The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-27

WANTED, A PARx.-It is not very long since
we published . brief sketch Of sermon deliv-
cred by popular clergyman, in which New
Workers. were severely handled for the absorbing
interest they take in making money. The
preacher was even more bitter in his denuncia-
tions Cinnamon than we had expected; his sar-
casms were more pungent, his invective more
pointed, than is usual with his cloth. We
thought at the time that he was rather hard upon
us. Wework stoutly, it is true; and we are hardly
disposed to deny that we have an eye to the
dollars But is there not, on the other hand.
much liberality and fair sprinkling of charity
and open handed benevolence among us? Can
any one but slaughtering parson be blind to
the interest that our citizens take in matters
entirely unconnected with profit and loss? If
the immense income divided between our va
rious religious and benevolent societies were
not alone sufficient to repel charge which is
too commonly advanced, a thousand enterprises
of recent birth would establish triumphantly
that, however Industrious when at work, New
Workers. are neither unmndfnl of their spiritual
nor their physical comfort, and that they are at
all times ready to sacrifice to either q fair pro-
portion of the .mammon" they are represented
as cherishing SO dearly.
The general outcry for public park is an
instance in point. 1t is perfectly obvious that
but very short period of time will be allowed to
elapse before convenient lot of ground is set
apart as breathing place for the people-a
spot where the mechanic and laborer can repair
with their families on Sunday afternoons and
holidays, to breathe the wholesome. fresh air,
and where they may discover some faint resem-
blance to the rural scenes where many of them
were born. Controversy is now silent on the
point. Everybody acknowledges that New
York must not lag behind other great cities in
this respect or. having the most ground to spare.
devote the least to purpose so essential to the.
comfort and health Of her poorer classes A
park we must and shall have. It's situation is
the only point to be determined.
Two sites have been proposed One is called
Jones's Wood, and lies on the East river. It's
chief recommendation consists in its being al
the vicinity of one hundred acres. The other
is known, at present, as the proposed Central
Park. 1t lies as nearly as possible in the c entire
of Manhattan Island-we believe between
Sixtieth and 106th streets, and Fifth and
Eighth avenues 1t will be accessible by
three or four established lines of stages and
cars; and has in this respect. q manifest advan-
tage over Jones's Wood, which is quite out Of
the usual line of travel It's area is about five
or six times as large as that of Jones's Wood.
The ground is broken and undulating; immense
sums would be required to adapt it to building
purposes, while nature has herself performed
everything requisite for its conversion into
park. Such being the comparative advantages
of the two proposed sites, we cannot balance in
awarding our preference to the latter, though
it's cost would be double that of its rival. We
have the less hesitation on the point, as, being
five or six times larger than Joness Wood. it is
in reality, nearly three times cheaper. 1t is, in
our opinion, the best location that can be found,
whether as regards position, accessibility, or
natural advantages
We trust that the Legislature will not require
to be reminded of their duty in this respect. A
park we must have Every day that its pur-
chase is delayed, the price Of land is rising and
the extension of the city absorbing available
locations. Let the matter be settled at once.