New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-26
New91ork Daily GribM,1e.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20. 1872.

FOUNDED BY HORACE GREELEY.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20. 1872.
Kns Kamehameha y Of the Sandwich islands, is dead.
60 The bill for emancipation in Porto Rico has been
read in the Spanish Cortes. 80 Dissatisfaction with
the FUian Government exists among the planters.
over twenty lives were lost by the Prospect Railroad
disaster near Mayvfe. n. Y - The weather in New
England is unprecedentedly cold.
Christmas was generally observed in the churches and
the benevolent Institutions. -: Seven bodies are
probably under the ruins Of the Center-st printing
house. Two probable homicides are reported -
Thermometer, 70, 1Go. ll'.
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Those who read our report of the last meet
ing of the Radical Club will find novel view
of Faith therein set forth. The essayist shows
the groundlessness of the notion that there is
any conflict between faith and science, and
declares that no single great sentiment of the
soul is extinguished by developing intelligence.
Our London letters this morning give in
teresting glimpses of English public opinion
on many important subjects; the circumstances
under which Mr. Gladstone made his friendly
speech about the relations between England
and America; the abortive strike of the gas
men; and recent phases Of the Disestablish-
ment question.
Minnesota having, in common with other
new States, passed through its periods of I'M
natural prosperity and respondent reaction,
has laid anew the firm foundations of wealth
and fruitfulness. With another Spring, per-
haps, there will be many thoughts and many
feet turned westward seeking for new homes
A. "A. e lafk fro
Minnesota, printed on the second page of The
TRIBUNE, is specially mentioned.
1t is no more than fair that the people Of
"the FIJI Islands" should really mean the
foreigners who pay the taxes and support the
Government. Moreover, the Government con-
sists of Thakombua as a royal fgure-head
with thrifty Briton for Premier and General
Manager of the ex-cannibal kingdom. The
fact that "the people" are protesting against
the Government may indicate peaceful rev.
olution in those parts and it is very good
Joke for all that.
Rebuilt Chicago promises to be a greater
marvel of rapid growth and solid architectural
achievement than that which went down
in the flames of 1871. A letter on an
other page of THE TRIBUNE gives some of
the larger details of the work which is re.
storing the burned city to more than its pris-
tine glories and we are glad to find that the
accessories of urban life, as well as bare blocks
Of buildings, are spreading over the scorched
margin OF Lake Michigan. .-.--
"The coolest weather for many years"
this is the burden of reports from nearly
every part of the country. The Maine people
complain that they have not known such
weather since 1857, and the Mississippi is
frozen along its shores for miles above Men,
phis, for the first time in fifteen years These
are specimens of the general bulletin. People
are apt to forget just what sort Of weather
they have had in previous seasons; but, with
out making comparisons it may be said that
the present is notable for the wide prevalence
Of the cold.
We print in another column cordial and
appreciative tribute to Justice Nelson from
the pen of an eminent lawyer of this city. 1t
would DO difficult to exaggerate the respect
and regard which viii follow this able aud
incorruptible jurist from the post be has SO
long filed with honor to himself and profit to
the commonwealth. when he retires to the
well-earned repose which his gifts of mind and
heart will enable him so perfectly to enjoy.
Such a character and such a career cannot be
studied too attentively. They convey to every
young man in the profession at once lesson
and an incentive toward life full Of useful
ness and honest fame.
In view of the frequency with which the plea
of insanity is set up in behalf of defendants |
in murder cases, the duties of experts and re-
sponsibiftes of jurors become a solemn mat |
ter for discussion. Medical men are very tena- |
cious of their rights and the value of their |
evidence in such cases. Claiming that the old |
maxim that every person should be believed in |
"bis own art" is conclusive as to the weight OF |
their opinions, the medical profession natn- |
rally hold firmly to their position in relation |
to these matters. And beyond their general |
statement, of course, Is the more stubborn re- |
sistance to review that is held by those who |
are known as experts in the special branch of |
medical science which includes the dag |
noss and treatment of insanity. These |
are naturally strong in their pride of opinion; |
with the average juror they are influential in |
their conclusions But there is 80 much in the |
practice of medicine" that is merely empri- |
cal-so much that is only a cropping for the |
truth-it ia not surprising if the whole fabric |
Of defense sometimes topples over in spite !
Of the buttressing evidence of ia cloud OF sci |
Entifc Witn1 kses Some Of the questions which |