Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-01-31

ed on n letter which Edwin Forrest has written 10
committee in Philadelphia, who invited him TO pla,
for the aBeneft Of the Poor" But first let us read
the letter as follows;
DraR sRYour letter has just been received in which
men city, aesrous obtaining my sentiments rea
lsn the much talked OF : Benef. 10 the Poor"
You SIT, in with my fellow ciIzens, with whom
have he honor TO be personally WIN 90 me ns
pity" a. my sympa,hss are enrey asans, the sol
ferings OF the SO far fron this, sir disposed 10 40
cheeruly give hundred dollars tsy price for one nights
perIor&ance) i've hundred thousand y arg one
much anxiety the relief Of poor, will Ego and do like
rSrr fesw creatures than the ofcou dsp sal Of the time
and rx.rtions Of others (which costs them no ming OF .
boosted philanthropy, through the meoium " '' p''''
From the applications made to perform for
charities 10 almost city that visit, in my own defence
have found make rule which prevents me
exeron Of my pretsionai services "a behalf o. any ena
or indRen actrs TIE necessity OF making such RUE VIII
dssed another mus give offence and all The
demands OF this made my nie ana .hsgle
SELF and those immediate claims npon me
The ssor rs The means es .rncd an
any more than 10 the mechanic the merchant OF inc aaso
ed me of vindcsng myself regard TO hi. matter and OF
occasion s r referred i To- Very respectfully.
Your sbt servant, EDWIN FORREST.
We are not sure bat Mr. Forrest is right. This is
singular, pnfeeng, impudcnt world, and the less
we have TO do with it the better For some time past
a sentiment has been growing up in my mind, some
what analogous TO that developed by Mr. Forrest IN
the above letter. am not sure bat new revulsion
has taken place-a revulson Of the heart and feel
ings produced by the natural action of the world
on an intelligent mind. From this blessed day hence
forth, | think shall cease the doing of all gene
rous all lib eral oil charitable acts, TO any and to
every man, woman, or thing The experience OF the
last two years has worked entire and radical revo-
luton in my heart and feelings. fHa
| will expaln-!n that period of time have pro-
badly given away generous and charitabe acts full
81 500 of well earned hard earned current money,
besides much "cold wittals." have paid the high
est wages been liberal TO the poor, and poured out
my money like water to relieve the wants of either
sex This course of conduct find has raised host
of bitter and malignant enemies, who consider my
conduct as libel on them, and who, in consequence
take pains night and day. to deny the truth of hsto-
ry, and TO strip me of every attribute of humanity
When gave money to the seamstresses, and also to
females for the benefit of charitable societies, nave
known many 10 go about saying, 81 never expected
such a thinQ'-"it is done for vanity" 50 much
saved from the devils own" When presented
$500 for the suffering poor through the hands of his
Honor the Mayor, was assaied in a public meeting
in Broadway House, by Redwood Fisher and other
good and honest men, and accused, for that piece OF
nsolence of enc half the crimes forbidden by the de-
dialogue. Every generous and liberal act 81 my lie
has been tortured into vice, viai1y, and horrible
atrocity.
Such is one side OF the picture On the other hand,
y = n ~ ..,ko 4 nh
reputation in society," have reached that point Of emf
nence, by another and different course. grasping
ayarice, a rapacious selishness-the most hardened
inhsma atty appear emily reach and enjoy respecta-
billy The whole scheme Of modern society is TO
crafty every passion-every desire that's not express
" forbidden or cannot be reached by the law. Gene
rosity, liberay the milk Of human kindness, feed
ing the hungry clothing the naked and all such acts
of mercy, are absolutely injurious TO mans repu,a-
ton and tend to destroy his character forever
The Saver Of the world found it so in his career
through life-and such it always has been under any
social system. For feeding the hungry, caring the
sick raising the dead, csnsolng the afflicted the Jews
arrested him, indicted him, convicted him, and hung
him on a tree Human nature is human nature TO
this day. tr4t
have come to the conclusion, therefore, to change
the entire system Of my conduct and instead of being
hereafter guilty OF any generous or liberal act TO any
person wha ever l shall be selfish niggard, avarl.
cious, keen, and only solic,oas for my own advaa-
tsge BY such salutary revolution in my conduct
have no doubt attain, in few months character
for patriotism piey and public worth, better than any
other man, who by the practice of every opposite vr
tue, now enjoys in this community. From This day,
therefore cease doing any good acts not expressly
enforced by The operation oflaw My heart, feelings
and soul are henceforth sealed up MIR. Forrest then
is not alone in his glory. shall practice the
principle