The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-09-05
Tne Morale &C the staten Island Ousyages

Tl,e Morale &C the staten Island Oussages.
The destruction of the Quarantine establish
Inynt at staten Island has furnished fruitful
thev,s 70 political theorists and moralists. Ab'
stractedly considered, the proceeding is a law
less and an upjustifable one; but to Judge II
properly, the provocation which led to it mus
be taken into account Had the Staten Island
ers thus compromised themselves wittou. hav-
ing exhausted every other means OF redress,
there would not be found a single voice to pal
late their conduct. But, having appealed in
vain to the Legislature, through a long succes-
sion Of years having had their efforts defeated
through corrupt political influences and having
ty of the governing powers-'hey have done
that which most other communities would have
done in their place taken the Law into their
own hands, and abated the nuisance. This is
precisely what ths people did in San Francisco,
and what our citizens will always do, when
they find that through the dishonesty Of
their representatives the institutions Of
the country are powerless to redress their
wrongs That inability Of the constitution to
vndicate its own powers, which in m0narchcal
)nn'ries leads to revolution and the overthrow
ooyDa,ties and aristocracies, with US is speedily
remedied, by some vigorous local outburst such
as that which has just taken place on Staten
Island. The blame, therefore, of such acts
should be measured out with extreme caution
Before condemning them we should weigh care
fully the provocation and the necessity which
rave rise to them. Where the people are sove-
reign, it becomes nice question at what pre-
else roint they are justified in resuming the
powers which they have delegated. When they
and that the machinery Of government will not
work, or will only work for the benefit of the
corrupt and unprinc' pied, then il seems TO us
that they only exercise their natural and inhe-
rent right in forcine tie redress that is denied
them through tn regular channels.
This is the case put sorward by the Staten
Island people. It cannot be denied that there
Is great deal Of justice in It. Had our State go
vernmert worked pate-nally ard impartially for
all, then complaints would have long since cen
attended to. The retention of marine laza-
retto in q populous locality, forming at once
the sun ner residence and the pleasure haunt Of
large numbers Of our citizens, was obviously
crying and pressing grievance. Not only did
II tend to keep down the value of property in
one of the most delightful spots in the neigh
borbood Of New York, fut II became fruitful
source OF danger TO all residing on that and
the opposite shores Of the bay. Could neces-
sity have been shown for a continuance OF
The evil it might have been borne patiently; bu.
II has been long since apparent that IS main
tenauce at this point has been due only to the
corruption and dishonesty which have marked
our State legislation for the last dozen years.
Instead, therefore, Of censuring the Staten
Islanders for the excuses into which they have
been betrayed, let us blame the disagreement
which mas driven them to such extremes. We
know not how soon we may ourselves have oc-
casion for the indulgent Judgment Of Others
Al the rate al which similar corruption and ras-
cality in our municipal, as we'll as State
government, are heaping US with burthens
ard multiplying our slGeriDgs, II Is i'm ossible
to say how soon We shall he compelled to take
into our own hands the reformation Of these
abuses ard the punishment OF the offenders
The necessity VII be hard one, but II will
Gsuredly Le forced upon u, unless the indie
pendent voters and taxpayers OF the city form
such an organization as will be powerful enough
to carry out their views. AS to trusting any
longer to the promises Of politicians, We have
had enough Of that to convince Us Of its folly
An parties democratic, republican aud Ancri-
cRn-have shown themselves alike unable to
Withstand the temptation OF the public plumber.
Whilst, therefore, the near approach OF The
State and charter elections affords us chance
Of constitutional means Of redress, those in
terested In keeping down the public burthens
should make a vigorous effort to elect candi-
dates who will be devoted to their interests,
and who will he proof against party Influences
II the political theorists and noralists who are
~ severe in their structures on the Staten
islanders. will unite in this movement. they
viii help to preserve New York from .hc neces-
lily Of initiating their example.
THE CENTRAL PARK.-The work on the Cen
trail Park, from the nature OF the grounds. il