The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-04-07


THE SoMKRs CASE IN ENsLASD-Several extracts
have recently appeared in some of the newspapers,
taken from English journals, and expressive of the
opinions entertained in Europe with respect TO the
conduct of Commander Mckenzie Some of these
extracts favorable 10 the individual in question,
and some Of them quite the reverse. The amer
can and several other journals in this country, have
republshed a number of English opinions in favor
of Commander Mckenzie, and exculpating him
from all blame and censure. This is all very we'll
There cannot be any objections TO this. On the
contrary il is commendable and just. But It is also
proper that both sides should be gwen and that the
American public should learn who condemn the
Commander and how they express their $. ntiments.
In looking over the last number OF The London
Quarterls Reriec,-one of the most Influential or
gans of public opinion in England and which Is dis
tnguished for its liberaty towards our republican
insttutons-we find the following remarkable re-
ference to the Somers case,-Gt occurs in review
of Dickens Nocs) =
that extraordinary OF the Somers national
brig oiwar which il under examination. amidst a
crowd of awful circumstances observe that the
Commander stopped the tobacco Of the suspected mutt
neers and that under this infection the spirit of Mr.
Spencer the alleged leader OF the enterprise-who
presented as having planned murder and mutny, and
faced danger and death with the most stoical serenity
sank at once into feminine weakness
Having obAerved," says Captain Mckenzie, in the
wonderful narrative which he has given of the affair,
"thst Spencer was endeavorng to hold Intelligence with
of them directed the faces OF the prisoners to be
turned aft and that tobacco should be allowed them
when the supply they had their at the time
of their arrest should be exhausted. told them that
would that they had every thing necessary for their
be aonndantly supplied with every thing necessary Tor
their health and convenience But told them that tobacco
was only stmuan and that as wished their minds to
become quiet and tranquil as possibehe meaning to
hang them at his leisure without any form OF traI-l
could not allow them to use it.
THE day after Spencer's tobacco was stopped, his
spirit gave way. He would sit for long time with
his face buried in his cloak and when he raised his
head his face bathed in Captain Nc Kenzies
Narrative.
This Captain Alexander sliden Mckenzie is, it
seems the Young American whose Year in
Spain" so isvorably noticed in Gath volume
Nothing in the tone sentiments Of that work could
have led uso anticipate such spirit of coldblooded and
can,ns cruelty this his exculpatory narrative
seems to us to exhibit We and believe may say
the whole cvlsed world, awaits the result of this affair
with more painful anxiety than question Of
val discipline could have created.
This is certainly a pretty forcible expression of
opinion. The manner in which the "exculpatory
narrative" is characterized, severe il is laco-
mic. "The whole civilized world" the reviewer
says, await with painful anxiety the result of this
affair" Nothing can be more true. Judge Upshur
is now examining the case, and thu action of the
Court Martial with the greatest calmness, care and
judgment. Ii is said he does not read what the
newspapers say about ii. Well, he may do so or
not, as he Peases, but assuredIy some friend should
LET him know what is thought about the case in
Eng land, and that his decision looked for through
out the civilized world with he greatest anxiety.
MORBID lNsENsIBlLITY TO CRME-SYMPATHY FOR
CRIMlNALs-The prevalence of crimes of the most
fearful Characteristic growing insensbiity Of the
community 10 their euormity-the spurious sympa-
thy manifested in behalf Of offenders of all grades,
are signs of the times" say the least sufficient
ly alarming. 1t is impossible to avoid remarking.
that the public feeling has oflae years become great
y perverted with respect offences against the laws
and good order of society. We look around in
vain for evidences of the existence of that vrtuous
indignation, which in healthy state of society, is
sure 10 be poured out against the ransgressor The
public mind seems to have somehow imbibed a
poisonous faint, and the greatest criminal is regard
ed as the greatest hero. Murder, violence, blood,
lust, dishonesty, unfaithtulness public trusts,
filling the laid with atrocities of the most appalling
character. We have men shot In the most
public thoroughfares Of our cities, and no traces
found of the assasslns persons have suddenly dis
appeared for ever, and manged bodies have been
found, but the guilty almost uniformly escaping with
IMMUNITY. What possible security does there seem
TO be for life or property
There must be some dscoverabe causes for this
state of things. We have had occasion frequently
refer this subject and have insisted that great
deal OF this alarming progress OF crime, and the
still more alarming insenslbiGty Its increase and
its enormity. is TO be traced to the universal difu-
sion of immoral and llcentious novels and roman
ces, and theft possible more pernicous
doctrines of so.caled philosophers who are indus
triously engaged in removing all the ancient land
marks, unscttling the minds Of youth, and rearing
false and ruinous systems of religion and morals
The direct tendency OF a very considerable portion
of our modern light literature,-and that too the
most widely disseminated, becau sc the most attrac-
tive,-is to divest vice of its hideousne ss-to black
en- and degrade truth and vrtue-and exalt deprav-
iy All this is done in that yelled, subtle way which
is ever the most runously effective.
We now merely repeat the expression of our hope,
that all who dread the progress of that demoralizng
and destructive spirit which has found an entrance
into the community, will give this matter place in
their thoughts We fear the prevalent evil, but we
do not despair of its being eectually counteracted
the attention of the uncontaminated be properly
aroused
A ROWLAND FOR AN OLrvKR.-The wings make a
great many heavy charges against Bob Morris for
the sins Of Tom Lloyd, John Ahern, Peter Ward
and Others who put their hands into the public rea-
sury further than they could draw them out honestly
BY way of counter check, the ocofocos return the
charge upon Bob Smith, by whose influence Bill
Wiley (Bob's brother-in.law) was appointed jus.
tice, in which capacity he doomed large as dis
kiverer Of lost bank funds, deductng per cent fol
the diskivery" of these ancient hieroglyphcs
From this time up TO next Tuesday night, the two
highly respectable, vrtuous, honest and pure parties
wings and locofocos-into which this blessed
=. dad Iot !.