The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-15
The Troubles In the Camp OF the IsraeIitss.

Without taking sides, caring which party sue
ceeded at the election held in the Elm street Syna-
gogue, (Which by the bye was glad you deslgna-
ted such, in conradstinction o!the SIX or seven
othersin this city, would beg leave to trespass
lightly on your columns, 10 order TO point OUT 70
the Christian community, the party IN error. IL Is
to be regretted that the internal polty OF any con-
gregation should become a subject OF newspaper
comment, when il is only merely confined to its
secular affairs. The public have nothing to do
with it. What care it whether Tom, Dick, or
Harry, be elected trustees? 1t is mere matter of
personal predictions; but when such circum-
stances become the theme Of newspaper eloquence
not be proper, just, or judcious, that your animad
version should even by implication, fall on other
synagogues. The congregation OF which have
the honor to be member, was founded by Ameri-
can citzens, native and to the manor BORN, who
with their descendants have grown "with the
GROWTH OF the city, long ere the inauguration of
the immortal Washington, and even before
would bss S von %ond bear TINS IN c MIND
TINS tact, and keep the congregation Shearith
Israel, apart from the squabbles which now
unfortunately disturb the Elm street synagogue, OF
which al least three fourhs of the members are
foreigners who have arrived here within the last
Ten years Poles, Bavarians, Dutchmen, and in
TACT pretty much every nation, and petty principal
ity has there ITS representative. In the crosby
street synagogue Congregation Shearith
The descendants OF those who have fought In the
two revolutions, and termed the Portuguese
Jews, in orderto distinguish them from those called
according to the Interpretation the writer under
stands it, of Dutch. l will mention few OF the
names the gentlemen belonging 10 the Portuguese
congregation, tor the purpose OF showing how truly
they Identified with those termed the old Knlck
erbockers, and who have borne prominent part In
building up this city.
The Lopezes,, Noses. Hendricks, I.evys,
lsaacs, Sorias, Bernard Hart, Gershom Seixas,
the much respected pastor Of the old Mills street
Synagogue, BENJAMIN Seixas, Rev. Mr.. Piexotto,
who succeeded the late Mr.. Seixas, the Nathans,
Lazarus, Noahs. Philips, are only part OF the
the history of New York in which these names
have not borne no inconsiderabe part The fore
fathers of the writer of this have borne arms in de-
fence of this country; and would be recreant to
the cause OF JUSTICE freedom OF opinion, and hber-
ty OF speech, did not rescue their names from any
unjust inference which might be deduced BY the
acts of any congregation, and which might be con-
disdain any prejudice with regard TO sect or con-
gregation and my sole object IN penning these re-
marks, has been to set you right, and II there be
any blame, it should tall on those who alone are
cupabe. Is.
We give this letter, partly because it lssomething
Of curiosity in itself, and partly because it exhib-
its in more Ineligible way than any mere de-
scription could, the excitement and effervescence
at present going on in the tent of Israel this CITY,
The truth is that this fire which has now fairly
burst out, has been smouldering for years, and op-
portunity only wanting to fan it into fierce
and Kissing blaze.
The whole movement is exceedingly interesting
in variety of aspects, but chiefly as affording
another remarkable illustration OF the mighty and
beneficial influence which the free institutions Of
this country exercise on human nature in all its
Developments Social manners and customs, the
daily intercourse of man with man, political opin-
ion, civilization, philosophy, and religion ITSELF all
acquire in this climate peculiar and characteristic
complexion; different in many important respects
from that which they exhibit on the other side of
the Atlantic. The very latitude of opinion-the
perfect freedom granted to all ultraisms in political
science, ethics, and religion has after all restrain
ing and soberizng influence. The 6 e-thinker,"
as he is called, who is prosecuted into blasphemy
and outrage OF the feelings OF others in England,
lshere driven back to sobrety and decency, by the
universal and boundless federation allowed him.
So with the radical in politics. In Great Britain
he becomes frenzied, and launches into all sorts of
extravaganza and folly; here he becomes more ra-
tional, because he is allowed perfect freedom Of
speech.
The Jewish community have long resisted the
influence of our democratic institutions in the ma
nagement of their ecclesiastical concerns. They
have stuck by the old laws Of Moses and the Pro-
phets and the consequence has been that the aris-
tocratic portion of the faithful have exercised
very despotic and oppressive rule their poorer
brethren. The latter have at last arisen in their
might, and claim the privileges of American cit-
zens, to whom the Constitution has secured share
in the government Of the secular affairs of the
churches, to whose support they contribute. 1t is
all very well for the correspondent whose commu-
nication we have inserted, to humble over his
roll call of illustrious descendants of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, who have signalized themselves
in this country; butwe tell him that as excellent
blood runs in the veins Of those whose rights have
been sacrificed, as in those Of the most illusrious
Noah of them all. We hope Young Israeli,
will take this matter at once to the civil tribunals,
where they will obtain a vindication OF their
rights. "Fear not, little Benjamin, thou shalt one
day become great nation"
PUBLIC OBsrRucrroNs.-Over and over again
have called upon the city fathers to interfere in
abolishing the positively insuferable nuisances,
that are strewed and piled in the public streets
whenever there is building going up. It is all
very pleasing to see fine houses erecting, to the
architecture Of the city improving; but the danger
Of having ones shins broken over piles of stone,
brick, sand, and timber logs, our crown cracked
by the falling of carelessy erected scafolds is too
much to pay for the whistle. We are forcbly re.
minded Of the shameful neglect of the police de-
partmen Of our city to-day, by the awful and heart
rending accident which has taken place in Wall
street, all because there is no surveillance exer-
cised Tor the public safety. New houses are put
up, old ones torn down about the ears of our cti-
zens, just as contractors please to manage, ra-
Their mismanage it. Iii wrong, it is gross neglect,
TO allow sordid or incapable overseers and specu-
lators, to send poor working men up our crazy and
rickety scafolding; of The consequences Of which
we have pretty sample in this last horrible occur
renee. Why are steamboats, examined and Ii
censed to carry passengers, but that the Legislature
had common sense enough to see they were under
a sacred obligation to care for and guarantee the