The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-12

best conscience
fs-not to leave nndone but keen unknown"

the Sunday Herald, relative To the present agitation
among the Hebrew part Of the community Of this
CITY, large meeting was held yesterday, At 4 p.
IN the Elm street Synsgogue, for the purpose oil
rlrcting certain officers. The strong impression
that prevailed NOT only among persona unconnecled
win either OF the two opposing parties, but amongst
themselves also, led believe that there would
be some peculiaritits In their proceedings worth,
OF record In fact il was mootrd about that there
was Likelihood OF a good deal OF wraug-
ling and iumult between the hostile par
| lies, and we therefore concluded 10 send a
reporter TO give faithful account Of the pro-
ceedings. Another reason also induced Us to do
SO. However isolated aud apatheiic the Jewish
people live; however carefully they abstain from the
political and religious agiIaiioDswi ich are incidental
TO this well as every country which they inhabt
there is in the present contest principle involved
which is Of primary importance TO every citizen OF
this republic, and the triumph Of which should be
dear to him, and that is The freedom OF the elective
franchise One party Of the descendants Of Abra-
ham are for restricting the right If voting to a mi
nor part al their cor sregation; heir opponents i'm
bird with the feelings OF citizens Of this county,
,mbat that narrow, aiistocraiical anu foreign
principle; they have resolved TO oppose it, and are
prepared 10 appeal to The laws Of this country 10
sustain them ia their position II will be then
that there is principle at issue hrtween the two
riirs which comes home 10 everybody, and that
we did not attach too much imp 'rtance 10 the Is
r,eliiI-h zion in sending reporter 10 note lhe.r
proceedings.
Accordingly, at a few minutes before o'clock,
our reporter was in at Guidance at the Elm street
Synagogue. large concourse Of the members Of
that place of worship had already assembled, and
others were constantly arriving 10 swell the num-
Der. Much anxiety was exhibited, indeed every
one seemed the gut pirc for what was 10 fol-
low. Evidences Of strong feeling were manifested
IN every hand by The groups OF Iersons who col.
lected about the precincts Of the church, and who
were eagerly engaged in debating the topics con-
nected with their business there. Their busting
and noise showed that they were not much accus-
tomrd TO transact public business; and IN nothing
was this more manifest than the suspicious looks
and sinister regards, and in one or two instances
the uncourteous illusions which the presence Il
our reporter elected II may here be proper 10 OH
serve that the same gentleman attended on the
part OF the Herald, the mee'ing at the Shakespeare
Hotel on the previous Saturday evening, and was
courteousy received by The young, or as we may
term them, the reform party; was politely APP
electors Of one party, whose success might be vi
tia ed by giving publicity to their proceedings !;
nevertheless, thew expressed their cordial good
will, and gave friendly welcome to the reporter,
con,en,ing III .mselves with courteous request
that, us their proceedings were Of no general in
terest, and as it might be detrimental To the popu
lar cause, theytshould not be published at the
same time they expressed not only a ~ingness
but desire that report Of the election Of the
suing day should be made, and promised every fa-
City TOR that purpose.
Thus, standing upon the prescriptive right Of the
press--a right never questioned by any who are
pable Of understanding the influence and the
utility Of free and unfettered pressa right which,
as is most fit. has the sanction, in marked man
ner, OF prbc appreciation in this country, and fr,
the exercise Of which no rational or honest cause
has sught 10 frar-claining the right to apprize
the public Of the result OF this contest this public
| eleciion-and to which some NEST respectable
members of that body invited our reporter he at
tended, aud was, by vote Of the convened asst m
| bly,, excluded.
| Ii we Go not choose to let this matter drop un-
noticed, II is not because desire 10 magnify
these exclusive, narrow-minded and ignorant
Israelites iao false Importance; for we know,
as far they or their aalrs, public or private, are
concerned, they are not worthy Of our serious re-
gard. We state the facts TO the public that they
may know the exact state Of public sentiment
among the Jews OF this cly--iheir liberaity-i their
love Of hberty-thair respec, for open and free
dscussion-and the significant dread they
evlnce Al any attempt Of the press to take cogui.
zance Of their hole and corner proceedings.
| Presuming that this hgh-handrd and unprece-
dented, and most di-graceful attempt 10 exclude
the press, resulted from complete ignorance OF
common usage, our reporter demonstrated with
those individuals who took Leading part in that
attempt. II was altogether in vain tia he remind
ed them OF the liberation, and Difference extended
10 persons Of his professions; that there pre-.
ceden for their conduct, and that by pursuing such
a coune they would merit aud secure the con.
tempt Of society that they had no power 10 ex-
clule reporter such, until he will Of the meet
ing was duly expressed by resolution to that ef-
feet, and il will hardly be believed that 80 igno-
rant these liberal Jewish ciiz- Ms Of the die.
| tates Of common usage and common sense, that II
was from the gentleman whom they sought TO ex
c'ute they borrowed the hint, and conveyed then
wish in the form Of resolution, instead Of the i'm
pertinent and menacng orders which were persisted
10 by individuals unknown 10 him, and who refusec
either through fear or shame, to give their names
when asked for them.
In the foregoing remarks we do not wish to re
feet upon the minority on the vote for excluding
our reporter, some of whom declared manfulIy
their derestation OF the act, and all OF whom tool
the common sense view of the case. AZ for thos,
skulking, craven and intolerant ignoramuses wht
set themselves up above general usage, and con
tenn public opinion. our contempt is too slroni
for utsrance. Let US condescehd, however, I,
tell Them that whether Jews or mol, as hey claiu
tue rights If cl,zeosi which this great and gIoIi
GUS country extends 10 them In common with al
sects, klndrrds, tongues aud people, they are no
ut Liberty, II is not becoming in them, nor shall