The New York Herald Newspaper, August 1, 1873, Page 3

NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 1873—WITH SUPPLEMENT. 3 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. The Tenth Anniversary of the Unwersity Convocation. The Rev. P. J. Dealy, S.J., on the Question of Secular vs. Re- ligious Education. The Present System and Its Mer- its, Demerits and Dangers. Education without Religion the Cause of In- ternationalism and Communism. ALBANY, July 31, 1873, On the 9th day of January, 1863, the Board of Re- gente established a wholesome custom, that has ever since been annually paid the utmost rever- ence. It was deemed advisable at that period by Chancellor Proyn that at least once a year all the colleges, academies, normal schools, and aca- Gemical departments of Union schools subject to the visitation of the Regents of the University sbould be represented at a convocation. The ob- jects of the Regents werg to consider the mutual relations of colleges and demies, and to promote @8 largely as possible the cause of liberal educa- tion in our State. It was argued, in jurtherance of the plan, that, while it is a part of the duty of the Regents of the University to visit all the colleges and academies subject to their supervision, it was obvious that this could not be done @s frequently as desirable and that some method by which teachers brought together from various parts of the State, might compare views with each other and with the Regents ana discuss methods of instruction and general modes of pro- cedure was absolutely necessary. It was argued further that the numerous institutions of which the University is composed are not, as in England, crowded into a single city, but are scattered for popular convenience over the entire State, and it ‘Was hoped that AN ANNUAL CONVOCATION Would result in the more intimate alliance and co- operation of the various institutions holding char- tered rights under the Regents, The attainment of the following objects was the main hope of the Regents in inaugurating the convocation custom :— First—vo secure a better acquaintance among those en; d in these departments of instruction ‘witb each other and with the Regents, Te cure an interchange of opinions Becond—To se on the best methods of instruction in both col- 8 and academtes, nird—lo advance the standard of education throughout the State, ‘to adopt such common rules as may em best fitted to promote the harmonious work- of the State system of education. ‘To consult and co-operate with the Regents hh Set | and executing such plans of education eer vanced state of the population may mand. Slath—To exert a direct influence upon the people and the Legislature of the State, personally and through the press, so as to secure such an appre- Ciation of a thorough system of education, together With such pecuniary aid and legislative enactments, as will ce the institution thus represented in & position worthy of the population and resources the State. Since the year when these objects were declared the educational policy, so to speak, of the wal convocation every recurring year has tnessed a grand gathering of “ye wits and sages’ from the faculties of the varjoug colleges and accademies in the State. The session begun at the Oapitolon Tuesday, and which was mntinued until to-day, was the tenth so far held. re were present, a8 ugual, & large number of Bentiemen, Tepresentatives of colleges and acade- ies. The proceedings were carried on with all that regard to decorum and dignity which distin- ery peneral meetings of cultured men at the pitol from the every-day sessions of the Assembly. ‘The most interesting feature of these annual convo- cations is the reading, by members who previously give notification that ‘they ‘Will do 80, Of papers on Various subjects of interest. These Papers, are always discussed in a ey way, and the result fs always beneficial in that the various members’ differences of opinion on important MATTERS CONOBRNING EDUCATION and other subjects of general interest become not only known to all, but often harmonized. Among those representatives of colleges who were pres- mnt to read papers to-day was the Rev. P. J. Dealy, J.,0¢ St. Francis Xavier's College, New York. ther Dealy has been a regular attendant at the convocations for peers past; in fact, he is the only Oatholic priest who does attend as a member. The fact that ali the other members are Protestants, me of them ministers, is by no means a draw- Back to him, as he never fails to receive at the hands of the Chancellor, Mr. Pruyn, and all the thers, every Kindness and ceurtesy possible, When Jesuits are being hunted like dogs in Mcxico snd Germany it is no small credit for New York to have it to say that a Jesuit is ever welcome in her convocations of learned men, and that his religion 4s not looked upon as a feariul something that ought to debar him from society. ‘he paper which the reverend gentleman read was on education..n opening he said that the inter- est thatis being téxen now in the subject of educa- tion ought to unite all classes of Christians. There ‘were two views, in his opinion, to be taken of edu- cation—the Christian and unchristian, It was im- rinctn therefore, that we should consider the rinciples upon which the battle is to be fought. ‘here Was no education worthy of the name which does not provide for the training of youth in relig- fon and morality as well as imparting to them scientific or classical or artistic culture, The rev- erend gentleman then defined what he meant by religious education, the teaching of religion upon a doctrinal basis and that, shorn of religion, educa- tion was not truly education, for if education was @ivorced from religion there was left only an in- complete teaching, an intensely non-Christian edu- cation. The exclusion of religion trom the schools tends to make youth forget they are Christians, Whereas, on the contrary, experience in history Seaches that 4 RELIGIOUS SPIRIT FOSTERS BECULAR EDUCATION, It was, he believed, an impossibility to have a full course of secular education without involving the influence of retigious or irreligious principles. The relations between teachers and scholars !ead to & personal influence of the one over the other. If for instance a teacher was a free thinker it needed Mo argument to show what the consequence would ‘de to the scholar. How could a Christian parent ‘under the circumstances rest secure for his child’s Christianity ? Even the infidel determined to trans- mit his di lief to his child will not confide it toa Catholic or a strictly Protestant teaching. All Christians, he remarked, were interested in uphold. ing dogmatic teaching. Ana why? Because all Christians are agreed in maintaining the truths of Christianity—fidelity to the Christian