USA > Maryland > Annual report of the Society for the History of the Germans in Maryland, 13th-14th, Vol. II > Part 4
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"In the years 1837, 1838 and 1839 there arrived in this city from Bavaria several families which had been accustomed to the German mode of worship. In these years the Congre- gation Beth Shalome was the only Synagogue in Richmond, and the history of this congregation is, to some extent, the history of the Hebrews in Richmond. A minute-book, which perished in the flames of evacuation day, together with other valuable papers belonging to the synagogue, dated back to the year 1791, which is generally accepted as the date of organiza-
179.) "The Richmond Dispatch," November 6th, 1898, p. 3.
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tion of this congregation following the Portuguese form, which was strange to the German immigrants. About the year 1840 some twenty German families were organized into a society for religious purposes, and held services at the residence of Mr. Myer Angle. Then more German settlers arrived in the city, and a synagogue was built on Marshall, near Sixth street, and in 1848 the present synagogue, Beth Ahaba, on Eleventh street, near Marshall, was dedicated."
Mr. Jacob Ezekiel, who has written a very interesting pamphlet, entitled "The Jews of Richmond," says: " The first place of worship of the Beth Shalome . congregation was a room in a three-story brick building on the west side of Nineteenth, between Franklin and Grace streets, in which one of the members resided. The next place of worship was a small brick building, erected on the west side of Nineteenth street, in the rear of what was known as the Union Hotel, on the southwest corner of Main and Nineteenth streets.
" After some years a lot of ground was purchased from Dr. Adams, on the east side of Mayo, above Franklin street, on which a commodious synagogue was erected, in which the congregation worshipped for upwards of three quarters of a century. On account of the decrease of membership by death and removal from the city this synagogue was recently sold to another congregation, the K. K. Sir Moses Montefiore, and the remnant of the congregation of Beth Shalome have worshipped since then in Lee Camp Hall, on Broad street, near Seventh, and in 1898 this oldest Jewish congregation united with the congregation of Beth Ahaba.
"The reading desk of this once flourishing Beth Shalome congregation has been filled from time to time by prominent Hazanim, who afterward occupied honorable positions in the most prominent congregations in the United States, among whom were the following Revs. with German names: Isaac H. Judah, Abraham II. Cohen, Isaac Leeser, Solomon Jacobs, Julius Eckman, Henry S. Jacobs, George Jacobs."
The history of Beth Ahaba will follow further on.
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Senator Wm. Lovenstein of Richmond, in his English oration at the "German Day," 1890140), mentioned the names of several Germans, who came to Richmond in 1835 and 1836, who are to be considered as pioneers of the later large immigration : B. Briel, C. Liewer, J. Knauf, J. Brauer, V. Hechler, Gottfr. Noelting, J. Rebman, Havermare, Mrs. P. Fahr, Georg Lentz, Mrs. G. Lentz, Mrs. II. A. Philips, Mrs. Kohl- hausen, P. Kepler, P. Schafer, C. Weber, H. Kracke, Joseph Myers, Mrs. Joseph Myers, G. Wilhelm, A. Bodecker, Scherer. George Schoenberger, J. Doerflinger, Pitz, W. Ewerts, W. Mil- ler, F. Wittemaier, Beck, O. A. Strecker, Stein, Kruesman, John Maybus, William Menzing, Myer Angle, Moses Waterman and Isaac Solomon.
Richmond, the capital of the State, now became the nucleus of German life in Virginia. Here the celebrations of German national events took place. The first public festival or " Volksfest," was celebrated in 1840, in honor of Guttenberg, 181). It is to be deplored that no description of this festive event is left. On the 14th and 15th of September, 1857, a grand celebration in honor of General von Steuben: Das Steubenfest, was arranged. The entire affair was a triumph and every feature of it a success. The leaders in this festival, O. A. Strecker, Oswald Heinrich, Jul. Fischer, Weilbacher, Louis Rueger, Honneger, Marxhausen, Diacont, Meier, Morgenstern, Lehmann, Sturm, Schad, Harrold, and B. Hassel, hoped182), that it would demonstrate to their countrymen the strength of the German element and impart to them more national self- confidence, while on the other hand the Anglo-American fellow- citizens would better learn to understand and to respect Ger- man customs; and these expectations were realized. The Ger- man Rifle Company, Saengerbund, Krankenverein, Schiller- Loge, Theaterverein, Turnverein and citizens belonging to none of these organizations assembled about noon on the 14th Sep-
180.) "The Richmond Dispatch," p. 2, October 7th, 1890.
