New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-03-01
Iibertjnisru nnd Law.

The Assembly Of this State, q" Will be seen oy
our Telegrapbic report has suffered It's own OH 70
punish Seduction to be defeated for lack OF asngle
vote though there were doubtless ten Members ao-
sent from their sests without prejudice to their s5
per day who if present would have voted for IT, W
presume the negative votes were not half so msny
as those in the affirmative but the New Constltu-
ton properly requires the votes Of majority OF all
the members elected to pass bill. The rule is
sound, although in this instance we deplore its
effect The Senstes bill to punish Adultery was
far more decisively voted down, receiving but 50
votes to so against 1t. So the House has in sub
stance decided against enacting any penalty for
either Of the above-named crimes
We shall endeavor in this connection TO heed the
Scnptural injunction sgainst speaking evil Of dgni
ties, but, really this action is such as we can hard
ly treat respectfully, unless by preserving re
spectfal silence. Law should be the general pro
tector ofthe weak against the strong innocent
from the crafty and the vile-the upright aud well
meaning against the unprincped and depraved-
II the Law were to proclaim an entire non-interie-
renee with the relations Of the sexes 1t might seem
consistent, at least bat when il assumes to legal.
ize and sanction Marriage il acts absurdly IN su.
ton Of ito fundamental condition For example A.
u. msrres c. d., and the Law approves and hon
ors the engagement. But next month or year A.
Is. openly, ostentatiousy violates his marriage.
VOWS. and not only violates bat scouts aud deses
them. Shall the Law regard this outrage on its
own majesty well be,rsy Of the faith reposed
IN its sanctions with utter indifference IL does,
should 1t not in justice have stood alooi from tho
compact from the beginning Oaghtt TO back out
now
But it IL said there is too much government
too much legal restriction let people take care OF
themselves. Very good If you will only follow
out this idea consistently We don't mind trying II
Leave the thief or the burglar TO the chances and
terrors Of personal ohastisement from his intended
victim, aud we are willing 10 Try the same policy
with the Libertine bat SO long as there are legal
penalties for enticing away any mans dog It Is
most inconsistent to proier imPunity to the villain
who by perhdy lures daughter TO ruin.
The arguments in Assembly, Of Mr.. Raymond o
oar City, ss summsriy reported by our Albany
correspondent seem to have been framed IN the
moot daring contempt OF notorious facts He thinA'
trials for Seduction and Adultery would denoralz'
the Young Blu, are not such trials noe Of th'
dozen Divorce trials weekly based on complaint
OF Adultery, in this City alone, and as many NOR
throughout the State. with Seduction trials wheB
ever any one chooses to bring a suit Those wh
have appettes for the prurient details OF such trial
can aeundantly crafty them at present ali thA
our trials fail 70 indicate is the important truth ina
the acts in question are not venia and oxcasSb'
gallantries but per6dious and hsgrant crime
against the peace and well being OF the oommuDi
". Massachusetts and We think all the Easter
States now punish these offences, and even sin
pie lascivious intercourse yetwehsvs never hear
nor imagined that their morals were worse tia
those of NewYork-in our simplicity, NC hAv
supposed them better.-To hear lawyer and lesi'
ls,or like Mr. Raymond openly and seriously Pre-
pose 70 leave the punishment OF such crimes % III
pistol or the dagger OF Infatuated husbands father
and hrothers Is melancholy. II nat IS the ~
Jas,ice 10 to be administered, pay excuse IS ifoi
yosr swindlias exscsion OF taxes dollar Of "a
every hundred OF property is rather TOO weighiy
II citizen must keep an armoy In bis house an
DO execution 90 every scoandrel who may iniest
As to Hon Mike wash, idea Of grsntiD
legal impanity to sedUeers because society IL e
xwry, we can ! quite perceive the wis1om Of D
We have slender faith in the regeneration q =
cic,y by means OF 'aea statutes as asy be COZ
coc,ed q, Albany And. ioeesd, a. hsd Away
supposed IL the Legislators dsiy 70 confirm u
laws to the actual condition q Society. lsssiss i
renovation to educators, philosophers AID divine
To suffer the mos, ~an,on offences 70 ysss snf
rebaked because Society Is IN disorder a hss ss
ting ere to your house bccsa'e there q eaasssr
ton going on In the neishbofhood
All the arguments We have seen % ne sias
legal impabity nisiske entirely TIE dfi'i ard -
pose oflsssAgsiasi Libsf,snism They isk u
probability TIA, ITO ~foos "a DOT 81 On ons s's
Of the iupOs.ibiHty Of conp snssiitz ~ at ihe
csace and character d the isgrseiicssiliiy u a'
king men yirtaoBs ~ psesitles &c ke Adm
aHthis-srs whst thesi We 10 81 make ~
virtooas by psDlsbins. YIsery ys' ono S,ss
that iorgeres are fewer psn bsy pesa BE- y =.
fo,bidd.n by lhgg 50 &c are sgfs thsi nyessni