The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-01-06

Is there any easier, more speedy and moe fes-
sihle cure for the evils that now demoralze us
than foreign war, which shall again unitand
harmonize the people? Is there no important
diplomatic question upon which q union #
sentiment may be effected by an appeal to thu
patriotism Of the masses! Shall we intervene
in Mexico or in Chile, or shall we press our
claims for compensation against England It
is clear that something must be done to purify
the nation, and this great problem must shortly
enlist the undivided attention of the govern
ment and of all intelligent rejecting men.
The Underground Railroad and tho
Cholera.
Before the Legislature rusiies precipitately
into the grand job of the Underground Railroad,
and the Governor gives his official assent to the
scheme they should weigh we'll the objection
to the measure based upon the consideration
of public health. We have no idea that any
cut and dried legislative job can be stopped
by arguments that relate to ordinary public
welfare, convenience or comforts but it is still
possible that our cormorants of corruption will
hesitate when they see that their scheme may
result in a great public calamity that will in
jure the city, as it is on the prosperity of the
city that they rely to make their scheme pay.
Our city is built ON masmatic soil. This is
one of the well known facts in its history.
Fever still occurs in the course Of the old
streams, and all malariOus diseases have greater
intensity in ncighborhoods that were originally
marshy; but long exposure Of parts of the sur
face TO the sun, and the covering Up OF the rest
by pavement, have reduced the evil so that 1t is
now as nothing to what 1t once was. But it is
possible to revive this ancient trouble, and
to set free the malarous poison so that it will
rage in our crowded tenements with the
greatest virulencc. Extensive excavations
always revive fever in districts from
which il had disappeared, perhaps many years
before. This was the case in the construction
of the Hudson River Railroad and Of the Erie
Canal While the diggings for these works
were in progress fevers appeared in localities
which had once been scourgcd by it, but from
which il had died out. 1t will be the same in
running tunnel under The whole length OF the
city. That tunnel will open mines OF now
buried poison, and the draft at all the openings
viii come laden with the seeds of disease;
iCVer POISON Will III All tut uii'
There is more than usual reason why we
should not set free all this miasmatc poison
just now That reason is that we expect the
cholera. 1t would be foolish to shut our eyes
to the possibility that this scourge will visit us
next summer. II made regular westward
progress to Spain last year, and had just reached
our shores when the frost cut short its career.
| IL. l.
ing dormant through the winter, broke out
in the summer heat of the next year. Tho
cholera poison will give fatal type to
the diseases that originate in miasm, and
the miasmatc fever poison will carry the
cholera on its wings, making it more wide
spread than il otherwise would be and prevent
lug tbe possibility of keeping it out Of any
place. SO assisted the cholera will he as likely
TO rage in the house of the rich man as up the
filthy alleys OF The wreiched. Tins reacting ON
one another il would he no subjec4 ofcstenish-
ment if the two scourgcs should half depOpu,ate
the city. Now that all are agreed in their ef-
forts 10 do what Is possible to prevent the
spread OF cholera, shall we have added to the
chances against us this vast influence. that will
more than overbalance all our efforts?
We hope this reason agains. the underground
road will he weighed well at Albany. Aside
from The injury 10 property, the cracking and
umbling down of undermined houses, and the
interference with the sewers. this argument
alone, founded on. incontroycrtibie facts, should
prevent the consummaton Of the job. And the
people should hold responsible as public enc
mics all engaged. They should remember the
names, and when the blow fils and the pesti-
lencc stalk. into every house they will know
,vhn a.