of the different States, he said he was "amazed to find an intolerable situation in Maryland." That a man should be deprived of the right to hold public office because of his religion was incomprehensible to him; he determined to fortify himself with the necessary facts and then commence the struggle. On December 9th of the following year, a few days after the convening of the Legislature, he introduced a resolution calling for the appointment of a committee to consider the justice and expediency of "placing the Jewish inhabitants on an equal · footing with the Christians." The other two members of the committee, of which Kennedy was chairman, were Henry M. Breckenridge of Baltimore city, and Ebenezer S. Thomas of Baltimore county. His associates were won over by Kennedy. The committee several days later submitted a masterful and learned report profound in its analysis and incontrovertible in its facts. This document, which might have been echoed from the heart of the modern day Zionist, created a profound impression upon the thinking minds of the State. But much work had to be done before the issue could overcome the prejudices of many of the legislators.

In the report, Kennedy and his committee said there was only one side to the subject. In society, mankind has civil and political duties to perform, but with regard to religion, that is a question between man and his Creator alone. There is no law that can reach the heart-no human tribunal has a right to take cognizance of this matter.

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"But if we are Christians," the message which had been prepared by Mr. Kennedy said, "we must believe that the Jewish nation will again be restored to the favor and protection of God. The story of that wonderful people, from the days of Abraham unto the present time, is full of interest and instruction; their first emigration into Egypt; their leaving that country for the land of Canaan; their passage through the Red Sea; their journey in the wilderness; their settlement in Canaan; their captivity at Babylon; their restoration and final dispersion, afford a theme that never has been, never can be exhausted. They were once the peculiar people of God, they are yet a peculiar people; though scattered and dispersed in every country and in every clime, their future state will no doubt be more glorious than ever. And he who has led their fathers through the deserts, has promised to lead them again to their native land. He who raised up and called Cyrus by name, can by the same power and with the same ease, raise up a deliverer to His once favored nation; and it is probable that the time is not far distant when this great event shall take place. Who that has ever contemplated the rise and progress of the Russian Empire, and noticed the decline and fall of Turkey, but will agree that wondrous changes will ere long take place in that part of the world; and when the Crescent shall submit to the Eagle, may we not hope that the banners of the children of Israel shall again be unfurled on the walls of Jerusalem on the Holy Hill of Zion?"

The bill was entitled, "An Act to extend to the sect of people professing the Jewish religion, the same right and privileges that are enjoyed by Christians." The act accompanying the report was made the order of the day for January 13th, 1919, but was postponed until one week later. The House proceeded to the second reading of the bill, and on motion by Delegate Wilson that the matter be held over until the next session was defeated. The bill was then read throughout and the question put by the Speaker "Shall the bill pass?" Kennedy jumped to his feet and delivered an address which was irresistible in its logic and masterly

in its reasoning. Although more than a hundred years have passed since, the speech could be read with profit by the scheming demagogues and religious fanatics of this day.

Kennedy did his best to stem the tide of defeat. Finally when the vote was taken, it stood 50 to 24 against the measure. Kennedy pledged himself to renew the fight. Elected to the Assembly the following year, he re-introduced the bill. It was again defeated by the decisive vote of 47 to

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Feeling deeply the sting of defeat but knowing that justice will ultimately triumph, Kennedy composed the following poetic address "To the Children of Israel in Maryland." He sent several copies to several Baltimore Jews, whose virtues and merits he had been informed of by some of his Christian colleagues from the city.

When Israel's tribes,-Heaven's chosen people dwelt
In Pharaoh's land, and sore oppression felt;

When every scheme that tyrant power could frame,
Was tried to blot from Earth their very name
Murder most foul, was then a King's resort,
And helpless innocents were slain in sport,
In their distress to heaven they raised their cry,
And thanks to heaven there was a helper nigh,
A helper that relief did quickly send,

The God of faithful Abram was their friend.

Yet when to Pharaoh came Jehovah's word,
To let his Israel go, to serve their Lord,
The haughty tyrant's heart was hardened so,
He would not let the chosen people go,

Till numerous plagues the Egyptian land destroyed,
While peace and rest the Israelites enjoyed,

And when the avenging Angel armed with wrath,
Visited each Egyptian house with death,

The bloody sign that night the lintels bore,
Made him Pass over every Hebrew door,
At last proud Pharaoh humbled did repent,

And to God's people's wishes gave consent,
Then forth with joy and gladness Israel went.

The same sad scenes occur in later times,
The same oppressions and detested crimes,
Vile superstition with tyrannic sway,

To deeds of death and darkness leads the way,
While bigot prejudice, and jealot pride,
Join in her train, and triumph at her side,
And with blasphemy, not to be forgiven,

Pronounce their hellish cause . . . the cause of Heaven,

On them the example of old Pharaoh's lost,

Their hearts are harden'd like the Egyptian host,

Their fate may too as sudden, awful be,

They too may perish in a stormy sea;

Sink in the mighty waters like a stone,

By Israel's God in vengeance overthrown.

Why does short-sighted man still make pretence,
Laws to prescribe for high Omnipotence?
Usurp the powers that to I AM belong,
And in Jehovah's name do open wrong?

O, why will man thus sin against the light?
Who made the heart, alone can judge aright;
And every heart is in his mighty hand,
Turns at his will-obeys at his command.

Say who can feel or who can taste for me?

For me can any hear, or any see?

Who then can act for the more noble mind,

That ranges uncontrouled and unconfined

Through Earth's vast space and visits realms unknown, Bursts heaven's high gates and worships at the throne, Beholds the glories of a future state,

Prepar'd for all the truly good and great.

Man-foolish man attempts-attempts in vain,

This offspring of the Deity to chain

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