The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-12


FKcrs CT SOCIALIST THEoRIEs-THE FAMILY OF
OsE.EYEp THoM2soN.-Our news columns con-
tain account of another suicide which has been
committed by member o. the senior class of Har.
ward College, by the identical means. even to the
quantity, which were used by Oae-Eyed Thomp-
son. in this city and letter from Mr. Grieve, the
father of the young man who, with his wife, re-
Gently pershed by their own acts at Quincy. Be-
sides these interesting matters, we publish from
able medical journal reliable statements with re-
gard to the effect on individuals of the Rochester
knockipgs and mesmerisn, all of which furnish
sad proofs OF the fatal consequences OF inflaming
the imagination with Intellectual slimulants not
counteracted by Christian principles. These cases
often supply the origin Of the startling results
which to be found in books, lectures and news
papers, devoted TO the establishment of mans will
and kno wledge above all higher instruction. OF
course, the victims to be pitied bat what can
moral community think or say Of those who sup
ply in the sape Of socialist literature, the insane
root that takes the reason prisoner How long is
society to be shocked by the frgh,ful instances of
selEdestrlction which are now recorded almost
daily In some cases, the contemplation Of suffer-
ing families, suddenly shattered by the effects of the
poison dfiused through society, awakes the strong
est feelings in their behalf; bu. too little do we
hear Of that reprobaton of the actual causes of
such occurrences, which are prepared by the hands
Of men who claim TO be great moral reformers,
and even enlightened patriots,
Since the suicide Of Oae-Eyed Thompson
there has been a subst ,ntial sympathy for the
widow and children Of that unhappy man. We
have received, from several anony nous sources,
Contributions in money, in one or two cases to con-
siderable amounts, which show that the hand OF
true charity is not only willing, but ready, to ex
tend that aid for the unfortunate family, which may
serve TO alleviate their present necessities, and to
educate the children in such way, as to promote
their future usefulness and happiness. The letter
OF the miserable man, who so recently terminated
bis strange and cratic career by his own hand, it
would appear, has had remarkable influence on
the minds Of many individuals throughout the coun-
try, and We have no doubt that many more contri-
buttons for the benefit Of his family will be added
70 those which already have been made. Such an
event Is calculated TO excite the hearts OF thou
sands, and TO suggest many serious reflections 10
the maids Of those who are in the habit OF contem-
plating the progress of men through lives marked
by pcculsIties, which are unaecountabIe TO the
mass Of society.
The character Of ne-Eyed Thompson was made
ur q strange elements. His letter to his wife, writ
tea h:;le while before his death, is singular pro-
duciion, which reveals more Of has nature, and
Of The better side Of il, than anything else with
vi ich We ere acqusintcd In that document, it
az ears that he entertained warm, generous, and
parental regard for his family, for whose future
welfare he was deeply solicitous, and exhibited
qualities of heart, which belonged to no other rel
4. ri. IL. ~.
Methods; society, who were anxious to rear their
sol IA honor and usefulness, his early advantages
we're such as mghthave led him into a career very
dfere ut from that which finally drove him into a
stale Of despair and made him act the part of the
scorpion towards himself The natural abilities
which distinguished him in his early year,, and
wLieh were then so fas sinaiing as to win for him
{ wife, as we learn, ofr-spect1ble educ alton and
ACCOMPLISHMENTS, were soon led awsy by some Of
those peculiar theories which have been pfomul-
gated by modern reformers, and even warmly al
vocats in daily journals deemed respectable.
Taese theories, which teach the doctrine " intel
lec', in contradisiincion, and 10 opposition
e. any more elevated moral power-which
renew the pride Of Lucifer against Heaven-
ars daily becOmirg more and more common They
grow out Of the Poeucal, but yet pesiierou, fan.
cies, q such writer's az Fourier George Sands, and
a whole race Of French and German authors, who
capvse youthful minds by the glare and glitter Of
beir paIaseoogy, and the oriental aud mystic cha
rac'sr If their ideas. As IL TO adj weight to sach
mental sreculatons, mechanical philosophy has
been brought into action, and advocated spiritual
manifestations. The Rochester knocking. have
the effect Of the delasIon-how FEAR
uly, we tn * the fatal end OF Thompson, the sui
cdes of Mr.. and Mrs. Gneve, at Quincy, M4.sa-
rhusets, that Of the German who killed himself at
he last hour o. the last year, aid those Of several
other Germans, within the past two months ia this
city, VII sufficiently eiucidaie. la these cases
aod 10 Others. the socialist doctrines, through some
channel, seem to have swept each uahsppy victim
to the brink 81 selfdesuuction. Such Is the lnevi-
liable tendency Of ths belief in the pride Of ia,e,-