The New York herald., 1871-11-26

Our Religious Press Table.
It is somewhat noticeable fact that what
ever our local religious contemporaries have
advocated in the matter Of municipal politics
and reform has been triumphantly accom-
plished. Since the war against the Tammany
Ring couspirators began every religious sheet
in this city, of any respectable tone or stand
ing, has taken positive position in demand
ing those reforms which the people so
cordially sustained at the polls. The
political influence of our pious people
should not, therefore, be reckoned
lightly of by the old political stagers and ward
tricksters and canvassers. There is vein Of
sound morals and strict political purity under
lying our institutions which needs but the
alarm being sounded to bring to the surface
and make the political scoundrels and mid
hight burglars in the political arena shrink
back to their kennels like whipped hounds.
Occasionally our friends of the religious press
will open raging tempest Of bgotry and in-
tolerance, but that, we may say, is the excep-
ton, and not the rule.
The EuangeIist (Presbyterian) this week
discusses the subject of ''misgoverned cities,"
taking for its text an article on the misgovern-
ment of New York which appeared in the last
number of the North american RerieD, and
the points of which are thus briefly enume-
rated:-
He rhe writer IN the North American, would
have one responsible executive head, who should
a Int ms ms 70 wnom n ne 1eePe
Sion Of order and the maintenance of honesty and
economy in each department. lie insists.
and Justly, on judiciary appointed for life.
lie would have a legislative body tnat shoula
hold the purse-strngs and determine how much
propriated This Legislation might consist OF .
single body sufficiently numerous to allow the rep
voters in it. 1t should be prohibited from the exer-
else OF any executive functions Whatever, and no
matter concerning the city specially the municipal
government should have control, thus relieving the
State OF task which It can only discharge lmper-
ecy al best AMI ut the risk OF It's own demoralixa
ton.
These points have already been urged 10
the HERALD in framing the new charter, but
the Evangelist is inclined to think they are
not radical enough. But amid the evils fow-
ing from the present charter the E0angelist 10
| Of opinion that almost any change would be
relief. At any rate the present system, It dc
| clares, ''is doomed. What shall take its
place7" The Evangelist answers its own
question by saying:-
The question challenges the most serious asten-
tion II IL one OF general interest 1t concerns us
aTed mem sna Ox,eDd are ths musipynr
millions or our population congregating in cities.
New York has furnished them already a warning.
| She has been forced to learn by great mistakes.
| Men cannot be reformed or regenerated by lcgisa-
tion TO reach the masses, and NJ them TO exercise
| their rights lntegently and honestly, we must ply
all the mears OF popular edu -atlOn, moral and reif
| gious well as intellectual But We may at least 80
construct government tnat 1t shall not become
premium on corruption.
The EUangeIist has some caustic words to
utter in regard to the recent outrages COM
mitted by Americans on Chinese at Los An
geles, Cal. every blow" it says, ''struck
on our Pacific coast by American roughs at
an innocent Chinese endangers the lives Of
our own citizens on the other side Of the
globe" This especially refers to American
| missionaries, who, like all missionaries from
outside barbarian nations, are regarded with
distrust and aversion by the masses Of the
Chinese.
The Obserper (Presbyterian) refers to the
''Dying Dongs Of the Ring" with especial
reference to the late charity donations made
by the Board Of Apportionment. The o.
seryer declares that
Those so-called charity schools are ON organized
warfare against the educational system OF New York
and the United states generally, ano ~ aus
tained by either political party win result result ~ "a
the establishment OF Q Romanized system, yl,,,s ot
public instruction hostile to our repuoncan
institutions and ntted, as designed, 70 PEI
petuate ana spread the ROmfsh despotlsm over
the minds OF the youth OF this land Hence
there has long been party Wiling 20 suppVr. SaIs
Romish conspiracy for tine sake or Inc komsn v0ve.
Hence The alliance In this city between tne conups
Ring and the Roman irish vote, wnicn - IN the
hands OF the priests. and II given 10 support tue
men who Will give priests money IN the FORM OF
appropriations for charity schools
The Observer should remember that Rome
was not built in a day" How can 1t expect,
therefore, that the prodgious Romish inau-
ence OF which il complains should be over
turned in one election day? Don't be too
impatient and too radical is the advice we
give to our brother, the observed Of all Pres
byterian O6seroers.
The Independent, true 10 its natural in
stincts Git is always bowling in that direction),
is out in an elaborate article In favor of the
! denomination Of General Grant as the republl-