Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-12-11

There are two classes of citizens who
stand in the way OF wholesome reform
IN the matter we speak of. One, and
The largest Isan ignorant and indiher-
eni class-who see nothing uncomforta-
bic IN this stale Of things, and need
therefore 10 be reused and shamed into
action by an expression OF right feeling
on the part al those who see cleanliness
and decorum in .heIr true light; the
second c"nSisis Of demagogues who fear
to disturb the prejudices Of that small
class IN the community, which under
stand by the word liberty, not whole
some obt dlence OF just laws made by
the people-but certain license to do
anything ami everything not absolutely
crimnhl' with their own properly, and
that OF all their neighbors.
That II Is only ncediul for a few good
citizens IN every town 10 look al The
matter clearly, and determine 10 have
orderly and sanitary laws like these en-.
forced, We have had abundant proof IN
the town where we live-which is, so
far as We know, The only one in the
Sta'e OF New y ork where animals are
not loint-stock possessors ofall the streets
and highways. Eight or ten years ago
Newburgh, viii h has a population OF
nlne thousand inhabitants, was one of
the least cleanly and orderly towns IN
the North. Dfoves OF hogs, cows and
geese ran AT large everywhere. and the
possrssor OF garden or even Of bit
ol sidewalk was always Liable night and
day. 10 the nuisance and annoyance o.
numbers OF these commoners. Al length
II WAS determined by Il few OF The m re
orderly inhabitants, 10 endeavOr 10 have
enforced the law for pounding animals.
The trustees of the village doubted The
possibility OF enforcing the law, and lal-
tered IN lhelr duty "A the next cleo
ton, however, The hog-law VAS made
! the test. trustees favorable 10 Its execu.
lion were elected by large majority.
| Notwithstanding fierce opposition.
When The law was enforced, SO strong
was The feeling Of resistance, that The
public pound wac several times broken
into al night, and the ANIMALS released.
But the orderly part OF The community
Stood firmly by tie authorities, and the
latter ana their duty. until the law iri-
! IMPLIED. Alter much grumbing on the
part OF many who imagined that they
hac a clear right TO prey upon the pub
llc IN tins manner, general aqu;es-
cence came about. And now for five
years We have had cleanly streets, free
lrom all animals OF all kinds, ard such
an air of neatness and rural beauty has
sprung up, that the place has almost
changed lis character. The carriage
gates OF grounds, like our own, which.
under the old system Of rhlngs, needed
almost an armed huhtsmau 10 keeI cut
the brute population, are now wide
open day and evening. without the
least plant suffering depreciation; and
what is the best part OF tie story. SO
20 nr'etely has the feeling OF better cii.
IIzatlun lriumphed, Ihat it wou'd, we
imagine, be very hard NJ the preeelt
moment to iursuade the population OF
ths town 10 return 10 the old condition
oi streets, ovt run with uuclran beasts.
In order that the reform may spread.
rlght-lhlnkIng ier. chs must both r1-
lest and take up arms against tie MI
sahce-and We hereby enter the lists
with AL our hearts, ana cad Oh our TEL
low citizens throughout the country 10
shake oil this remnant Of low civllza-
ton.