revelation, which was imperilied by separating religion from education. Christian bodies were anxious, he said, to make their children as orthodox as them- gel and since they are attached to their respec- ‘eligions they canuot easily be handed over to [eg an to adverse influences. One Christian , therfore, ceuld not rationally ie of shel? feliow Christians who regard such influences os Pky etigee The Protestant was justified in jing his child to A SCHOOL WHERE NO RELIGION 18 TAUGHT, ‘ecause Protestantism is only a religion of inquiry. Another body of Christians who hold to a iivil euthority, and who receive the decisions of t guthority, have objected to education separated from religion. Both were consistent. Unbelievers who reject revelation and quarrel with everybody on religious matters, agree on certain principles With Christians; first, freedom of opinion; second, consisteacy; third, conscientiousness. ‘They, fol- towing their principles, will justify Christians in sending them to their proper schools. Then, as for the results to secular edueation in those countries where it has had a fair trial and where the princi- ~ that govern secular education is that child- 004d is a depot which society has placed under the Sy sl of the State. The general tendency of kind of education was to create infidels—not Christians, This view of the cone wae reared tleman supperte acting from asparin. fhe distinguished Provch Protestant. He adde ‘that in Prance, for instance, the deeds of the Inter- 1d Communists perfectly ill ated THE SPIRIT OF ENLIGHTENED LIBERAL ‘which would ta the teaching of religion schools, As one of the results of this teachit pointed to the immorality of the light lite: cerance. "ihe sul which assy belch Prance . ance be traced to this same 14 teaching, because the intelligent bigote had stri ven, and at times with guccess, ish religion and Christian faith from she minds of the young. Indeed, error was pre- senting itself in our days in the Christian world in forms a6 novel as formidable. The alarming spec- tacle was presented of a well digested s m of onbelief devastating and Noth 3 ing the moral world, making secular education the vehicle of the scepticism, indiferentism and materialism of the day. In our own country here the results were & iitical corraptions, the minds of men becoming jbued more with materialism than the principies of the Bible, and the departure of true statesmaa- ship from among us, To sustain this asser- tion the reverend father pa from Rev, Mr. Fraser's report to the British Parliament from remarks made by the Protestant Bishop of lilinoig in a discussion on education held 4B the Church Coparesy ip England in 1408, He Protesta ho, in Lot ip an address tending to show that secular education made infidels, not Chris- tians, i he ‘said, used the followin, words :—* Roman Catholic clergy, refesing al com, land rom! have steadily gone on over the buil thet schools and ‘ile ir colleges, and they os e with team everything likely to make em not only permanent and valnal ut also attractive to sil ae a Sete gay they owe to their prin the church of claims of God which they are Mant and the dala thas “there: was just ho upon them.” The already referred to religion at all in education as carried on in the United States. It was secular and took no notice Gods ory except is the. moat incidental way, of @ most incidental way, o God's Holy Word. ‘The intellect was stimulated to the highest 3 Were left uncultivated. The but the heart and the affections mere reading of the Bible was about ag instructive ag it would be in a military school to only read @ chapter out of the tactics without ever having bof aril or the chapter explained. The yout! leit the schools ready in 8, skilful with the pen, well instructed in the 'y and mechanism of the steam engine, but utterly ignorant of the principles of duty, truth, religion and honor, without knowing the Ten Commaud- ments or the Apostles Creea, which fact (added the Bishop) mi a distinguished Prussian once remark to him: ‘I came to your country to ite geography, ite laws, its institutions, 2,000 religions and” delievin; The reverend father next quoted ment made Ly the Rev..Dr. ver to the effect that five-sixths of the people of the United States attend no place of public worship. He then went on to show that the absence of religious instruction a8 & part of the educational system was THE CAUSE OF ORIME AND IMMORALITY among the rising generation, There were many people now: he said, talking about edu- cation, but few understand what it means, The tendency of the Say was an excess of education for the masses, which is always detrimental, as isan excess in anything. Fox, the founder of the first reformatory for children had said, “Of what use is it toa commonwealth that its rogues should know how to read, write orcypher; these requirements are only so many master keys put into their hands to break into the sanctuary of human society.’’ ‘4A child,” added the reverend father, ‘‘can be taught that idleness will pring a man to the gal- lows, and that ind in the world leads to pros- perity. It may be deterred from intemperance and impurity by ernie, it just what the results are certain to be, but these exhortations, he felt convinced, were but tfeeble weapons st the wantonness of the human heart and its occasion- ally flerce passions. The infuence of reli absolutely necessary. The reverend fa laid down two principles, on which he dwelt at some length. One wag that the State was bound todo what it can to meet the wants of the people with reference to non-religious instruction, the ocher that the State has no it to undertake the education of any class of Christians, The present system of education now so popular had, he as- serted, not proved itself a breakwater against evils, Which the State will, perhaps, be more con- scious of sooner than we,expect, and which it will find very hard, if able at all, nally to suppress. The present hdd in his opinion, had many things about it that were admirable; but, notwithstand- ing its merits, ithad not prevented our schools from being flooded with POLLUTED AND POLLUTING LITERATURE, and this statement he backed up by enoting. from Congressman Merriam’s speech, where it was shown that librariang and others connected with schools acroaly acted as agents for the distribu- tion of bad books among the scholars. The reverend gentleman then closed by expromaing the hope that so far as it could be done without encroaching upon any individual rights, care would be taken by the Board of Regents to make education within the limits of our State all that it should be under a secular and religious point of view. The reading of this paper was listened to with the most marked attention, and quite a lively dis- cussion ensued over it among