The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-12-02

we offer only a comprehensive view of the present
conoltlon and future destiny OF the country, and
their necessary Influence the action OF the 60
vernment IL IS desirable that enlarged aud liberal
views OF legislation and of politics should be more
| tfequsnily presented 10 the people, and dwelt
upon by them. The views OF the vast mac.
rity OF American politicians, and of the
American people, are bounded by an horizon
OF too narrow limits Sordid demsgogues
-paltry office beggars-,he corrupt and rot
ten spectators of day-have degraded our poll
ties. The citizens of the republic have too gener-
ally lost sight OF the great work given them to do
They have been too much engrossed with local
and mere party politics. They have ceased to re-
collect that this goodly heritage has been bestowed
upon them In ,rust-that they bound 10 perpetu-
ate liberty the earth-to extend the blessings OF
civilization and religion over vast continent
Ito lay the foundations of great nations who are
to spring from Us hereafter.
Ii this high, aud elevated, and true conception of
the duties OF American citizenship prevailed, the
scrambllngs of mere poticans-the intrigues Of
partlzanshp-the evils of demagogueism would IA.
pidy cease to exercise their pernicious influence.
The national character itself would soon become
more exalted. Our civilization-our religion our
literature-our leglslation-our whole social con-
dltlon-woud experience salutary influence. And
do we despair OF such an improved state of public
sentiment and political opinion? by no means
The elements for the regeneration OF politics are
in our midst Foremost amongst them is an inde-
pendent press This is an influence which will
"grow with the growth and strengthen with the
strength" Of the republic, and so far control
over 1t extends-thanks TO an intelligent public
now no mean control-that influence will ever be
exerted for the circulation of the truth, and the
whole truth, wholly irrespective OF party Or sect
the lncucation ofsound principles Of liberal and
lightened legislation-the rebuke OF intolerance,
partnership and demagogHeism-and the promo
ton Of true, intelligent, enlarged and active pa
trosm.
REPORTING SERMONS The PRESS AND THE Pun.
PIT.--Our amiabe and pious contemporary. the
Journal Of Commerce, in an article giving express
sion to it's narrow, bigotted and scctarian views
DR.. Pisces vndication Of one OF the dogmas of his
creed, which our readers will recollect we took
occasion to place in its true light, affects to under
value the work Of reporting sermons and says that
sit is very well for such papers the Herald to
cupy their spare room" with that sort OF matter.
This observation exhibits in very clear light the
relative value of the independent press, and both
they called.
The party press is the mere tool and instrument
Of particular political factions. 1t has no preten-
sons, whatever, to the character of full and
faithful record of the daily history and movements
of society. That sort of "neutral" journalism, Of
which the Journal of Commerce is a very fair spe-
cimen, is equally vaueless in this point Of view.
Its chronicle OF the times consists merely Of toler
III
ing accidents of the week, the price Of soap, the
variations in the marketable value Of mutton, and
the arrival of soops from yesterday. 1t
is in fact a sort of diurnal "Newgate Ca
lendar'' and "Price Current" combining in
pretty equal proportions the thrilling tragedy
OF the one, with the light and. interesting
details of the other. But in all the great,
essential and useful elements of journalism, in an
age like the present, how utterly wanting is this
so-called "neutral' press! " Neural" indeed !
Neutrality is not lazy imbeciiy That press alone
has any claim 10 the character of neutrality, which
rightly understands and fsarlessy employs the
advantages Of its neutrallty-which takes an in
dependent view Of the great daily business Of
the world, and presents in all its phases full
and accurate view Of every movement con-
nected with the progress Of society. This is the
light in which we regard neutrality in journalism,
and OF the value of this conception we give every
day practical evidence, by occupying our spare
room" with matter which the public can obtain
only in our columns, and of the due appreciation OF
which the public have given proof, to US, at least,
perfectly satisfactory.
As to the work of reporting sermons itself
which the Rev. David Hale so very inconsistency
and toolishly attempts to despise, we may take
the opportunity of saying word or two. We
firmly believe that one great reason of the
acknowledged failure of the pulpit in fulfilling
its high mission with that measure of success
which might reasonably have been expected from
such sacred and powerful fundamentally ofgood,
has been its comparative freedom from the SUPER
vision OF the public press very little reflection
may, we think, convince the reader OF the accur-
acy OF this opinion. II addresses from the pulpit
were more generally reported, would not violent,
sectarlan, unchrstian harangues be less frequently
uttered! Would not the clergy Of all denomina-
tons be more cautious in nfaming the preudices
of their hearers ? Would they not be more careful
in their preparation tor the pulpit? Would they
not be more Jealous /? Would the public not be
led to take greater interest in the discussion of
theological truth Would not the spheres o.
usefulness Of good dvines be greatly extended
We answer all these questions in the affirmative
And we are putting the matter to practical test,
as will be seen from sundry reports in this days
paper.
ITALIAN OpERA.-To-night the beautiful opera,
Beiisario, will be performed. The charming Bor-
CHEESE, Signora Pico, and Signor Tomas, the
new basso, all appear Borghese's brilliant tri
umphs in this opera last season, will be fresh in
the recollection OF all the patrons and lovers Of the
opera. Report speaks highly OF Tomasi, and he
is, at all events, certain to find generosity and kind
ness from New York audience The house will
be brilliant and crowded, we have no doubt.
STEAM Boar EXPLOSIONS vast proportion of
the steamboat explosions on our western rivers
may be traced to the habitual intemperance OF the