181.) "Das deutsche Element in den Ver. Staaten," Seite 404, von Gustav Körner. Cincinnati, 1880.
182.) "Virginische Zeitung," Sonntagsblatt des Anzeigers. Richmond, Va., Septem- ber 14th, 1890.
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tember, 1852, in the Capitol Square, on the north side of the Capitol, formed in procession and marched to Bellville Place. There the formal ceremonies: prayer, speeches, music and singing, the unveiling of Gen. Steuben's bust, moulded by Mr. Hubert, were followed by social gaiety and games for children arranged by the ladies. The best order prevailed.
Oswald Julius Heinrich delivered the German oration, which was highly enjoyed and applauded. We quote in his own words and language from his brilliant speech the fol- lowing remarks :
" Hat nicht der Fleiss der Deutschen, wenn nicht in ho- herem Maasse, doch sicher zu gleichen Theilen, die Gauen des neuen Vaterlandes in blühende Auen verwandelt ? Ist nicht das Verdienst der Deutschen um Kunst, Literatur und allgemeine Kenntnisse von allen Denen anerkannt, welchen beschränkter Nationalstolz ein freies Urtheil nicht verküm- mert? Kämpften nicht zu allen Zeiten und in allen Lan- dern die Deutschen für die Sache der Freiheit und Unab- hängigkeit, für. Wahrheit und Licht? Und zeigen auch einige schwarze Blätter der Geschichte, dass vereinzelte Schaaren sich verleiten liessen, aus gemeiner Gewinnsucht sich zu Geg- nern derselben zu machen, gingen sie nicht früher oder spä- ter, von ihrem Unrecht überzeugt, in den rechten Pfad zu- rück ? Und mannen sich nicht noch jetzt die Deutschen un die flatternde Fahne derjenigen Partei, welche die Grundsätze der Väter der Republik zu den ihrigen macht und die Frei- heit und Gleichheit Aller gegen freche Uebergriffe und Mo- nopole zu schützen sucht?" u. s. w.
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Heinrich was born on the 2d April, 1828, at Dresden, Saxony, studied architecture and mining at the academies of Dresden and Freiberg, Saxony183). Having. participated in the revolution at Dresden in May, 1849, he was prosecuted and obliged to leave the land. In 1850 he came to America and worked as mason, carpenter, painter, teacher and engineer in Tennessee, South and North Carolina. In 1855 he moved
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183.) Correspondence of the late Mr. Benno Heinrich (the brother of O. Heinrich.) Richmond, Va.
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to Richmond, Va., and established himself as architect and teacher of mathematics and drawing. During the civil war Heinrich held a position in the Confederate mining office. Afterwards he was superintendent of the Lead Works at Aus- tinville, Va., and still later of the Midlothian Coal Mines in Chesterfield county, Va. In 187S he finally succeeded in ob- taining an office fully complying to his wishes and eminent talents. Messrs. C'ox Brothers' Co., proprietors of the coal mines at Drifton, Pa., invited him to organize a mining acade- my, and he remained the principal of it until February 4th, 1886, the day of his death. His corpse was cremated at New York and his ashes interred at Hollywood cemetery, Richmond, Va.
A similar success like the " Steuben Fest " was the " Schil- lerfeier," on November 10th, 1859. The entire German popu- lation of the city participated in honoring the favorite poet of all Germans : Friedrich von Schiller, at the 100th anniversary of his birthday. In order to make this celebration an impres- sive demonstration against the detestable "Knownothing move- ment " prevailing at the time, Schiller's centennial festival was celebrated in a glorious style.
The liberal era in Germany and Austria, from 1848 to 1850, had ended in revolutions and the victory of reaction. Many political fugitives emigrated to the United States, and the Re- public received during that period a most desirable influx of emigrants from Germany. The refugees were men of high education and noble character ; they had sacrificed their homes and positions in life for the unity and liberty of their beloved Fatherland; and such elements were well qualified to give a new impulse to German life in America, and to successfully advocate not to give up the mother language and the accom- plishments and good habits of the native land. Virginia received her share of this valuable immigration, although the greater number stayed in the cities of the East or went to the " Far West."