the members of the convocation. The way in which tne subject was treated—irom a broad Christian stand point and not from any particular religious view—rather startled some of the more narrow minded mem- bers. The paper during the discussion got a severe overhauling at the hands of those who were un- ae to agree with all the sentiments expressed Appointment of Standing Committees— Adjournment of the Convocation. In the Convocation meeting this morning Mr. C. T. R, Smith read a paper on “Grammar as a Nataral Science.” The following standing committees were ap- pointed ;— Hreoullee Committee—Professor Edward North, of Hamilton College; President Joseph Alden, of the State Normal School; Pri cpa E reise, of the Sodus Academy; Prin«ipal Aaron White, oi the Canostota Union School sPrincipal L, D, Mies, of Haverling Union School, Bath; jefe lag BE. Gate, of the Albany Academy University Convo- cation Secretary Samuel B. Woolworth, LL. D., of Albany; Professor Edward North, LL. D., of Ham- ilton College; Professors D. 8. Martin and A, M, Rutgers, of the Female College. Committee on Collecting Statistics tn Regard to Teacher's—Alonzo Flack, of Claverack; J. EK. Brad- Jey, of the Albany Free Academy; D. Brattie, of the Troy High Schooi; N. T. Clark, of Canandaigua; J. W. Chandler, of the Elizabethtown Union School; Edward Danforth, Department of Public Instruction; S. 'f, Frost, America Seminary ; J. E. atin Fort Eaward; 8. d. Love, Jamestown; G. D. McLean, Brockport Normal School; L. D. Miller, Bath; W. S. Smythe, Casenovia; J. M. Sprague, New Berlin; A. B. Walkins Adams, Hun- eee. College Tnatitute ; O.J. Wright, Peekskill cademy. Resolutions were adopted looking to the ex- change of collections through the medium of the State Museum of Natural History, and to the for- mation of a Teachers’ Scientific Institute, under the charge of the Regents. The conmittee on application to the Legislature for an increase of the literature fund was con- Unued without alteration. Mr. Lewis moved that the Regents’ Committee on the State Cabinet be ie beg to submit at the next Convocation a plan for the connection of the Cabinet with popular education. Adopted, After some remarks by Vice Chancellor Benedict on the importance of the Convocation, an adjourn- ment was taken sine die, SANDWICH ISLANDS. Royal Courtesy Towards the Gritish Flag—American Diplomacy and the Policy of Reciprocity—Haste to Admin. ister on the Effects of a “Sich Man”— National Decay of the Hawaiian People. HONOLULU, July 8, 1878, The British irigate Repulse left our roadstead on the 27th June, bound for Victoria. His Majesty of these islands was pleased to visit the vessel on several occasions, and was warmly welcomed by Admiral Hillyar and officers, On the eve of the Admiral’s departure the King gave a grand ball at the Palace, to which all citizens and oMicera of the ship were invited, The usual dish of RECIPROCITY TREATY has been served up with its sauce of cession of Pearl River harbor at stated times during the Month, A mass meeting was held on the 30th June to listen to an address delivered by the Hon. ae Rhodes, member of His Majesty's Privy Council. The subject was ‘No Cession of Territory,’ and the speaker handled it with great force and vigor, appealing, perb: more to the preju- dice of the natives than to their reason, but with marked effect. The native Hawaiian will not listen to any project pedi to the alienation of terri- tory, and it is certainly poor policy, to say the least, to urge the matter upon him. At the pres- ent rate of decrease of population the Hawaiian has not a very long jease as & nation, and it does seem but fair that he should enjoy the balance of the term in peace. Ihave before allanded to the van- ground hela by British Spiomaey in this roup, anc 't is largely to be aecounted for by the fact that this policy 18 unselfish, The reception accorded to ts of British war vessels is more cordial and unu:.:mo.s. it is @ generals conceded point that these islands Will, {rom Jo:ce of circumstances, natu- rail; ‘4 PALL TO THE UNITED stares at some future time, aud just. why the United States should aid and abet a Lody of pianters and ‘@ few merchants in their efforts to hasten the end it is difficult to understand. This Polley ony. em- bitters tke feeling of the natives jor the United States, and, if anything, only puts off the day when the islands might otherwise seek to become Ameri- can territory. ese =merchants and planters came to these islands of their own free will, and I cannot now recall an instance where one of them brought any capital into the country save energy and enterprise. That they have prospered heyond any expectation which they had dreamed of is also @ matter of fact, and now because the price of sugar is low iu San Francisco they desire a treat; with amertos, BY which the duties on sugar shail be removed, and a8 @ temptation to the United States they offer the birthright of the abori; oo of the islands, When I say that the natives f care, in fact will almost unanimously reject the proposition for the cession of territory, 1 say that which any one who has resided here @ month knews beyond dispute, “a PLANTER, OHANCELLOR OF THE KINGDOM, and a cabinet of planters, or of those in their in- terest, have worried and importuned the King until he doubtless, consented to ask the United States if they will entertain the proposi- tion, oat in his heart the King repela the thought. There 18 no reason why the United States should not stand upon as favorable @ footing as Great Britain with the King and m4 ald tor this grasping for the effects of a d; nation. BY STATISTICS OF THE COLLECTOR GENERAL of Customs is shown & most gratifyin, our principakproducts. The gain for the past six months Over the game teraf last year ae fol- lows :— 8,608, 108 oS "300,300 + 180,072 THE PUBLIC STOREHOUSE FIRE. AGlance at the Smoking Building—The Loss Estimated at $220,000—Complete Sus- pension of Business—kist of the Insurances, ‘The warehouse fire in Greenwich street on Wed- day night Was DOt 80 great ag 1 first _re- ported to have been. “TM athouat of the Toot Was en. greatly exaggerated, While one of the morning papers stated yesterday that the loss was two mil- lions it is now certain that it will probably fall short of $220,000. The officials in charge of the bonded warehouse sa‘d the loss on the goods would Ppronably be less than $200,000 and the loss on the building would not exceed $20,000, The buildings— for there are two—include the public stores No. 118, 115, 117, 119 and 121 Greenwich street, and are owned by Dr. J. C. Ayer, of Lowell, Mass,, and his brother, who rented them to the government for $66,000 a year, They were insured for $200,000, 80 that Dr. Ayer will sustain no loss, The scene around the warehouse was unusually animated. Hundreds