The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-23

Hrith-second Days Proceed.
VS." of the Great Convention of He.
nrsu Ioages-An Interesting Open
nr-epposition to Prayers-Long
"a viresome Debates-Division of
s",,,ment-The Sixth District Re-
coSnizeo.
The second days session Of the Conven-
.:.r of the Independent Order of B'nai
T,.;,b or secret benevolent societies of the
i,r,rI;tes of this country, took place yes
..,j,y at the same locality, the large hall
- ,bc Aiemannia Club House, No. Is east
s;,tecn;h street. The Convention had just
.an,e 10 order, and the committee appointed
., the Sunday meeting to prepare rules and
equations for the government Of the Con-
1sD,ion announced themselves ready to re-
-.r;. when Dr.. E. NJ. Friedlin arose, address
,r the Chair on a matter somewhat in the
rs;arc of a question Of privilege. He said
hat he asked to be excused for interrupting
he business Of the Convention, but he felt
= overcome that only by communicating
ne cause he could relieve himself. One of
he founders of the Order had just entered
he hall as a mere listener. As the mem
Eers knew, two men had united in it's
:ouDiation-Brother Henry Jones and Bro
;hrr William Renau. The first had gone
vhere they all would follow sooner or later,
and the speaker hoped to God that they all
would reach there as worthy as he did.
The other Brother Renau) was now in
,bair midst; and the Doctor would leave it
"a the Convention TO honor him as he de-
.ervrl. Great enthusiasm followed this
announcement and, on motion, commit
tco of FIVE of the oldest members Of the
Order preseu, in the hall was appointed to
conduct Mr.. Renau to the platform,
where the President (Mr. Moses) greeted
the old gentleman with appropriate
remarks. Mr. Renau was evidently
deeply affected while replying to the speech
Of the President and acknowledging the re-
crrtiou rendered him by the Convention.
He said in substance that he did not ex-
rect when. twenty-five years ago, he united
with Mr.. Henry Jones, now no more, to Or
gAuzc the society that the day would come
within his lifetime to see the wealth and in
,ellirence of the lsraelites Of America fully
represented in general convention of the
Order. Itwas at first intended as n purely
local organization but, taking firm root, it
extended its branches into neighboring
cities, and being devoted to good cause, and
icing better and better understood, it
.Selled Its proportions, and it now stands
forth as 4 great body of men determined to
DO good TO their best ability and according
to the dictates of the purest humanity. He
hoped that the original idea which gave life
and growth to the Order may be maintain
ed, and be still better understood and more
appreciated. He closed with thanks to the
convention for the unexpected honors paid
him. Mr.. Renau now resides In Clncln-
nati and is justice Of the peace in that
city.
The business of the Convention was then
resumed. The report on rules was first
read rs q whole, and then taken up by sec
lions for debate and action. The first rule
already called out very determined opposi-
ton. 1t provided that the proceedings
should be in the English language, and that
the German may be employed only by per-
mission Of the Convention. The strenuous
opposition TO the latter clause succeeded in
striking it out and inserting that "any
brother may speak in German" The Con-
yenton having once launched upon the
broad ocean Of debate, they enjoyed it
hugely at every paragraph of the report as
il came before them. Section eighteen
called out a controversy of words lasting
over an hour, and in which al the promi-
nent men of the body took part either on
ann. .la Ga ~ thnr opl l,,r tba
tinuance Of which a recess for lunch was
had. The section, as reported, provided
for twO-thirds majority, but the opposi-
ton to it was too strong, and it was voted
down, leaving the old rule as established
by the fundamental constitution of the Or
der in force. The rules, as finally adopted,
contain the usual regulations for the govern
ment Of parliamentary bodies, the previous
question and the committee Of the whole
house included; and simple resolution
adopting Jeticrson's manualf for guide, with
suchtewproyisions as may berequired by the
peculiar nature of the Convention, would
have done the same thing and saved the
delegates a whole day of tiresome discus
son. The debate on one paragraph, as
reported and finally amended, deserves
especial notice. 1t required that the daily
SESSIONS be opened with prayer. AS soon
az ii WAS read, several delegates rose, and
yne after the other "pitched in" Par
ii,ularly severe in his opposition was Mr..
Simon Wolf, OF Washington, D. c., who
claimed that, though coming here as Israel
lies, they did not come on religious duty,
aud had no need of employing anybody to
pray for them. Another delegate said that
iA. habit of opening deliberatiye bodies
daily with prayer, though customary, was
lothlnc but mummery. After lengthy
DISCUSSION, compromise was effected on
notion OF Mr.. NJ. S. Isaacs, that the ses-
'!ons should be opened with prayer by
member only, 10 be daily designated by the
mar, and that the form Of prayer pre-.
';F!oed for the opening Of Lodges should
alone be employed.
Mr.. Bien, Grand Masker, or secretary,
,4eh made report announcing the death OF
"'' predecessor and his own appointment,
SUI that twelve new Lodges had been form
4" IN the course Of the year. He also
4SAaed III voluIninous statistical and his
%!I %'!caI account of the progress Of the
''0e', out this was not read and the whole
.sFOF' and accompanying documents were
81 once referred 10 the Committee on Re-
F'F'S' yet to be appointed.
Aa'tner lengthy and spirited debate
;fIuAg up as to the proper authority to
',SUV charter 10 a new Grand Lodge. The
- asaAizailon Of sixth district, probably
"; w. ot composed Of the States of Illinois,
TaSn TT'SJsoAsin, and Michigan, with Grand
a.as. ~ast AZ Chicago, having been adopted, the
TSLe''lon arose whether the Grand Saar, or
,-a''er, or the President Of the Convention,
va Has 10 sign the charter-some maintaining
,n,t -,t 'ae latter superseded the former in
br~SUFity. br The matter was finally settled
e;. we adoption Of an order directing the
,;an,IEe ;sI'iEe ofrcers Of the Grand Constitu-
,Ft' Tf Lodge to issue the charter.