The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-02


Their statements will of course be received with
respect, coming, they do, duly accredited by
the Bishops and their spiritual superiors; but
should their mission fail, the first proposition of
Bishop Hughes, namely, to send himscif and num-
Der Of ciergymen as special commission to Merico,
'cH be seriously entertained, and, perchance acted
upon, by the President
STATE CoNvENTIoN-THE BILL OF R1eHrs-We
are rejoiced to see that a constitutional bill Of
rights has been reported to the convention, de-
timing, in an especial manner, the rights of the
citizen. Itprovides for the maintenance of trial
by jury, freedom of speech, religious liberty, and
the habeas corpus. 1t enjoins on the legislature
the duty of authorising combinations of militia
service, in behalf Of those who have religious
scrupes against the use Of carnal weapons. 1t
amends the law of libel, and provides against the
imprisonment Of witnesses, except during such
time as is necessary in recording their testimony.
1t abolishes imprisonment for debt, except in
cases of fraud, and gives married women right
over all property acquired by gift, Except from
The husband,) during coverture, and requires the
Legislature to provide separate registry thereof.
The principal features OF this bill are highly inn
portant, as providing for the correction of abuses
ton of justice in New York Among its most i'm
portant provisions are, the amendment of the law
OF libel, that against the Imprisonment of wit
nesses, and the definition Of the rights of married
women. In each of these particulars the evils
have heretofore been of the most glazing charac-
ter. An honest witness, the law now stands,
can be confined in loathsome prison, with all
sorts OF rascals, until such time the trial of the
cuprit is brought on, whilst the latter is at large,
and employing every expedient that money and
interest can furnish him with, to put off his trial.
This is such crying outrage upon the liberty of
the citizen, that we are only surprised it has been
suffered to exist so long.
The present law of libel, too, is eminently UNI
Just Under its operation the pre- IS is more ham,
pered than even in England. We would strong
ly advocate the maintenance of some law to serve
as curb on the licentous portions of the press.
But the present law, as it is administered by our
Judges, tends to trammel the free opinions of the
press, IN matters not only Indifferent in them
selves, but IN those that actually interest the pub
lie good. We trust that this will be remedied
In the case of married women, the definition
of their rights, incorporated in this BILL will have
most sauary influence, as preventing dissi-
pated, or evil disposed husbands from squander-
/ ing whatever property their wives may acquire
by devise or otherwise, during the coverture.
On the whole, the main features Of the bill are
conceived in wisdom.
MAJORITY ELECTIONS. notice that move
ment has been made in the State Convention, to
engraft into the new constitution the doctrine of
majority instead of plurality votes.
That any sensible man, desiring the real good
OF the State, should make any such proposition,
we cannot conceive. The idea Is an exploded
one, and is entirely anti-republican The will of
the mass OF the people, in a majority election, is
disregarded, and some little petty faction which
holds the balance of power, forces the people to
compromises. Not only is the principle false in
theory, but it has been found very clumsy inprac-
tice. In Massachusetts, where this principle is
applied, it is sometimes necessary to have dozen
elections for Governor member of Congress, or
town constable. There is now an election in pro-
gress in the county Of Middesex, in that State, for
register, and this election is either the fifth or
sixth, which has been held for that purpose.
Every body will recollect the number of useless
attempts to procure Mayor in Boston, two years
since. BY these various attempts at an election,
the State is put to much useless expense, and an
election is only obtained by one of the principal
the small party of thousand votes-who hold
the balance of power in community Of fifty
thousand suffrages
This movement in the convention Is essentially
an abolition one. If that party could succeed in
establishing the principle of majority cleo
tons in this State, with their $1,000 votes, they
could forever hold the balance of power, as that
faction now does inMassachusetts; and the people,
in order to obtain Governor, would be obliged to
truckle to them.
We have no idea that this absurd proposition
will be, for moment, entertained by the sensible
and honorable members of the convention.
FOURTH OF JULY.-There is disposition ma
infested through the leagth and breadth of the
country, to celebrate the approaching anniversary
OF our national independence with unusual spirit.
Every where the most extensive preparations are
being made 10 make the occasion one of unusual
splcndor and rejoicing. A new ardor seems to
be infused into all ranks of our citizens by the
late glorious events that have shed lustre on the
arms ofthe American people. The revolution
airy spirit is aroused in unusual strength and
there is every reason to believe that the coming
Fourth of July will be the occasion Of one of the
most brilliant fftes ever witnessed in America
The people are rejoiced at the late brilliant VIC
tories on the Rio Grande, and at the peaceful
termination of the Oregon difficulty. The pre-
sent is period OF unusual plenty and the nation
al prosperity never was greater. Why, then,
should not the people rejoice OIL the returning
anniversary fthat glorious day on which was Sc
cured to us our independence, and all the m ami
fold blessings arising therefrom.
WHAT DOES 1T MEAN lis 1T AN EvGLIsu Ft.rrv
TO BACK TYP MEDIATION I've learn from Captain
Pisbury, of the brig James Caskic, that on the
night of the 2ith of May, in lat. ~ lOon 10, he
passed feet of eight ships of war and three
steam frigates, all under short canvass and stand
ing TO the westward. In con sequence OF the
da Ykness If tho night conld pot ,.n.xt,:~. e.