When Quebec Led the World

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Newspaper : beige ; Ht:35 cm x W:5.5 cm : English

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WHEN QUEBECLED THE WORLDTHE addition of the name of S. W. Jacobs, K. C., member elect for George Etienne Cartier to the list of possible ministers in Hon. Mackenzie King's cabinet has brought into the spotlight Quebec's distinction of being the cradle of Jewish political emancipation in the British Empire.The spark which was ultimately to flame into a bitter controversy of some twenty-four years' duration was kindled in the little town of Three Rivers almost one hundred and fifteen years ago, in 1807—in the election of Ezechiel Hart by a huge majority over three opponents as member of the Legislature.Neither Hart's election nor his right to sit in the Assembly was questioned until the moment came for him to take the oath. He, naturally, declined to be sworn in according to the usual form which was "on the true faith of a Christian," but took the oath, according to Jewish custom, on the Pentateuch, with his head covered.There was neither intolerance nor religious prejudice in the storm of opposition which arose, according to chroniclers of that day, but political opponents, eagerly seized upon the pretext to have him removed from the House and thus weaken the party which he supported.The fight which followed was hot and bitter, ending in the expulsion of Hart from the Assembly. But the little town which had elected him refused to permit his withdrawal and, at a subsequent election returned him as its member.His reappearance in the House was the signal for the introduction of a bill "to disqualify Jews from being eligible to sit in the House of Assembly." The measure reached its second reading during a fiery debate when the governor, Sir John Craig, in anger dissolved the House before the bill could pass.Read automatically; may contain mistakes.

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2026-10-18T19:26:57Z · source datestamp n/a · cjhn

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