From the INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
In this age of moral obtuseness, political corruption, and servile, cringing timidity of officials before vice and crime, it is cheering to know that there is occasionally one who, independently and fearlessly, wields the sceptre of power, which is placed in his hands, and, with full determination to conquer, grapples with every form of iniquity, making law;, order and virtue triumphant. It is especially gratifying, in a great city like this, where lawlessness, immorality, bloodshed and murder have been almost unimpeded, to see a magistrate rise above the selfish desire to aggrandize himself, and scorn to pander to the corrupt desires of his constituents. The manner in which the lowest dregs of society in New York, composed in part of the scum of Europe's prisons and alms-houses,, have outraged all decency and good order, not only in the foulest dens of infamy and amid the darkness of midnight, but in our fashionable streets and in open daylight, calls for an outburst of indignation from every moral and religious man. It calls for more; it demands action — at the polls, by petition, and especially by sustaining those in authority who dare to face the terrific storm which threatens to overwhelm them at every step they take in wrenching the dagger from the hand of the assassin, in rescuing female virtue from the grasp of the debauchee, and in endeavoring to disperse the dark and threatening clouds of moral contamination which almost entirely hide from our view, the light of morality and religion. The loose manner in which the laws have been administered in this city for several years past is notorious; aye, the utter want of principle in many, of our highest officers and their contemptible endeavors to aggrandize and enrich themselves at the expense of good citizens, have made, us a reproach not only to this whole nation, but to European cities. It is a humbling fact that the tea-room and whiskey-bottle have influenced many of our highest officers, far more than a desire to fearlessly and faithfully perform their duty, and endeavor to be in reality as they should be, a terror to evil doers.
Some of our chief magistrates have commendably endeavored to reform and renovate the city, and have succeeded to some extent for a short time; but have seemed finally to be overwhelmed by the immense tide of opposition and corruption -with which they were surrounded, and to have given up in despair. We are fully aware that a man must have almost superhuman inflexibility, fearlessness, and perseverance, to stem the tide; but it CAN BE DONE. True, it may be at the risk of slander and even life; but it can be done. The laws are good, and only need a few modifications. Let them be executed. No matter what the consequences are. Let opposers resist; let the envious growl and defame; let the dens of licentiousness gnash their teeth; let the assassin prowl along our pathway, endeavoring to silence us in death; and let the wail of revenge against us ascend from the cells .of our penitentiaries and prisons; but let us do our duty in the fear of God, and all will be Well. He whose eye cannot look - upon iniquity with allowance, will bless us as magistrates, as individuals and as a city....
