The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-16

SAcooA Va sno "a VI ol&u oClcuceS, Tue leSlSiAtoi
of nations, even to the present day, will rise
with new vigor from Its long enchainment and
apathy, and take noble share In the career Of
human Development and elevation.
Progress OF the Central Park.
The metropolitan public, of all classes, have
only just begun to appreciate the best the most
noble, the most grateful and the most beneficial
of their public institutions, distinct from those
of mere practical utility. The splendid Park is
now beginning to emerge from a chaos Of
rocks and halfbuilt roads, and unsightly ex-
crescences and stunted trees, and to wear that
daily beauty which will make 1t joy forever,
and the richest of legacies to our posterity.
The influence of the Park upon the people
who enjoy it's varied attractions is none the
less sure because 1t is attained by gradual
steps The work has progressed slowly, but
surely. Sufficient has already been done to
prove, in the amplest way, its incalculable
value. During last summer the Park became
a very popular resort for all classes. The
Ramble was then visited by thousands of per-
sons, who enjoyed the grateful shade, the
perfume of the flowers, the delightful music
and the superb landscape views, and came
back to the dusty and crowded city better and
purer for their excursion. Later in the year
the finest carriage road in the country was
opened, and was fully appreciated and i'm
proved; and now for our winter sports, we have
skating ponds, which only need be kept in
little better order to surpass the famous Ser
pentine of Hyde Park, or the equally celebrat-
ed lake in the Bots de Boulogne. On the Gen.
trail Park ponds, since the cold weather set in,
there has been presented a scene of animated
gayety such as could not be surpassed in the
world. Skaters and spectators of both sexes
and all classes, have mingled together in the
pursuit of health, recreation, grace and inno-
cent pleasure. Skirting the ponds might have
been seen the finest equipages that the metro
polls can turn out, and the entire ensemble was
delightful in the extreme. On Christmas day
alone, it was estimated that no1ess than 10000
persons visited the Central Park, and on every
other occasion when the skating was good there
was a proportionate crowd. And, as proof
of the humanizing influences of the Park, we
have not heard of single instance of the row.
dyism which has been but too common in this
country when large assemblages came together
During the next year the value of the Park
will be still more fully demonstrated. New drives
and pleasant walks will be opened For the
first time there will be a proper place for the
exhibition of the fine equipages which are main
tanned in New York. Heretofore there has
been no special drive within the city proper. |
Broadway is too much blocked up, and |
only a few persons drive in the Fifth avenue
There is no universal promenade such as every
city in Europe has, and where every one who
keeps q carriage may be seen at specified
hour of the day. In New York it is estimated
that there are over five hundred carriages main
tanned by private individuals-a greater num-
Der than is kept in London or Paris. The Gen.
trail Park will give an opportunity for the pro-
per display of all these fine equipages, and it
will be the best drive in the world.
The Central Park is matter of national as
well as of local importance. Its glory is the
glory Of the whole republic as well as of this
imperial city.
Our next census will probably show that the
population of the United States exceeds that of
England or France, while in extent of territory
we stand among the greatest of empires, an
cient or modern. To-day New York is richer
than Paris, and before many years this metropo-
lis will be more wealthy than London. The
Central Park is to be looked upon as one Of
the chief evidences of our progress in material
wealth and in the culture of those refining in
fuences which distinguish the civilized man
from the savage.
The immense value of the Park, and its
cheapness at any cost, seem so clear that even
to allude to, much less to enlarge upon them,
seems like arguing upon a decided case
Nevertheless we do allude to them, to express
the hope that there cannot be found, either at
Albany or elsewhere, any persons in authority
who will make of themselves such ridiculous
asses and nincompoops as to throw any obsta-
Giles or impediments in the way of the speedy
completion of the work upon the Park
Albany legislation has already done sufi-
cient amount of mischief to the metropolis,
without placing its fangs upon the Central
Park Let the work 60 on as it has begun. We
can tell those who may be disposed to arrest
it that if they do so they will have heavy
account to settle with the people, who will not
forget them at the polls.
BLACK REPUBLICAN THEORY AND PRAcrIcE.-
Among the many important articles which
over crowd our columns this morning, the spe-
cial message of Governor Letcher, of Virginia,
must not be overlooked. In this message,
Governor Letcher announces to the Virginia
Legislature the refusal of Governor Kirkwood.
of Iowa, to surrender to the proper authorities.
upon regular and legal requisition, the per-
son Of Coppoc, one of the Harper's Ferry con-
spirators. Governor Kirkwood is, of course,
black republican, and governs strongly
black republican State His action, then, in