The New York herald., 1844-07-11

1
time when the flames of civil discord are bursting
forth, and threatening general confagration OF all
that good citizens hold sacred and dear-when a
lawless mob is triumphng over all law and all au-
thorly-when the streets Of one of our chiei cities
are bedewed with the blood of freemen, butchered
when discharging their duty, by desperadoes-at
such time, hose influential, respectable, dig
nifed, patriotic organs of public opinion, like
dumb dogs, cowardly, craven-hearted, corrupt and
rotten as they are, voceless and impotent as
the carcase which lies purifying in the field
Organs OF public opinion! Directors of public
sentiment Conservators of the public morals |!
Guardians OF the public peace! Perish, now and
forever, the fortunes of the republic! we might, in
deed, well exclaim, fsuch the only presses to
give utterance to public sentiment and represent
the intelligence, patriotism and moral strength OF
the community
The Courier dare not utter word on the
Philadelphia riots. Miserable, contemplate tool
of faction, it dare not squeak on the all engrossng
topic of the day. But it can daily squirt its two
or three columns of party slang and party vitupe.
ration. The Courier possesses so much dignity and
principle, that its patriotism will not permit it to
cry out against mob, but it will permit it 10
blacken the memory of the dead. Its patriotism
will not suffer it to vndicate the supremacy Of the
law, but it will allow it to descend to any depth of
blackguardism in slandering an opponent vitupe-
ration, abuse, lying, malignity, scurrility-these
are the virtues, by the exercise of which the
Courier fulfls its high mission as public jour-
nalist and the privilege Of assailing the lnde-
pendent press. And the silence Of the Courier,
and the party press generally, on the Philadelphia
nrac ico anita .th tko,. ..I. Ill
the great questions which agtate society.
But thank Heaven, there is in this land free
and independent newspaper press, which has grown
up into the possession of overwhelming influence.
And its course at this moment gives the lie in the
most impressive manner to those who, dreading
what they affect to despse, would represent it as
false to its duty as the guardian and conservator
of the public press and morals. We point with
pride to the manly and patriotic course adopted by
the independent newspaper press at this crisis. 1t
has discovered that there still exists in this COM
munity power adequate for the maintenance OF
order, and that is, just, patriotic, and enlightened
public opinion And there is additional and most
gratifying evidence of the existence of this moral
power, presented to us, in the alacrity with
which the volunteer companies from the country
have poured into Philadelphia for the patriotic pur-
pose OF sustaining the supremacy of the law. This
speaks volumes for the patriotism, courage and
love OF order, which characterize the great mass Of
the population Of this mighty land II our large
cities, in consequence of bad municipal govern
men', have become polluted in Greater or less de-
gree by that concentration of every thing that is
vile, which has been called "rowdysm," the rural
districts are uncontaminated. There the old revo-
lutionary love OF country and reverence for free
dom and good order are cherished, and exist in all
their strength land influence. And while they live,
our institutions and laws are secure from any foe,
at home or abroad.
CATcHPENNY EXTRAS During the last few
days the city has been flooded with extras from the
Offices of the "Sun" and " Tribune" published
at ten or twelve O'clock and pretending to be later
intelligence from the scene of the riots in Phila-
delphia. On inspection, however, these extras
are found to be mere re-hash of what was pub
lished in the morning papers. We have had num-
berless communications exposing this catchpenny
system of public deception, and demonstrating in
the severest terms on the imposition thus practsed
by the publication of what is really not news at
all.
Yesterday the same game was repeated An
" extra" was issued from the office of the Tribune
which contained nothing more important or later
than what was published in all the morning papers
Whether the " Sun" issued an "extra" Of the same
description or not, we do 1st know.
Now in regard to all matters OF public Importance,
either foreign or domestic, we have always made
it point Of honor to publish nothing in the shape
of an "extra," that does not really demand a
prompt and immediate issue. And we believe
that we have, by this honorable and upright sys.
tenn, succeeded in gaining public confidence, SO
much so, that when other offices issue "extras'
the pubic usually wait to see whether there is a
Herald extra" and if not, they set the thing down
humbug. AS for the "Sun" office, it is noted
for its imposition on newsboys and the public by
the issue Of all sorts Of humbug "exras, from the
balloon hoax, down to the daily hoaxes it practices
on every possible occasion. 1t seems that other
Offices are now busy in initiating that catchpenny
concern.
snAs wRrcHr.-This is an extraordinary man, apar.
from politics He has small farm near Ogdensburg
New York to which he went years ago. leaving
his profession which brought him thousands per
for about $500 year. which earned by the sweat of his
brow. When Martin Van Buren, drove up to his house
years ago particular political business he found
Mr. Wright in linsey woolsey dress, png stones into
heaps TO the scythe OF the when the grass
ready for harvest, Of the most aborous proceed
ngs that man went at have tried it, and speak
ryshp the nomination for President the late conven
ton at Baltimore and when nominated for the Vice Pre-
sidency declined peremptory Such the character
and Of the prominent acts of Sas Wright
from New York and people will be at a loss to know
what has caused him take up farming and him
sell with being Senator only Gin. Commercial.
All this we believe to be strictly true. Mr..
Wright may be said to be the only pure and honest
politician of any party, occupying the high rank he
does, that we have known in this State. There
can be no mistake about this, for the man who
could voluntarily refuse the nomination Of Presi-
dent Of the United States, Vice President Of the
United States, judgesbip, secretaryship, and
every thing else, must have some other principles
OF action, than the usual motives of ambition
which mpel all politicians. We consider Sias
Wright far superior to Mr. Van Buren, in honor