The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-02-09
Casses OF Crime iR New Yorl-Mersl VI the
Bond Street Murder.

Cas,ses of Crime iR New Yorlx-Mersl If the
Bond Street Murder.
l The theory started by the I DEPENDENT and other
religious papers 10 account for the frequent per-
petration OF atrocities like that which has just
taken place in Bond street is so suggestive from
its very innocence that we cannot help pursuing
| further the speculations to which it leads Our
reverend contemporaries, in the self-confdence OF
their own good works. attribute the blame OF
these evil deeds to the defective organization Of
our municipal Institutions and shut their eyes to
variety OF other Causes some Of them affecting
themselves which equally contribute to swell the
catalogue Of crime.
There certainly never was case which afford
| ed less basis for such an assumption than this
murder Of Dr. Burdell. IL is one of those crimes
which will occur. and do continually occur, in
communities whose police and judicial organza-
ton is the most perfect, and where punishment
follows with most certainty the offence. 1t will
not be disputed that both in England and in
France the preventive principle, so far as mere
physical restraint is concerned is carried to its
highest degree Of effectiveness. And yet in both
those countries we have witnessed within the last
few years an aggravation in the character and
number Of these crimes which has impart-
ed to them somewhat Of the features OF
social epidemic. There never was q
period, in fact, In the criminal annals OF Great
Britain which has been marked by 50 many
poisonings and assassinatioEs resulting from pure
cupidi,y; whilst IL France, the number of MUIR
ders attributable TO the same cause is stated to
be fearfuly on the increase. The inevitable de-
duction from these facts is that in proportion as
community approaches It's highest point of
social Development. crimes OF this character
will keep pace with it, inasmuch as the necessi-
ties eDgendered by luxurious tastes must be
gratifed at any cost. In the middle ages assas-
sinations We're, generally speaking comm. ed
from motives OF political or personal vengeance.
The footpad or hiehwayman. in relieving the
passenger Of his purse rarely resorted to vio-
leDce unless resistance were offered. S.ill less
frequently did people hear Of those cold blooded
midnight murders. In which men were despatched
by the knife or by poison for the sake OF ;aeir
gold. II has been reserved for our times 10 give
to crimes Of this character permanent place on
our calendars, and TO SHOCK the world by the
spectacle Of atrocities dictated 10y tue vlcst aud
basest Of objects.
To trace such crimes, common as they are at
the present day amongst communities equally
civilized with ourselves, to a cause which a.. 40
uniform application, seems % ne neither very
philosophical nor very acc1ra.e Are there no
other Influences al work TO account for anamolies
so sirange2
We are aware that We shall be accused OF the
iniidelty attributed 10 all practical minds, when
assert that the clergy Of all denominations are
IN some degree 20 blame for the condition of
society which engendsrs such evils And yet.
with the fear Of his charge before our eyes. we
do not hesitate 10 reiterate conviction to which
We have but too frequently had occasion to give
expression. Who that has wa ched TIE course Of
the shining lights OF the different religious
denominations for the last dozen years, but is
forced to the reflection. that the christianity
which these men teach has but little resemblance
to the Christening, the elevatng and benign doc.
trines inculcated by the Great Master whom they
profess TO serve. Their christianity is dry.
soulless and technical creed and not religion Of
peace, charity and good will amongs. men. lt Is
a christianity in which the pulpit drum ecclesi-
astic" and the click Of the Sharpe rife are heard
a. substitutes for the voice of gentle reproof 10
the sinner and Of hope and encouragement TO toe
penitent. Unlike the good pastor Of Chaucer.
who conducted bis fock 10 heaven bJ q siiken
thread. the parsons Of our dag deal in poiemical
bitterness and harsh COMBINATIONS Of those who
differ with them. Out Of such seed what fruit
are we 10 expect! A low tone of public morality
and the prevalence Of crime in quarters where
ignorance and poverty cannot be said TO exist, are
The results that We must look for.
To attribute solely TO the indifference Of the
clergy the existing Generalization. would, how
ever, b. as little just a. is their desire 10
fasten il on the defects Of our local institu.
tons There are other coincdent causes
which contribute to H. Amongst these
the most fruitful is unquestionably the vicious
character Of the plays which il is now the fashion
TO produce on our stage. Instead of the old |
staple dramas which, if they had no very striking
moral, did not at least violate the dscences and |
prophecies Of life, modern taste calls for the ORA
matte monstrosities with which the French and |
Germans love 10 stimulate their morbid tastes
In these plays all the natural ties and relations
Of life are distorted in The effort to produce start
Ling effects; and the further from nature the AN.
thor departs the greater chance he has Of popu-
lar success. Where the principles of right and
TggpS arc bus soa.oaa3ed in the minds Of the