The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-28


over the word in intriguing against the United
States, and endeavoring to thwart our aims, that
England solicits our sympathy in the war with
| Russia
The Meetings In the Park-Progress OF
Socialism.
For several days past meetings Of woskmen
and others have been held in the Park to dis
cuss the hard times and take counsel respecting
a remedy. OF the various plans suggested,
and speeches made, not one has been mark ID
by even ordinary merit, and by far thu greater
portion have been characterized by an incrsdi-
BILE degree Of ignorance, and very rem lrk able
display Of folly. Oae man thought the soup
kitchens were an insult to the poor, and the almo
ners deserving of severe punishment. Another
| advised open and organized resistance to the
collection of rents next quarter day. A third
thought the Common Council should pay half
the rents Of unemployed mechanics. One gen.
tleman believed that prohioitory law would
relieve all the existing misery another ex-
pected that blessing to flow from tue coastruc-
tion of new post Office, while leading
orator called on Congress to pro1ibiE the
export OF breadstutfs- All this, aud more
lad stuff of the like character, has been
shouted in the ears of hundreds OF angry
men, without work and many OF them
with starving families at home. Moreover,
especial care has been taken to impress them
with q consciousness OF their own physical
strength, and to incite them, by insid,oas hints,
| to Or. pare to exert that strength il case al
tempts should be made to compel them to falfl
their obligations to their neighoors. These ap-
| peals are made, US was said, and these hints
thrown out in broad daylight in the Park. II
is clear that were they Obeyed, social order
would cease to exist, and the city would pass
under the sway Of mob.
| At another time, and under other circum-
stances, these rawlings might be passed over
without notice, and the cure left to be wrought
out by the strong common sense Of the Anne
rican masses. Truth being free to combat
these fallacies, as we'll as others, they might,
at hap pier season, be considered as harmless.
| Bat it is very doubtful whether We can ven
ture, at the present time, to indulge such feel
ings of confidence Misery is pressing cruelty
| on the poor; and in the minds Of many, suffer-
| ing has grievously shaken the sense of prin-
| ciple. When a man has wife and children in
absolute want, he needs to be made Of stern
stuff to hold to the right Besides, there are
among Us, in large numbers, it is to be feared.
refugees from foreign countries, who have fed
hither to escape the hands of justice, or have
been sent across the Atlantic by the govern.
ments OF their own nation, to get rid OF them.
| These are naturally inclined for mischief, aud
are sure to foster any procl,vity among the ma
tive population towards riot and disorder.
Many Of the worst red republicans of Paris
| fellows who would burn, rob, and murder
are hiding their faces in this city nor are
there wanting q still more detestable class OF
incendiaries, III the shape Ut English socialists
| and German communists. There are ssrong
grounds for believing that these fellows
are at the bottom of some of the move
ments OF the working men and that
| il trouble were to ensue, they would
try hard to make opportunities for plunde,.
Worse than all, it is quite apparent that doc
trnes entirely subversive Of social tranquility
and the rights Of property have been widely
| disseminated through the country under the
auspices Of a leading politician in this State
William Fl. Seward.
This man, whose first notoriety was due to
| his hostility to Masonry, and who subsequently
made himself conspicuous by lending his
countenance and support to the anti-rent-
ers, has given by his whole career I
couragement and strength to the spirit
of lawlessness. Whenever prejudice has en-
deavored to override reason, Seward has
been ready to lend his aid to the attempt.
| Whenever fansticism has risen up against the
! constitution or the laws, Seward has been found
in the van cheering on the rioters. Thus, from
his position and his dexterity these elements Of
trouble have derived consistency and an in
fuence which they could have obtained from
10 other source. The mob hears Seward say
that there is a "higher law" which overrides
all human laws and regulations of society; aud
most naturally concludes that in their case,
that higher law may be invoked to supersede
| their bargain with their landlord, and guide
| them in some nefarious scheme against the pro-
perty or rights of their mel shbors. His KAN.
! pie and precept are constantly quoted to justi-
| fly the most outrageous acts.
! Under the circumstances, the prospect Of
danger is quite near enough to warrant pre-
paration for the worst. Times like the
present have usually been the occa-
sion OF riots; and they are the more
| likely to occur now from the causes al.
ready mentioned, and from the countenance and
approval which rioters are sure OF receiving
rom Mr.. Seward and his organs. 1t will be
90 late to prepare after the mischief is done.
| The city authorities should act at once. The
military companies should be notified to hold
themselves in readiness to be called out at mo
ments warning; and it should be distinctly IN