The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-10

distinguished and benevolent individual may be
expected to land on our shores in few days; but
we doubt very much whether his arrival will
create as much sensation here as it would have
done few years ago. Much stress has been laid
on the favorable influence which Father Mathew
has exercised the Irish people In Ireland, on the
subject of temperance. We suspect, however,
that of late years, the gradual approach and In
crease of famine have been as efficient temperance
lecturers in Ireland, and made as many people sign
the pledge of total abstinence, as Father Mathew,
or any other father in the universe. When people
want food, and have not even potato with which
to keep body and soul together, they don't think
much of liquor and rowdylsm. When Father
Mathew went to England, we recollect that he
failed very much in exciting any interest; and it
was stated at the time, that although John Bull
might listen to his lectures and approve of his SEN
timents, he would not forego his mug of beer, in
temperate way, as often as he wanted or could
get it.
We are much of the opinion that Father Ma
thew's campaign in this country will end pretty
much as his tour in England did In this land of
plenty, the great mass of the people will not give
up their comforts-or, il you please, even some
thing beyond their comforts-at the suggestion of
travelling preacher VI any hlnu n lew years
ago, tremendous efforts were made in this country
in favor of the temperance cause but we do not
believe there was any practical reformation, to any
extent, among the people at that PERIOD or that any
great or radical change can be made in the habits
Of the people of this country, by all the preachngn
the universe. Certain happy individuals, from con-
sntutional causes, are given to intemperance, and
run their career short time. 1t is species of
disease with them--an incurable diseasc-worse
even than the cheera and although such persons,
in the excitement of the moment, may sign pledges,
yet how few are there who stand true to them or
stick TO their promises In fact, we have no very
high opinion of the moral frmness of any man who
requires to sign pledges, and make afidavits, and
very solemn professions to use the good things OF
this life in moderation and not run to excess.
Such men, in any shape, are poor DEVILS and never
will be anything else. The people of the United
States, as a naticn, are temperate, moral lntelli-
gent and energetic-possessed of business habits
and Impractical ideas that supply the place of all
| pledges and all promises to be good boys and
| glls.
Father Mathew, however, shall receive cor
dial welcome. We expect very little good from
his efforts, even among his own countrymen but
as his motives are benevolent, kind hand will be
extended to him, and contribution will probably
be made to his charity box, so that he may be en-
abed to return to his own country with something
solid IN his pocket as well as a recollection that
he did the best he could. We would advise that
the first temperance lecture of the benevolent
father be given in the Astor Place theatre, by way
of an atonement for the recent bloody deeds that
have taken place in that eighborhood 1t is time
for the atmosphere of that locality to be purified
by the influence of some holiness and purity.
CITY IMPROVEMENTS - ENLARGEMENT OF THK
BATrERy.-There seems to be a very strong move
| ment making in various quarters, and by various
parties, for filling up the Battery. During the pre-
sent city administration-the rump of the old
charer-several individuals, it seems, have offered
various sums, varying from $50 to O,0O0 for the
privilege of filling up that place.
All these are springs to catch wood cocks-mere
deusions-even worse than the notes that might
be issued by Plainfeld or al Lehgh Bank, to
cheat the public, and make rascals rich. If the
Battery Is TO be filled up in the manner indicated,
It will probably cost the city nearly million of
dollars, If not more We are not sure but it is as
well to 60 that expense as not. This is rich
and growing city, and the voters and Taxpayers
are set of easy dupes. We are not in debt much
more than fourteen millions of dollars, and mil
hon or two cannot very much more inconvenience
US, the silly taxpayers.
Go ahead, therefore. Let us fill up the Battery,
if it costs two millions of dollars. The present
corporation, no doubt, if they had moral courage
enough, would come out in favor of 1t at once.
Nor do we yet despair Of them. A body of Solons
who could calmly approve the conduct of the
Mayor and police, as exhibited in Massacre Place
on the night Of the 10th of May, can perpetrate
any act with impunlty Thus far, the present
Common Council has been continually engaged in
acts OF folly and absurdity. And why should it
not fill up the of its iniquty, and make the
old corrupt charter 60 out of existence with ecat?
We'go the whole hog for the rump corporation in
filling up the Battery, and even in erecting statue
of bronze to the Mayor and police in the centre of
Massacre Place, directly opposite the Opera House
Cost INVOLVED IN THE MASSACRE IN AsroR
PLAcE-The bill of $4,000 for damages, presented
by Messrs. Niblo and Hackett lessees of the Astor
Place Theatre, at the time of the celebrated mas
sacre, is not the only bill of the kind that was in
Cured in consequence of that awful <n,uete The
innocent persons who were wounded, and the
families OF those that were killed in that melan-
choly conflict, have suffered great deal likewise
more than the inside Of the theatre suffered.
There were twenty-three killed and ffty.one
wounded, and the families of the one, and the
others for themselves, have as much right to pre-
sent bills of damages to the Corporation as those
who have merely lost by the abrupt termination of
Mr. Macready's engagement; and if their da-
images were to be measured by the same standard
as that of the managers we suppose they would
amount TO nearly one hundred thousand dollars.
DISTINGUISHED ARRIvALs.-The Hon Willard
Fillmore, Vice President of the United States, and
the Hon. Samuel Burnett, of Florida, arrived in
this city, from Washington, last evening, and oc.
cupy apartments at the Irving House
Court Of Oyer and Tcrminer.