July 19,1835

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The Jews’ Right to Citizenship denied.

The noble and learned Lord (Brougham), and the most reverend Prelate (Whately), have both stated that they cannot understand the distinct principle upon which the opponents of this measure rest their opposition to the admission of the Jews to seats in the legislature.  Now I beg the noble and learned Lord, and the most reverend Prelate, to recollect that this is a Christian country and a Christian legislature, and that the effect of this measure would be to remove that peculiar character.  Your Lordships have been called upon to follow the example of foreign countries, with respect to the Jews; but I think that, before we proceed to legislate on such a subject as this, it is indispensable that the necessity for the introduction of the measure should be shown.  I ask, what case has been made out to shew a necessity for passing this measure?  When your Lordships passed the bills for the removal of the Roman Catholic disabilities, and for the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, the reason assigned was, that it was unnecessary to keep up the restriction on the classes of Christians affected by those acts.  But there is a material difference between the cases of the dissenters and Roman Catholics, and the Jews—­the former enjoyed all the benefits and advantages of the constitution before the restrictions were imposed.  Was that the case with the Jews?  Were the Jews ever in the enjoyment of the blessings of the English constitution?  Certainly not.  The Jews were formerly considered as alien enemies, and they were not allowed to live in this country,—­I think from the time of Edward I. to the period of the Commonwealth.  It cannot, therefore, be said that the question of the Jews can be put on the same ground as the claims of any class of Christians in the country.

August 1,1843.

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The Jews have no Right to Civil Equality.

The noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack (Lord Brougham) has referred to a certain Act of Parliament which passed, giving certain privileges to the Jews, and which he said, was in the very form of words proposed in this bill.  It is true that this Act conferred benefits on the Jews, but then it must be recollected that it was confined in its operation to certain of the colonies; in the first instance to Canada, and subsequently to Jamaica and Barbadoes, and others of the West Indian colonies.  But then, was there not a very good reason for this?  European inhabitants were much required in the colonies at the time the act passed; and this was to give encouragement to the Jews to go thither and settle.  No such necessity exists now, with regard to this country,—­we do not wish Jews to come and settle here.  Not one word has been said to shew that any necessity exists for passing this measure.  The noble Lord,