The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-14

week make the Stokes Fisk tragedy the text
for solemn homilies on the sinfulness OF the
world and the temptations that are likely to
beset the path Of the greedy seeker after
worldly riches 1t is notable fact that but little
sympathy is expressed for the deceased
millionaire, while his moral, religious and
financial careers are dwelt upon with
vividness that could scarcely be expected
from any other source than the
columns of prejudiced sectarian papers.
The fact that Fisk was never cele-
brated for his donations to religious subjects
of charity, no matter how bountiful he may
have been in the general run of benevolence
and charitable deeds, may in some measure
account for this severity of the religious press
upon tae character Of the deceased. But it
may not be exactly fair to ascribe these
attacks to uncharitable motives but in con-
ceding the souudness Of the proyerb that
..oparity s9ysrs multitude q sins, y We think
the religious papers might have been little
more lenient with the memory of one who was
recently Familiarity known among us as "Jim
Fisk"
The Presbyterian Evangelist has this to say
| about Fisk -
| He was bold bad man, whose very success made
him most dangerous to those around him. and espe-
claly to young men, who envied MS fortune and we're
led away by his evn example. And what shocked the
| community perhaps even more than his unscrupu-
lOusness IN getting money was the way in which he
education he had coarse. barbaric taste for vul-
gar display. But worse than this tawdry show was
pans to conceal Not content with showing OF his
i-gotten wealth, he haunted his wees IN the face
lie opinion, and it is a remarkable instance Of
retribution that ne came to ms end from the rival
ries and jealousies OF his dissolute companions
The Independent, in a leading editorial
article headed "A Fit End" says -
The man who was assassinated last saturda,
afternoon has often enough been called harlequin,
and often enough thlel He was both OF these,
ana he was great deal more He was one OF the
one OF the worst men in the country = -
the man was good enough, as the world goes.
was rODber and he was libertlne He mad plenty
OF physical ana moral courage. He was generous
6ypocrite. He has been called a bufroon; but the
jovlal faculty which delights . company with merry
often charged with bunoonery, and we remember
punster in the country Is University chancellor.
After thus making trio of Abraham Lin
coin, DR.. Bethune and James Fisk, Jr.. the
Every mans first thought on hearing Of his assas
sinatOn was What a pity he should have died as
he hasl How often mas it been said Jim Fisk never
VIII ole rich! Divine Providence must make
an example Of him. We had oil hoped that he
might be trlpped up al last by the law. have mis-
penalty Of his crimes. But q second thought tells
us that 1t is as well that his ceniiousness should
needs need. this lesson quite as much as the other.
Property will find means to protect ITSELF Robbery
Is very tangible crime and can be more easily
punished. But the public virtue Is comparatively
Unattended. Lust is the deadiest canker OF society
the public stage q shameless woman dares to
preach the doctrine that she mas the right to change
sorry to see the doctrlne thus redeemed with blood
This is slashing with a two-edged sword,
but it is the character of the Independent to
hit right and left, taking good care it does
not hit itself.
The Christian Uni0n-Henry Ward
Beecher-pronounces as follows -
Fisks career has been IN all respects disastrous 10
the HIS s have
corruption of the Bench by him and his associates
has been perhaps the worst political evil Of the time
and we doubt not that he had some good qualities.
But the effect OF his example has been fearful He
has been conspicuous example OF worldly success
gained through dishonesty ana used for corrupt
pleasure. His gorgeous displays Of wealth. his
to MIN, have doubtless allured host OF the young
into sin. His show or recklessness and j0vialty,
and the sort Of liberation which amusement at his
freaks won for him, lent gliding TO MS worse
traits that made their influence more perniclous.
But Notwithstanding this opinion of the
character of the murdered man, the Christian
Union holds that ''the assassin should be
brought to trial at the earliest possible moment
and the law take its full course. 1t would be
| a most dangerous precedent that such MUIR
der should be palliated by the bad character
| of the victim. There needs but this element
of lawless violence, added to dishonesty and
sensuality, to make the social structure COM
pletely rotten"
The Golden Age-Theodore Tilton-e1-
presses the following opinion of Fisk
There was scarcely respectable man in this city
who would invite FISK to his house, and no woman
who cared for her reputation would visit his opera
tally vulgar, and It is one OF the ine revenges Of
the ntegritles that he insulted and the decencies
harlot cost him his life. There were kindnesses
IN him. He was capable Of generosity. he per-
%embered He possessed an energy and executive
ability OF the rarest order. Had MS 0tner quauss
aa% 81 Sg he
achieved almost any emincnce But tnese Iatal &c
made MIN sns cess
curse anu his name oyword.
Tile the Christian Union, the Golden Ago
deuounces the crime Of Fisk's assassination,
sowing that Fisk twas q monster was no rea-
son why Stokes should act as his executioner.
And the murderer gets no sympathy even
though his victim is uuwept"
The Liberal Christian shows the spirit OF q
liberal Christian by saying of Fisk
u,s audac,tv and sensationalism as O speculatoI.
without principle or shame, a roue, theatrical
mlsmanager, an over-dressed hdoM,te OF tne PARK
terest or defence OF his r0bberies anu
1880 hovo kent him COnspiCuOusy Tor