The New York herald., 1846-01-18

possible art ana trick, and violence and denuncia-
non, the rich criminal from punishment-who
would violate all the laws Of the land to screen
piece of respectable depravity from the condign
punishment he has merted are the bane, the curse,
the pest of society. Their course is dangerous in
the extreme, tending TO destroy the very foundation
OF cv security, and to give the upper hand in soci-
ETY. to the abandoned. the violent the dissoluts and
licentlous, IT they are only possessed of money.
Against this horrible class the press stands for
ward In bold relief, the hope the shield the pro.
lection Of the community, by exposing vice in eve
ry form, and holding up the respectable the purse
proud voater OF the laws, to just and honest pub
lie indignation 1t il the public guardian, the ter
ror of the oppressor, the STURDY opponent
Of wrong in high places. the only public
supporter OF the weak, the oppressed, the
poor, and the defenceless against the rich murder
er, the wealthy seducer, the respectable, the patron
lsed vislator. It'll the great mass, the people, who
support this press and of that great mass and all
the PARTICLES which compose it, it 10 the protector
aad defender against the individual combinations of
rich vlany. 1t cannot be bought, for the great mass
which supports it, though individually it may be
poor, il, in its combined force, much more powerful
than the rich rogues who would oppress and rule
over them.
Against such PRESS thus supported by the COM
munity at large, the attacks Of gang, ciiqas,
party falsely calling itself the "bar" are vain and
poweress. We repeat tit is not the bar. which
attacks the press it is polluted remnant of once
noble professon-the Jonathan Wilds of criminal
courts-the pockstsearchers Of nocturnal captures
the jail-begging case-hunters-a pititul horde of
miserable wretches, whose faces are stamped with
he same brazen traits which mark the Williams to
whom they sell themselves, body, soul and spirit, to
defeat the law-to deceive justice-to rescue the
guilty at all RISKS, by all means and at all hazards
These are tine men who dare to take up a cry
against the press! These are the men who charge
the press with venality These, who have allied
themselves to the rich of the country, who are
in league with the enemies Of society-wth the
perpetrators of crime, that they may feast upon the
crumbs which fall from the table of respectable rob-
bers and villains these are the men who raise an
outcry against the press the last hope of the virtue
and honor of the community. Their denuncations
and their reproaches are an honor-we dread rather
their applause.
In conclusion, we would observe, it is the news
paper PRESS in every civilized country but especially
in republic like ours, which is the great element
of general order, the asserter of mems rights and
the promoter Of all that ornaments and ennobles hui
man society 1t may be said to be the only principle
which, in this country especially keeps society to-
gether and produces order in the community It s the
press which is the moral government Of such city
as New York. 1t is that which preserves, influences
and purfes, while it protects the morals and the re
gion Of the community; which gives tone to public
sentiment and feeling, and originates every great
movement which benefits and advances society,"
The bar or the bench cannot lay claim to such char
acteristics, as profession. Has it not been at all
times endeavoring to go backwards, and throw the
whole public mind into the shackles Of the dark
ages2 Is it not now the business of portion Of the
bar to throw obstacles in the execution of the law
and impede the public administration of Justice
Every one knows this. We do not think it necessa-
ry TO add another word.
ORGANIZATION OF STEAM NAvY.-It appears by
the advices from Washington, that there was
meeting of the Cabinet few days since, and that
the project OF building number Of steamships was
discussed, and was considered advisable to issue
proposals for the building OF ten OF those vessels 10
be built in such manner that in time Of peace they
could serve as packet ships between this country
and Europe.
We are glad that this great measure has at last
been seriously considered by the Government, and
our only regret is, that the subject did not receive
attention before this. We have on many occasions,
through the columns Of this paper directed attention
to this subject. The plan Of building vessels and
using them as packets and war vessels, originated
in New York, and was submitted to Mr. Tyler
during his reign but that philosopher did not deem
it Of sufficient importance to notice. II we had
say twenty Of these vessels, at the time, add
ed to our little navy, what feeling Of confidence
it would inspire Us with! The cry for some time
past, that If our difficulties with England on
the Oregon question, reached a crisis suddenly
and war should result, our Atlantic cities would be
in danger Of being sacked and burnt by the English
vessels Of war, because we had force that could
successfully compete with them, would be aayed
Indeed, without any reference to the Oregon ques.
tion, there is NO reason why we should be almost
defenceless, as regards a steam navy. In addition
to the protection that numerous harbors require
our commerce is entitled to the consideration Of
the government. On every sea that is frequented
by our merchant ships, there should be more or
les OF our naval strength to protect them Indeed,
show, merely, Of an adequate force to resist any
aggressive attempt to injure our commerce, would
be the means of avoiding disputes which might
otherwise be the means Of creating great deal Of
trouble.
In order to carry out the project successfully, and
avoid some Of the failures that have marked the
government in its attempts to build steam vessels.
we should suggest to them to apply to some of our
celebrated shp-builders in New York. The fame
which they have acquired, both at home and abroad,
and the praise that has been bestowed on our
celebrated packet ships, are guarantee that II
they were to have anything to do with the steam
war vessels, there would be no danger Of any Of
those mistakes occurring again. But why not leave
the whole thing to private enterprise Let the gov
eminent issue proposals for the building of certain
number of vessels-to be built in manner 10 an
swer the government purposes; and let the govern
ment give them the carrying of the mail between
this country and Europe-with the understanding
that n rase nj vvn he