The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-10-28

| Letter II ON New York.
New YORK, Oct. 25, 1869.
This great city is never without its excite
ment, Thousands of these would be but mo-
mentary, and confined to narrow Limits, but
for the rivalry existing between The newspa-
pers which must supply their readers with ev-
erything in the shape of news whether good
or bad; and to our shame be it said, the worse
the news the more popular the vehicle through
which it reaches the people. Every day we
read OF murder. arson, burglary and other
crimes indicating the existence of phase of
civilization unheard of before the flood. To-
day husband murder his wife and blows his
own brains out. Tomorrow mother kills
her child and then browns herself Now a
bank is robbed of the wealth CT hundred rich
men. Then comes the story of fire fiend, who
burns house after house, for the qualification
OF an uncomfortable and nexplicable desire to
work mischief. Clip from the last weeks files
or New York papers the various records of
crime, o, Philosopher! and explain il you
can, on any principle laid down in your books.
or deduced from the ever-present experience
OF the past, or evolved from the workings of
your own busy mind, what has produced this
state OF affairs now so common as to excite
but little remark among any class of people
except those, who, like yourself, make man.
kind their study. Does the solution of the
question lie in the fact that men are radically
depraved, and that their depravity is more ap
parent now than of old, only by reason of the
general advance of the world in moral
ity and the multiplication of news vehicles |?
Or, in the special case of New York, for ex-
ample, can we account for it on the score of
bad government? There is largely increas-
ing class OF thinking men among US, liberal in
their views on all subjects-religious political
and social-who take the ground that the
prevalence of crime is attributable, in great r
measure than moralists are willing to admit,
to the operation of bad laws or the careless
or wicked administration and execution of
good ones. We are soon to test the sentl-
ment of the people on this point, In adveca-
cy OF what is called the judiciary Article of
the new Constitution of New York, several
prominent members of the bar have recently
published an appeal for change in our judi
| cary system, which sets forth very startling
facts, and advances most cogent argument
FISK JR.
Fisk is, Ofcourse, in hot water, an element
out of which he could not enjoy an hours ex-
istence. He has succeeded in padlocking the
Sun, but the other papers scourge him up-
mercifully. 1t would be as difficult for him to
tell where IN spak for ra.1 frands oe - ,,,o, r..
CaImet and Herder and other geographers to
determine the exact locality of the Garden
OF Eden. That the gold excitement increased
his wealth cannot believe, for he is even now
unable to ray his workmen on tie Erie Rail-
way. He has large and expensive opera
house to take care OF, three or four private es-
adjustments to manage, one or two steam
boat lines to keep in running order, two
theatres, passenger railway line, magnif-
cent ferry, a line of omnibuses, a line of cabs,
valuable stud of horses, regiment of SER
wants, clerks, messengers, private watchmen,
&c., and corps of friends who must be Sc
we're drain upon his exchequer A few days
ago he was summoned to appear before the
Grand Jury, but he failed to come Jaw
Gould was also summoned, but, like his part.
ner, remained invisible. What will come OF
this and the Erie Railway strike, and the
unpleasantness with the Times, and the
trouble with the President, il remains for
Time to disclose. Certain it is, however, that
the man who bullied Vanderbilt, frlshte ned
Drew, captured Wall street and fascinated
Jay Gould, will not be undone without a
struggle which shall make him famous the
wide world over. Corbn is still in retirement
and the rest of the gold cabal are pursuing the
even tenor of their devious way, with, seem.
iDgly, no apprehension of being brought to
grief If the. proposed investigation of the
coLspiracy which SO nearly plunged the bust
ness community in ruin is held, and the gull
ty parties are ever summoned to hear right
eous sentence pronounced, it is not wicked to
hope that it could be uttered in the solemn
words of the English judge who sent the
counterieiter back to Jail as a preliminary to
longer journey. Said he: civilian Higgin-
botham Fitz Lawrence, l trust that through
the merits and mediation of our Blessed Re.
deemer you may experience in the world
whereto you are going that mercy which a
due regard for the ere lit of the national fnan-
ces torbids you to hope for here"
SECOND ADvENTIsTs.
The Second Adventists are all aeog again.
They have been in state of quiescence ever
since the earthquakes and other commissions
of nature in South America; but the shocks
down east the other day are SIGN to one di-
vision OF tie Milenarians at least, that the
world is now "on its last legs, and desperately
SICK" The second division, who may be
very properly called the conservatives, will
not admit that We stand on ruin. They hold
that many signs and omens and portents dire,
aud miracles must be witnessed before the
final crack of doom is beard. Father Snow
sides with the conservative Mienarians. but
the radicals, the Milerite Milenarians, have
many able prophets in whose foresight thew
have an abiding faith. equally crcdilable to
head and heart.
FATHER HYACINTHE.
Father Hyacinthe has been terribly bored
by the reporters and by legion of that class
OF visitors who prey only upon lions. He
manages to live through the infiction, how
ever, and seems to be about as stout and hap
pJ to-day as when he first landed. Yesterday
morning he attended service at Beecher's
Church, where, after the sermon, he had a
pleasant conversation with the great preacher
OF Plymouth Church. 1t was a notable sight
to see the brave Superior of the Barefooted
Carmelites of Paris and the famous Beecber |
together. As neither of the great men could |
speak the language of the other, their words |
were interpreted by an accomplished young
banker, protege of Beecher's, and fast |
friend of the Carmelite.
The question is asked here every day. |
"hat brings Father Hyacinthe to the Uuted
0tates"' The natural Yankee answer is, "To
maze money" But that is not his object
Nei'ner ooes he propose 10 stir I'D new trou-
oles IN the Church he has vowed to live and
die for. He has defied his superiors and thi.
morning received the official dispatch inform
ing him that they have stripped him of all his
honors and privileges and titles; but for III.
punishment he cares nothing. He says he is
still Roman Catholic aud will ever be one
out that he will never on that account cease
10 De a man. He says that the wrath of the
ORTHODOX clergy of his church has been pour
ed out against him because he dared to assert
bis right to judge for himself in matters non