There were, unfortunately, among these refugees a num- ber of enthusiasts, who cherished the idea to germanize Amer- ica, or to establish at least a German State in the Union. The
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number of these fanatics was very small, but their foolish agitation was the cause of great evil to the entire German element. Almost all German-Virginians were opposed to the movement, but the leaders of it selected the city of Wheeling, situated in the extreme north of Virginia before the division of the State, as the seat of a " Congress of German Revolu- tionists" to meet in September, 1852, and the Anglo-Americans attached to this convention more importance than it merited. Only sixteen delegates of nominally 1112 Revolutionary Associa- tions (Revolutionsvereine) attended the so-called Congress ; and most of them came from Eastern States. The participants were184) : Dr. Conradin Homburg, of Indianapolis, Ind., for- merly practicing medicine at Fredericksburg, Va., president ; E. Schlaeger, of Boston, Mass., secretary ; Leonard Roos, of Newark, N. J., R. Fischer, of Wheeling, Va., C. Strobel, Wheeling, Va., L. Meyer, Boston Masc., I. N. Winkle, Wheeling, Va., W. Roth- acker, of London, A. Gerwig, Cincinnati, O., J. Mueller, Cleve- land, O., E. Goepp, Philadelphia, Pa., W. Rosenthal, Philadelphia, Pa., Lorenz Kirchner, Troy, N. Y., G. Baczko, Albany, N. Y., J. Roth, Pittsburg, Pa., and C. Hoffmann, Pittsburg, Pa. These eccentric persons traced out a program for the foundation of an " Universal Republic " (Welt-Republik). They proposed to organize an Alliance of the Nations of the New and the Old World, (einen Voelkerbund der neuen und alten Welt), and to accomplish " the annexation of Europe to America." The Ger- man-American newspapers treated the resolutions of the Wheel- ing Congress with ridicule and contempt, but the Anglo- American press pretended to see in the proceedings of the convention an insolent interference with the political affairs of this country. Thus the "Wheeling Congress " offered to the so-called " natives " the welcome opportunity to false repre- sentations of the patriotie sentiment of the "foreigners," and particularly of the Germans. Another organization, "the Free German Society, (Freie Gemeinde), at Richmond," excited about 1850 suspicion and severe critique. The principles of radicals frightened the slaveholders and church-goers, although they include economic social and political questions which in our days have in part been realized or grown to importance.
181.) "Der deutsche Pionier," 8. Jahrgang, Seite 96. Cincinnati, Ohio,
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Louis P. Hennighausen, in his interesting " Personal Remi- niscences of the Political Life of the German-Americans in Bal- timore during the decade of 1850-1860," reports185) : The Free German Society in Richmond, Va., demanded : 1, I'ni- versal suffrage : 2, The election of all officers by the people ; 3, The abolition of the Presidency; 4, The abolition of the Senates, so that all Legislatures shall consist of one branch only ; 5, The right of the people to recall their representatives at their pleasure ; G, The right of the people to change the Constitution when they like; 7, All law-suits to be conducted without expense ; 8, A department of the Government to be set up for the purpose of protecting immigration ; 9, A reduced term for immigrants to acquire citizenship .- Reform in the Foreign Relations of the Government : 1, Abolition of all neu- trality ; 2, Intervention in favor of every people struggling for liberty .- Reform in what relates to religion : 1, A more per- fect development of the principle of personal freedom and liberty of conscience ; consequently, (a) abolition of laws for the observance of the Sabbath ; (b) abolition of prayers in Congress ; (c) abolition of oath upon the Bible ; (d) repeal of laws enacting a religious test before taking an office. 2, Tax- ation of church property; 3, A prohibition of incorporations of all church property in the name of ecclesiastics .- Reform in Social Conditions : 1, Abolition of all land monopoly ; 2, Ad valorum taxation of property; 3, Amelioration of the con- dition of the working class, (a) by lessening the time of work to eight hours for grown persons and to five hours for children ; (b) by incorporation of Mechanics' Associations and Protective Societies ; (c) by granting a preference to mechanics before all other creditors ; (d) by establishing, at public expense, an asylum for superannuated mechanics without means. 4, Edu- cation of poor children by the State; 5, Taking possession of railroads by the State ; 6, The promotion of education, (a) by the introduction of free schools, with the power of enforcing parents to send their children to school, and prohibition of all clerical influence ; (b) by instruction in the German lan- guage; (c) by establishing a German University. 7, The
195.) Eleventh and Twelfth Annual Reports of the Society for the History of the Germans in Maryland," 1897-1898, pp. 5 and 6; and "Political Text Book and Clopa- dia," by W. W. Cesky, pp. 220, etc. Philadelphia, 1860.
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supporting of the slave emancipation exertions of Cassius M. Clay by Congressional laws; 8, Abolition of the Christian system of punishment and introduction of the humanc ameli- oration system ; 9, Abolition of capital punishment.
