The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-24


Intolerance and bigotry which backened the dark
ages with persecution and blood. This spirit is not
confined TO any sect or class, nor are It's mani
iestations visible only in the more obscure and com
paratively benighted portions of the country. BIZ
go'ry shows her ugly visage amongst all denomina-
hons-in the crowded city as well as in the wilder
ness. We have recently had two most melancholy
exhibitions Of intolerant ianaticism.
The account of the burning of number of Pro-
testant Bibles by Roman Catholic Priests in the
town OF Champain Clinton county, New York, is, it
now appears quite correct and furnishes us with
dlsgraceful evidence Of the existence this day. of
a degree of bigotry, perfectly appalling. That act
was indeed most disgracefu-dsgraceful 10 all i'm
medlatey concerned in it-and was calculated to
disgrace the whole communion TO which the fana-
ties belong Nothing but the most stupid ignorance
could have led these blinded bigots TO burn these
Bibles, merely because they contained that version
which was made of the Scriptures by the learned
and excellent man who translated the sacred volume
IN the time OF King James, for that weston does not
differ IN any material point from that authorised by
their own Church. Here then we have in the coun
try, the commission of gross public act of fana,-
cism but what have we TO match it in the city
II Is only two days since we were presented in the
very midst OF the enlightened city Of New York
In the Tabernacle-in the presence of an immense
assemblage of Professionals, with still more revolving
evidence OF the existence of this same accused
spirit of fanatcal intolerance. We had one of the
most distinguished of the Protestant clergy, de-
nouncing with all the bitterness of vindictive bgo
try, not only the members of the Catholic church,
but every foreigner, as unworthy of American clti-
zenship-unworthy of admission to thsIcountry-
unworthy of exercising those rights which the God
of nature has conferred on every individual of the
human race Here we had Protestant priest,
standing up in the light of day, and in the face Of
heaven, stgmatizing and defaming whole classes of
men, having the same blood, sprung from the same
origin, speaking the same tongue, coming to this
country under precisely the same circumstances,
the race from whom he had just before proudly
boosted, he was himself descended! Did ever
bgotry give characteristic utterance than this
If the burning of the Bibles at Champain was dis
graceful, this was tentold more disgraceful. IF the
priests at Champan have defiled their sacred office,
this Reverend Mr.. Cheever has dsgraced human
nature itself The ignorant priests have excited our
plty-the refined and educated Protestant bigot has
awakened only our disgust The priests vented their
intolerance and superstious zeal on the Protestant
bible-Mr Cheeverpoured out his intellectual fanata-
cism on the whole of the downtrodden masses of Eu
rope. who now seek the same shelter, and the same
free home, with which Providence welcomed the
Pilgrim Fathers. Was ever heard such unchristian
intolerance! In families we notice individuals
who inherit all the vices and none of the virtues of
their progenitors. This Reverend Mr.. Cheever ap-
pears to belong to that unfortunate class He has
the blgotry OF the Puritans, without their charity
he has their intolerance without their love of free
donnie has their narrow-mlnded sectarianisn,
without their earnest desire to benefit their fellow
men. His Is The spirit which prosecuted the poor
Quaker from place to place, and finally TO death
his is the spirit which sought to re-enact the bloody
code of Moses, under the dispensation of mercy
ais is the spirit which believed in witchcraft and
consigned innocent victims to the faggot and the
take. Mr. Cheever fourished for some time at Sa-
EN-, where the witches were subjected to the ten
Ter merces of Puritanica legislation; perhaps there
till turks in that vicinity, some of the bigotry of
he oden time, and he may have there caught the
Infection. But no one now doubt his claim to
be regarded the best incarnation of the intoler-
ance Of that day, at present in existence.
Ii would be improper to avoid reference to the
in which the christian and enlightened sem
iments of this Reverend Mr.. Cheever were re
,eived. When we say that they were hailed with
hunders Of applause, an easily understood idea Is
but it impossible to describe the chuck
ing, and gratlfed Struggling of the shoulder, and
ylee full rubbing of the hands, which betokened the
delight with which Mr.. Cheever's sentiments were
received. All this really beokensa sad, sad state
of things.
Both pieces of conduct on which we have animad.
v.rted are unworthy of the age. They are utterly in
execusabe. We know that they will be visited by
that just indignation which every attempt to revive
the bgotry and fanaticism of the dark ages is sure
to meet at the hands of all who love freedom and
their race.
The SoMERs' TRAGEDY We give the following
documents without any remark
We the subsc ribers been well and personally ac
anted with Samuel Cromwell slain board the u. g.
brig the LIST inst for many years. and hereby
certify that he pirate nor aslaver, but an
honest candid upright feeling respectable and well edu
Gated man. in opinion, wholly incapable OF conspiring
TO munze and surely not less capable OF committing
overt act Of mutny any other bad ofus have
sailed board the vessel with him always found
him good sailor and compsnionabe nautical
of The first class always obedent to his superior officers
md kind and attentive TO his interiors And very much
regret for the character of our Navy that such the
prime of his life should have been slain board of any
vessel belonging TO her. and that too without particle Of
evidence against his innocence and without the semblance
If trial. is fully admitted by the advocates Of his
sxecutoners in the Courier Enquirer, copied from the
American Of the 22d instant.
New York, Dec. esd, 1912.
Willsm Cox, Henry Harvey,
Edwin Ross, John Harvey,
Robert +. Ham Arthur Alley,
James Carroll, ISL Water st. George Mande
Thomas smith, $40 Water st., Angus Johnson,
Joseph Murphy. 325 Water ST., Henry Allen,
las @. Smith, 354 Water ST., Joseph G. Dinford,
Michael Phelan, Thos Ry KEENAN, "a James,
Charles Hoffman, SO Oliver st. Geo. sMurphy 325 Water
Nicholas Code, 66 James ST., George Mitchell,
Mrs. Eleanor Pnkerton, John Nariarty.
Daniel WEIGH 325 Water street.
CRY AND CouSTy NEw YoRK,
HESNr HAsvFY being duly sworn deposes and says that
he has been well acquainted with Samuel Cromwe
he twenty years Of age and this deponent further
lays, that he knows that the said s. Cromwell
pirate 7; and fnrther. that he upright honest,
yoodhearted respectable and that his general cha
good among all his acquainances and this
ieponeut further says he believes the Samuel Cromwell
with whom he is acquainted, to be the slain on
board the U. 8. brig Somers.
HENRY HARVEY
Sworn before nae. this odd dar of ID &c emher 1870