The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-19

republican. No party take exception to APP
peal to the people-the highest source of power-on
any constitutional or other quest on.
Elsewhere in our columns will be found the pro-
ceedngs consequent on the disorg anization OF the
Legislature in Albany among both parties Great
preparations are being made Tor the ensuing con-
test-a contest that will involve the discussion OF
mighty principles Of constitutional construction
and political economy. The enlargement Of the
internal Improvements Of this great State is un-
doubted ly a noble and praiscworthy measure;
but the highest work Of benefcence, should never
be effected by the preparation Of an assassination
or murder, on the constitution All good and bene-
fetal measures should be carried into effect, by
just legal, and constitutional means. When this
law first proposed, We saw that it trenched
the constitution of the State, and We slvised the
Legislature to pass the nine million loan, with pro-
viso appealing to the people, which would have OBJ
waited all difficulty. This direct mode of meeting
the question was negatived by the whig party; but
the democrats, by strict parliamentary proceed
ing, though somewhat revolutionary in its aspect,
have compelled them, aoe,s roseas, to go before the
people. The contest, therefore, will begin on the
great question from to-day; and it Will probably
throw the tslavery agitators, and the anti-sia-
very excitement into the shade, for while at
least We shall watch its progress, and report how
the two parties get along.
THE CLOSING SCENES OF THE SrooI-PiGEos
DRAMA-DRURY's TRIAL IN BgooKLYN.-WnKEs
STILL A FuGIrWE IN NEw-JERsEY.-The last acts
Of the stoolpigeon drama, which has sstonishcd
the community for the last two years, are now at
hand. The trial of old Drury of Astoria on an in
dictment for having counterfeit money in his pos
session, with intent to pass it, was commenced be-
fore Judge Greenwood, and Brooklyn Jury, few
days ago, but was postponed in consequence of
sickness and death in the family Of Of the
sci enga ged in the case 1t will be resumed on
Monday, and will probably be concluded that day
or the next.
This is about OF the last acts of the concern.
We have special information, disclosing the
character of the charge against Drury, the amount
of the evidence what the result will probably be.
Judging, however, from the Developments made
in prosecuting the various indictments against
Drury, by the stoolpigeon gang and their law
yers in this city, we are disposed to think chat
this is even less plausible case than any of
the other charges, which were negatived by our
intelligent jures, or passed upon as absurd and
ridiculous by the present intelligent District At
torney. In the various stoo-pigeon indictments,
got up under the auspices Of John Mckeon, and
prosecuted by him and David Graham, against
Drury, the evidence disclosed that Thompson and
his yillainous associates were the contrivers and
workers, and instruments, in the process Of fabri-
eating groundless charges against both Drury and
Arlington Bennett. A curious account of Thomp-
sons workmanship in the stoopigeon business will
be found in another part of our columns to-day
being Sketch Of One-Eyed Thompson and his vii
lanies, prepared and written by agent of the
regular police of this city, and who is wellacquanted
with all that concerns the character of that man
Thompson was very remarkable knave in his way
He possessed good knowledge Of chemistry, also
something Of ventriloquism, and could assimilate
various characters and initiate voices, with remark
able exactitude All the evidence produced before
the juries of this CITY, and which formed the founda
ton of the indictments against the Drurys the older
and the younger, and Arlington Bennett, was evil
IDENTIFY fabricated, wholesale and RETAIL under the
management Of Thompson and his ,ciases, such
as Bristol Bill the burglar, Meadows, the counter
feiter and engraver (both now in the Vermont
state Prison., and various other characters that he
had been connected with.
This brief view Of the character Of Thompson
and his associates has been developed in the course
Of various trials had in this city, and the probability
is that the trial now going on in Brooklyn cannot
vary the nature or meaning Of those gross fabrca-
tons.
With regard to another, and one Of the leading
spirits Of this stoo-pigeon confederacy-we mean
George Wilkes-we believe This case has been mis-
understood by the press generally. 1t has been
supposed that because Judge Barculo, Of Pough-
keepse, grantedia stay Of proceedings that there
fore he is At liberty to return 10 New York. Such
il not the case. II he to set his foot on any
part Of New York State, he would be liable TO ar
ret fugitive convict from Poughkeep se, in the
same manner as he could have been taken before
the stay Of proceedings. The order granted by
Judge Barcalo, is simply conditional stay, for the
purpose Of allowing the Supreme Court to pass an
opinion upox his charge to the jury who tried the
case in Poughkeepse. Wilkes, therefore, remains
still afugitiye from New York. and probably still
roaming somewhere in New Jersey. In the mean
time, We see that the Police Gazette continues it,
violent and libellous attacks on Judge Barculo and
the court at Poughkeepsie, Mr.. Jordan, the late
attorney general, and every who has been in
strumental in breaking up such dangerous
federacy as that Of the stool-pgeon gang with
which Wilkes connected. They will all receive
their deserts in due time
lsDIGNirrEs TO THE SECRETARY or STATE
What i the city Of New York to do in view Of the
recent dsgraceful acts towards Daniel Webste-,