of merchants rushed to in- quire whether their goods had been consumed by the flames or otherwise injured, One of the en- gines PLAYED UPON TUK SMOKING WALLS of the Greenwich street building until eleven o'clock yesterday morning. A vast crowd stood round the building and watched the working of tho engine, There was a leak in the hose, which exten- ded to the roof, and @ stream of water shot from it every now and then. The ravages of the fire could easily be scen from the street. The walls of the building on the Greenwich street side were intact. Atthe first glance we would not have thought that the fire was so fierce and that it took such a long time to subdue the fames, All that could be seen were a fallen roof, & number of broken windows and walls blackened at the upper stories, One of the oMcials in charge of the building who had investigated the matter gave it as his opinion that the fre originated in the sixth floor, amidst the bales of wool, Dundee linen, human hair and Matting. The cause is still unknown. The damage by fire was confined to the fourth, fifth and sixth floors. The fourth floor contained VALUABLE BOOKS AND DRUGS, and was principally injured by the water. The fifth floor was for artificial fowers, bunting, human hair and hair braid, hosiery, carpets ang feathers, parasols, umbrellas and woollen knit goods, The sixth floor was sct apart for the examination of wools, hemp, jute, shoddy, bristles, canes, carpets, manulactured and other furs and matting, ‘This floor was completely destroyed. ‘the logs in the leather room was not very great, and a large quantity of drugs was saved, amon; othere @ valuable invoice oi Turkey opium and 1: cases of balsam of copaiba. ‘The fire fortunate) Spared the rooms in which these goods were stored, sixteen cases of very valuable French books, valued at $25,000, were completely destroyed. The insurance patrol arrived early yesterday morning. They covered the goods with oilcloth, and did all that was in their power to protect them from further injury by the dripping water, Deput. Collector Tompkins had given strict orders tha’ none but members of the insurance patrol or the Fire Marshal's police should be ADMITTED TO THE DAMAGED FLOORS, Appraiser Darling telegraphed carly in the morn- ing to Washington, and it is probable that the gov- ernment wiil order an investigation, Mr, Daling said to the HERALD reporter that the government had intended for a long time to remove tie public stores farther up town, and It was therefore proba- ble that this store would soon pe abandoned, ‘The business was entirely suspended. ‘Tue office was deluged with water so that the clerks were unable to do any work ail day. Agreat many merchants wanted to see whether their goods had been injured, but the Deputy Collector denied even his best friends admiesion. Some who had brought their delivery orders were sorely Chen pointed when they were told that no goods could be taken away and that no person coula be allowed to enter the upper floors. Tae rich firms who are supposed to have lost by the fire—A. T. Stewart & Co. and Vlailin & Co.— ee evidently not much troubled by the loss, for ey . MADE SCARVELY ANY INQUIRIES. There was, however, the sad case of a young im- porter, a bright, cheerful-ioeking man, who iad lost human hair worth $3,000, This was a prett severe singeing. It was ali he had in the world, He was nearly distracted when he discovered that ail his property had been consumed vy the names, He had lost in a day what it probably had taken him years to accumulate, No goods were received yesterday. All goods that would have come to the store were directed to be sent to the nearest store until the Collector and Appraiser could resume the ordinary business. On damaged goods which are duty paid a retund of the duties on the amount iost will be made by the Secretary of the Treasury, Where a bond has been given for she duties it will be allowed, 60 a8 to take Of the amount of tne duties on the property destroyed. On goods which have been warehoused the joss will amount only to the dutiable value. These regulations will be o! great importance to all affected by the tire. It was impossible to ascertain the names of the firms and tie amounts of losses. The records of the warehouse were all saved, but THERE WAS SUCH A CONFUSION that even Mr. Darling, the Appraiser, was unable to give the reporter the required tuformation. Ail that was known was that A, I, Stewart, Horace B. Clafiin and a large number of other firms had goods in the upper floors, but none of the officials were able to tel] how inuch each firm lost. Most of the goods were insured, the insurance being Givided up among some twenty-five companies, in amounts Of from $2,500 to $7,600. The following fre the names of a few of these com- hoy i—New York and Yonkers, on building, 5,000; Continental Insurance Company's logs will net exceed $3,000; Jefferson Insurance Company, on stock, $5,000; Equitable, of Providence, on rents, $6,000; Narragansett, of Providence, on rents, $5,000; Hanever Insurance Campany’s loss will not exceed $3,000; a German Ineurance Com- eral: loss on stock, wili not exceed $4,000; Lycom- g Insurance Company, on stock, $5,000; Citizens’ Insurance Company, joss will not exceed $500; Merchants’ Insurance Company, on building, $10,000; Fireman’s Insurance Company, on stock, $5,000; St. Nicholas Insurance Company's lose will hot exceed $500; Phoenix Insurance Company, on building, $1,000, &c. All officials agree in praising the Fire Department, which, through its efficiency, has saved thousands and thousands of dollars, Effect of the Fire at the Custom House. In order to ascertain additional facts concerning the great fire of Wednesday night in the Public Stores a representative of the HERALD called upon Mr. John B. Lydecker, Special Deputy and Acting Collector in General Arthur’s absence. Mr. Ly- decker, in bis usual affable manner, imparted all he knew concerning the conflagration, his infor- mation being based upon the report of Mr. Tomp- kins, Deputy Collector of the Eighth division, and in charge of the public stores, ‘The loss to the government, Mr. Lydecker stated, owing to the fire would be but very trifling. When Qn invoice of imports is presented at the Custom Houee for entry a portion thereof is ordered to the public stores for examination and appraisement. The importer gives bonds for the payment of the tax, and, in case the balance of goods on the same invoice are required they would be forthcoming. Those wares in the hands of the Appraiser are placed there at the risk of the owner, and if he is a careiul merchant he will cer- tainly insure them. Whatever merchandise the government thus holds, whether burned or deliv- ered, must pay the regular tariif. But in the present instance