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 was by 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.
— President George Washington
To the Hebrew Congregation
in Newport, Rhode Island
August 18, 1790