The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-23
The Religious Press and the TOpi
It Discusses-Its Impressions of Il
Foster Case.


punishment, the Governor might, perhaps,
nave thought it not Incompatible with the
public welfare to send Foster to the State
Prison instead OF the gallcws In one sense, there
fore, the death Of Foster may be said to be vicari
Ous Let us hope that 1t may serve to make human
be forgotten that the whole question of crime and
or experience, OF civilization and OF Christianity
Is capital punishment any longer either necessary
or wiser
The Golden Age takes q retrospective glance
at Fosters case, and concludes that it teaches
many vivid lessons.
The Evangelist hopes that the effect of this
execution will be ''to check that violence and
rufianism which have made our streets dan
gerous. Rowdies and criminals have too long
boosted of their impunity. 1t is time to put
an end to this lawlessness and crime"
Church and State (Episcopalian) which
advocated the communication Of the punish
ment of Foster, although it sees no reason for
changing its opinions in consequence Of the
letter Of Governor Dix to the Rev. DR.. Tying,
remarks that seven those who feel that the
law in this case has been strained beyond it's
legitimate application, will yet feel that it has
been conscientiously done without malice to
the accused and with a view to promote the
most sacred interests of society. 1t will be
remembered that in any view of the matter it
was terrible crime, resulting in the death of
q human being, which is about to be punished,
and that even if the act were not such as to
fall within the definition of murder in the first
degree, on our statute book, and therefore
not properly punishable with death, it was an
act which legislation has usually pronounced
worthy of that penalty"
The Independent regards it as fortunate for
this city, for the State and the public at large,
that the extraordinary pressure upon Gov
ernor Dix did not turn him to the right or the
left in the discharge of his official duty.
He has resisted it with Roman firmness, and by
his action virtually rebuked it. The sed sense OF
the community approves his decision. Let ruflans
and rowdies take warning The people mean to
defend themselves against their murdersus acts
by the death penalty, and Governor Dix will not
interpose for their relief by any sckly or senti-
mental misuse of the pardoning power.
The Christian Inteaigemcer enlarges upon
''The License of the Press" and asserts that
in Italy, at this very hour, the same untamable
spirit of atheism which has been nursed under
the shadows of Romish superstition shows
itself in newspapers that are called Sdtanas
('sSatan''), La Voce del Diauolo (the "Voice of
the Devil'O, and II Ladro (the ''Thief')
''What fruit" asks the Intelligencer, lean be
expected from such bad trees? What remedy
have Christianity and civilization to apply in
those lands? What shall we do to crush out
the self-same wickedness in our own country
Will good citizens and good Christian people
think on these things?" Why don't the In
tenigencer send missionaries to Italy with the
all-potsnt printing press, and establish few
papers that shall not only have proper titles,
but be able to spread the truths Of the Gospel
in an orthodox manner.
The Liberal Christian criticises "Old FASH
Toned Ethics and Common Sense Metaphy-
sics," compliments Governor Dix for his firm
ness, and furnishes liberal supply Of good
readable religious matter.
The Methodist avows that it has great liking
for its Congregational brethren. 'We owe to
them,' it says, ''much of what is best in
American culture; also the illustration of what
can be accomplished by giving to the people
the largest Christian liberty. Still, their sys-
tenn seems to be loose ointed Our brethren
of this faith preach substantially the same
truths that we do-there are points of differ
ence, but more Of agreement" 1t is with
feeling Of kindred sympathy, therefore, that
the Methodist wishes that the Congregatonalists
may become many times greater than they
are, although it cannot accept the opinion of
the Conqregotionalist that zone of these days
the Republic and the world will realize, as
they never yet have done, the exceptional
value of Congregationalism as O working
poity for the Church Of Christ"
The Examiner and Chronicle rebukes those
who find fault with Providence, especially in
regard to the weather. This is matter" it
says, "on which many Christians, it is feared,
do not sufficiently reflect. They fall too easily
into the fashions of speech that are common
without sufficiently considering what they are
SAYING" This is all very true. And at the
same time it might be stated that "Old Proba-
bilitisA" is frequently abused about the
weather when it is manifest he neves had
hand in making it either good or bed.
The Je,oish Messenger defends the Hebrews
against charges of ''heartless, graSping selfish
ness in their business relations with the rest
of mankind" made by some weekly CONNER
cial paper
The Je,cish Times discourses editorially upon
a congenial topic-to wit, ''The Jews" We
learn from the Times that the Jews proclaim
now, as they did in ages gone by, the sacred
ness of the pursuits of science, the authority
of reason and the dignity of man as q being
come forth from the hands Of the Creator