The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-09-18


j. fixed forever. No amount Of opposition can
prevail against this, the destiny Of the Empire
City. Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston and
other provincial cities, may increase in extent,
Importance and p0pulation-their manufactur-
crs may be skilful and their markets may over
flow with the agricultural produce Of the States
whose farmers depend on them for cash; bnt
to New York they must look for imported
goods-for market for their produce and man
ufactured articles; and they must be content
10 revolve as satellites around the controlling
planet, in consideration of the many benefts
they win derive from it.
All tbis is very grateful to our civic pride;
but 1t should also be remsmh- red that 10 our
hurry to do great deal of business and to
make great deal of money we have neglect
ed to pay sufficient attention to the adornment
the boast, not only of its own citizens, but Of
all Americans. We have no parks--no plea
SAINT places where the weary cit may pass a
quiet hour and hear his children "babble of
green fields" 1t is true tina. there are public
squares and that the money (uearly nine mil
)ions) invested in them wonld be sufficient to
pay for two parks equal to the finest in any of
the Europeao capitals; but there is really no
rural spot ON this Island where we can put our
foot and avoid the penalties Of a trespass upon
private property.
1t seems hardly necessary, OF this late dts,
to enlarge upon the beneficial results wticl
will naturally flow from the establishment Of
the Central Park. 1t may, no vever be re-
marked that, in point of location aud extent,
the Central Park seems well adapted to mset
the wants of our city. The question Is, simply,
shall this opportunity be improved, or shall 81,
on account of mistaken ideas as to economy. miss
this chance (and 1t will DO the last one) of
giving to the Empire City park worthy of its
glorys Tpere are great many nuisances
about New York, and it is fast growing to be
ON unpleasant place of residence. The common
cry is, "great place for business, this New
York, but can't live here-no air--bad place
makes his money in New York, and spends it
in Westchester, or on Long Island, or up the
Hudson; and sometimes he goes as far as those
pleasant towns which dot the Connecticut
shore of the Sound. This is inconvenent and
expensive. Cottages always leak-there is no
gas--no water, and the servants rule the m aster
as the Autocrat Of Russia governs his serss.
With oil these unpleasant matters, to say
nothing Of railway annoyauces, peril to lite
and limb, etc, it seems to follow that if this
islandwas m ,de pleasant place for residences
it would not be deserted by every persoa who
can get together sufficient amount Of money
to set up q country seat. The Central Pack in
five years from this time, perhaps in three
years, will give US pleasant drives, pleasant
walks and pleasant retreats 1t will be really
a Central" park, as 1t is located midway be-
tween Blocker street-very soon there will be
but few residences below that point-yand II ar
lem river. 1t seems to us that this park project
is precisely the thing that New York
most needs ut the present time, aud
that the efforts of its originators viii
not only be appreciated in their own day
and generation, but that their memories will
be enshrined in the hearts Of unborn millions.
1t is gratifying to know that the Commits
sioners OF the Central Park have made consi-
derable progress In their work Of Investigating
the titles of the land to be used for the park
and assessing its value. We trust soon to be
able to give the results of their preliminary
labors. The jones' Wood project has beeo
abandoned and the aot repealed "A very sens-
bic move, as the park proposed to be there
constructed would have been merely SEC
tional affair. The plans Of the Central Park
have been published, and an examination of
them win satisfy the most skeptical as to the
wisdom Of the gentlemen charged with its loca-
ton. Seven thousand four hundred aad forty
eight lots will be taken, and their assessed
value in 1853 was one million eight hundred
and seventy-two thousand one hundred and
fifty dollars. The assessment is Of curse very
much less--say two thirds-than the actual
value. The expense Of the park will be a
small matter, after all, In comparison with the
advantages which will accrue 10 the city from
It, We have in preparation interesting statis-
tics bearing upon this matter, and they will
coon be given to the public. The Central
Park is now popular idea with majority Of
New Workers, and when the matters connected
with 1t are properly placed before the people,
they cannot fail to be unanimous in its favor.
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The BAPTrsTs AND THE New VERSION OF TIE !
SCRPTUREs.-The annual convention Of that |
portion of the Baptist denomination who arc
in favor Of q new version or tran ,lation Of the
Scriptures, will be held In Broome street |
church on The 9th and 9th Of next month. Our
readers arc already conversaut with the cause
OF the division in this church, and it is there
fore unnecessary to enter into any Of the par
ticulars. 1t is sufficient to say that no success
full attempt has been made as yet TO bring about
a settlement OF the various questions il dis
pute between The two sections. Meantime the
new vcrsionists have entered upon the prosecu-
tion oftheir work-the re-translation Of the Old
end New TeGtnmenis-and have mite RECENTLY |