The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-02-22

p0r1B0n 10 WIS reepceL WIN OUH IhO6e oDuOWsu
and supported by the public ere on the largest
and most efficient scale. Thousands of the I'M
fortunate poor and destitute sick End refuge in
our almshouses, IN our hospitals and ON the
islands in the East river, provided for and cared
for with untiring sympathy. Dispensaries in
every part of the city furnish gratusoas aid to
the poor of the neighborhoOds, and the houseles
at night find at every station places where they
may comfortably repose. In addition to these
are innunsrable private and religious charities,
where the benevolence Of particular associations
and oeeds il constantly exerted with effect, and
during the inclement season Of winter the whole
city 10 explored by voluntary committees Of both
sexes, and every domicile suspected Is the home
Of misery il visited with relief Nor must it be
forgotten that this benevolent feeling does not
Genuine ito action TO the spot where it is born. The
famine in Ireland, the pestilencs in New Or
leans and Norfolk, the suferings in Ne
deira and the Cape de Verbs, and the
foundations of the Loire are but . few
examples Of what New York has done for others
and what she will do again. The free school
system has been also carried out in this city to
the fullest extent. The primary schools and the
Free Academy cannot be surpassed in any part
Of the world and if the youth Of the city are led
astray, it is not from the want Of proper instrac
ton. In no part of this country are the churches
more numerous, in no part Of the world are there
as great proportional accommodations for the OBJ
servers of the Christian Sabbath, nor a. many
Sunday Schools, nor as much apparent respect
and regard for religion. We have large and in
sreasing public libraries and constant succession
of useful and instructive lectures. So much for
the moral and Intellectual framework Of New
York. Shall we draw aside the curtain which
conceals the generous groups who set all this ma
chinery in motion? Most of our readers, within
their own observation, have noticed some of the
labOrs of which we speak. Who of them cannot
point out of their own knowledge, some Of those
excellent and admirable people who give life and
energy and success to these associations? For
every meaking wretch who would prey upon and
injure his neighbor, there is the coanterpoise of
some angelic soul who would pour balm into his
wounds The middling classes Of New York are,
without any doubt, possessOrs Of all the virtues
which adorn humanity, and he who asperses them I
does the age and his country the grossest injustice
And even If We penetrate into those circle,
where wealth and pleasure hold perpetual gala,
and where the greatest danger of misconduct lies,
We can make the most brilliant exceptions to the
general rule There are numerous families in
New York to whom belong whatever advsn-
tage there ID in honorable descent, who have
from youth been trained in the paths
Of honor and truth, who have keen relish for
art and literature-who are in the enjoyment Of
undlsputed wealth, not won by any Of the tricks
ofmeanuesses which are practiced by modern spe-
culators, and whose houses are the seats of ele-
giant hospitality. We may say more of them:
We may ASSERT that they are somewhat scrupu.
lous In their associations, and do not regard the
Fifth avenue socially as the criterion of manners
or merit Perhaps If one could know their real
opinion of it, now crowded with perspiring par
Sssues, they might esteem it rather the Rue d'En-
fer than part Of the Faubourg St. Germain
These families do net carry all their diamonds to
Saratoga, nor run after every Polish Count, nor
spend all their evenings at the Opera nor all
their mornings in Broadway. OF art, they are
unaffected patrons-they are the best friends
Of authorrhip-the largest contributors to OBJ
ed-in ''morals nice"-in society charming, they
Ike ships at sea, while in, above the world.
This is q sketch Of New York. and Of the best
portion Of its middle and higher classes and II is
not overweight From this point of view an
its littleneeses and vices sink into the ground;
and those who look at IL in the same way viii find
that its redeeming qualities overbalanco by
their example and their influence the evils which
belong unavoidably TO great cities, great crowds
and great prosperity. While, then, we occasion
ally find it Our duty, a. independent journalists,
to criticise even to harshnes the want OF good
manners and good morals incident to such .
crowd as Gil New York, and which so frequently
force themselves upon public attention, We can
not but perceive that there II underneath all its
fslly . solid stratum of good sense and good
feeling
Bad as the world 10, rsspsst is always paid TO
virtue" and it is by reinfoang public opinion,
which almost always takes the right ride of every
question when left free to express ITSELF that the
press .ulflls its highest duty and discharges its
most sacred obligations The exposure Of mis-
conduct II enc of the surest measures Of reform;
but it is more grateful task to hold up TO pub
lie notice those good actions those excellent prn-
ciples, aud those manly virtues which impress
Themselves on The age, which after all are most
boDorcd, and throw real lustre upon the com
munities whore they are found. Let those,
then, who have looked at the picture Of New
York in its most unfsvorable usst look att
agsin as We have now hung II on the wall
II viii be found a study full of interest aud
pleasure.
A SwiRu W RooUBs LET LOOSE UroS THE
ConsUnTr,-By communication from the Sc
cretary 10 the Senate of this State we learn that