The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-01-31
GoMMpaieatiops.
Prom our New York Correspondent

Prom our New York Correspondent.
New YoRK, Jan. 13. 1857.
MR. BRowS-DEAR SIR:-In obe-
dience to an intimation from you, that
8 weekly glance at the busy life
scenes of this Babel of the continent
would interest your readers. l cheer
fully accept the profer of your col
umns, and will try TO keep them post
ed, both in the current events that
float on the surface of society and the
more unostentatious and modest incl
dents of city life, that require the in
trusive Office of the public reporter to
drag them forth and give them fame.
But first allow me, in behalf of the
friends of civil liberty, not only here
but throughout the world, to repeat
the note of thanks to our brethren in
Kansas for their gallant and heroic
deeds. So long as justice has an ad-
yocste and liberty friend, Kanaas
will be classic ground, the names of
Its honorsd dead be enrolled among
the martyrs to the most ennobling
sentiments of humanity and the sur
viyors of the struggle be honored as
the chosen instruments of Heaven for
the deliverance of the human race
from bondage more barbarous and
degrading than that of the task-mas-
ters and despots of Egypt. The peo-
pie of Kansas, amid all their noble
deeds, are scarcely conscious of their
position. They are acting not only
for themselves and their brethren in
America, but as the representatives of
the virtue of the human race; and
worthily have they sustained this
proud position. While physical
courage has not been wanting, pru-
dence and forbearance have been the
principal elements of their triumph
and have engraven their immor ality
on the hearts of their cotemporaries
and on the enduring pages of history.
All honor to the gallant men and no.
BILE women of Kansas
The feeling here among all parties
is that. the liberties of Kansas are al
ready achieved. Mr.. Buchanan Rill
not hazard the success of his admin
istration by any such experiments as
poor Pierce's political necessities
forced upon him. Having sacrificed
his manhood. he is driven forth des-
pissed and abhorred, and the lesson
purchased at the expense of suffering
Kansas will sink deep into the hearts
of aspiring politicians.
Judging from the current conven-
saticn here, you may expect an un-
precedented accession to your num-
bers of our self-reliant mechanics and
hardy yeomanry. There seems to be
q prevailing sentiment that manly in
dependence in the new Territories is
better than humble vassalage to land
lords In the older states and cities.
This is the gay season and its pre-
eminent gaiety surpasses all former
precedent. The past few years Of
commercial prosperity and the influx
of gold seem to have turned the heads
of large proportion of the people.
Extravaganza is the order of the day,
The fashionable shop keepers in
Broadway assure US that nothing is
too dear for this market. A fashion.
able lady cannot venture abroad with
out q silk dress worth fifty dollars;
laces, fifty more; sahles, another fifty
and French kat alsat fifty more,
With oracelets, watse nd chains to
fch, she moves along, the embodi-
zEIt Of the floating funds of her hus-
Bzaz p prevailing taste OF ladies
dress odsfzges sill notions of artistic
propriety, and sets common sense al
defiance. With szirts hooped out te
lndicroas width. and a luxurian'
rzcfnsion of costly appendages and
zgenialities. they appear on tht
zshionahle promenades, like moving
masses Of dry-goods. ] am aware il
is q vulgar custom to hit of the pre-,
va;ling fashions of the ladies; but in
sober truth. the present rage is mos
prepostereus and requires s little
esrring down from the periodical
press.
Large fashionable parties and pub.
lie dinners ere more than ever II
vogue. and on the most costly and ex
trasagant seals, surprising the gener
Gus psodigality Of an English Duke
To achieve the means for such in
dnlgences, honest industry Is unsval
ing and speculations are entered int,
Of the most hazardous character. Th'
more ardent cannot wait, but boldl,
seek, BY fraudulent transactions, t.
reach the summit of display at q singh
leap. The mania for sudden success
pompous display and luxurious in
dulgenee peryaies al classes and botl
sexes; produces a general de.neraliza
:. tioa vf feeling; lowers the standard o
rubiic opinion; induces ils,lifiefene
5 70 crime ana audacity ia Official plum
der. Well may We deprecate the ae
cursed love OF gold and its uses. 70
which the world is madiy harierin.
Its virtue. Well may We depiore tn
prevalence Of the senzuous over tn
mental tastes and tendencies OF Ia