The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-09-14
-=LW YORK HERALD.
Sow York. Thnr.day, september nal, Ists.

Tbs Cry AND ITS GovsRNMsNT. The numerous
ourages that are daily and nightly committed in
our coa,mun ~ Of $4,000 peeple-,he almost per-
feet immunity which crime enjoys, consequent
rpon the ineificiency Of the city government, are
frequent causes Of complaint to the public, and OF
anxiety 10 the sald and sober yet in those facts in
The deienceess state OF the citizens generally and
the perfect freedom with which gangs of rowdies
amsse themselves al the expense of the persons and
property OF Others, we find the surest proof of the
fundamental excellence Of our institutions, and The
capsblilty Of people generally forsef government
This Is really and truly self-governed city. There
Is TO De sure Mayor and Aldermen, police office
and magistrates, but they are not to preserve the
peace, and protect the orderly citizens in their per-
sons and properly, as has been ioollshy imagined
They are political offices, created TO reward parti-
zans at the expense Of injured parties. It
person s robbed of large portion OF his properly
and plies 10 police officer for assistance from
the law, he is met with vacant stare, and the
question, what will you givs for assistance Ii he
has lost al and has nothing 10 give, the thief may
grin 1T him the officers shoulder with perfect
impunity, If be has something left, the thief may
be able TO out bid him, and he is further from his
object than ever The result is nearly the same if
one has his house broken or into his head broken
open If his property Is injured, or his person
assailed, it only becomes a matter of pecuniary
composition between the gentleman operator and
himself, for justice or injustice. Notwithstanding
all these things this our self-governed city, is fer
more orderly and iie than any city of Europe with
ils armed police and myriads OF salaried consabIes
We are aslonished where there is so much power
10 do harm, that so little harm is actually done. Ii
arises mostly from the general good condition of
the people, and their degree Of intelligence Nearly
oil the people have the means OF earning liveli-
hood, ard the disposition 10 do 30. Hence the ele-
ment OF European riots, viz. multitudes OF starving
Isolated eases Of vainy on the part of compare
iIvefy few naturally vicious individuals, do occur;
but all the distress of the past few years no popu-
lar connections like those which, at least two or
three times IN year. draw upon the people the
fire OF government troops, in all the cities Of Eu-
rope, have occurred. We have no Chartist insur-
reeuons, orSmanutacturing riots, as in England, re-
curing the constant presence, not only OF police
but OF regular army, to prevent sedition gathering
a head, which will end In a subversion of govern
ment The people here are not dissatisfied with
the government, for that is themseves-and who s
dissatisfied with himself, The cases OF individual
rascalty which occur here are for supposed profit
ana Ike all other pursuits, is abandoned when
found TO be Improbable. This growing principle
OF sell interest operates in self governed commu
nifty with the growth of its intelligence and wealth.
better IN the prevention OF crime than can the
most elaborate laws, executed with the greatest
vigor.