Corruption in New York City
Corruption in New York City.—Mr. Beecher, in a sermon delivered last Sunday evening, spoke very plainly of the wickedness of New York, as seen in the corruption of her judges and magistrates, and in the prevalence and toleration of gambling, fraud, lewdness, &c. The city, he said, had nearly as many churches as dens of infamy; yet the pulpits of that city allowed all kinds of corruption to grow within its borders, until it is second only to Sodom and Gomorrah. Business men, who stand high in the church, set examples before their clerks that ought to make every honest man abhor them from the bottom of his heart. Ministers are supposed to be the mouthpieces of God; yet they grow fat in the service of the Devil by keeping silent when they should lift up their voices and expose the wickedness of corrupt men in high places. Justice is bought and sold, or knocked down to the highest bidder. The very word “judge” stinks; and, could some of these ministers of so-called justice be placed under parental rule once more, to have the scenes of their childhood renewed, it would be a blessing to them and to their country. Were all the villainies of men in high places brought to light, they would include all the crimes known to Sing Sing and Auburn. The people must rise up and shew the abhorrence of these wicked men. Until the church and its members do this we are at the mercy of swindlers and thieves.—Independent, Nov. 19, 1868.