New-York tribune., 1873-12-16


lively small vote.
Rut selfish interests are affected by it. and
worry seriously affected. They are the selfish
ends and ambitions of q powerful and un-
scruoulous ring of politicians whose craft Is
in danger To cripple and destroy the ipnu-
epce and the rule of these bad men was ono
of its objective points. In no other way
Gould they be reached That the aim OF the
outbors of the act was successful in framing z
.r org,nic act which should be fatal to the
,or,;nuance OF these men in power has been
omnly shown by the earnestness OF the oppo-
s,tion il has aroused from that quar-
ter And the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. desc
neration-of their hostility has served 10
oncn the eyes Of thoughtful citizens
IN dangers they had hardly dreamed
of before. The consequence is that this ques-
ton, apparently one OF pure principle ana
free from considerations OF seltishness, mas
personal aspects which give it tremendous
importance, and will no doubt bring out u
large vote all over the State. The feature OF
il which excites most interest in the mind OF
the ordinary voter is that which relates to the
power and perpetuity of the Ring. Against
il the Ring will bring out all the influence
and all the votes it can control in the State,
and will reinforce itself, as is currently be-
lieyed, by all the resources of fraudulent voting
and dishonest counting. Even then the friends
of the measure are confident that the honest
indignation of the people against the under
handed tactics and sharp practice Of the Ring
will bring out an overwhelming vote against
the Ring and in favor of the Constitution.
The principal features Of the new Constitu-
ton have already been discussed at great
length, and it is now too late to dwell upon
the argument. In the absorbing importance
of tho issue which the Ring has raised, any
minor defects in detail-and its opponents are
able to point out but few, and those of really
insignificant moment-must be overlooked.
For really as the case stands now, it Is Ring
versus People, and that is the issue to be tried
to-day. The body that framed this Constitution
was direct from the people. The people had hrst
signiiied their desire for a Convention to
adopt new organic act, and under their IN
structions the Legislature had passed the act
proyidng for it. The people then selected
their agents to do the work, and in 80 dong
made choice of the best aud abest men o1
both psrties. The work was done faithfully
and conscientiously. 1t would hardly be pos
able to assemble a more competent or more
honest Convention. The chief argument
of its opponents has been that this
Convention, ordered by tho people and
chosen by the people, disregarded some OF the
restrictions aud limitations which the LegIs-
lature, the creature and ally of the Ring, ex-
ceeding its own powers, sought 20 put upon
il. Within the last two or three days this
line of opposition has been abandoned by the
more discreet, and weak attempts have been
mado to show that the proposed Constitution is
not 80 go0das the old one, under which the State
has had unexampled prosperity" Prosperity,
by the way, like that of New7York under
ments but afforded opportunities for robbery
on a gigantic scale, and made our elections a
farce and justice sham. In the same breath,
too, in which the men of the Ring talk OF the
merits of the old Constitution, they promise
if this measure is defeated, 10 haya anQthel
Convention called, this one reassembled, to
frame u new instrument for submission TO the
people.
This is, OF course, q disguise, and very
thin one at that. Whether tile Legislature
and the Ring that makes the Legislature and
uses il for its own purposes are supreme, is
the question of to-day in Pennsylvania. The
people have called the Convention, (and the
Convention has carefully, deliberately, and
wisely done the work assigned it. The only
real objection to it is that it is offensive to
the Ring, at which it aims fatal blow. Shall
it be approved in spite of the Vaccinations of
such men, or shall it be rejected at their de-
mand, and they left in perpetual power to en-
rich themselves and Disgrace the Statef A
full vote will settle the question, and no citi-
zen should fail to record himself upon it.
During the sessions of the last Congress great ef
Luz cnrtaiI, nlua If a.Anrri