New-York tribune., 1874-10-12

terest, "reminiscences Of the eminent men born
in that section Of the State, and the need OF
q uniform currency and exemption from ex-
cessive taxes supplied the bulk of his topics.
There are other important themes on which 1t
election day approaches.
There is q suggestion, vaguely said to find
favor in diplomatic circles at Vienna, that the
Schleswig question be referred to Queen Vic
toria for arbitration. 1t would be we'll to
postpone speculations in regard to the results
of such an arbitration, until Germany consents
to the reference. Such q contingency ls as
improbable as was that of Prussia's accepting
British mediation after the declaration OF war
by France in 1870.
1t is pleasant to learn that the great postal
car controversy is about being closed. Con-
sidering what an amount of feeling was at
one time shown in it on both sides, and how
much obstruction and loss to the business in
terests of the country were threatened, the
prospect of its amicable settlement with "no-
"body hurt" is creditable to both sides. 10
have gone back to the old system of baggage
cars, even for one day, would have been an
outrage to the whole country.
His worst enemy could scarcely wish worse
luck to Congressman Farwell OF Chicago, than
to have at the present time such testimony
brought forward as that of the civil suit de-
scribed in our dispatch. 1t is awkward to be
charged with gambling; it is serious to be
charged with cheating at cards; but to have
Al obo ont IA a
ination, must be perfectly exasperating. We
do not see any way to help matters unless Mr.
Farwell follows the fashion and brings a lot
of libel suits Immediately.
AS the Episcopal Convention settles down
to its work, matters of greater interest come
before it. A courteous correspondence with
the magnates of the Greek Church revives the
hopes of reconciliation with that large sect.
The question Of ritualism has been brought
before the meeting; all the measures proposed
concerning it have been placed in the hands
of committee. Pending the probable discus
sion ON this topic, the views of ex-Premler
Gladstone upon it, which are given at con-
siderable length on our third page, will be
found of interest, exhibiting his well-knOwn
capacity for seeing both sides of a subject.
Mr. Wickham, whom Tammany offers us for
Mayor, is a respectable New-Yorker, who car
ries on his fathers business as a dealer in
diamonds. He was an active Democrat before
the rise and since the fall of Tweed. He was
member of the Committee of Seventy, but
his friends deny that he resembles the pres
ent Mayor in any other particular. He is not
great man, and he has not been very con-
spicuous one but he is the sort of person
who would do his best to win reputation as a
good Mayor. The duty of good citizens con-
cerning him can be better seen when some
more nominations are made.
We print in another column letter from a
gentleman "nOt in politics." who gives his
reasons for voting against his party and
against Gen. Dix. His name is to us a sufficient
guarantee of his sincerity, but perhaps those
who read his vigorous letter may ask why,
writing himself under a pseudOnym, he should
belabor Gen. Dix for want of moral courage
in refusing to declare himself on the third
term question. At all events. the letter is
readable and doubtless reflects the sentiments
of many of the better class Of people who
think the perpetuatiOn of the present admin
istration would be "dsgraceful calamity"
and who will vote for Mr.. Tilden as means
of preventing it.
Virginia politics, as appears from our cor
respondence, are complicated more by rival
nominations within each party than by differ
ent issues. There is perfect accord among all
candidates in favoring the improvement by
Congress of the James River and Kanawha
Canal, and among all candidates but one in
virtually opposing the Civil Rights bill; and
there is no public sentiment of consequence
in favor of the Third Term project. But there
are several splits in different Districts in
both Republican and Democratic ranks, one
of the former threatening defeat to Congress
man j. H. Platt. chiefly notorious for the lib
eral contributions of postal matter with his
frank upon it during the last Presidential
campaign.