INTRODUCTION BY PHILIP L. SYKES Few chapters in the history of this state are more intensely interesting than the story of the struggle to remove the civil disabilities of the Jew. It is a gripping human drama of the progress of liberal thought. Starting with the earliest days of the colony, Mr. Altfeld traces the development of religious liberty in this state to the dramatic struggle which began in 1818 and did not end until 1826. The struggle centered for the most part around one heroic figure-a man who was a Christian in earnest. Then, as now, there were many who had just enough religion to hate, but not enough to love their neighbor. Thomas Kennedy was the leader of the group who found in their Christianity principles of a universal religion, principles that are not limited to any sect or creed, but are as broad and all-embracing as humanity itself. His address in behalf of the removal of the disabilities of the Jew which is reproduced by the author, is itself a liberal education on the subject of the freedom of conscience. It was one of a number of similar speeches that came from the lips of this great disciple of liberty, and resounded through the halls of the legislature. It is as timely today as it was more than one hundred years ago when it was delivered. To those who look upon the present wave of anti-Semitism with great misgivings, there should be something of a consolation in these pages. Every generation, it seems, has its small group of men whose vision is unblurred by prejudice or self-interest and whose ruling passion is a keen sense of justice. Hope should spring eternal in the Jewish breast, for when the outlook is darkest, someone usually appears to espouse our cause and help us fight our battles. The volume is the most complete presentation of the subject. Mr. Altfeld has done a real service in helping to acquaint the present generation with one of the most important periods of the history of the Jew in this state. CHAPTER I THE COLONY OF MARYLAND In 1633 the Ark and the Dove, carrying 200 adventurous souls sailed into the Chesapeake Bay. These men of daring and industry formed the province of Maryland. It was in a time when Catholics in England were not permitted to hold public office, nor educate their children in their faith. Cromwell, as minister to Henry the VIII had given the order for the trial and execution of offenders. Hus had been burned, Savanarola put to death, the bones of St. Thomas à Becket exhumed and burned, Charles I executed, the ashes of Wycliffe scattered to the sea. In New England deserters were scourged and exiled. In Virginia the Episcopalians exacted legislation for the suppression of Presbyterians, Friends and Puritans. Ban The historic Toleration Act passed in the Province of Maryland in 1649, was, therefore, an important step towards the freedom of conscience. The Act provided that "No one within the Province professing to believe in Jesus Christ should be in any way troubled, molested, or discountenanced for his or her religion or in the free exercise thereof." croft in speaking of the colony says: "Its history is the history of benevolence, gratitude, and toleration-here religious liberty obtained a home, its only home in the world. Every other country had persecuting laws, till through the benign administration of the government of Maryland no person professing to believe in Jesus Christ was permitted to be molested on account of religion." The problem of religious liberty in the early years of the colony was confined to the various sects among the Christians. There had been no single influx of Jews such as took place in Charleston, Savannah, Newport and New York. Only a 1 |