The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-11-19
HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE.

The following wo clip from tho Mobile EUeain3
Ne,D,. Tho action of tho President and Directors
of tho Knickerbocker Lifc Insurance Company is
very honorable in contrast with tho course adopt
cd by somo of tho leading companies OF tho North,
who had many life policy holders in the South
previous to the war, and who ayahed themselves
of tho non payment of tho premium, at time
when their agents could not act, to ropudiate
their obligations
Ib tho Editors Of ate Eceniag Meas -,
1t is proper that should, in few words, state
that have no personal intsrest in tho commune
cation offer you, alld that my solo object is to
commepd an act Of blended justice and benovo-
lence which this day camo under my observation
in this city; and thourh Ii my communication might,
in certain localities, no construed into q catch
penny advertisement for an incorporated conf
pany, while do not feel called upon to dsclam
any such intentions or motves L might insist
that every deed OF virtue should be advertised, il
perchance it would induce others to 60 and do
likewise.
But to the subject matter Prior to tho break
ing out of the war we'll known citizen Of mobile
had insured his lifo for sorcs of years in the
Kuickerbocaer Lilo Insurance Company OF New
York, then and now having On agency in Mobile.
He had renewed his premium from time to time,
but his last renewal expired in March, 1862, Mt
time when the company had no acting agent iu
Mobile, and owing to q total absence OF commu-
nication between tho company in New York aud
the eparty insuIing, no renewal OF the policy was
made, nor any premium paid after that date.
Some seven months thereafter the gentleman in
question died, leaving widow and four children
similarly circumstancod with most or us in these
days of wrecked fortunes and pecuniary distress;
but Upon recent application on tho part of the
widow and guardian Of tho children to that esti-
mable gcntieman Erastls Lyman, Eeq., OF New
York, President of the Company, and his Board
of Directors suggesting the fact that tho dccoas-
ed husband and father lowing to an absence of
communicationj could not have Ienewed the
policy which he had previously renewed from year
to year, and but for this fact would doubtless
have renewed again, Mr. Lyman, on behalf of ths
company, forwarded to tho widow and guardian
tho original amount of the policy Give thousand
learning these facts obtained copy of the letter
from the guardian acknowledging receipt OF the
funds and hai.d you the same herewith for publ
cation. Such acts OF generous Justice and Chris
tian benevolence carry their own reward and
need no comment, nor tho pen need not writo
their praise:
MoBIIE October 1s, 1866
EFGstas Lyman, Esq, President K7aickerdocker
LIFE Insurance Company, 161 Broad1ay, ~. Y.
My DEAN sIn-Yuur esteemed favor II the 9th
instant, covering copy OF your letter OF samo date
10 my friend IN your city, indicating the action Of
tho Knickerbocker Life Insurance Company in the
matter of the widow and chilJron OF ---,iste of
this city, Is received, and to simply acknowledge
its receipt and commend the Board for it's action
in the premises would To doing less than the
grateful tears OF widoWhood and orphanage de-
1t becomes source ofregret for me to admit
that IN the sordd age in which we live, the motives
and principles of SELF interest and Of justice to
others, too seldom go hand in hand or, in other
words, We are too ttlo prone to an observance Of
that golden rule edo unto others as ye would
they should do unto u.s." even in personal inter-
'couree between each other but when this divine
principle is illustrated on tho part Of what in law
is deemed soulless corporation, it puts to blush
mans inhumsnity to man."
Coming, as this amount did, at time when tho
widow and orphans were on the verge Of being
stripped OF tho very means of subsistence, and
when they were feeling the deepest (next to his
removal from their embraces) the loss Of the
proEident husband and father it is ten fold on act
OF benevolence, charity and justice, which thoir
tears and prayers are alone capable of answering.
l cannot attemptis On their behalf I can cay
that you have sent joy and gladness to distross-
ed household, and one in every way worthy OF tho
actof the honorable board you represent.
With their fearful gratitude and my warmest as
surance, am, cir, with much respect,
Your obcdient servant,