New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-23
THE WAR FOR THE union.
FROM PHILADELPHIA.
Election Frauds in Cnmp-Mr. sewnrd's
Recent Circuinr-The Trade sale
Socks and BIankcis-City Dsfenses-A
Rotten Ship.

when in camp are anoWeu 10 NOlo ht any oieN''O"
that may occur while thus situated. No troops from
any other State enjoy similar privileges nor should
our present experience of the ycousness Of the sys'
tenn operate other States in any other way than TO
warn them against sanctoning go fruitful an in
ceniive to the most vilanous Frauds 1t is notorious
that our home elections conducted under the eyes Of
Vigilance Committees, constantly on the waieh 10
detect every semblaDce of fraud, have nevertheless
been stained by every form of cheating and PERJURY
All this in open daylight, with hundreds looking on
to insure the poll being conducted fairly. But now
wide door for swinoling has been thrown open by
transferring the polls to camp, where irresponsible
inspectors preside ard take in votes from HUNDREDS
not Pennsylvanians, though attached 10 Pennsylva-
MIA regiments, while the returns be fixed up with
impunity, when thus out OF sight to elect any set Of
candidates. The fret camp election under the law
has developed derlorable state of things IL bias ell
fectually destroyed all purity in the ballot and nu
fed the popular will. The returns from camp ere
about as reliable rs a rebel lie. They have unques-
tionabiy been doctored by the Democracy 10 defeat
numerous Republican candidates, and II Is to TINS
cause alone that many Democrats owe their election
TO the Legislature. See what all our Judges said
when application was made TO them TO authorize
the returns from camp TO be opened and counted.
They unanimously advised the ProthonOtsry 10 do no
such thing but TO hold the returns secret until be
was well assured that no more were 10 come in and
they gave as q reason for this advice, that If one re-
turn thus prematurely opened were found TO elect
one party the other would forthwith fix up the re-
turn from the next regiment as TO elect the other
party. The cheating they took for granted, nor did
any one, in crowded courtroom, venture to hint
that il was not n matter of This appears TO
be the normal condition of the ballot here With all
the guards of home vigilance cheating is yet done 10
an enormous extent; but when voting is carried on
in camp, not q man has been found 10 stand up and
say that there was the least semblance Of honesty
about it. There is no doubt but that the retarns
have been doctored TO defeat the Republicans. Our
inertness caused us to poll small vote and secure
small mejortes and these have been swept away
by the cheating practiced on US in the army.
II cannot be denied that Mr.. Stewards extraor-
binary circular created both sensation and alarm
amohg ne for at leas, two days. That nobody here
was in the secret is shown by the diversity Of views
entertained concerning II. il was wholly uneX-
pected. One class regarded it az purely specula-
tive eanard for at the Stock Boards Of the great
cities, as men high in office have been known TO be
guilty of similar missyes for private GAIN Another
felt satisfied that this note OF warning evidence
that the Cabinet was in possession Of information
that England was about TO &c, up some difficulty with
us, under cover of which the blockade was TO be
forced in order TO obtain cotton and that
ports would be attacked in consequence. The view
was taken in spite Of the almost unanimous tone Of
British journalism in discussing the cotton question
with scarcely abiding TO forcing the blockade as
remedy for the present scarcity. 4 third clas5
thought they detected in it the germs Of project 70
compromise with the South. They considered II a
method Of 70 Encouraging the North with nppre-
hension Of having two wars on hand at tho ZANE
time as to induce it to entertain the idea Of getting
rid of the first one by cOnsentng 10 demoralizng
peace with rebellion. BY such It was regarded az
ieeler, straw held up 10 ascertain how public
opinion set. Great was the Indignation expressed
by these and violent was their condemnation. L.
was generally conceded have been put forth most
inopportunely, when no Legislature having power
10 act was in session. hence looked like indirect
invitation TO call for extra sessione, at the same time
! being q confe ssiOn of weakDcss-the Government
unable 70 forify the seapors, therefore they must
take care Of themselves. II knocked the stock
fiat for day, checked the popular rush for the ma
tional loan, and furnished another subject for mys-
terious and indefinite wonder aud alarm, hence the
misfortune of having such circular issued at such
criss These are some Of the specuations enter
tanned here and hereabout. Most happily the pub
lie confidence thus rudely disturbed bias very nearly
regained its former equpoisei but he circular win
continue 10 have discouIaging influence in interests
less elastic than stocks. The ground taken by TBL
TRIBUNE is the only true onetbat our barbors will
be efectually fortified by vigorous prosecution Of
the war until rebellion is crushed. Expend our men
and money in doing that promptly aud completely,
and the harbors will take care Of themselves. This
is what the country Is getting impatient TO see done.
That impotence is showing itself in various ways,
in spite Of is confidence in the future. The result
of many recent elections lie most sign can't Of this
restiveness.
The trade sale Of books has not been q success
either as regards quantity sold prices obtained.
Neither has the attendance been large, all the South
being absent, and much Of the West. Moreover, the
terms Of sale were cash within fifteen days, which
materially reduced prices and curtailed demand The
fact is that books are TO great extent luxury to
the masses, who IN times Top off almost every
thing they can dispense with without actual suffer
/ ing.
The builders of marine engines in this city have
far more work on hand than at any former period,
but by taking on extra hands they manage 10 get
through with heavy jobsin extraordinarily short time.
No new Government vessel has had 10 wait an hour
for her machinery. Vessels built or building in pri
vate yards have been snapped up for Government
nee. Even some of our stanehest ferry-boars have
gone the same road. Building of iron and other
steamers goes on more briskly than ever.
shn,urr of hnnkeip and enrLa 10 oor,;rn In frnn,