section 13 of the Act of Congres#, passed 1865, amending section 8 of Act of March, 1854, provides a refund of the duties paid under such circumstances, on proper vouch- ers being presented to the Collector and approved by the Secretary of the Treasury. If the goods are only damaged, the duties are exacted all the same, and if insured, are delivered free on payment of tariff dues to the underwriters, or, if uninsured, to the owner. In the latter case AN EXTRA DAMAGE APPRAISEMBNT is made upon which to base a rejund of taxes. Mr. Lydecker iurther remarked, that the business of the government will not suffer the slightest inter- ruption by the accident, and that he had already jasued orders to transfer goods intended for the ry store to the general order warehouses, ke elevator on the Greenwich street side having been rendered useless by the fire, the other, on New Church street, will be the only one used for the present, until tne first named can be replaced. ‘rhe Acting Collector attributes the safety of the New Church’street building altogether to the prac- tical foresight of Mr. Tompkins, When this officer took charge of the builaimg, he found that the stores on Greenwich street ran through to the other front, without any partitions, a length of up- wards of 200 feet. Mr. ier sought the owner Cy of the building, and made him acquainted with the danger attending such an exposed condition of th arehouses, and a bapa the necessity of providing irou doors for the openings. The owner of the houses refused togo to any such outiay, when Mr. Toinpkina reported tne tact to the insur- ance companies, who compeiled the owner to Cause these much-needed precautions to be taken, ip case of refusal, they would cancel the pol- icies. The beneficial result of this measure was made fully apparent by the late fre, The iron doors, although FIRED TO A WHITE MRAT kept the devouring eleinent from entering the New Church street buildings where the most valuable is were stored, and were thas the means of avoiding the lozs of millions of dollars. A committee trom the Board of Underwriters called yesterday afternoon upon Mr. Lydecker with a view of at once assuming charge of the damaged goods and débris, But asthe govern- ment only Cy ita bonded officers and knows apr about insurance or insurance companies, Mr. Lydecker respectiully declinea the proposition, and remarked that only after the goods affected by fire have been made duty free can they pass into their custody, and for the present the customs au- thorities must retain charge of the same. EVOLY OF THE MERCHANTS, REVOLT OF THE MoROHAN The Transportation Question Looming Up—"Shall the Government Run the Rallroads or be Run by Them ?”—The Rings Striving to Strangle New York— Une! Sam’s Fast Freight Line to Chicago, There 18 no class in the community so reluctant to unite jor the correction of fancied wrongs as the mercantile. The merchant princes of New York, the men who have by their bold enterprise advanced the city to its proud position as the Metropolis of the New World, are indeed “slow to anger,” and when they do stand forth to cham- pion @ principle or in defence of a cause their ac- tion 1s certain to prove neither hasty nor trivial. Yesterday # reference was made to the initiation of a movement, dating from the Grocers’ Board of Trade, which already foreshadows A MOST MOMENTOUS UPRISING against the steadily increasing oppression of the railway monopolists, An Organization has been ‘quietly effected and the membership is being ac- tively recruited from every class of mercantile in- tereat. This Mercantile Association has been formed i pursuance of a recommendation of “The American Cheap Transportation Association,” which took form at the Astor House, on the 6th and wth of May last, at the instance of a delega- tion from tho Western Grangers. Mr. Josiah Quincy, of Boston, was elected President of this National Association; R, H. Ferguson, of Troy, Secretary and F, B. Thurber, of New York, Treas- urer. The cardina! thoughts expressed in the res- olutions adopted by this body at its organization are “that tbe great material want of the day is relief from the present rate of transit on American Products and that cheap transportation, both of persons and property, ig essential to the welfare and prosperity of the country.” in combining, tue merchants of New York have A TWO-FOLD OBJECT IN VIEW: to prevent the diversion of their legitimate trade to rival cities and to benefit the entire mass of producers and consumers throughout the country by securing an economical system of transporta- lon. In consequence of the remarkable digcrimina- tions made by the railroad and fast freight lines in favor of Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, and in view of the prospective completion of the ship canal system of Canada, certain branches of trade in New York are already embarrassed or seriously threatened. New York merchants have no owner- ship in any of the trunk roads to the West, while Bosion, ialtimore and Philadelphia capital is largely represented in three important lines. Neither the Erie nor the Vanderbilt interests ally themselves with those of this city whose patronage is their source of power. The Erie Canal is unequal to the task of transporting one-quarter the tonnage offered to it, and the Western shipper 18 thus almost compelled to find another market, when he would naturally preier New York, The difference in treights between the seaboard cities and the Western towns renders New York THE LEAST ATTRACTIVE MARKET for buyers, and in order to retain their customers merchants here are obliged to assume this differ- euce in the ireight turif? themselves, thereby lessening tueir margin for profit to a degree wholly unreasonabie. Inasmuch as New York alone has always bech a better cusvomer to the railroads than the three rival cities combined, the in- justice of faring her more heavily than the lo, ethers is palpal irrespective of the fact that she nearer to Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati and other Prominent — points West by some two hundred miles than Boston, and practically no further off than Baltimore or Philadelphia. The Hcosac Tunnel will afford Bus- ton a still further advantage, which will operate harshiy for New York interests. These are some of the points of local importance that require atton- tion; but the purpose gt se Mercantite Associa- tion is also to idquire into an CHECK ABUSES connected with the handing Of freight, resulting in what is known as Maps eel and to urge upon the city the necessity of building sultable docks, wherein consignments cen be piaced without being exposed to damage froin the elements or irom ac- cumulated filth. In regard to a practical solution of the great question of cheap transportation, it is