Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-08-23
"Reminiscences OF the New York Police.
Hvc oImn ueniusse iIxuxskak

at large. Power, pomp and pride-ambition, avarice
and fraud-deceit and Observation-Disclosures want and
mlsery-vice and crme-happlness and woe-are
continually presented to the eye Of the attentive OBJ
server 1t is a school in which many useful lessons
may be lesrnec-from which we may gain experiences
and gather wisdom IL is study, Iaylng bare the
manifold ntrcacies of the human heart-pourtraymg
i.s varied shades Of vice and deformity-its secret
springs of loveliHess and virtue An epltome Of the
grand drama of life is there Tragedy and comedy
farce and melo drama, are played within it and with
as vivid reality on the wide stage OF existence
The philosopher the morasr the laughter-lover and
the wi,-lhe saint, the sinner the m.santhrope and
the philanthrop st-may all find there wherewlth to
satisfy their several astes-,o CRAFTY their peculiar
inclinatons The bold and daring vlllan-the tlmld
crafty ihef-the pecuating rogue-the dssolue and
idle--the abandoned and the betrayed-all combine
| TO fill mp the picture JOIN to these the arrogance OF
Office and the servity OF dependence, and what bet
ter or appropriate tabieaur piranS could be pre-
sened 10 show the crimes and foies-the virtues and
wisdom Of mankind. Well do l remember my first
| introduction within the police arcana. TIE shock
nay feelings sustained from bchOldng the many hued
horrors developed before me can never be forgotten
The retrospection Of them even now causes me to
| sigh. Then
~ wept at other.' woes
! And my heart bled at others miseres"
The continued contemplation of these scenes has
dered me somewhat caous their impression has
you, reader TO the miseres Of the world around you
cannot believe you verse for not participating in
the affections of your fellow creatures so keenly
before Prudence had raised her finger and cried be-
ware !-before experience had discovered to you the
danger of permitting to have vent the warm and
kindly feelings of your young and susceptible heart,
when the world appeared gay parterre of flowers
and you had yet discovered the snake tina, lay
coled beneath Ihem-before you had plucked and
sted of the fruit of the tree of knowledge, and found
them to be-dust and bitter ashes Think then as
charably Of me.
| The incidents l shall have to relate will be disco
vered TO combine strange mixture They will read
as romance but they the romance of real life;
in which the sublime and the rdicuous-the terrible
and the beautfu-the pathetic and the laughter stir
rng-t the dgnifed and the mean will often be found
| blended.
| From the entrance of prisoner within the police
office Ais tral-to his condemnation acquittal-
i is the province of the reporter to track his way
He bears the accused continually as were, in his
minds eye. He carefully gathers and treasures up
every little incident characteristic relating to him.
He investigates and fathoms the causes of the first
con chung him for that wherein he had not offend
ed; until he passed in reality into the hardened rufan
the reckless desperado-to become the fetered and
prison bound convict-p:rchance the death-doomed
murderer or assassin.
To the reporter of TACT of intelligence and of OBJ
servaon, what noble range for the exercise of his
genius is here presented What scene discloses
itself for the introduction of character. The Judge,
the jury the COUNSEL the witnesses, the attendant
officials and the spectators all vie in interest with the
prisoner himself. The mere formal ceremonies of
the court may not be neglected. The air and mien-
the manner and dress Of the accused give equal
poyment 10 his pen; and in important cases even
the mi,utiR become worthy of attention. and are
ceved with appreciation by the perusers of his abofs
Until lately, it was too much the fashion in New
York TO decry police reporting. This hostility prin-
cipay arose from the ribadry and scurrlity or the
narratives themselves, to which the ignorance and
stupidity the venallty and want of principle, of the
individuals engaged in IT, encouraged by the beg
gardy conductors of the press not little contrbut-
| ed. Ii was not an uncommon thing for an editor In
the by gone time of which am speaking, TO share
| the spoils received hush money by his employees.
Hence garbled statements, lmpudent distortions and
villanous fabrcatons frequent until at length
the public hand impressed its condemnatory brand
upon these PRACTICES and compelled the pursuance Of
a new and better system.
Within the past few years. therefore, this branch Of
the press has been gradually rising in importance,
| and the community have formed a jast estimate OF
its value so that even those editors who formerly
refused Their columns for the insertion of police re-
ports at present cheerfuy devote portion Of them
TO this purpose. The qualification police reporting af
fords the newspaper reader, cannot be better exem-
ped than by the fact that the whole of the conduc
tors of the New York press feel themselves obligated
furnish this intelligence to their patrons, many Of
whom pilfer il from their competitors, beng too lazy
or incompeient-too poor, or too mercenary topro-
cure for themselves.
Much and permanent good has also been effected
by the publicity thus given to the transactions of the po
lice Office. The radesman sput upon his guard against
the arts of the specous swInder who would endeav0r
to overreach him. The stranger is made wary when
he visits the city. Our theatres and public places
maintain decency and decerum of manners from a
dread Of the exposure that might attend breach of
their observance. Young men are brldled in their
| propensity to indulge in tumult and excess. Many,
who before the establishment Of this system, would
unhesilatingly have joined in the midnight broil low
shrink from its participation. Men, even, who are
lost to shame respects themselves kept at bay
by their desire spare the feelings of their relatives
and friends The very magstracy itself is held in
check by this salutary restraints and an illegal or
bitrary stretch of power ia If at ALL but seldom and
cautiously INDUCED in In the lower departments OF
the Office the results are equally benefcial and the
minioa of power feels himself compelled TO overmas
ter his passions, and to treat the criminal with gen
tleness and humanity.
No despoiism, Of whatever kind, among a FIRE,
people, ever obtained full growth in day. Abuses
of power at first slight and unheeded by degrees be-
come custom, and ut length obtain the force of law
The oren investigation OF such by the press blights
them in the bud; and, by obtaining the veto of the
people upon them, scaters them to the winds, wher
otherwise they would have taken root and enduringy
fourished. The old ndaee, ian ounce of prevention
is worth pound of cure" never be better applied
| than to the abuses OF a court of civil or crmina
| Jurisprudence. Vigilance is the buwark of liberty
and the strict eye of scrutiny the best inspector
the balance of jusce-the greatest and most dreaded
opponent wicked unjust Judge has to encounter.
This ardniaris, reader has been somewhat lengthy
bui the reflections il contains will hope, repay thu
4 labo n lie il ended 1 will thank