The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-09


SEYMouR.-For the first time in the history Of
this State. the anti-renters have been denounced
by Governor Seymour, in his recent message.
This is highly creditable to the new Governor.
Hitherto the Governors Of the State, and the
leading men, both of the wing and democratic
organizations, have tempered with the anti
rent faction, wheedling and cajoling them for
party purposes; and while each privately con-
demned the lawless outrages committed by the
agrarian banditti. they openly encouraged the
doctrines that led to these results just as Horace
Greeley always advocated the principles of so
cialism and spirit-communication with the other
world though of late the philosopher turns into
ridicule some of the fruits of his own teaching.
The wire-pullers and offce-seekers of the two
great parties paltered with the anti-renters in a
double sense each vieing with the other in bid
ding highest for their supports while on the other
hand. the dishonest and unprincipled demagogues
who led the anti-rent faction sold the votes Of
the rank and file at so much per head, just as if
they were so many sheep Whatever way the
bell-wether went. for a consideration known to
himself, the flock followed him through thick
and thin.
Meantime the most disgraceful outrages were
committed by these men with the utmost impu-
nifty; the authorities for party and prudential
reasons. openly declining to bring them to JUS
tice OF secretly conniving at their misdeeds.
The newspaper press too-the press Ofthe isms-
sustained this ruffianism. by direct advocacy or
by throwing over it the shield of palliation. In
some counties of the largest and most enlight-
ened State in the Union-the Empire State par
erceHence-such condition of society was
permitted to exist as would disgrace the back
woodsmen of the Far West, or even the human
savages of the forest. Occasionally rewards
were nHarn5 so- A. 49, -. -I-~:..n. VI
conviction of the offenders; but it is well known
that this was all sham; and. in point of fact
nothing has hitherto been done by the Office
holders occupying the high places Of the State
that has had the slightest moral or legal effect
against the agrarian rowdies who have set the
law at defiance. and enjoyed the same sort Of
IMMUNITY as the rowdies of this city for the
last few years. Those officers of justice who
had the spirit and integrity to attempt to en-
force the laws were maltreated, after the fashion
of the owners Of the property and their agents
In the late election. so skilfully did the party
managers on both sides work, that each got
portion Of the anti-rent vote, and thus it
neutralized itself This went some length in
giving blow to the predatory faction. But
the Governors message will have a far greater
influence in putting it down because it is a dis
tinct indication that nothing will be left undone
on his part to crush to the earth an abomina-
ton, which is not only a reproach to the United
States among all civilized nations but dis
grace to humanity itself We trust that all
good and influential men of both parties, and all
the respectable portion of the press, taking an
example from his moral courage, will strengthen
the hands of Governor Seymour, and aid him in
extirpating this pestilent nuisance from the
State of New York.