The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-01-22
NEW YORK HERALD,
lew York, sunday, January 20, IsAs.

hear great deal about the depravity OF tn, age,
and we more He must live in blessed state
Of separation from the world, indeed, who needs
much enlightenment about the luxuriance OF vice
and immortality in this favored nineteenth century
of the Christian era. 1t is great deal more easy,
however, 10 perceive this deporaple state of human
society in day, than discover Its chief causes
and still more difficult is the work of finding out and
applying the remedy.
Does It not really, at first sight, seem somewhat
marvellous, that at epoch. when civilization has
reached very high point-when the masses have
been subjected to an unprecedented degree of In
tellectual culture-when vast and complicated
system OF machinery for the suppression of vice. and
The propagation of the gospel at home and in TO-
reign parts is at work all over the land-when Wis
dom creth aloud at ever corner-is it not passing
strange, that despite of all this sound and Judicious
treatment, the world should be growing worse and
worse every day-that vice should be assuming
holder front-and the old serpent, slrnamed 1.-THE
Devil should be gaining more and more influence
over the hearts and mind. OF the children of men
And yet so 1T is. Moral turpltude has lost a great
deal of that unsavory odor which was wont to be SO
rebelled against by the nosrils of our only partially
civilized ancestors of past generations. Swindling,
de5auchery, bloody violence, rascalty of every
pusve features which in less favored times so
shocked the virtuous sensbilites of our nature and
called forth the indignant rebuke of outraged hu-
manity. We appeal to every thoughtful, right
hearted man, and ask whether we have at all exag-
gerated this melancholy picture 2
And how comes il that society in this age of SUI
perior enlightment and intelligence, presents such
an unhealthy and unpromising aspect In some
measure to the cunningly disguised propagation of
infidety by popular lecturers and magazine wri-
tiers; but in still greater degree to the unfaithful-
and nefficiency of those appointed and recog-
nized guardians ofthe public morals, and instructors
of the public mind-the clergy. We took occa-
sion not long since to refer, at some length to the
causes which prevented the pulpit from exercising
10 the full extent that pervading and salutary infu
ence, which it is designed and so well adapted to
exercise We need not repeet, at length, the views
then expressed But we affirm that we are fully
prepared oprove that the pulpit has, generally speak
Ing, lamentably failed in the present day. in fulfill
ing It's high mssion-that, as in the time of lsah,
too many of the priests are dumb dogs,'' ignorant
of their true mission, faithless in its performance
A bgotted sectarianism has usuped the place of
that celestial spirit which came to proclaim peace
and good will amongst men. Ingenious metaphysl-
cal dispositions on the origin and nature of moral
evil, instead of searching practical appeals to the
heart and conscience, have formed the matter of
the lecture and sermon. Is it wonderful, that after
listening to fierce and vindictive railing against their
neighbours creed or dry extracts from the musty
tones of polemica literature, men should come |
away Sunday after Sunday, unenlightehed, unre-
proved, and unreformed?
Where can find the most available instrument |
for beuerng the moral condition of society, and |
infusng into the general heart, the pure principles
of truth and virtue! Without any hesitation, we an
swer, IN the NEWSPAPER PRESS. The influence of |
the newspaper is, in this country, now, omni-
potent. The newspaper is in every ones hands. 1t
IS from year to year, almost the sole source of in
ielectual nutrment to many thousands of popu-
ton 1t is impossible to exaggerate the influence of
this tremendous agency.
We are well aware that the newspaper press is |
far, very far, from having attained the full extent of
its power and usefulness 1t is as much in need of
reform as the pulpit. But, them its reform may be
easily effected There of those anti |
quated entertainments of nveterate superstition and
holy bigotry-none of those frowning battements
of ecclesiastical authorty-aone of those blood |
stained ramparts OF religious luminosity, which in
terpose such formidable barriers to the reformation
of the priesthood and the pulpit TO be met with in
newspaper press 1t requires only few minds of the
right stamp, and the necessary power, to lead the
way in the regeneration of the newspaper press, and
the work will be half completed.
The newspaper should be something more than |
the mere chronicle of the passing events of the
day 1t ought TO have nobler aim than to fight
the trivial battles of the ephemeral politician 1t
should be the vehicl' of something more important
than personal abuse. The newspaper should unit
iomly take hold of the business of the world in the
genuine spirit of moral censorship-approving sug-
costing, rebukng, teaching without the semblance
OF favor Partially, prejudice, self interest OF fear
standing far aoof from the mry ways OF party poll
tcs- counting support from the vices and errors
of men, but paying withal decent respect TO their
feelings and prejudices-speaking at all times the
wholesome words of honest truth and sober reason
the newspaper would do more, in half a dozen years
TO reform and amehorate the condition of society," |
and educate the human race, than all the combined
eiers OF the clergy, "Home Missionary Societies,
and Associations for Discountenancing Vice."
could accomplish throughput millennium
"
BIGorRY REBUKBD.-W. L. Robinson, of New |
Haven, in his lecture in Brooklyn Tuesday |
evening last, on the Irish Union," took occasion,
as an Irishman, 10 notice the attack recently made |
by Parson Cheever the adopted citizens of this
country. The "virulept poison OF Mr. Cheever
will receive several antidotes before the thing is
dropped. II is pity that large and hitherto re-
spectacle society, like the "New England" should
give consequence in the public eve to such fanatics
Mr.. Robinson has been requested by a committee
of gentlemen 10 deliver another lecture in Brook
Ign on Wednesday evening next. We are glad to
learn, Also that his lecture the Uni3nwiII be de-
hvered in this city in Washington Hall, Broadway,
on Thursday next. Particulars hereafter.
NOMINATION OF Mr.. VAN BURES.-It is now GER
tain that Mr. Van Buren will be nominated TO he
Presidency by the Legislature in Albany, before
the session terminates. Calhoun has been nomi-