The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-11
MIR. BERGH EXPOSTULATES.
Nrw York. Nav 10. 1875.

New YORK, May 10, 1876.
To THE EDITOR HHRALp:-
In an able aud suggestive editorial of this morning,
in reference the inaugural OF the Centennial you
employ the word ''cviiization its material rcla
tons only 10 human existence
You obscrve-.'Cviizaticn becomes more and moro
question OF peace and peace rs confirmed by nothing
go much as these comparisons ornatona industry Is
this sos Is there any evidence that pubic and private
morality have been promoted by these exhibitions Of
the ssill and ingenuity nations; have Official and
personal corruption been less rare; have cruel and de-
vastailng wars less frequent the first Exposi
ton OF Lonionf No; on the contrary, these bloody
and destructive have been characterized by
ferocty only differing IRON those which distinguish the
warfare OF savagcs by the ingenuity snd magnitude of
the means employed by .civizcd" people inlet on
another ali the injury possible Even-paradoxicai
really swithin the very walls of these structures
devoted 10 tho triumphs OF peace have tho
most formidable AMI deviish implements OF torment
ana death Now, while you eloqucnty eulogize these
material achievements you utter a word about the
moral progress Of the age, manifested by tho
humane and truly civillzing Influence OF a cause p
which am proud Of beng an humble laborcr.
Ten years ago there was not single statute law in
the country Tor the protection OF that portion OF
Gods creation, which We call 1.-The inferior animals
Cruelty ~ those mute beings, which faith
fully and without whom CIVILIZATION would be mpossi.
bic regarded below tho consideration states
and individuals, and, strange 70 say all the while that
then OF ham pair OF shoes by q needy criminal
was viewed with stern severity, the ucmoraxing
sequences oil cruelty TO dcicnceless animal were
almost completely ignored Ten years ago such
proach applied to nation. Today. through tho
patriotic efforts OF good and no
appreciate the lmpossiety the existence u genuine
civilization where the quality Of mercy wanting,
IN us humicsi application. thriyiwc states OF
this Republic have needed the example Of New YORK,
aud upon elegant and spacious banner suspended
from tho raiters Of the main building Of the Gen.
,cnuial are seen the names OF these Commonwealth.
Nor that a Tor by MAJ also be observed other
interesting objects relating 70 the good work,
all tending TO prove that while the inventive genius OF
the nation has been al work. the Coincidence OF tho
people has been impressed Win ihc truth that national
wealth alone Is not an evidence OF national civilization.
Wan this inadequate preface, permit me TO invite
your notice to the tact that your editorial which y
nsivc and eulogist,c IN its
vi tie naton's material progress, makes no mention
OF this great moral reform which has extended It's civ
LIKING influences over vast continent But In this
you not alone Tor IA the proceedings OF to-day az
Philadelphia the managers OF the naliOn day have
also failed 10 recognize, by the aintcst auson, tho
tr:umphs Of our mcrcy-loyin cause Respectfully,
HENRY BEKGH, Prcsidcn.