The New York herald., 1866-03-17

tinue their search and prevent their being dis
tributed throughout the city. This is the only
way to put stop to that kind Of trade.
st. Patriok's Day.
The festival Of the patron saint of Ireland
has always been observed in this city with
great deal Of earnestness as well as very
large display Of pageantry, the most CON-
mendable feature of which has been the order
and sobriety which prevailed, and among the
none more beautiful than the immense bodies
Of the Father Mathew Temperance Societies.
In view of the Indirect influence which the
Fenian movement will undoubtedly bring to
bear upon the celebration Of to-day, we may
expect to see more enthusiasm and larger num-
bers Of participants than ever. The Fenians
themselves will, we understand, not be repre-
sented as body, having resolved to make no
display of their numerical strength, and pro-
badly finding that they have work enough to
do in their headquarters at this critical juno
ture.
The Irish people regard ST. Patrick and his
natal day as we do Washington and his birth
day. ST. Patrick, whose origin is not very
clearly accounted for-historians being divided
in opinion as to whether he was born in Gaul
or in Scotia-was the first great ameliorator of
the Irish race. How well his labors as pro-
pagandist of the Christian faith and the pre-
cursor of a higher civilization have been appre-
ciated, we have evidence in the veneration in
which his name is held after such o lapse of
time. While the patron saints of other nations
are almost forgotten, and many OF their heroes
are neglected, the memory Of this Christian
bishop and civilizer is remembered all over the
world. This may be accounted for In part by
the tenacity with which the Celtic race cling
to their traditionary history, and their gratitude
to the man who led them out Of the darkness
Of paganism. 1t may be accounted for, per-
haps, in measure also by the fact that II was
from the Irish church established by st. Patrick
that many of the missionaries came who
spread learning and religion over large part
of Europe, and founded colleges and monas-
teries where the most valuable relics of ancient
literature were translated and preserved. In
this way his name and his popularity became
widespread.
1t is somewhat curious that, while the titular
saints Of most countries were of the military
order, men who fought with dragons and CON-
bated giants, and so forth-the famous
"Seven Champions of Christendom," to wit
the patron saint of the greatest fighting people in
Europe should be man of peace, whose high
est deeds Of valor were converting pagans and
banishng reptiles. ST. Patrick was evidently
not Fenian, for the Fenians were of Phe-
nician origin, while the saint was Gael; but
had he lived until this day he might have been
found in Union square, only for his religious
scruples.
However, turning from st. Patrick of thou
sand years ago TO the celebration Of his birth
day in the metropolis of America to-day, we
have no doubt that 1t will be very imposing
spectacle, and whatever increase there may be
In numbers or enthusiasm may be attributed to
the exciting circumstances of the times That
it will be an orderly, sober and respectable
demonstration we have sufficient guarantee in
all former celebrations of like character
PRIVILEGES OF LEoBIAToRs.-A city con-
temporary is excessively severe upon Judge
Scrugham, Of Brooklyn, for postponing libel
suit in which an ex-member Of the Legislature
is plaintiff and the editor Of Brooklyn paper
the defendant The case has once been post.
poned at the request Of the respondent, and II
seems but fair thing for the Judge to post
pone II again upon the motion Of the plaintiff,
If any reasonable grounds therefor should be
presented. A number of the witnesses in the
case are members of the Legislature; and we
hold that the Judge was justified in deferring
the case, II he designed TO respect the privi-
leges Of legislators, who are exempt from ar
rest and should be from attachment, a. wit
nesses, while in the exercise of their legislative
functions The people Of the State pay legisla-
| tors certain sum per session; and II the time
Of members is TO be wasted In vexatious law
suits, that can be tried at any time; and in at
delays, and the procrastination and subter-
fuges Of counsel, It would not be difficult for q
combination Of evil disposed persons,
upon trivial pretexs, TO subpoena witnesses
from both houses, and, by preventing
quorum from assembling, impede the
operations Of the State government We wish
there we're no stronger grounds for complaint
against our elective judges, particularly the
police Justices, than the one preferred against
Judge Scrugham.
JoHs Bull. inclined TO PAY UP.-We see by
recent advices from Europe that Lord Clarcn-
don Is now anxious to reopen the Alabama
discussion and come to some definite settle
ment short time ago the noble Lord de-
clared that this subject was T" exbausted"-as