The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-03

( HERALD. TUESDAY,
Southern reconstruction, that repulsive and
unparalleled mixed system Of Asiauc despot-
ism and African barbarism, military abso-
iutsm enforcing negro domination. Agains.
all these obnoxious and perilous innovations
on the money question and on the negro ques-
lion, we believe that any respec table candidate
in opposition to Mr.. Chase would serve to drive
him and the IA licals into Coventry as effectu-
ally as Van Buren, and the blund ers OF his
Jackson pet bank policy were rebuked in 1910.
Let our fellow citizens who would avoid tho
Scylla of radicalsm on the one side, and the
Charybdis Of copperheadism on the other side,
rally under the trusty Union standard Of
General Grant and coma forth to this initial
grand mass meeting in his behalf With such
able AMI popular orators as General Logan,
General Sickles, Governor Curtin, OF Pennsyl
vania Governor Ward, of New Jersey; Lyman
Tremain AMI Francis D. Cutting, the occasion
will be one Of great interest and power. It
will be nothing less than the gathering of "the
Boys in Blue" around Richmond and Peters
burg under the banner Of United States Grant.
Tho War DepRrtment-(arant's Report.
We publish to-day the report of General
Grant, Acting Secretary Of War. 1t is clear,
concise, business like document, and presents
in it's facts gratifying record of all that Gene
raj Grant has accomplished In the way Of re.
trenchment during the comparatively brief time
no has held control Of the Department. The
report sets forth the circumstances under which
the change in the War Office took place, by q
reproduction Of the correspondence that passed
between the President, Mr.. Stanton and the
Acting Secretary, and then proceeds at once, in
direct MANNER to recount the abuses which
were in existence at the time Of the change and
the means that have been, taken to remedy
them. General Grant found that "army prac-
tees of extravaganza totally unjustifable in
time Of peace" were continued, and he put a
stop to them. Ambulancos and horses were
used at every post by every officer who de-
sired to ride at the government expense.
Orders were given to break up this imposition,
and "steps were taken to see that the orders
were executed" The Bureau OF Rebel
Archives was found to be an almshouse for q
host of political paupers and gingerbread off,
GERS; so the Bureau was abolished and the
business transferred to one or two clerks in the
Adjntant Generals Department. Stores per-
ishable in their nature and utterly useless were
being kept on hand, necessitating the renting
of large storehouses and the employment OF an
army Of storekeepers. The stores were sold
and the leeches shaken of from the
Treasury. From the Freedmen's Bureau
number Of civil agents and military figure
heads have been cut of, and officers serving
with troops in the South have been required to
perform their duties. For the first time in the
history Of this expensive national luxury the
expenditures have fallen below the original
estimates" and no further appropriation of
funds is asked for. Out Of one hundred and
seven volunteer quartermasSers retained by
Stanton, thirty-one only have escaped General
Grants pruning knife In every branch of the
Department it is evident that the strong will
and honest purpose Of the Acting Secretary
have been working for the good Of the country.
The recommendations and suggestions in the
report for securing the better regulation and
efficiency of the United States army are Of
much interest and value, and bear the imprint
of practical, straightforward, honest soldier,
and of an efficient executive officer. They will
be read with interest. General Grant regards
the converted Springfield musket as the best
breech loading arm yet produced here or In
Europe, and recommends that the. work of
conversion, discontinued by order of the late
Secretary of War, be resumed. Some good
Suggestions are made in relation to West
Point, and 1t is recommended that The number
Of cadets be increased TO four hundred. The
report is, altogether, clear, interesting docu-
mcnt, and will probably put stop TO any
further clamor for the reinstatement OF Stanton.
signs In the Hcaveus Above. In the Earth
beneath and In the Waters Under tho
Earth.
Recently the earth passed through o torrent,
or what seemed a torrent, Of fiery matter.
simultaneously with the appearance of this
deluge OF fire the foodgates Of the great deep
were opened mp, and q local food was ex-
pcrienced in many paris, particularly in the
West Indies. At the same time strange grum-
bling noises were heard In the earth beneath,
earthquakes abounded, volcanic eruptions be-
came general and tho smouldering fires Of
vesuvius burst forth anew with tremendous
fury. Whether the earth is still on the trail Of
the late fiery visitor, and to certain extent
under its influence, or whether there was any
connection between the signs in the heavens
above, the signs in the earth beneath and the
signs in the waters under the earth, we yet await
some learned Loomis to inform ms. 1t Is at
least undeniable that the earth and its inhabit
ants are yet under some strange and rather