The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-17

MORALS ABROAD-CONVICTT0N OF PALMER
The last English mails bring us the conclusion Of
the trial of Palmer, who has been convicted of
the poisoning Of sporting friend of the name Of
Cook, by administering antimony and strichnine.
We do not regard the incidents of this trial, ably
conducted as it was, nor the graphic Illustrations
in the English papers Of the life and times Of the
convict; nor shall we eulogise the sternness Of
English law, which is no respecter Of persons.
But, as indications Of morals and tastes abroad,
the circumstances are instructive This is an
other instance of q most fatal tendency in the
sporting and fashionable ranks Of English society;
among those first at the race course and Last on
he exchange, who live for the qualification of
taste and fashion only, and who have ceased to
be truly English.
But short time since, we saw an eminent
banking house. which had engulfed alike the
savings of the studious the incomes of the rich
and the revenues of the religious, driven from the
highest and most commanding walks in Life to
the table, and the dock, and the prison. A
member of Parliament-a giant in forgery
and false pretenses- extended in desperation
a lifeless corpse, by his own selfpunish-
ing hand; and now hero Of the Derby
and the Oaks, sentenced to the gallows
for poisoning lucky companion. FIVE cross the
Channel, we see also the beginning of similar
end. Louis Napoleon, who has ventured much
himself, has nterdicted his own immediate de-
pendents from specializing on the Bourse. But the
mania is unchecked. Speculation and it's at
tendant venality and hardihood is still carrying
on it's work, and public and private honor is de-
bauched by the desire Of sudden wealth and i'm
mediate enjoyment.
The truth is that quite large portion Of the
aristocratic classes Of both England and France
is sadly dissipated and unprincipled. Not long
since British peer had to pay enormous losses
in stocks incurred by pretty and reckless wife.
All this may be attributed to the spirit of specu-
lation which is now injecting society, and it is
our opinion that we have not yet heard Of all the
miseries which are inevitable. We venture to
predict that more and more are to follow,
to shock public feeling and to shake our
confidence in men and manners. The ardent de-
sire of obtaining wealth, that it may be expended
in fashionable folly, and the lack OF principle
which induces the attempt, are full OF warning,
and we cannot shut our eyes to the sad cOnse-
uuences which must ensue. The aristocracy Of
both France and England, and many Of the mid
ding classes, are following career disastrous to
virtue and humanity. Their minds are bent
upon physical enjoyment, cost what it may. To
compass this, all the restraints Of honor, Of truth
and morality are puehed aside, and the most
frightful examples Of the consequences of their
disregard do not seem to make any impression.
Races must be run, primma donnas must be
idolized, and industry must be despoiled that
pleasure may be enjoyed and high life INDUCED
in.
We turn from the picture with the most pain
full feelings We reverse the opinion of Burke, and
assert that vice, in losing outward its deformity
does not lose it's grossness, but that it's progress
though gilded for time by success is still the
basest and most improbable Of human produc-
ions