New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-19
lish. who has. they think, two Of these tlTee
important qualifications.

bad symptom Of the situation in Ireland
is the free use of the revolver in encounters
between the peasantry and the constabulary.
The shillelah has been wittily described as
weapon which never misses fire; but although
its aim is certain its effect Is not deadly, ana
80 long AS the Irish were content with it their
riots seldom produced more serious conse-
onences than n few broken heads. Now the
disaffected classes are buying firearms and do
not hesitate to use them, as was shown by the
affair at Dungannon on Sunday. The orators
of the Land League threaten rebellion If Their
demands for a reform in the land system are
repulsed. and tenants turned out of their
homes for refusing to pay the old rents, and
their followers are evidently preparing for a
conflict. The sagacity and prudence OF the
Gladstone Government are likely 10 be put 10
a severe test before the difficulties III Ireland
are settled.
The Greenbackers who held a State Con
vention at Syracuse yesterday and nominated
State ticket, are looking for eggs III last
years birds nests. Their principal issue OF
hostility to currency based upon coin was
killed by resumption, and cannot be gavan-
lied into life and made the basis for
National party. Some of the other questions
they raise, such as unjust discrimination ID
railway freight tariffs and the watering or rai-
way stock, are important but they 90 hot
furnish timber enough for third-party plat
form which any large number of voters VIII
care to stand upon in contest involving far
greater issues. One declaration OF the SYRIA
cuse Convention can be unreservediy COM
mcnded, hOwever-that IN favor OF "a thrlif
(which shall protect American industry
We have such tariff now, and the best way
to defend it against the assaults of the Demo-
Gratis is by helping the Republican party winch
adopted it to win this election, and not by
muddiing the canvass with a third electoral
ticket. All other vital principles which the
Greenbackers profess will be more Likely to
have fair chance before the public if the
party of ideas and progress succeeds, than II
the party of prejudice and reaction wins the
battle.
1t appears by figures printed on another
page of this paper that while England en-
ploys 424 first-class steamers III the foreign
trade of the United States, we employ
only about 81 ourselves. Leaving out The
Cuban and Mexican trades, we employ only
about Is or IS. These figures are
startling. They would at any time supply
material for profitable reflection, but they do
the more so now, because France is heavily
sub.id zing lines Of steamers to ply to our
shores, and because China, which commands
the cheapest labor of the world. is preparing to
trade hither with native ships too.
| The outlook is discouraging. Is there
any hope for American shipping? Is
that part of this great interest engaged Ill
transoceanic trade now about to be oblit +
ated? A convention has been called to DIS
cuss this question, and it will meet at Boston
October 6. 1t was resolved yesterday by the
New York Board of Trade and Transports
ton to invite all the commercial bodies OF
the country. and all other bodies interested, to
attend. 1t is to be hoped that this conven-
ton may be composed of men competent, by
experience and interest, to discuss the ship
ping question. 1t ought to be in fact as well
As in name a ShpOwners' aud Sh1pbullders'
Convention in large part, if it is going TO
accomplish any good whatever