The New York herald., 1845-04-15
The UItralsm or the Age.

The UItralsm or the Age.
The recent trial Of Polly Bodine III this city,
which has attracted in such an intense degree the
attention of the community, has been attended
by manifestations OF popular fesng and sentiment,
which indicate, in very remarkable and note
worthy manner, that influences are at work tending
10 produce very unhealthy state Of public opinion,
in matters most Intimately come ced with the we IL
being of society. Throughout the whole proceed
ings, the Of justice, the interests Of the COM
munily, ard the rights of the prisoner herself have
been seriously affected and endangered by Causes
which ougiitnot 10 be regarded without alarm. In
the great difficulty of obtaining jurors in the
speeches Of counsel-in the charge Of the Judge
in the long retirement of the jury-in the conduc,
OF certain portion OF The prsss-aao In the discus
slons amongst the peopI--,here were discovered
very significant Indications that there is some thing
operating very geaerally, which as tendency L.
unsetie TIE very foundations Of system OF crIi
nal law When The very tribunal of justice itsei,
Is invaded by spirit OF revolution aud rebeion
against the rs abiished laws Of the State
ly time Tor all who desire the maintenance Of he
peace, good order, and safety OF society To lock IN.
10 the matter with the calmest and closest attention.
There cannot be doubt that very msche vlOus
influence has been created by the ul.raism OF the
OPPohCute vi CdPltdl puulSutIlcn lucy nave Hot
gone to work ia the right spirit Their efforts to
effect change in the law, have been characterl-
zed by degree of violence, intemperance, and
indescretion, which now begins to generate in
many quarters spirit of undisguised hostility to
the righteous administration of justice. Let not
be misunderstood We are not by any means to
be regarded as opposed to the amelioration of our
criminal code, whenever reason and experience
point out the propriety of change. But crim-
mails are to be tried and punished not by laws shaped
to please the mawklsh sentimentaism of an affect
ed and spurious philanthropy Jurors ought to recol
lect that they are bound to disregard all considera
tons to the consequences of their verdicts, and
when they do thus faithfully discharge the solemn
obligations imposed upon them by their oath, they
surely entitled to the appreciation Of all inteli
gent and right-thinking men. But we now
often find juries abused and derided by the
advocates of the abolition of capital pun
ishment-loaded with epithets of rebuke and
lnfamy-and held up to the community as guilty Of
unawfully condemning their fellow beings to
death. Such has been the manner in which the
Jury IN the awful case to which we have already
alluded, been treated by the organ of the ab0ll-
tionists in this city-the Msrning Ne,cs. This is
the ultraism on this most important subject against
which we desire TO point the disapprobation of
all men of soundsense and intelligence. So long
as the advocates Of the abolition of the punish.
ment OF death appeal to the reason of the commu-
nity-so long as they conduct the controversy in
calm, temperate, and phllosophic spirit. we iad no
fault with them. But when they thus assal ures
for faithful discharge of their solemn duty, and
denounce the ministers Of justice for their instru-
mentality in carrying out the laws-when they ele-
vate the murderer into hero, and regard his victim
as unworthy of thought, it is surely time to enter
aprotest against the folly and fanaticsm which thus
strike at the very foundations of civilized society
All this wild, violent, and Incorporate outcry
against the propriety Of capital punishment, and at
tempted interference with the prescribed course of
justice, is, however, only in keeping with the ul.
traism OF the age, which seeks to upsettle all tn
established rules, usages, and opinions of society
We see the same reckless spirit of innovation or
pseudo-reform, in the movements Of the Fourertes,
the Socialists, the National Reformers, and all the
other new systems of society and religion which
are appealing to the popular mind. Not to reform
but to overurn-not to restrain but to let loose the
passons-not to control, but to let run riot the an
petltes, is the aim OF these fanatics There are
amongst them those who may have some faint
glImmerings Of the truth, but it is away amongst
the clouds, and 30 they 60 ON bindly constructing
olu iCCoueuuCtiuS IucOIlcS IOI the TcCY&au1ZatlOn
OF society, ard the complete regeneration OF hu.
man nature, the only effect of which is to take cap
tive the weak, and lead. many into all sorts of ex
travagance OF error.
Even in the great moral movements of the time,
we see the same spirit Of ultraism at work. Thus
in the progress OF the temperance reformation, VIC
lence and fanaticism have rushed in, and in al.
directions now impede most seriously the course
nf fhaf sead uuov Nntoof Eod ~.
and resistless adopted by the first movers n
that sublime effort, many of the professed friends OF
the temperance cause are now employing ultra and
unjastifable means OF attaining its ends. Instead
Of addressing themselves-to the reason and con
sciences OF men-instesd of allowing the influence
OF example tn operate and triumph-they must needs
seek to force others TO think and act with them
Instead of addressing the community in the language
of Christian charity and forbearance, we now find
many of the temperance orators pouring forth tor
rents Of vituperation and abuse against all who do
not belong to the society,"" The Legislature
too, is called upon to enact laws prohibiting the
sale OF intoxicating liquors, and probably this
foolish end ultra spirit may next demand that
the possession of temperance certificate must
be made an indispensable qualification for cit
zenship But all this is greatly to be depor-
ed. None regret il more than do the best
friends OF the " temperance reformation "-as that
great moral movement, whose blessed fruits are
every where apparent throughout our land. has not
appropriately been termed.
Ths ultraism OF the age is the great enemy
of all reforms. The intelligent and the genuine
reformer proceeds slowly, cautiously, temperate
ly. Prejudices are not beet overcome by violence
The popular mind is not TO be taken by Storm
Many reforms may be clearly dIscerned as neces-
sary, and the means Of their attainment be fully
perceived by those who are in advance Of their fc
lows But II is to be recoected that the enligh,en
ing and convincing Of the great Of mankind is
the work Of time. The man who labors patiently
and prudentIY for the advancement nj of hia race hp