Miriam's
Stories for
Our Roys
and Girls
An American Jewish Press Feature
Hello Boys and Girls:
We are about to begin a most
significant week in our history.
You know that it is of the
greatest importance - for every
citizen to vote on Election Day.
I thought you might like to
know about the first Jew to be-
come an American citizen
• •
THE FIRST ROUND
Peter Stuyvesant, Director-
General Of New Netherlands,
was an ugly man, and his ugli-
ness reached out even to the
principles by which he governed
this Dutch colony on the East
Coast of America.
It was 1654. A tiny vessel, the
St. Charles, had arrived in New
Amstel-dam (now New York
City) with 23 Jewish passengers.
They had come to escape per-
secution in the Portuguese col-
ony of Brazil. Stuyvesant greet-
ed them with a campaign of
anti-Semitism. He petitioned
the directors of the Dutch West
India Company not to permit
any of the "Jewish nation . . .
to. infect and trouble this new
colony. . . " His campaign was
so effective that in March, 1655,
',the leading citizens of the city
approved a proposal calling for
the expulsion of the Jews.
But the Jews of New Amster-
dam were not taking this lying
.down. They had written to
their friends and relatives in
Holland, many of whOilt were
director8 of the Dutch Wegt In,
dia Company, explaining their
:
problem. The Dutch Jews used
'their influence on the other di-
rectors so that an order was
issued which explicitly instruct-
ed Governor Stuyvesant to per-
mit Jews "to -travel, trade and
live in the colony." The new
Jewish Americans had won the
first round in their fight for
citizenship.
ON GUARD
All male inhabitants of New
Amsterdam capable of bearing
arms were enrolled in the Burg-
her Guard for the protection
and defense of the city. The
Jews, too, expected to take their
turns at military duty. But here
was a chance for Stuyvesant to
show discrimination.
His local government passed
an ordinance . providing that
Jews should "remain exempt
from general training and guard
duty" and that they should pay
a monthly tax for this exemp-
tion. Were the New Amsterdam
Jews glad to get out of this te-
dious task? Not at all! They re-
sented the ordinance and they
petitioned the authorities for
permission to stand guard . at
the stockade of New Amsterdam
like other citizens. When this
was turned down, -they again
appealed to the authorities in
he mother country,. Holland.
This time, their petition was
granted.
the right of the Jews to acquire
and hold property. In Decem-
ber, 1655, Salvator D'Andrada, a
Jewish merchant, purchased a
house and lot at public auction,
but Stuyvesant's officers barred
him from using it. Again, the
case had to be carried back to
Holland, before StuyveSant
would recognize that Jews, like
all other- residents, had the
right to acquire and use real
property.
In a letter dated June 14, 1656,
the West India Company severe-
ly reprimanded Stuyvesant and
specifically ordered him to rec-
ognize the • right of Jews to en-
gage in all lawful business pur-
suits and occupations.
MICHIGAN NEEDS A
THE TYRANT IS LICKED!
With the rights to engage in
guard duty, own property and
conduct businesses fully estab-
lished, it was time for the next
step—full citizenship. Ass e r
Levy, who had been a leader
throughout the • struggle -with
Dictator Stuyvesant, appeared
in court in April, 1657, and
asked for admission to citizen-
ship. '
The court turned the matter
over to Stuyvesant and his
spineless council. All the Jews
of the city rallied to support
Levy's request. They knew that
their own futures depended on
the outcome - of his fight.
In a petition to the authori-
ties, they pointed out that the
Jews of Amsterdam enjoyed full
citizenship and "our Nation (the
Jews) as long as they have been
here, have with others borne
and paid and still - bear all
Burgher burdens . . ."
The Stuyvesant regime final-
ly realized that it was licked!
The governor recognized that
the Jews would fight on until
MEN OF PROPERTY
they gained all rights. Reluc-
The next stage in this battle tantly, he ordered his council to
toward full, citizenship involved agree to Levy's petition.
On April 21, 1657, Jews were
admitted to citizenship, and
Promote
Asser Levy, whose grandson
Lewis Levy was later to serve as
an officer in the Revolutionary
War, -became the first Jewish
citizen in America.
* * *
Even though you are too
young to go to the polls on
Tuesday, boys and girls, you can
help guard this precious priv-
ilege of ours by seeing to it that
REPUBLICAN
your parents get out to vote.
Perhaps you can wipe the dishes
CLARENCE A. REID
or baby-sit with younger broth-
ers and sisters. And if you have
* Experienced in State Govern-
a mock eleetion in your - school,
ment
ELECT
when you put the "X" on your
* Spokesman for Labor
ballot, remember Asser Levy,
REID
first Jewish citizen of America.
*Lawyer--Wor Veteran
AS YOUR NEXT
Your friend,
LT. GOVERNOR
* Present State Senator
MIRIAM.
FRED M. ALGER
REPUBLICAN
FOR GOVERNOR
CLARENCE A.
REID
•
He can bring to the office of governor
- his experience of three terms as Secretary
of State.
•
He can get the cooperation of the Mich-
igan Legislature on progressive social
measures.
•
He can bring Michigan finances out of the
red without the burden of new taxes.
—
IP
He an bring to the executive office able,
efficient and honest government for ALL
the people.
LT. GOVERNOR
•
Rabbi Gorrelick to Address
Beth Aaron Young Adults
Elect
Rabbi Benjamin-Gorrelick will
address a -meeting of the Beth
Aaron Young Adults on Thurs-
day evening. His subject will be
"How a Rabbi Looks at Mar-
ria.ge."
A dance is planned for Nov.
8. For tickets, call Bettie Stein,
UN. 1-3018. The group bowls at
6:30 p.m., each Sunday, at Rol-
awile R e c r ea tion. Prospective
members are invited to all three
functions.
OWEN J.
CLEARY
SECRETARY OF
STATE
REPUBLICAN
•
•
•
•
Attorney
Educator
War Veteran
Sponsor of Israeli Plank at Re-
publican National Convention
OWEN J. CLEARY
F1
Ei ELECT ALGER NOV. 4
Jewish Friends of Fred M. Alger
22—THE JEWISH NEWS
Friday, October 31, 195Z
CAST YOUR
VOTE FOR
Owen J. Cleary
NOV. 4
Re-Etect
FRANK G.
MILLARD
YOUR PRESENT
ATT'Y GENERAL
REPUBLICAN
• ABLE
• COURAGEOUS
• EXPERIENCED
FRANK G. MILLARD
• WAR VETERAN
-
VOTE FOR MARTHA - W. GRIFFITHS --No. 80 ON. BAu.or
.........................................
ELECT FRANK G. MILLARD AGAIN
AS YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL NOV. 4
!
,•
Sponsored by the Volunteers for •Crlffnits Committee.
Co-Chairmen, Myrtle Clark, Helen Sevens.