Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-07-27

Law AID PUBLIsIrY 1T was at tins supposed
that the laws ought to be equally enforced against
high and low, and that the phrase, all men are born
free and equal had not mere physical meaning,
but simply the enforcement OF an abstract idea
that all nun equal in the sight OF the law, and
free to avail themselves of its benefits, as they
were opsn to suffer its penalties. This notion,
though very good in sound, was found to be very
noxioas when reduced to practice, because men,
being unequal in point Of wealth, and law being ex'
psnsive in its nature and operation, those who min
istered within its fortress never could have made
money by their vocation if the judgments Of the law
had fallen with equal force the newer sfwood or
drawer of water and the aristoc ratio capitalist who
can swindle the community out OF thousands by
merely as Ricardo says, 60 watching the tarn of the
market" This turn of the market occasionally
turns the watchers from the path Of honesty, and
thus they are brought within the reach of the law,
and would have to suffer in person if unable to suf-
fer in purse. Suffering in the person, moreover,
carries with species of exposure through the OBJ
no xious columns Of that chartered hbertine, the
daily press, and this Places the specializing and the
penny a-ne fraternity in juxta-pesiton. The for
mer however, got to their aid that seven headed
monster termed law; and from that time to the pre-
sent law and publicity have maintained une-
quail strife, law occasionally shuts himself up in
his fortress, from whence he ever and anon throws
out some poor devil other to be devoured by the
press, excaimiug " there. you voracious monster,
sec what equal Justice deal out to the community"
Now the press would not be contented with the
victims that giant law selected, but determined to
level of the butresses Of his castle, and dis
close the secrets of the PRISON house. Within its
walls certain Golgotha, termed Star Cham
Der, inhabited by moles, bats, and loathsome crea-
lures, known stool pigeons. With these brutes
the press had fierce conflict, and would have been
victorious but for the deserion tse disabling of
some Of its own members. As it was, partial VIC
tory was effected, and truce declared; Law said
his doors should be open to the Press provided the
latter did not abuse his privilege. Whether the
conditions have been violated not, remains to be
asceraned but law has again shut the inner doors OF
his sanctuary and great is the futtering among the
stool pigeons which burrow about its holes and cor
ners.
On Saturday, Justice Blood good, as the personif-
cation of the concentrated wisdom of all the Police
Magistrates, announced to the penny-a-line frater
nifty, the termination of the truce Thus far" said
his worship, ''shat thou and no farther II any
matter is fit TO be published, the Magistrates and
their cerky advisers will decide thereon, and then
you may record our decision. If poor man or an
u unfortunate woman, leaves the paths Of rectitud
FORCES his eghbors endorsement, steals penny
loaf puroins pound of cheese, perpetrates domes
tic brol, or infringes the seventh COMMANDMENT he
or she will be paraded at this bar, and who cares
how merry you make your readers at their expense!
But should the exigeRcies Of the case require the
attendance of a rich man, Of respectable con-
nections, capable of feeling officer, he will be con-
Quoted into ''the back ROOM" and thither you
not come. The same rule will also apply TO women
of a certain sort"
Now we for quarrel with this decision. We
have deal OF respect for Justice Bloodgood and
we bow with all possible humility to constituted
authority, wherever find it ,and moreover, we be-
leve in the wisdom of the Police Office until high
er tribunal shall set aside their learned decisions
Even "Crowners quest law is good until rev ersed;
so are the judgments Of Justice Bloodgood, as far
as they go. We certainly shall not easily for
| get what the present Chief Justice Ulshoefer very
promptly told certain Ex-Police Justise viz: that
'there no such place pricate court room
known to the common law Of either England
America" ''That moment" said the learned judge,
"that Magistrate Coroner takes his seat in any
apartment for the purpose Of judicial enquiry, that
moment does it become The sanctuary ofjustce, and
open all that choose to enter, they do not
disturb the business before the court"
With this decision to guide we mean to enter
the Star Chamber wheneve we knew there is ju-
dicial enquiry gong on and If the matters there dis
closed are interesting TO the public shall give
them publicity, without fear, favor, affection, or
hope Of reward