probable that an appeal to Congress will be made to authorize the building by government of A NATIONAL RAILWAY from New York to Chicago, the road to be of the very best class, with steel rails and doubie tracks throughout and devoted exclusively to the for- warding of ireight. It is suggested that private companies or individuais shall be allowed to place their own rolling siock on this roaw#and to pay toil therefor, preciseiy as the cgnals are operated, By this means the actual cc of transportation could be discovercd, which is how an impossibility. ‘Tne government would have to keep tie road in repair, as the canals are now maintained by the States to which they belong. Practically, the great public highway would be to the people of the whole country What the Erie Canal has proved to the State of New York—a means of growth and wealth out of all proportion to the first cost, great though it be. WHO SHALL RUN THE RAILROADS ? The merchants consider tiat the question of the hour is:—Shall the government run the raliroads or be run uid them * Practically three-fourths of the State and national Legislatures are controlied by the enor- mous railway interests of the country, and it is deemed important to press the issue at all points at once, whether the pecpie at large shall be further oppressed by railroad rule or whether that form of tyranny shail be displaced while the chance for doing it remains. Active preparations are making for @ public demonstration by the New York mer- chants at Cooper Institute, when the case will be jorimally submitted for popular examination, THE POOR CHILDREN. Additional Subscriptions for Their Re- Mef. The following subscriptiens to the children’s re- lief und have been received at this ofce :— Treasurer’s Report. The following additional subscriptions have been received since last report in answer to the appeal in the HERALD:— Through Rey. Alvah Wiswall— The 2 3 aSued Mra. Caroline W, Astor. J, M. Si i Through John pt In memoriam. G. A. ooS eno SESS SES S2EEE ud SSeS See 6 Sent to the Treasurer— """” FP, 28) c28 8 = 33 Potelis. wakrvare as ’ 8786 18 GOUVERNEUR K, LANSING, Treasurer, Barle's Hotel. To prevent imposition, only the following partics are authorized to receive subscriptions to this fund, All contributions should, therefore, be sent to The New YORK HERALD office, Mayor Havemeyer, City Hall. Francis H. Jenks, President Safe Deposit Com- pany, 140 Broadway, New York. Andrew W. Leggatt, Acting Collector of Assess ments, City Hall. Jones & Ryder, 482 Broadway. Charlies O’Conor, Superintendent “Down Town district,’ comprising tbe First, Second, Third, Fourth and Sixth wards, headquarters 49 Park ace. MGeorge Caider, Superintendent “Bast Side dis- trict,” comprising Seventh, Tenta, Kleventh, Thir- teenth an Eighteenth wards, headquarters 327 ° Rivington street, Key. Arthur H. Warner, Superintendent “Weet- ward, headquarters 477 erly Sectfon”’ of the Ninth eaves f Sheldor id . 1. Davjes, Of Sheldon & Co,, 677 Broadway, Theodore Moss, Wallack's Theat. Y Dunlap & Co. a re avenue. Charles H. Kendrick, General Passenger Agent New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, room 6 Grand Central depot. Joun P, Faure, Secreta: and Superintendent “iyasterly aeotion”” of the Ninth war } headquar- ters 238 West Eleventh street. Gouverneur K, Lansing, Earle’s Hotel, Treasurer. Rev. Alvah Wiswall, President, and LS gery dent “West Side Seite ae ne iith and Eighth ‘de; headquarters St, Johws chapel, Varick st 5 Packages of groceries, medicines, &c., may be sent to the Rev. Aivah ‘Wiswalk Who ‘wil jorWard them to the yarjoug superintendents, CHSARISM. Public Opinion as Expressed in the Country Press. The Third Term Conspir- aey Denounced. {From the New London Telegram, July 23, General Grant has yet nearly four years to serve, and what his course may be during that time it Is dificult to predict, Any agitation of his claims to @ continuance in office at present is decidedly pre- mature. We are willing to rest the matter in the hands of the people wien the time comes, confi dent that they will make a proper decision. That General Grant is plotting to secure a third term, noteven the HERALD will be able to convince the People. The surest way to perpetuate his power is to charge him with being a Cwsar. Such a charge, like the senseless abuse heaped upon him by the opposition press during the last Presidential can- vass, will Only serve to intrench him still more strongly in the popular affection and bring avout the very result it is intended to prevent. {From the Newark Journal (democratic) , July 25.) We merely recur to this matter of political history to show how easily bad men could make Grant belleve that the people wanted him made President a third term, a fourth teria, aye, or tor life. And we recur to Louisiana to prove how easily Grant could overthrow the will of the United States as he overthrows that of a single State, and how vitally necessary it is for the American people to rouse from their lethargy while it is yet time, and give such warning to tue administration and the corrupt and unscrupulous liberty assassins who influence if they do not control it, ag will cause @ quaking and a trembiing, and compel a pause. Ifever there was truth in the trite saying that “dolays are dangerous” it is now. Will the people heed the warning ? (From the Columbia (5. C.) Pheenty, (democratic) , duly 22.) In our study of his (Grant’s) character we have always turned for relief to his memorable inter- view with General Lee, There his conduct ap- proached magnanimity and true greatness. There only has he taken the attitude in which he can bear to bo regarded with enduring favor by man- kind. General Grant loves power as well as money. Re delights in the pageantry of office no less than in the pleasures of ® man of tho world. As was to have been expected, if they will insist upon buckling the honor upon his back he will make no objections to serving the dear people for a third term as Presi- dent. It is impossible for him to take a broad view of any subject er to care jor it in any other than the present light. He is indiffevent to tho verdict of posterity. Like Sir Jonah Barrington, he cannot understand why he should do anything for posterity, seeing that posterity has done so little for him. He would, therefore, not hesitate to accept the office of President for a third term, and would consider it only his due, indifferent to what opinion may be entertained of his wisdom or mod- esty either now or in after times. Self-denial is not among his virtues. [From the Newark Advertiser (republican), July 26.] Grant desired a second election. To have been thrown aside in 1872 by the party with which he had cast hts fortunes in an hour perilous for bis country and himself would have been a painful