The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-11
Tho Albany Hsspicins TRIAL


The result of the Cole-aiscocK '"'0 !"
Albany, while it may not surprise mSny ee0,
pie, presents, certainly, singular evidel'e Vi
the Generalization of the times and the a
parent Indifference with which public opinion
views great crimes. This, it is true, is not an
exceptional case. We have seen of late years
many tragedies similar to that of the killing of
Mr.. Hiscock by General Cole which have
reached the same legal termination. If juries
did not acquit they disagreed, as in this case,
and the accused was relieved from the respon-
sbility of the act. All this may be accounted
for by the generalization into which our public
men have fallen. Examples of crime in high
quarters have produced their natural effects,
and we cannot be astonished to find mmunities
granted in the jury box which are freely as
sumed in the Senate of the nation and in
almost every public Office. There is, perhaps,
no country in the world where political station
ranks 80 high as it does here; and yet there
seems to be an absolute void of principle and
morals in all our public men. Let us take as
an example the recent disgraceful scenes in
SohSi coo. WHcIc, eACcpt III
could the representatives of the people, who
are supposed to be the pick and choice of the
communities from which they come, exhibit
the ill-breedng, the disregard Of parliamentary
decorum, and the total absence of principle and
morality as presented in the debate on the I'd
inst? 1t is unfortunate for the country,
but it is nevertheless true, that the conduct of
our leading political lights is on par with the
lowest stratum of State Prison life. Frauds in
every shape turpitude that would stain the
reputation of public criminals, are the common
events in political circles, while the complete
abandonment of all moral principles is as much
the ordinary rule of this class of society as it is
in the slums of the cities of Europe.
Hence we see licentious magazines and in
decent Illustrated papers patronized by the
highest as well as the lowest order of intellect.
Indeed, these publications find their largest
support in those classes that claim a nobility
of responsibility. The politician of loftiest
station and the vilest vagabond in the commu-
nifty dispense equal patronage to this class of
literature. From these facts we infer that pub
Nv AAoioh1y 40 az f" NoAJ INV COO uHu tudt WIG
rules the hour. Where, then, is virtue to be
found2 We certainly have some virtue among
us, or society would become moribund and
hideOus. 1t is to be found in the various reli-
gious congregations and institutions, among
the Catholics, the Episcopalans, the Method
lists, the Baptists, and all the other denom-
nations, each enjoying freedom to worship
and do good in their own way under the wise
laws of this country. These congregations are
comprised, for the most part, Of the middle
classes of society-peoplc who attend to their
business and aspire to no political Office These
classes are numerous, and in private virtue
outweigh the public immortality of the politi-
clans. 1t is they who keep the country to-
gether. Were it not for them it would fall to
pieces from sheer generalization. In this
great modern Sodom of ours there are still
ten righteous men to be found in the lower
stratum, ten, perchance, in the upper
stratum, and fair leaven of Righteousness in
the middle layer of society, which save us from
perdiion. If we had to trust our salvation to
our public men and politicians we should stand
a very bad chance.