It’s Quiet Uptown
Because it was a day off of school, and because Chris hasn’t had a chance to go the first time we saw it, the four of us headed uptown to the New-York Historical Society, to check out the Battle of Brooklyn exhibit (again). It’s still wonderful.
In the gift shop I came across a facsimile of George Washington’s letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island (August, 1790, during the window between writing and ratification of the Bill of Rights).
If you know me a bit, you probably know I am pretty into Hamilton: An American Musical, and that my favorite character most of the time is George Washington. This letter shows why. He knew History had its eyes on him. He knew we would be reading this hundreds of years into the future. He knew we might need these words someday.
[T]he Government of the United States… gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance…. 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 figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.
Those in our government must remember this promise. All of us, and all of our children, of every color; of every national origin; of all genders; of any god, gods, or no god, have been promised no less. We expect no less. And we will not stop speaking up until we get it.
Vine & Figtree 