repudiation, a mortification to which no honorable nature could more than pretendingly reconcile itself, He was very proud of his re-election, Were he not, he did not deserve it. But what further Motive has he or can he have? Another re-election would throw him into a turmoil which would make life intolerable. We do not believe that the people of the United States will ever conter a third term upon any President. Itis a contradiction of the higher law of the republican theory and the peeple would so Jook upon it, making this exceptional ruler a “suspect” from the moment of his oath of oMce. He could not ask Congress for a needed In- crease of the army or the navy without a cry of alarm. His just executive influence would be ruined. Were he to raise a question involving the relative powers of the federal and State govern- ments the old ghost of federal usurpation would scare men out of their senses and provoke a revo- lution, There is everything for the country and for Grant to lose in a third term—nothing (for either to gain, {From the Wathena (Kansas) Reporter (republi- ean), July 17.) Even if there existed a determination on the part of leading politicians in power to nominate Grant for a third term, what force would it have? At the beginning of the last campaign there was a set of leading politicians in power who deter- mined to defeat Grant for a seeond term and en- deavored to carry the party, but their failure was as complete as it was igno- minious, The republican party triumphed be- cause it represented the will of the people. The precedent that was set by Washington and has since been accepted as fully established has ve- come a common law which is higher than constl- tutional law and there is not the least danger of its ever being overstepped. The party that would presume to ignore this principle would be buried beyond resurrection. The press of the couutry is @safeguard against any undue encroachment of the government upon the liberties of the people, especially while we have independent papers like the HzgaLp. [From the Lebanon (Pa.) Courier (democratic), July 16.) We have no provision in our constitution prohib- iting wman filling the Presidential term for his natural life, and yet the history of the country has fixed the limit to two terms as sacredly as il it was written in every article of our national charter. To attempt to trespass upon this limit is a blow to the popular sentiment that has prevailed throughout the country since Washington, out of regard to the future libertics of the people, practically declared that two terms were the limit that any man could safely be trusted with, General Grant should be as unselfish in this respect as was Washington, and should at once rebuke the mercenary intriguers who are said to be already preparing to again put him on the track, by @ frank declaration that he cannot consent to any such prostitution of his name. (From the Chester (Pa) Pilot (democratie), duly 26.) The good results of agitating this question of “Cesarisin” are aiready apparent. It has called forth a full expression of opinion, honest or simu- lated, from the press of both parties; at the same time it has awakened the attention of the masses to the fact that there is reaily no bar in our cons tution to the ambition of aspirants for continuons power. he democrats and liberals are, of course, as much, if not more 80, opposed to a third term for our present incumbent as they were for a sec- ond one. But the most singular part of the pro- cedure is the course of the republican journals generally, They insist that, while General Grant is the best President possible, he has “no ideas” in reference toa prolongation of bis power; and when we tuke into considera- tion the general belief as to his capacity this is, in @sense, likely, If report be correct, he is not one of those peculiar individuals willing to dis- tress themselves by overthought, being prone to accept conclusions at second hand rather than evolve them by mentai process, To say that he has not expressed nimself tn iavor of a second re- election no doubt may be true; but at the same time this is rather negative testimony, having no real bearing on the case, though ai genious evasion of an issue that has not only been contem- plated, but advanced in a delicate sort of a way to try the public temper on the question, Mosby, for instance, knew exactly what he was talking about when he said that he did not know if a renomina- tion would be agreeable to the President, but, as an individual, he (Mosby) thought the South Would aid im continuing him in power—a consum- mation that the South, as far as we know, are de- Gidedly opposed to, The cry now of the republican administration journal ts that “Cresarism” is @ “weak invention of the democratic enemy”—a dodge to injure the President, and that the New Yorx HzkaLo is the paid instrument of the eppostv tion, whose purpese {s to misrepresent and convey to the masses the idea that our Executive is a ae- signing and dangerous man. * * * This ia the very gist of the whole affair, the very ‘head and front of the offending,” the origin of the con- spiracy for the comtinuance in power of an overfed, unscrupulous, greedy and dishonest elique of politicians, the free discussion of which has already marred its ult!mation, What wonder, then, now that the scheme, rendered impracticable by maturq ventilation, is disowned by those erewhile most in its favor? [From the Paterson (N. J.) Press (republican) duly 26.) General Grant, it is well known, was notdisposed to serve 8 second term until the persistent and malignant calumnies which the basest and most reckless partisanship ever known showered upon him had placed him in such a position that even his calm and dispassionate nature craved, ont of Pure self-respect, a vindication at the hands of the people, When that vindication came, 80 conclu: sive and overwhelming, there was nething mora le(t for the great soldier and successful President to desire. We do not imagine for a moment that he will permit the use of his name fora third term. Way not let well enough alone? For ninety years, now, we have gone on successfully Fand without danger under the system now established, which gives the people a chance every four years to change rulers if they desire, and yet does not compel them to turn out a good President whom they would rather retain. It has always ap- peared to us that the “one term” idea was based upon nothing buta feverish propensity to wander from the old paths merely because they were old, and to try something new, even at a risk. We simcereiy hope that at the next session Con- gress—at least fhe republican side of it—will find something better aud more useful todo thar to agitate tho country about the altetation of the Presidcenttal