As we wrestle with the "appropriateness" of a Mosque at Ground Zero and the threat by a Florida pastor to burn a copy of the Koran, heed the words of tolerance offered below by George Washington to the Jews of Newport, RI, in 1790.
Shanah tova - peace, prosperity, purpose and prudence to all in 5771.
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