The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-06-20

ty movements Of the day. Mr.. Buchanan stands
upon rcck; but The future-who shall speak for
the future?
What Must We Expect from the Cour. OF
Appeals:
Judge EdmOads closing speech to the Court of
Appeals on behalf of the municipal liberties of
New York was by far the ablest argument de-
liyered on the question. For a man whose
vision, in spiritual matters, has been singuarly
obfusca.ed, Judge Edmonds isa surprisingly clear
sighted and clear-headed lawyer. He put the
case to the Court more plainly and obviously
than any Of his brethren; if the true points are
overlooked in the Judgment it will not be his
fault. We are quite ready to say with him-if
the Court finds it doubtful whether the Metropo-
Titan Police act does or does not conflict with the
provisions of the constitution aud the natural
and chartered rights of the city of New York. let
them give the Albany oligarchy the benefit of the
doubt but If they find as we do, that the Metro
politan Police act is q palpable and transparent
usurpation, Hagration violation of the constitu-
ton, another link in the long chain of unconsttu-
tional acts forced on the Legislature by corrupt
cabal at Albany and an ignorant majority from
the rural districts, and Git companion to the
Prohbtory Liquor law--why, then let them
consign it to the tomb where that absurd statute
is rotting.
We do most fervently and anxiously trust
that whatever decision may be arrived at
by the Judges of the Court of Appeals,
that decision will be thorough, and will 20
to the bottom Of the question. An adverse judg-
ment to the liberties of the people is less TO be
| feared than judgment-like that of the Su
preme Court Sinking the real question involv.
cd; the evaporation Of the community at such
an unsatisfactory conclusion TO the case would be
very great.
For, should the Court of Appeals decide for
instance, as the Supreme Court did, that the
Legislature has the right to appoint apolice for
two or more counties, without deciding whether
those sections Of the act which abolish our mu-
nicipal police and transfer their property to the
new force the condition Of this city will be worse
after than 1t was before the judgment The ma-
nicipal authorities will Of course obey the law
no farther than they have done; that is to- say,
they will not arrest Mesra Draper and Company
for any riotous proceedings they may enact in
White street under cover of the law; but they
will most assuredy refuse to surrender the police
property; they will not disband the Municipal
police; nor will they yield to the Metropolitan
| police the duty of watching over life and pro-
perry in the city. This policy-which will be
imperative on she municipal government of the
city-will Of course be stigmatized as illegal by
their opponents; and thus the feelings of all par
Ties will be embitterod, until. some time in the
course of the summer, the rivalry is capped
b. an open conflict between the two
sets of policemen. On the other hand
should the law confirm the right of the State
| to appoint policemen, without confirming the abb
lition Of our municipal police questions of the
most delicate character will arise in reference to
! the pay OF the Metropolitan force Under the re-
solution Of the Supervisors pay for five men only
can he drawn from the treasury Of the city; they
may rest assured that no more wilbbe got. How
the remaining two or three hundred mentor we
presume they viii have as many as this-sre to
get paid, we cannot imagine; but il is easy to
sec that much suffering and Inconvenience aud
litigation must be their lot They will probably
he found few weeks hence, soured and disap-
pointed band Of desperate men. suing the Albany
Commissioners for salarics which the latter may
yet have to pay out Of their pockets. The con-
sequences. therefore, Of an incomplete judgment
from the Court of Appeals may be summed up
briefly as, anarchy and confusion, with a clear
prospect of rioting and bloodshed and great in.
convenience and hardship 10 the Metropolitan
policemen
The Oout of Appeals is In the light q an ex-
pert called upon to test the edi6ce Of the Metro
politan Police law. They must examine IL from
top 10 bottom and reporl upon the whole. A re-
port upon part or q section of the law will not
answer the public purpose or do aught bat mis-
chief. Any report that does not finally settle the
question one way or the other will be worse than
nothing.
There is no desire on the part of The municipal
authorities Of the city 10 protract the contest un-
necessarily. Should the Court Of Appeals decide
that the city has no rights of selfgoyernment
which the State Legislature is bound TO respect
the city government will unhestatingly submit;
we may add that If the Judgment is the other
way they will take pretty good care that the Al
bsny invaders shall submit, and that speedily
But whatever is done, for the love of peace, let
US have judgment that will settle matters till
the fall election
GOVERNOR KrNG.--We are glad to sec that
Governor King is proving himself sensible man,
in his disapproval Of the extraordinary extra
judicial, criminal and military measures Of the
last few days against our city government.
These violent outbursts, however, of the Re