term, for it is as certain as anything can be that there is no public demand or desira for any thing of the kind, the people being very well content with the plan which has worked so well for nearly a century, [From the Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser (demo- cratic), July 24.) The NEw YORK HERALD continues the discussion of Ciesarism, ‘in connection with a third term to General Grant,” in its edition of July 19. Woe diffes ‘with the Journal of Commerce and other friends whose discretion and ability we reapect in regard- ing the discussion initiated by the HERALD ag premature, If General Grant is likely to be brought forward or to bring himself forward (for according to the HeraLp it is all a matter of mere expression of will on his part), the sooner the people of the United States begin to make up their minds respecting a speedily approaching vital change in the nature and powers of the government the better. Should It be deemed the last desperate thing to do, tq | avoid anarchy and rain, to crown our Yankee Cesar and to invest him with complete military power to govern this country in the interests of the thieves and rufMians of all elasses, then the pee- "ple should be educated up or down to the anticl- pated imperial régime as quickly and thoroughly as possible! On the contrary, if the Yankees (which we doubt) are competent to maintain the principles of self-government in a republic the sooner we Southern men, who believe in a repubil- can constitutional system, know it the better. GREEN [0 HAVEMEYER. —_—_- The Rental of the Armory at the Cornes of Ninth Avenue and Twenty-tiret Street—Is this a Remnant of Tam- many Corruption or a Distorted Vision Produced by Economic Maniat Ina letter from the Comptrolier to the Mayor, bearing date July 15, 1873, that gentleman deems tt his duty to call the attention of the Mayor to cer- tain resolutions adopted by the Board of Super- visors October 31, 1872, one of which directs the Comptroller to pay the rent—under the lease by Charles Johnson, George Sheppard and Francis A, Palmer—of the fourth floor of the building on the southwest corner of Ninth avenue and Twenty-first street up to the first day of November, 1872, upon receiving from “the lessors of said lease a full discharge to sald city and county of any liability for the re« maining term of said lease. The other directs the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors on its behalf te execute @ new lease irom the above mentioned parties for a term of twelve years and six months, irom November 1, 1872, ata reut of $12,000. The Clerk did this in October, but he took such action a8 Was not authorized by the resolutions, which have been referred to. In this alleged lease it is subscribed that the premises are to be used only as armories. So that if during the next twelve yeara they should not be required for armories and drill rooins, they could be used for no other purpose, and as the lease cannot by its terms be assigned with- out the consent of the lessors they would be able to get back their premises on very advantageoug terms. By the terms of the resolutions their whola effect depended upon a discharge of the city and county for any liabilities ior the remaining term of the existing lease and the payment of the rent in arrears. ‘Ihe Board of Supervisors have agreed to caticel'the said lease on the payment to them by the county of the sum due them to November 1, 1872, and make anew lease of the premises, Tne Comptroller says:—‘The same matement is re- peated in an affidavit of Mr. Johnson, on the 10th of June, 1873, a8 the basis of an application jor @ mandamus to compel me to pay the rent. It wili be my duty to resist, by all the means in my power, the payment of any rent under the new lease. If the renta! value of the fourth floor be eighteen per cent o! that of the whole building, a rent of $15,000 would be equal to arent of $100,000 for the whole butid ing, While the assessors only valued the propert; in 1870 at $65,000, which was afterwards increase to $75,000, and then again to $80,000. ‘The term of the two leases is Otteen years and four months, from January 1, 1870, to May 1, 1! The total rent for that year, the leases are valid, will be for the fourth floor $201,000, which is more thas the actual present value of the property, and tt seems that nothing more thana statement of these facts can be necessary to show the character of the lease. The lessors themselves admit the fraudulent character of the lease b; offering to reduce the rent from $18,000 to $12, If $18,000 were @ fair rent it is not probable they would consent to the reduction. J shall send a copy of this communication to the Corporation Counsel and request him to take whatever PES ceedings may be mecessary to have each of the leases annulled.” THE OIVIL DAMAGES SUIT AT NEWBURG. NeEwsvaG, July 81, 1873. ‘The first case tried in this city under the new Civil Damages Liquor law, that of Ann Sheehy vs, Bernard Mitchell, which came before Justice H. 0. Milispaugh and @ jury on Tuesday, has excited con- siderable interest here. The platnti! rears that she has four children and no other means of sup- rt except that afforded by her husband’s labor 5, shat Sheehy nas most of his time around drink- img saloons; that Micchell furnished some of the that thereby he was family made to ree wit- rank ale May. that the husband of the plaintif bad drank the al only on one occasion since the date stated, and that at that time the plainti® came into bid rece of business and witnessed the transaction. he defendant's counsel then moved to dismiss the case, on the ground that the plaintiff had not proved any damages. The motion was denied. The case Was then summed ap and given to the jury who, after being out twenty-five minutes, broug in a Verdict of $60 for the plainuit. The case is to carried up on appeal. FRIGHTFUL BAILBOAD ACCIDENT. At five o'clock yesterday afternoon as Christo- pher Schmeeh, German farmer, living in the vicinity of Middle Village, Long isisnd, was on his way home, with his wife and son, in one-horse wagon, track of he attempted the be ailroad at the the jushing feactiog ot aus near Weodside. The five 0’ rain was passing, the horse became frightened, and stopped waite the wagon was on the track. Mr. Schmech was instantly killed, his wife’s left leg and arm broken and the son had his left arm broken. Mr. Schmech was about forty-five years old and had lived in Middie Village for several y to the accident, Coroner Reimer was was soon on the ground and empani ‘The inquest will be held at seven o' ing. The horse got away without injury, bu wagon was torn to pieces and carried some dia tance beyond the crossing. ‘The railroad companies are greatly to blame, as el ld es has the usual sian to Warn people of danger,