New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-11-02

4
plied with tickets. 1t is known that the Oppo-
nents of some of the Amendments are busy
circulating hostile ballots. 1t would be
shame if through the mere apathy OF their
friends these Amendments should be lost.
Speaker Blaine, having made the misstate-
ment that there had never been Democratic
Convention that agreed to abide by the XlVth
Amendment. and being confronted with the
record of the Democratic Convention at Balt-
more which pledged itself by vote OF 66s to
| 20, to oppose any reopening of the questions
settled by the XiIIth, XIVth, and AVth
| Amendments now endeavors to justify him
| self by saying that the Baltimore Convention
"was not an exponent Of the Democrauc
"party.n His supporters are welcome to what
| is left of Mr.. Blaine after crawling out OF so
| small hole as that
| We have already referred to the blunder
| and impertinence of certain sO-called Liberal
Republicans in the With Congressional District
in declaring for Charles s. Spencer. We trust
no one except the strikers who nominated him
| will vote for this Objectionable person. 1t
| would be hard to find a more unsuitable rep
resentative, and in this case there is no en-
barrasssment, for his opponent is Mr. Smith
Ely, jr., competent, able, and honorable man.
Between Spencer and him no one who desires
good and honest legislation should hesitate
moment. No one of any political color Will be
likely to regret having voted for Mr.. Ely
against Mr. Spencer, and no party designation
ought to obscure 80 plain question
Torpedoes, according to the report OF Gen.
Humphrey, Chief of Engineers, are coming
more and more into favor as a means OF river
and harbor defense. They have the advantage
over monitors of being far less costly and re-
curing fewer men for their management, and
if the navy should over be as successful in
their use as the army, they may take the
place of irOn-clads, except for attacking forts.
There are much greater difficulties in using
torpedoes for attack, in launching them under
water and directing their course beneath the
surface, than in merely firing them at some
point where they are sunk to defend a chan
mel but many experiments In this country ana
in England give fair hope that these dlfiicul-
ties may be overcome.
On our third page our correspondent In
Alabama gives very clear account of the pO-
II.
forced by the Republicans, the negroes always
hitherto deserving a ticket If the Demo-
Gratis offered to accept it as their
own nomination. This year an extraordinary
effort will be made by the Democracy to
bring out their own vote, and they hope for
majority of 10000 in the State, though there
is no prospect of change in the Congress
Districts. The canvass is proceeding quietly,
the only interruptions being unnecessary
arrests of quiet citizens by United States Mar
shals, and fierce conflicts between factions OF
the colored Republicans, in which arrests are
never made
There is a story that portion of the papers
for which Count Won Arnim is held responsible,
has been in this country. The tale is strange
enough but the whole affair is so extraordinary
that we are prepared for almost anything.
However, there are some phrases about the in
telligence from St. Louis calculated to offend
our susceptibilities. The power of Prince Bis
marck in this country is much greater than it
is in his own, if he can procure the exc
cution of an "Order" for the capture of Count
Won Arnim's secretary in the State OF Missouri,
without any legal warrant. The telegram con-
veys the idea that the secretary, who by the
way is nameless, was held as a prisoner by
private detective at st. Louis. If anything of
that sort took place it would be well to make
q judicial inquiry into the authority for the
arrest.
The last doubt as to the Presidents position
on the Third Term has been removed by the
sem-ofical dispatch sent from Washington
on Saturday. The President stands on the
letter of 1872 printed in The Cincinnati Gazette.
1t expressed his views then as to a second
term, and he entertains the same views as to
a third term. Readers will remember what
those were. Substantially, he considered that
he had made a great sacrifice in accept
ing the Presidency. He intimated that it
was therefore, very proper thing to propose
giving it to him a second time. He denied
that he was seeking it, but virtually declared
himself Gin the hands of his friends" In
other words, Gen. Grant now wants to get
third term if the people will give 1t to him.
The people will tomorrow give their answer
to that proposition.
The silly falsehoods concerning the use of
money to affect the political course of leading
Journals with which Administration papers
teemed last week, seemed then as aimless as
they were foolish. The developments of the
last few days concerning the sharp contests in
Assembly Districts tend however, to cast some
light upon the reason for this sudden cloud Of
lies. Under cover of it, as is now reported
on credible authority, large sums of
money have been transmitted to various