The " Freie Gemeinde " was however only an ephemeral organization ; its membership was only twenty-two, and it was looked upon by the majority of the Germans of Richmond with almost hostile sentiments. The participation in such a society was full of dangers in a slave State, and in spite of its insig- nificance it gave the nativists sustenance for their animosity.
The recollection of this association has almost died out and it was only possible after manifold query to obtain some reliable information about it from the contemporaries of its time 146) still living in Richmond.
It was about 1850 when a certain Mr. Steinmetz came to Richmond and made energetic efforts to organize a "Freie Gemeinde." He was assisted by brewer Richter, of the Chin- borazo Brewery, Mr. Kempe, Mr. A. Rick, two Mess. Teupel Mr. Steinlein, &c. Several meetings were held at Monticello Hotel, where Steinmetz addressed the members on the princi- ples of Free-thinkers. A great deal of animosity was aroused, particularly among their countrymen, by the hoisting of a " red flag" over the meeting house, and this demonstration brought down on them the appellation of "Die Rothen," i. e., " the Reds." In the early part of 1851 Steinmetz was advised to shake the dust of the city off his feet if he did not desire to be subjected to complications peculiarly disagreeable to himself, and he heeded the advice. With his disappearance the whole movement was wrecked.
Since the introduction of slavery the pro-slaverymen in Virginia had looked upon the Germans with hidden suspicion and antipathy, and now their animosity was shared by a very great portion of the entire English element, which made itself observable by paltry but inimical actions.
136.) Reminiscences furnished by Messrs, Louis Rueger, B, Hassel, C. R. M. Pohl and C. Wendlinger.
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The success of the Germans in agricultural, industrial and commercial pursuits, and their love of the old Fatherland demonstrated by their great public festivals at Richmond, increased the ill-will of the Anglo-Virginians. The political, religious and social institutions of the United States, as: gen- eral and free elections, freedom of speech, printing, worship of God, public instruction, equal rights before court and in politi- cal and social competition, all these very fundamental principles of republican life were at that period in Virginia not carried out to the letter. The so-called natives knew very well that their German fellow-citizens, although silently and patiently suffering, fully recognized the state of oppression and that they longed to exercise their constitutional rights without restraint or fear of evil consequences to themselves. Some intimidated writers have glorified the good relations claimed by them to have existed between the Anglo- and German-Virginians at that period, but the historian has to tell the truth and not to gild dark clouds, and he must acknowledge that the Germans were politi- cally and socially slighted. From 1854-56 the spiteful "know- nothing movement " prevailed, and the so-called "natives " threw off the mask and openly showed their animosity for the "foreigners." At first the Germans continued to silently bear all abuse and threat -some of them even forgot their self- respect and joined their enemies- and it was therefore the good luck of the oppressed that from among the Anglo-Vir- ginians an eloquent and ardent defender pleaded their cause. Henry A. Wise, afterwards Governor of the State and General in the Confederate army, in an open letter and many speeches during the memorable Electoral campaign of 1854, defended the rights of the abused foreigners and foiled the knownoth- ing movement. At that time Governor Wise erected to him- self a monument in the hearts of all German-Virginians that can never wither, and he in truth made the relations between the English and the Germans in Virginia more harmonious and beneficial, although the rivalry between the two nationalities continued for some time, as may be illustrated by the fol- lowing incident :
On July 26th, 1856, the following appeal was published in the Richmonder Anzeiger :
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AWAKE GERMANS !
The City Council, elected to protect the welfare and rights of the citizens, having resolved, on the 21st inst., to pay to cach uniformed military company an annual allowance of 50 dol- lars-but upon motion of Mr. Gretter: with the exception of the German Rifle Company-all German citizens of Richmond and all who have taken their intention papers, are hereby in- vited to attend, on Monday next, July 28th, at eight o'clock, P. M.,
A GENERAL MASS-MEETING at the St. Johannes Church, on Fifth street, to discuss the following questions :
1. Is the City Council justified to ignore the rights of citizens and to expend the public funds with partiality ?
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2. Is the City Council entitled to tax the German citi- zens at equal rates as other citizens, without granting them equal privileges ?
3. Is the City Council authorized to grant. German citi- zens and taxpayers fewer benefits of public funds than citizens of other nationality ?
4. And is the action of the City Council of the 21st inst. not to be termed an act of impudence and insult to the Ger- man Rifle Company, and also an offence against the Constitu- tion of the country, and an outrage to the whole German popu- lation of the State of Virginia ?
Every German who values the rights of citizens and Ger- man honor is expected to attend the meeting!
SEVERAL CITIZENS."
