The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-03-28

\ MEETING OF THE CITIZENS OF RICH
MoND CONCERNING INsURANCE.--A larg'
meeting of the citizens Of Richmond wa
held in the Eleventh-street synagogue las
night Tor the purpose of taking measure,
expressive of indignation in regard to the
[ecent pohcy of New York Insurance
Jewish persuasion.
I The meeting was called to orderbv Hon
Joseph Mayo, upon whose motion Gusta-
vus A. Myers, Esq, was called to the
chair.
On motion of Rev. NJ. J. Michelbacher.
General p. T. Moore was requested to act
as secretary.
Mr.. Myers, upon taking the chair, ex-
planned the object of the meeting, and
read letters from A. Stoddart, general
agent, New York, to insurance agents in
Georgia and elsewhere, giving instructions
against taking risks from Jews.
On motion of Colonel Thomas j. Evans,
the following committee of'fve was ap-
pointed to report business for the meeting
viz, Messrs. Thomas j. Evans, w. w.
Crump, Abraham Hirsch, George Jacobs,
and NJ. Millhiser.
The committee retired, and in few mo-
ments returned and reported the following
preamble and resolutions:
Whereas, 1t is understood that the fol-
lowing insurance companies-to wit, The
Etna Insurance Company of Hartford the
Manhattan, the Hanover, the Niagara, the
Germania, and the Republic of New
York, and the Phoenix Of Brooklyn, have
recently adopted resolutions declaring that
they will take no longer what they COM
monty denomnate Jew risks and that
in accordance Herewith they have issued
instructions to their agents, some Of whom
have Offices in the city, and have been
largely encouraged by the particular class of
the community against which the resolu-
tions of the companies referred to are ap-
parently levelled.
with policy so extraordinary this
meeting has nothing to do, inasmuch as it
may fairly be presumed that the officers in
question have a right to pursue their own
mode of transacting business; but against
the spirit of bigotry and fanaticism which
has dictated their course-which would
rather appear to belong to the twelfth
than to the nineteenth century-we con-
ceive it our solemn duty to protest, as we
do, and to denounce it as unjust, unworthy
of the present enlightened period of the
worlds history, injurious to class
whose character in this and every other
community with which we are acquainted
will bear a proud comparison with any
other class OF equal numbers, and which,
if passed over in silence, would appear to
imply an acquiescence in sentiments alb
horrent to every liberal-minded citizen to
| .,lo ho ha1ornu.
"But we are aware that will not be suf-
fcient to counteract the injurious effects
of the course which we thus denounce; /;
and that springing, as we believe it does,
from Sordid or fanatical motives, it should
be met by means calculated to rebuke,
and at the same time to insure pecuniary
loss to its originators. Thus we have it in
our power amply to do, and the plain
course left for our adoption is not only to
withdraw our support from institutions
governed by such offensive policy, but in
every way to exert our influence to de-
prive them of the support of the commu-
mites in which they or their agencies are
situated; therefore
Resolved, That we, ourselves, will not
insure in any of the Offices which have
adopted, or shall hereafter adopt, the regu-
lations mentioned above; nor will We in
sure with any agents for other insurance
companies if the persons occupying these
| positions should also continue to be the
agents of any company or companies which
have adopted, or may hereafter adopt, the
said regulations. And moreover, that we
will exert all the influence we may re-
spectiveIy possess to induce others to pur-
| sue the course we have indicated for our
selves.
"ReSolued further, That those of us who
now have insurances effected in the offices
above designated, or in any other offices
adopting similar policy, will, as soon as
convenient, withdraw all connection there
with.
"ReSolved, That the several newspapers
of this city be requested to publish the
foregoing preamble and resolutions, and
that the papers throughout the South be
also requested to give them an insertion"
Colonel Evans, after reading the resolu-
tions, spoke for few moments in favor OF
them, and warmly denounced this sweep
ing prescription against large portion OF
our community who had always been
noted for being good citizens, and among
whom there was less Of immortality and
crime than in any other class among us.
He could only attribute such an unjust
action on the part of these insurance COM
panies to the spirit Of fanaticism and
bigotry which had always pervaded the
Puritans of the North.
He was followed by Judge Crump, who
spoke also in terms condemnatory OF the
course of the companies referred to.
Mr.. John Ii. Montague made few re-
marks explanatory of his course as an In.
surance agent, which had always beer
directly opposite to that taken by the com
panies referred to, as far as any distinc
ton of sect was concerned. He hat
always insured Unfortunately in this re
spect.
Hon. Joseph Mayo said that as the ques
ton of morality was involved he was pre-
pared to say a few words. He went on q
state that during his long experience b.
had only known of three cases In whici
Jews were arraigned for crime.
The preamble being put before th'
!, meeting, Mr.. Montague asked that 1t b'
! amended by striking out the Phoenix Com
pany. He was the agent Of the company
and knew nothing of any such order. Th'
preamble was amended by striking ou
the Phoenix Company.
,, The preamble and resolutions were thel
!, adopted unanimously.
Mr.. Isaac Schriyer made an appeal t
the citizens of Richmond, among whom
, the Jewish citizens were well thought o.
> to cooperate with them In the resolution
offered.
! The Rev. Mr.. Michelbacher spoke ele
: quently for some moments on the subjee
which had called ths meeting together
He said that the hearts Of the Israelitt
: had hecn stung to the core, but that the