The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-04-04

10 Jas =. oreen, Esq, Princeton.
On the side of the prosecution there are only two,
Mr. Carpenter, the District Attorney, and Mr.. Chap
man, OF Camden
In addition TO this curious feature in the case,
another and more novel one has been developed
in another point. 1t will be recollected that one of
the counsel exhibited good deal of excitement
towards our reporter, for some unexplained reason.
The following curious and amusing article, proba-
bly, prompted from the same quarter, appeared in an
obscure penny paper of Philadelphia, on Saturday
last, and may probably be considered commentary
on Mr. Brownies sensbty on the occasion referred
TO -
VILE PaAcTIcE.-AmeHg the base devic es used by a
portion OF the press for mnserng to morbid curio sty
crimes or involved in misfortunes some Of the news
papers, some of cities have carried this scandalous
system extent which calls for the interference of
Grand Jures; and we hould be well pleased to the
most guilty of them indicted for lre When Colt
trial for murder in New York dozen spapers thrust
before the public what they called portrait of him.
Though his form and features ONO great importance
traits quite minor points yet to have looked like all
OF them he must have far outdone Janus in multiplicity
Of faces and proens in rapidly Of change They made
stupid sesurdy OF this idle curiosity, and the facility
with which it may be graifed by islsehood well
truth II we admit that the curiosity was natural,
must insist that the eagerness the voracty with which it
INDUCED, encourage very fraudulent well very
impairment, nqustive, eavesdroppng, scandaous spirit
in ne wspapers publisher 6nds that his readers will
feed upon poison, he is strongly tempted procure
manufacture for their What person of well regu
lated mind would much about the precise appear
ance OF crminal2 Certainly not enough to encour-
riosity fD'0''
But while we admit that public curiosity about the sp-
peasnce OF criminals NATURAL though insist tn at
respectable press would endeavor crafty that curosi
ty by the reprehenble practice of publishing Portraits
misfortune to invasions OF female privacy is quite time
for law to furnish remedy That the practice does lead
such outrages, easily proved and indeed we easily
publisher m q atexe
tons TO publish the portrait OF criminal, would not
spare young lady with whose the public had no
concern, or whose only difficulty was misfortune.
Is woman who violates no law Of society, but merely
commits an offence against feminine dignity, which her
relatives and friends alone have right to ceDsure to be
dragged out OF her house. and exposed TO the gaze all
the world some looking on idly and many insoently
This gross outrage upon her rights upon the rights
owomsn generally. And what sort of persons must be
the conductors of newspaper to peperate such out
guards desod OF decacy manly feeling, respect for
woman, and richly deserve the cas;igstion of law.
We are led to these remarks by notice to the public,
in oil the newspapers another city, about prepara
tons for publishing the portraits of Singleton Mercer and
he has persuaded Of these Tor nsoent and
vicious curiosity to abstain from this outrage upon the
feelings Of himself and his family. But another of them
tells the public that has engaged artist visit him
prison, hopes to Obtain his be exhibited by
telling him that as he wall appear In the newspapers 1t is
better have his likeness than and
informs the public that OF him and his sister may
be expected IL Mercer should not consent to this exhibition
which must be revolving to everymsn ofdu pride and deli
doubt that sketch will be made stealth and
MS consent But great as this outrage may be- and every
we-reguated mind will regard with unmitigated dis
portrait Of the Young lady AND her m S are
not enough The affection Of her family is not sufi.
ciently heavy The peril of brother incurred for her
sake the silent of afflicted father the grief Of
almost hesrbroken mother, her exposure 10 the
werd the sad necessity ofeng the story Of her wrongs
public tribunal; all these not burdens enough -
She must bear the additional load Of exposure TO idle
rosiy all around tse country laid upon her by pack
mean, uDmanly lowbred owninded ministers to low
pasons And she must bear all this 10 enable such vile
prostitutes he press to put few peuce in their purses
Language hardly adequate TO OF such
creatures and their deiestable practices.
Inc udicrous absurdity of all this fuss about a
portrait OF Singleton Mercer and the apprehension
OF one oil Sarah (Which, however, will not be Civ
END is enough to raise smile on the face of any
sane person What Is the meaning of it We
snail attempt to explain all this ''much ado about
nothing" when the trial is over and give full,
curious and particular account of the management
OF the counsel in the case as soon as verdict shall
have been returned The effect of all this tempes,
in teapot, this excitement about nothing will be TO
produce portraits porraits-sketches on sketchep.
The melancholy and Is iicrous absurdy OF making
fuss about portrait will only increase the avldty
to see it, and the desire to read his trial. Hence
they VIII be multiplied in all quarters.
Wenow understand that the trial will last through
inc present week. and that The verdict OF the jury is
eN"e"ey doubtful either one way or the other IT
hanzs on The avoirdupois OF hair, hence the very
hd'uia sehsioiy OF the parties concerned. At all
eVeh~ we wish The poor prisoner a safe deliver
ence-pu' We warn me counsel and all, not TO
insure hls case by the exhibition of prnecessa,v
and unwaHantable excitement towards IN. news
paper press, or newspaper reporters. The case Of
Colt was much injured by a similar course Pc.
ware.
LEcTJRE on THE INDIANS The celebrated Col.
McKenny delivers a lecture on the Indians. at the