New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-03-04
,as, than to seek progre.. for the future seem TO be

many.
From, Mr.. Lewis's hand we have read but il'tie
before these pages bu, sufficient to show the quar-
itv of his mind 1t seems 10 be what Is Vpiesfiy
considered the mind of lawyer though IN tact a
great LAWYER can no more have such an one than q
great statesman but good advocate may, and the
habit Of pleading all Of one side and seeking TO carry
specja object rather Than elicit truth is likely
10 rive such cast Il is q mind active acute upon
details. capable Of scholarship, but incapable of
broad views, or thorough reasoning and in the last
degree unspritua-,ba,i is to say blind to the work.
ing of principles either in the main stream OF life or
in the mind of the individual He has sense only
for rules and precedents and their application TO
special cases.
Mr.. or DR.. Cheever has q mind of better quality
and more real life, bat that life all tainted by the
heat and bitterness of his spirit He had by nature
some congeniaty with the noble poetic spirit, bat
it is sonrcd snd checked by the excess of petty and
local feelings 1t is mournful TO see him amid the
sublime beauties of Switzerland fretting himself
into polcmicaI fever against the Roman Catholic
Church or full Of anxiety lest he shall forget God
Il he cannot pat all the emotions such sights inspire
ia,o the form of a sermon. 1t is ptfu TO see him
in his preface to wOrl, lVestiges of Creaiion)
winch attempts TO give philosophical view OF the
facts of science wholly benighted by his fears as
L, tue spirit and scope OF what he treats OF, and
though we believe, vth good intention, using the
most unfair as well as ridiculous means to provide
IN antidoie against fancied bane.
The history of this preface is so amusing speci-
men Of the steps TO which the arrogant notions held
by some shepherds their duties in the care OF
mems souls may lead that we must give it here
ONLY promising that give il, not as one having
authority from the publishers or the prefatoral D.
D. himself bat as the received version of the affair
If be let il be corrected; if it be- let l.
figure in the annals of All age when. If Truth be sill
alive and bold ii is not the feult Of Cant.
The book of the Vestiges sooner published
in Great Britain than those reverend men and "o
men who with all their professions OF honor 10 God
evince az amazing skepdcism al 10 his power OF up
holding truth against the nyasions OF error, stood
up ench in his her place 10 hurl their anathema
against the dangerous man who tried to show that
God works by law Ii he car only make out his
case, cried they he will get the helm Of the Uni
verse 20 completely in his hand. that he may per
haps it quite away from God. He processes
indeed, reverence for God, and that he seeks to
prove u ny GtltUlPttD2 W SHOW iuc Ao' Aii'4S
regulates the world But that is very unlikely 1t
is too different from our way of going on we have
been contented 10 know that God msttc the world
without caring TO know the hO1c. Such inquiries
are dangerous-wbo knows whittier they may lead
Il it not horrible thought that men might even be
deveoped the life Of gels instead OF being trans
ported into it in an instant by the hand OF Death =
Who can tell where this development is 10 stop II
might even gu Institute The study OF laws and causes
Tor regular attendance on Church service perhaps
We II none Of II y
Thus cried they, bat each from his or her place
The Author of the Vestiges stood in his place ard
they 10 theirs and said ;heir say They made their
critdues and he has answered them according 10 his
judgment and ability in INC Explanations.
OF course work which had caused much
mental excitement passed over to this country and
was published here. 1t was published, as matter
OF business because il written and because
people wanted 10 read it. No sooner was it out
than cur selfeleced censors OF the press, who, in
their vigilance and jealous vie with any OIL
ciaa of foreign governments declare that the book
is most shocking blesphemous, aiheistical, and II
suffered TO go abroad will ruin our nation root and
branch with its insidieus cankcr.
"But what is 10 be done r. replies the publisher
The book is in the world, and people choose 10
read it, Some one would pu blish il; if gave up
The answer was found in commission 10 Rev
Dr.. Choever TO prepare short prelude. which, be-
ing every where played before the piece Itself,
should put the ear into such state as 10 repe all
dangerous intoxica;ion. device borrowed from
the wise man of old, who stopped the ears OF his
mariners with wax when they were exposed 10 the
perilous song of the Syrens This preface is, in IL
self al once one of the weakest and most unfair pro-
ductions on which we ever glanced. Like the pro-
ductous before US on Capital Punishment it de-
ponds for its appeals 10 passion and preu-
dice themes where if ever, they should be silent.
Like these, il shows want of that power without
which no argumen, can ever be either honorable or
cogent-,he power of comprehending the other side.
The ASSAULT is principally made by talking Of the
author cropping amid dead matter and similar re-
marks The chief reliance as 10 prejudicing the
reader against the work he is abou, TO read is upon
addresses to the author as thou fool of the
term dead" which shows either an utter ignorance
and njsconcep;ou Of the work or willing perver-
sion of truth
Blu, what we would wish 10 lay emphasis upon as
illustrative of the state Of this persons mind is the
indccacy, inper;inence and arrogance of the posi-
ton he assumes. Suppose selfconstiiuted master
of ceremonies thus to introduce circie an '1.cted
guest Mr.. - Is here; you have invited him and
canno, help his entering the room. But wish
frs, TO give you the correct view Of him. which you
mast be careful not to lay aside for any other
kno,- that he is a wicked. unprncipled mnn, III fact
an Atheist. If he says any thing that seems TO I'M
nix, the contrary Won are 10 infer that he adds the
vice of hypocrisy to MI his others fyou lind that
in spite OF what l say, his conversation and man
ners make favorable impression on you, then, in
deed is your danger dreadful and immirrent Do
not trus, yourself to examine farther. bu, think o!
my words turn in oil haste aod flee from the wrath
20 come
Such is the position assumed by the Rev Mr.
Cheever 10 regard 10 This work position not un