The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-02
From our regular correspondent
PHILApELPHIA, May 81,

PHILApELPHIA, May 81, l945.
The most gratifying aspect of the times, since the
induction of the present national administration, is
the unprecedented progress Of all business interests
have already referred 10 this fact; but in passing
from Baltimore to Philadelphia, through interior
Pennsylvania, during the present week, had an
opportunity of testing practically the truth Of this
assertion. Manufactures are being erected in all
directions, and all the operations Of trade and me-
chancs seem to be flourishng and active. The iron
manufactures seem TO be unusually prosperous, and
furnaces and FORCES being established in all
parts of the State. The details of these improve
ments could readily be given but the fact is sufi'
cent know hoto the country is 10 be ruined under
The administration of Colonel Polk.
The murder at Westchester, in this State, on Sun
CHESS outrages which are so unworthy of our kind,
and which prove that man is still enslaved by his
own worst passions. Mr.. Patton, a respectable
farmer in the ncighborhood of Westchester, having
started with portion of his family to church, his
son, lad of fourteen years Of age, infant child,
and servant girl, remained in the house-the boy
being just convaescent after long spell Of illness.
After the departure of MIR. p and family 70 church,
man named Boyd, who had formerly lived with
Mr. Patton, entered the house and barred the doors;
he then took pair of tongs and deliberately beat
out the brains Of the sick boy, and threw his body
into the burning fire on the hearth! The girl es-
capped with the child through the back window, or
she too might have been victim to the murderer's
fury. Boyd was arrested and, on his examination,
manifested the utmost hardihood and sang froid.
He will be punished according to law, beyond a
doubt. Such the excitement of the people
when the perpetrator of this foul and bloody deed
was arrested, that it was with difficulty that they
were prevented from taking summary vengeance on
the spot Under our statute, this man will be hung.
His is Of those rare instances in which the
rigor Of the law should be applied. There is,
indeed, no punishment too severe for such a fend;
L,,N hn
in his proper senses, and that he was actuated
by some horrible and Understandable monomania.
cannot believe human nature depraved the de-
| tails Of this horrid murder seem to imply; and yet
even this cruel outrage does not convince me that
the law of capital punishment is a wise and a hui
| name provision. The instances in which the inno-
have suffered for the guilty, are in themselves,
| not only revoltingy numerous, but calculated to
arouse our sincerest horror. 1t is now currently
stated that the poor Irishman who was recently ex-
ecuted in Rhode Island was the victim of popular
prejudice and suffered, that the real offender should
go free. 1t is profoundly sagacious maxim Of the
law, that "better that ninety nine guilty should es-
cape than that innocent person should suffer-
and the justice OF the principle is quite obvious. Ii
is enough that violate the Divine Injunction,
when we take the life, even of the guilty, without
adding to it an offence of deeper dye in sacrificing
the innocent. The system of legal murder is, after
all, nothing but system Of revenge. Public execu-
tons have heretofore been the fruitful sources of pub
lie disturbances, and have often produced murders
as henous and bloody as those they were instituted
| to punish. Now we have private executions in our
ia-yards; and the force of the example is left to
operate upon the imaginations of the people, ! am
not ready to propose substitute for capital punish
ment-l know that would be difficult and thank.
less Office; but do approve of the effort now ma
king by number of our ablest and purest citizens
and invoke success upon their labors--to ale
viate the rigors of law which, sometimes Justly
n yyay nj n nrriev loss m
the public morals, and often at the sacrifice of inno-
cent life Ii the safety of society cannot be secured
by the abolition of the law ITSELF let us have it's
worst features amended in accordance with the
spirit of this enlightened age Let there be reposed
IN the proper quarters the power of committing SEN
tences and let the authority invested with this priv
ilege be SO restricted as not to open the door to
loose and indscriminate mercy. These reasons
have already operated powerfully upon some of the
purest minds In the country, and have contributed
ment impetus that is destined to work out some
solid reforms in that system.
1t is not yet defnitivey ascertained whether the
new bishop, DR.. Alonzo Potter vii accept not. He
is spoken of as man of great eminence of character
and ability vas a clergyman, vastly beloved in New
York, and possessed of great personal and clerical
influence. His present position at Schenectady is
altogether desIrablethe presidency of the college
at that place. which it is said will be, or has been,
rendered to him, being alone worth over $4,000
per annum, and little or no labor required.
assured that the salary of bishop of the diocese
of Pennsylvania is not worth more than 81 900 per
annum, owing to an unfortunate investment of the
funds Of the church, fact which proves that all the
previous estimates of this salary overrated 1t
is expected, however, that Dr. Potter will accept the
responsible post he has been chosen to fill. He has
taken ten days to reflect upon the subject.
DR.. Tying, as you have already been informed,
has accepted the offer of the rectorate of ST. Georges
church, New York, and breaches his first sermon
there tomorrow. His place is said TO be worth
600 year--quc comfortable, and no doubt suf-
fcienty consolg to the able doctor after his defeat
as candidate for bishop.
had the pleasure, few days ago, of spending
few hours in the extensive piano warehouse of Mr.
Sherr IN Chestnut street, in this city, Mr. Sherr ia
the best piano maker in Philadelphia, and his skill
as scientific manufacturer Of every description of
musical instrument is too wel-known TO be repeat-
cd. saw one of his SPLENDID pianos, with the
harmonca connection of his own invention, and can
bear testimony TO its superiority of tone The cell
| ebraed invention of Mr. Coleman, of the "clan at
| tachment," turns out TO be no invention at all as
the same principle, IN almost the same manner, was
applied In Germany many years ago, and a piano,
constructed in Germany on this plan, may now be
seen in Pittsburgh, in this State where il has been
Tor the last fourteen years. Mr.. Coleman himself
TWO years ago. when he exhibited his invention
70 Mr.. Shcrr, (who was obliged entirely to remodel
1 ~ "eS vi Niese IHCtS ny mT. D., Out we
have seen with how much success he has carried out
his design, and established his invention of "the
clan attachment as purely original. The oh
lection OF all musicians TO Coleman's attachment,
is the fact that It is not adapted to the perform
ance of rapid pieces. This fault has been success
fully amended by Mr.. Sherr. In his pianos the
attachment can be connected with the piano or not
the performer may choose; but the great merit OF
his instrument is, that the harmonica can be used
separately and with the same facility, the piano.
Mr.. Sherr's pianos have justly borne away the palm
from all competitors.
| The Messrs. Fry's new opera Of Leonora comes
off, for the first time, on Wednesday evening next
and is expected to be great musical triumph. The
already all taken in the first and second tiers
and curiosity is on tptoc. good Judge Of operate
performances, who has been present at one or two
of the rehearsas, assures me that Leonors is splen-
did production, and contains many choice gems
The dresses and scenery arc all new, and the cho.
| ruses and orchestra numerous, effective, and well
trained. The Scplns of courae will amman in the