The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-01-21

/ lNcGNplARisA.--The many acts Of incendi.
arista which have been committed in our
sister city OF Portsmouth during the past
twelve or eighteen months, while it has given
evidence OF the existence of class of villains
/ in the comln"nity Infinitely more despicable
and criminal than the highway bandit or the
open murderer, have also given birth to varj.
Gus surmises and theories as to the motives
of the perpetrators or the causes which have
been conducive to the deeds. We confess an
establishment when we try to think OF the
motives which actuate the incendiary.
solution of the question can only be found
in the depravity of the human heart. 1t is
diliicalt to conceive ola fellow being so sunk
Ell in vice, or SO lost to all feelings of common
pity, as to consent to become midnight as
sassin and yet how much worse is the class
OF whom we are speaking, who kindle, in the
dead hour of night, flames which may, ere
their progress be stayed, for aught they
know, envelop in fiery shrouds many an un-
fortunate person, who, all unsuspecting Of
danger, may be wrapped in dreamy sumber
desire for gain and plumber may actuate
some of the guilty ones. We have heard some
OF Portsmouth's most intelligent citizens ex-
press this opinion and there may be weight
in it; for no doubt conaagration, especially
in the populous parts of the city, does afford
abundant opportunities for theft. Another
reason aay be found in the morbid sympathy
c,n IL, h.nb b.. - -,
the community, and which in some instances
may be accounted for on the principle that
'fellow feeling makes US wondrous kind
We heard one of these model sympathizers,
when the news of the attempted escape of
the insurgents Cook and Coppoc from jail and
the result reached him, give utterance to
regrets, saying, "it's so cruel to hang men,"
Such persons must feel the incendiary's brand
and the traitors pike before they will &C.
knowledge the majesty, or appreciate the
advantages, of law. Another cause may be
the little possibility of detection. With
city two miles in length and mile wide,
there are only eight or nine watchmen, who
have the patrol of the whole city. 1t is an
easy matter TO eiude these, in the Egyptian
darkness which rests over the city when the
night Is come, especially when the moons
gentle beams are withdrawn. And here we
must state that, in our opinion, convenient
cloak for the commission, il not one OF the
principle Causes of incendiarism, is the non
lighting of the streets. How easy it is in the
dense darkness, when one can scarcely see
man five feet in advance Of him, to escape ar
rest even if detected 10 the commission. Let
the City Common Council, therefore, for the
safety of the property and lives of the citi-
zens OF Portsmouth, If no other consideration
will move them, have the street gas lamps
brightly burning each night.
There are doubtless other fostering causes
to this accursed and inhuman crime which
We might enunerste, but We desist al present
hoping that soon the curse may be removed.
and that the day will speedily dawn when
the people oil Portsmouth can retire to rest
with no fears OF burning homes and smould-
eving ruins, but in conscious security NAV
pass away their nights in quiet and peaceful
SAUNDERS.