The author of this appeal was Mr. C. R. M. Pohle, and about 200 Germans attended the meeting in the German church. Mr. B. Hassel called the assembly to order and was appointed chairman, while Mr. J. Reinhardt was chosen sec- retary. Messrs. Pohle, Gronwald, Rev. Hoyer, Rick and others criticized the action of the City Council in the strongest terms, and blamed it to be partial and to provoke discord and hatred among the citizens. Finally resolutions were adopted and after- wards published in the leading English city papers: the " Enquirer," "Examiner" and "Dispatch," which neither lacked plainness nor energy; but the expected result did not
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follow. The City Council justified its action by a most de- plorable incident that happened at a target shooting on a picnic place called the " Hermitage." Although the shooting was arranged by the German Rifles, this military company had nothing to do with the occurrence. A young German butcher, who was no member of the company, had indulged in too much spirits and become quarrelsome. IIe insulted and attacked a corporal of the Rifle Company, who finally shot and wounded his offender fatally, so that he died in the hospital during the night. The corporal disappeared and was never heard of again; all German citizens of Richmond lamented the sad event, but no one considered the Company in any way responsible. The City Council took a contrary view. However, the German Rifle Company kept up its organi- zation without the aid of public money, and at a later time, when the Civil War broke out and the Governor called on the citizens to defend the State, the members of the ill-treated company shouldered their rifles and took the field under the command of Capt. Florence Miller.
C. R. M. Pohle, who was the chief arranger of the above described mass-meeting, is a man of German sentiment and of ideal disposition. Ile was born on April 17th, 1821, at Delitsch, Prussia. He came to America in 1844, and lived in New York until 1849. At New York he accepted an en- gagement as actor in Palm's Opera House, a German theatre under the management of Mr. Schwan, and he gained the esteem of the public157), In 1849 until 1852 he was a musi- cian of the U. S. Navy Band, and afterwards he removed to Richmond, Va., where he received the appointment of Pro- Sector of the anatomical department of the Richmond Medical College. With a particular liking he filled the position of Drum-Major of the First Virginia Militia Regiment, and ac- companied it in the war188). Pohle also tried himself as author. He wrote two dramas: "Der Blitz" and " Maria, oder Leidenschaft und Liebe," and also many German poems, published in 1855 by B. Hassell, Richmond, Va. These pub-
187.) "New-York Staatszeitung," August 13th, 1845.
188.) "War History of the old First Virginia Infantry Regiment," by Charles T. Loehr. Richmond, Va,, 1884.
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lications were much criticized as being deficient in form and sometimes objectionable in expression, but they are not without poetical merit and full of devotional German patriotism. Mr. Pohle was for years solicitor of the "Virginia Staats Gazette;" he died an inmate of the Soldiers' Home at Richmond.
German newspapers, published in Richmond, have been already repeatedly mentioned, and now their history shall be supplemented.
In the year 1853 B. Hassel, a native of Cassel, Hessia, a compositor by occupation, founded the "Richmond Anzeiger." Many years Mr. Hassel had to compete with serious difficulties to keep up his paper; at times he combined the functions of editor, compositor, printer and distributor, and to the present time his wife and children have faithfully assisted him in his toilsome work. The perseverance of Mr. Hassel deserves great credit, and the "Anzeiger" has to-day the honor to be the second oldest of all the existing Richmond newspapers.
About the year 1858 Rev. Hoyer, pastor of the German Evangelical St. Johannes church, published the " Beobachter," a German weekly. The paper was well edited, but insuffi- ciently supported, and existed but a short time.
In the beginning of 1859 Hermann Schuricht, the author of this history, came to Richmond and started with Henry Schott, born in Marburg, in Hessia, the daily " Virginische Zeitung" and a comic Sunday paper, "Die Wespe." These publications were favorably received by the public, but unfor- tunately the Civil War broke out soon after and injured the enterprise. In January, 1860, the proprietors accepted the proposition of the owners of the "Richmond Enquirer" to consolidate the "Virginische Zeitung" with their widely cir- culated paper. Henry Schott remained in charge of the Ger- man printing department and II. Schuricht continued as. German editor. The "Enquirer " appeared hereafter until the war opened in April, 1860, its outer pages printed in German and the inner in English, edited by O. Jennings Wise, son of Governor Wise, and Col. N. Tyler. Editor Schu-
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richt had stipulated, however, that he should not be obliged to write in favor of slavery, and that all contributions of the English editors to the German part of the paper were to be signed by them. After the close of the war Mr. Hassel under- took to publish the " Virginische Zeitung " as Sunday edition of the " Anzeiger," and it is so continued to the present day.
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