National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-09-27

4 few days since, says New York City
journal, II thief and burglar, calling HIM
self Forester, was arrested in Washing
ton and brought to New York 10 answer
the charge Of having murdered the late
Benjamin Nathan. Let us recall for a
moment the manner in which this scoun-
drel has been treated since the time OF
his arrest both by the Poli09 and by q
part Of the CITY Press,
Had Forester been distinguished
and deserving hero, he could not have
received more careful and obsequious
attentions than those that were iavished
upon him by the officers who brought
him to this city. They apologized for
taking the liberty of handwriting him,
asd re evidently greatly relieved when
he magnanimously pardoned them Tor
doing what cruel fate had made their
unwelceme duty. They secured an en-
tire compartment in pal-ce-car for
their honored prisoner, and carefully
guarded him from the rude gaze OF
intruding passengers. They keenly re-
preached themselves that, in the hurry
os Chen departure, they had forgotten to
bring pack of cards wherewith to
amuse him, and though they diligently
searched the train through, they were
unable to procure the coveted means OF
amusement, until, after two hours had
elapsed. the train made it first stoppage.
They RECALLED their guest with chicken,
choice brandy, and the best OF Havana
cigars, and when cards were finally
procured, gladly availed themselves of
the distinguished honor of joining him
in "A game of casino. When they reached
New York, they enveloped Forester III
linen duster, so that the degrading
handouts should not attract attention,
aud drove him in a close carriage To the
Tombs. Since his arrival at that prison,
he has been treated with the utmost
consideration. He has been supplied
with whatever food his fancy craved, and
there has been an anxiety to please on
the part of the prison attendants which
the average hotel waiter would do well
to emulate. Cigars and newspapers have
been lavished upon him, and crowds OF
visitors have thronged his ante-room,
humbly sending in their cards, and
anXiously waiting until he should con
descend to grant them an interview.
charge of murder,u handsome carriage,
drawn by pair of splendid gray horses,
was placed at his service, and the obse-
quiousness of his attendant officers
showed the high estimation in which
they hold this vulgar thief and ruffian.
Meanwhile the Press, with n few hon
oroble exceptions, has devoted columns
to the description of Forrester's personal
appearance and conduct under confine-
ment, and has discussed with the gravity
due to so important matter the question
whether a lump under Forrester's eye
was the result of a blow, or of the lite OF
mosquito. The result OF this sicken-
ing exhibition of morbid sentiment on
the part of the Press, and contemplate
seryility on the part of the Police, Is
inevitably to persuade the ignorant and
young of the glory of crime. and the
vast advantages that accrue to the crimi-
nal. To be furnished with sumptous
food and unlimited cigars and brandy.
and to be waited upon by respectful
policemen, and written up in the
journals familiar to the criminal classes
to have palace-cars and elegant car
riages placed at ones disposal--it is only
necessary to become an accomplished
thief, and to win the suspicion of murder.
Who can doubt that this is the lesson
which hundreds Of onr street Arabs will
draw from the spectacle of the feted
Forester Every one knows that the
representation of the drama of Jack
Sheppard" was forbidden abroad, because
it was found to be direct and powerful
incentive to crime. If this was the result
of wretched play wretchedly performed,
bow much more potent for evil must be
the visible ploriiication of an actual
criminal ?