New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-15

rashly bat very aptly referred 10 the ex-senator
from New-York specimen Of nnperiousnoss
which is the very opposite of courtesy" That his
political idol should be called specimen of irnpe-
robustness" filled the usually gentle heart of the
Rev. Joseph Scott with wrath, and he characterized
the remark Of his reverend brother the opposite
of courtesy if not bordering cowardice" Nor
could the Rev. Mr.. Scott refrain from saying that IN
his opinion Nr. COnkling was the greatest man IN
ability in this country" If he had qualified his
rather general statement by limiting, however
mildly, that for some six weeks past tins ability had
been displayed in decidedly negative manner Gust
the balky horse in fit of stHbbornuess refuses 70
be coaxed, reasoned or whipped into doing what a
horse with well-regulated conscience always does
without urgngl the murmur of dissent which arose
at his words would probably have been less notice
able. Mr.. Scott, however, bravely repeated his
words and sat down. The Rev. DIR. William Rice,
the City Librarian of Springfield, then advanced the
opinion that as Mr.. Conkling had been - public
man and in the public SERVICE he was the fit subject
of public criticism" He had no fear of what Conk-
ling could do. "Conklng has been given long
rope" he added and is making the best of it,
to hang himself" In spite OF the fact" says the
Ingenious reporter " that the meeting in the
sacred place, the camp pulpit, cheers on cheers
greeted this uterance"
There is a great deal of captous criticism in regard
to the treatment of the Presidents which is
be deprecated. The four surgeons n attendance
have probably among them seen and intelligently
examined more gunshot wounds than any other
fonr men in America-it would hardly be an exag-
geration to say in the world. DR.. Barnes is the
Surceon-GenerS of the Army; DIR. Woodward is the
most famous and the most accomplished of that
medical staff which have given our Medical
Museum and Library so high place in the scien-
tihc world Dr.. Bliss and Dr. Reyburn have had
enormous experience in the field aud in civil life
If any surgeons can be entitled confidence il would
seem that this is where confidence is ustiable
they have done their work with admirable devotion
as well as reserve. Their bulletins are models OF
definite, accurate and cautious expression. They
viii have hereafter nothing TO retract or modify
For the first sixty hours their efforts were directed
10 counteractng the effect of the shock, which in
cases like this is usually fatal and that danger
escaped, they have met and successfully overcome
each succeeding crisis in the case until now they
feel justified in emerging to some extent from the
reserve they have hitherto properly maintained
and in predicting the ultimate recovery OF their il
liStnous patient. 1t is the prayer of millions Of
people that this hope and this prediction may prove
to be well founded In that evenr a new and inter
esting page viii be added to our surgical annals
and the gentlemen who have so earnestly and with
so much professional propricty labored TO save a
life precious beyond estimate to the country will
10 q
The ambitions project of turning the waters of
the ocean INTO the Sahara Desert and thus convert
ing III INTO vast inland sea, never got be yDnd the
theoretical stage, and did not STAY there long in
the lace Of the assertions OF many African tray
ellers that the greater part OF the surface of the
Desert is above the level of high tide Now the
French. who are at present taking the lead in
schemes of African development have in contem-
platoon similar project. hut on "A much smaller
scale ana OF undoubted practcability. 1t IS to
make n big salt lake in the low desert lands sout h
of the settlements of Agers and Tnns, by means
| OF canal from the Mediteuaneau The lake
would cut of the predatory tribes OF Arabs that
inhabit the mountainous region beyond the desert
and serve strong military frontier for the
French colonists. Probably tie cost of the ca-al
would be made mp in a few years by the reduction
IN tn" army expenses of defending the present from
tier. Al the head Of tins enterprise as the reader
viii READILY surmlse, is the Count de Lcsseps
Every French canal scheme nowadays turns to this
remarkable engineer rs its natural chief making no
account of the fact that he has already passed by
six years the Psamists limit OF
correspondent who has several times visited the
region purchased from Mexico 10y the Gadsden Treaty
correcs our low estimate of its value and saws that
it contains thousands of acres of fine grazing and
ricultural lands much good timber and "A number of
district. lie thinks the product OF gold and silver
from these mines during the present year will
exceed the ten millions originally paid Tor The land
by the United States Government. When The pnr-
chase was made no one expected the country would
turn out to be of much value. The South controlled
the Government and the treaty negotiated in
| pursuance of the general plan OF the Southern
leaders 10 neglect no opportunity to acquire terri
| tory which might IN future he used To increase the
domain of slavery. We doubt whether the Gatisden
| addition to the expense the War Department has
Incurred for garrisoning it. but the outlook of The
numerous mines lately opened upon it is certainly
| fattering.
There is check yet TO the wonderful devotion
ment of Dakota. which has been for the past three
years the most striking feature in the growth of the
West. The Northern Pacific Railroad is now com
plcted clear acioss the Territory and is well into
Montana. In the southern portion of the Territory
| two railroads have reached the Missouri River in
| their western progress and ale making foI the
Black Hills The eastern section is traverscd by rail
from the Nebraska line almost to the Manitoba from
tier. and many local roads are finished or in pro-
cess of building. As settlement advances tn. Bad
Lands recede inst as the Great American Desert -
! of the old maps did in Kansas twenty wears ago
large portion of Dal>otaS vast domain is found to
be excellent grain and grazing land. From tins
domain we shall see created during the next decade