The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-01

hues VIII easily deiray the expenses OF holding
1t, and yield large income besides.
There is no use in any other kind OF
treaty. We are at peace We have thrashed
Mexico into peace-and we ought to remain So
SINGULAR CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTHDAY OF
THOMAS PAINK-SPEAKINa-EAT
DANCING On Sunday evening last, at the MI
nerva Room, the birthday OF the celebrated
Thoms Paine was solemnized by the delivery
of speech from the lips Of Mr. Allen, of this
city, before respectable congregation of old
fashioned people, both English and American.
The celebration was continued on Monday even
ing at the Minerva Rooms, and carried on by
dancing, eating, and drinking, and all the festi-
vities OF the ball. report of this speech will
be found in another column of this paper
This celebration of the birthday of Thomas
Paine has been kept up in this city for many
years past, and is not greater departure from
good sense and good taste than the celebrations
which have been had of the birth or death of
Fourier, or even if the French should get up
celebration for Voltaire or Rousseau. Thomas
Paine belonged to the same school of moralsts
and thinkers as Fourier, Rousseau and Voltaire;
but in his latter days he made a greater depar-
in his daily habits. The character and history
Of Tom. Paine, or Thomas Paine, Esq.-if it is
desired we should be more respectful-are
study in themselves. Possessed of remarkable
genius for literature and politics, he was, in
the early part of his career, an admirer and
supporter Of liberty, in opposition to kings
and lords. This spirit brought him over to
this country; and during the revolution he
did more service to the cause of liberty, by
his writings, than any other man-than even
Jefferson himself. His subsequent career, how
ever, in England and in France, rather turned
over the steadiness of his mind, and led him
into way of life such as his last days misera-
bly, exhibited. The violent, gross and outra-
geous attacks he made upon religion, were extend
ed, not only to mere opinions, but were carried
beyond, and lighted upon those who cherished
the Christian faith, who were shocked by the
violence with which it was assailed. But
even this would not have extinguished the
brilliancy of Paine's career if he had not,
with an utter prostratlon of his mental and moral
powers, given himself up in his latter days to the
brandy bottle. There is no doubt that for seve-
raj years before his death, Tom Paine-or the
great Thomas Paine, Esq.-was nothing but q
miserable loafer, as bad as any of the vagabonds
who frequent tn, owest grog- shop upon the Five
Points. This unhappy and unfortunate period Of
his life destroyed all that respect and veneration
which the earlier part his career produced, and
might have fixed upon all future generations
Yet, with all these elements of intelligence and
power, of weakness, immortality and drunkenness,
commixed together in his career, he probably
has left behind him more of better spirit, as
/ IN he thano Of hos nh
losophers, of similar hue, who enjoy more fame.
Fourier, the French philosopher, of whom SO
much has been said, was equally demoralzed,
more foolish and silly, less efficient in his day;
aud yet men calling themselves distinguished
and moral, get up celebrations to his memory.
Voltalre Is also Wanted at this day, and he was
great genius but his whole life was passed
in the violation of the rules of morality, and at
has famous chateau of Ferney, near Geneva, he
lived in open violation of all moral ties, with
Madame Chapelet. Yet that place is still
exhb and looked upon as place to be re-
vered, venerated and adm e Voltaire was
man of different genius with Paine, more re-
fined in taste and manners; hut with this excep-
ton, his works perhaps has produced higher
degree of decentralization among his countrymen
than the more beastly appetites of Paine could
ever create among his followers.
The constant repetition of these celebrations
every year, by certain set in New York, may
be looked upon as one of the freaks remaining
rom the last century. They are gradually dying
away; and in a few. years, the birthday Of Tom
Paine will pass by UNDECIDED, like that of other
equivocal reformers whose principles and prac-
tice in early life are in open hostility to the
principles both of thought and action of their lat.
ter days.