The New York herald., 1870-11-07

Prisons. Ia this city and county we have to
elect Mayor, Sheriff, County Clerk, three
Coroncrs and members Of Congress for six
Congressional districts, besides twcniy-ono
members Of Assembly TO represent the city
this water in Albany. The number of voters
registered proves that very large vote will
be cast III this city, and that it viii be vote
fair and square on both sides there is nc rca-
son to doubt. Indeed, so well guarded will be
the polls by federal and State officials lhat
no opportunity viii Offer for repoaters Or frau
dalsnt voters to distinguish themselves as at
previous elections. Tho Mayor has very
wisely taken great precautions to prevent
frauds. The inspectors of election on the part
Of The State are instructed 10 obssr rigid
impAItality IN the performance OF their duly.
They have 10 sec that no man votes wao is nos
en- tiled to the franchise, and they are bound
to see, also, that no man who has right to
vote is denied the privilege, npon any pretext
whatever For the first time new clement
has entered into our Stale election; that is the
direct Interference Of the general government
by its officials and its soldiers-ia affairs
which have purely q State and loca!
interest. However, If the law OF Congress be
interpreted Alright, the federal officials have
really no authority TO exercise any power over
the voting except on the ticket for members Of
Congress. The object Of Congress Was avow-
edly to prevent fraud in the election Of its own
members, which we assume it has constitu-
tional right to do. Whether the law is wise
and just or simply partisan and malicious we
do not propose 10 discuss. Whether tie
attempt 10 enforce tho law in this democratic
| city by such means as have been adopted, in
| the appointment OF q ruflianly crowd OF deputy
marshals, and in the employment Of regulAr
| troops TO protect them, is q grave mistake
the result of -morrow's business will best
answer. The President has made some mis-
| takes, but, like other humans, he must learn
TO discover them n the alchemy Of experience.
| We do not believe, however, that the election
law of Congress will be iniringed. Oar city
authorities and volers are both Interested in
seeing that, however offensive it may seem to
their notions of the freedom of election ard
the rights Of States, it shall be carried out in
peace and with all fairness. We do not doubt
flr q moment that the democratic voters Of
New York will refuse to fall into any trap
that may be laid to lessen their majority. On
the contrary the Tammany democracy will
keep Mr.. Hall in his present seat for two
years more by very decisive majority. So
will the democracy of the State decree, By q
majority ofsixty or seventy thousand, that Gov |
ernor Hoffman shall retain the position at the |
head of the State government, which even his |
political enemies admit he now fills with integ-
rity and honor. We cannot anticipate very |
close gbt at the ballot box tomorrow. Tae |
elements of great contest are wanting. The |
republicans have no county ticket in the field.
They are, perhaps, equally divided between
Hall and Ledwith. The Young Democracy
enter the battle in broken phalanx The
sharpess Of The leaders have gone over to
Tammany and have been swallowed up in
that vass vortex. The followers, the rank and
file of the faction, stand upon the brink,
wavering and bewi,dared. 1t is conceded that |
Ledwith viii poll respectable vote but he |
cannot expect to pull down Halls majority
below twenty thousand, if he comes within
election Of the Tammany ticket, including Con-
gressmen, Assemblymen and the county officers,
may be counted upon as fixed certainty.
This city has been made the object Of pro-
scriptive legislation at various times, ostensbly
with the intention of suppressing election |
frauds, of which there were plenty cropping |
out at the polls every year; but really, as
every one knows, for the purpose Of reducing |
the democratic majority by throwing obstacles |
in the way Of the exercise of the franchise.
Such legislation is wholly inimcal to the
genius of our government. In the Old Greek |
republics the people voted aloud, with upiifted
hands and voices. Nothing WAS regarded rs
too open and free for the exercise Of that I
sacred popular right. We have modified the
system to the more facile shape OF The vote by
ballot, and we have surrounded it with many
wise safeguards. A great deal Of the legisla-
ton recently enacted has been unnecessary,
and, as far as results show, it has not effected
much in changing the returns at the ballot
box We never knew an honest citizen to re-
ouire the protection of soldier in casting his
vote.
Looking to the success of the Tammany de-
mocracy as certain we have but to hope that
the people win exhibit their good sense IN
paying no attention to any irritation5
arising from the Congressional election
law which may be manifested at the polls.
Let the United States marshals, ten thousand
strong, earn their poor pittance in peace. BY
following the advice of Mayor Hall, which he
has caused to be placarded throughout the
city, there will be no disturbance, and we
shall have an election as peaceable as any in
the past, for which the city is proverbial, The
snnals y will clnsa tn-nipht. the nnlls will