"to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance"

[acroyear]

slacktivist: To bigotry no sanction: George Washington:

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.

The Government has, of course, failed to live up to that ideal time and again, though in time has often corrected itself.  To the revisionists who would restore the non-existant "Christian" origins to this country, let them reconsider their decision to place Mr. Washington on their side.  He surely would not be.  This letter, in full context defending the non-interference of Government in the religion, was written to a Hebrew congregation in 1790.