The New York herald., 1871-11-27

to modify the tariff to the extent of the aver
age expansion, which Is fifteen per cent.
There Is no reason why the same principle
applied to one source Of revenue should not
be applicable to tho other. The sentiment
Of the country is In favor Of the lowest possl-
BILE tariff consistent with sufficient revenue.
The customs duties should be confined to ~
few articles ss possible, SO a to simplify the
collection, prevent fraud and evasion, and
bear a. lightly as possible on the masses Of the
people. A high tariR holds out premium to
fraud, and is the delight OF greedy specula-
tors who arc dissatisfied with the legitimate
profits Of trade, and dishonest onlcials who
are prepared to connive at the violation Of
law. The customs department Of the govern
ment Is in need Of thorough overhauling,
and whatever may DO the accommodation Of
tho President, it 10 to be hoped that Con-
gress will not only give liberal consideratioa
10 the tariff revision, but will also make the
attempt to apply tho remedies that have bsen
successful in removing the worst corrupHons
Of the once Infamous Internal Revenue Depart
ment, to the puri6cation Of our custom houses
and the entire reformation Of our whole system
Of collection. Under every administration for
years past tho New York Custom House has
been nothing moro than hugo political
machine. Tho inquiry at Washington into .
collectors capabllity Is not as to his ability
to collect the revenue honestly and to pro-
mote the interests Of commerce, but as to his
shrewdness as politician and the efficiency
with which he will use the power and influence
of his position for the benefit of his party.
This is corruption moro dangerous
to republican institutions than any
amount of personal dishonesty In the
administration Of public trust, or than any
individual peculation on the part Of public
officer. Its evils are more widespread and
demoralizing, while 1t is none the less fraud
upon the public treasury. The people pay
the employees of the administration; hence,
when subordinates are chosen in any depart
msnt for political considerations and not for
competency, it is the people who are imposed
upon; and when sinecurists are fastened
on to any public Office the money
expended on them is stolen directly
from the people. In this regard the recon-
mendations of the President on the civil ser
vice policy will be interesting, and may lead
to general reform in the entire machinery
of government.
The Message will contain congratulations
High Commission, and will touch upon
the Indian policy and the operations
Ia the Corea. The consideration of these
topics mustphowever, be deferred. From the
interesting foreshadowing we have received
we may conclude that the Message will be an
interesting document and its intesnal revenue
recommendations, based on the HERALD's
policy, will assuredly insure its popularity.
The Spirits at Brother Beecher's.
The remarkable Manifestations of spiritual
istic character in the church of Brother
Beecher, reported elsewhere, mark the great
est progress that even progressive spiritualism
has yet attained. It is easy enough to have
tables tip their legs in the air, as if they were
dancing wooden cancan at seances gotten up
with special view to such things, but when
the tables begin their spiritualistic waltzes
under Brother Beechers very nose and during
bis most fervent prayers, then the inquiring
mind will have to study more seriously the
perplexing conundrum, ''Why is this thus2"
Brother Beecher once said that though he
was not spiritualist he would like to be one,
and probably the most prominent theologi cal
spirits have come to wrestle with him. The
result Of the battle will be anxously awaited
future terrors that wait upon too liberal Chris
tianity they will do great and wonderful work (;
and, on the other hand, If Beecher converts
the spirits to his broad views we may soon
hear Of tables rocking in billiard saloons and
unseen hands applauding at the opera. If the
spirits wish to succeed, however, we would
advise them to give up the table idea and ven-
ture upon an expounding Of their own views,
through the lips OF Mr. Beecher, as they used
to do in their young and callow days through
the lips of Cora Hatch.
THE AGITATION In BELGIUM AND ITs RE-
sULT.-The agitation which has been main
tanned in Brussels during the past few days
has tended 10 the accomplishment OF the
object which the or0inators Of the movement
had in view. M. Decker's commission as
Governor Of Limberg WINS cancelled yesterday.
The facts are specially reported in the
HERALD by cable telegram. The statements
which prevailed in the Belgian capital on the
subject were conflicting, as is the case always
when partiz IN feeling is allowed to predomi-
nate over reason and good judgment. The
Brussels Gazette announced M. Decker's
resignation" "demssion" it said-from Office
in its morning issue. His friends asserted
that he had previously resigned with the view
Of calming the public excitement The fact is
that he il now out of place. and 4 may be