The Press.
London, England, 1858-01-16 00:00:00

THE PRESS, JANUARY 16, 1858.

that the cause is to be found in tho manner in which the app ea
of the army
.was carried out early in the last year. It appears to
base been done in the manner most calculated to give offence. Com-
manding officers were not desired to report the number of men who
might be discharged without injury to the service from their respec-
tive regiments, but a peremptory order was given that out of each bat-
talion 000 men should on a certain day be sent to their homes.
It is obvious that the composition of different regiments must greatly
differ. In one there may be scarcely 100 men who are not first.rate
soldiers ; in another 400 may be discharged without material inconve-
nience. The Secretary of State for War did not, however, take this
into account, but acted on his celebrated principle—that the musket
makes the man, and not the man the musket. We know of the cases
of two sergeants, who, having been ten years in the service, having
served throughout the late war, from the landing at Varna to the cap.
ture of Sebastopol, and having " never missed a turn in the trenches,"
were turned adrift with a sovereign in their pockets on account of
blemishes which existed at the time of their enlistment. What account
of her Majesty's service, what of their country's gratitude, is it likely
that these men would give in their native villages? Can we wonder
that after such treatment, when forty-seven men in one district were
recently invited to re-enlist, they should one and all have answered,
„We have been taken in once; we won't be took in no more " ? They
felt that they had come forward in an emergency, that they had
served their country well, and that they had been rewarded with
ingratitude. Is it a marvel, then, that their treatment should have
been noised abroad, and that the ardour of their neighbours should
have been checked? Neither can we congratulate the authorities in
the treatment of their recruits any more than on their success on
obtaining them. We stated before that the same musket and knapsack
were given alike to the small and the large man. The same plan has been
pursued with the cavalry. In time of peace the average height of our
Light Dragoons has been at least five feet eight inches, and their horses,
arms, and equipments have been regulated accordingly. Having
lowered the standard to five feet four and a half inches, we should
naturally infer that the equipments also have been altered ; but
our inference would be perfectly wrong. All the old accoutrements
remain exactly as they were, and we hear no rumour of a change.
Swords so long that the men cannot draw them, and so heavy that
the men cannot lift them. are still the order of the day. And, as if to
show that the authorities were incorrigible, 3,000 excellent light
saddles supplied to the Turkish Cossacks have been returned to this
country, and, we suppose, allowed to rot, without any use being made
of them.

This week brings us intelligence of the capture of General
WALKER and the temporary suspension of filibusterism. We say "tem-
porary" advisedly, because we believe that the whole American people
are Filibusters at heart. Natio oohs La sat. It may suit the Govern-
ment of the day to affect a dislike of such proceedings, and to im-
prison, and perhaps put to death, those whose only crime in their eyes
is that what they did they did prematurely. In this we do not mean
to bring any very black charge against America. The Monro doctrine
is, after all, an exceedingly natural one for them to adopt. But we do
say that uncommon circumspection and resolution are demanded of
Vie British Government to avoid the loss of power and prestige in the
West. We would, above all, impress upon the public that any dis-
countenance shown to WALKER by the American Government is not to
be accepted as a proof that they have abandoned an aggressive policy.
To do so would be treason to the youth of that country, while not to
resist them would be treason to the manhood of ours.

The situation of affairs in China is still perplexing. What are wo
about, or what are we ever likely to be about? Whether a nation has
or has not a right to isolate herself is a very difficult question to
decide. If we say " No," we seem to sanctiAn an amount of inter-
ference which is incompatible with national independence. If " Yes,"
we stultify our own proceedings. But, to put theory on one side,
what practical good are we to sustain by the present war with the
Celestials ? Do we expect that they will surrender at discretion, and
allow us to overrun the country without any serious resistance ; or do
we imagine that we should have nothing to do but to slaughter them
in detail whenever some few hundred " scholars " cntured to stand
against us? If so, we, the public, are, we think, greatly mistaken.
Probably there are no countriPo in which a guerilla war could
be waged with areater success than in China ; and we can-
not but fear that, if England plunges into a war which has for its
objet the opening up of the country to British trade, she may
experience some great disaster that will check her progress for
a considerable number of years.

The Government continues to practise a petty policy of conceal•
meat is all matters concerning the state of India. It was but a few
days since that we were assured by the Ministerial journals that there
was no ground for attaching the slightest credit to the rumour that
sir Cour; CAMPBELL had abandoned Lucknow. The notion was not to
be entertained. He was at the head of 12,000 disciplined troops, and was
on the point of commencing a campaign in Gude which would sweep
that province of the rebel swarms and suppress the rebellion at a blow.

61

At the very moment this daring assertion was put forth it was known
to the authorities that Sir COLIN CAMPBELL had retrlated upon Cawn-
pore. We need no further proof of this than the single fact that the
telegram announced by the Government on the 29th of December con-
tained a statement to the effect that the sick and wounded and women
were en route to Cawnpore. Our letters now tell us that these impedi-
menta were never sent on in advance by Sir Comm CAMPBELL, but that
he accompanied and protected them with his whole force on their
departure from Lucknow—in a word, that when they left Lucknow, he
left it, and hence that the despatch from him (and despatches came
from no one else) which announced the departure of the sick, wounded
and women, must have told of his protecting presence with them. This
system of telling only one portion, and that the brightest, of the facts
related, is eminently unsatisfactory and shortsighted. The public
now have no longer any faith in official statements. They doubt
good news, if there be any, and never credit bad as the worst.
It is unworthy, too, of a Government which professes to be popular,
and assumes to itself the complete confidence of the nation.

We do not assume to ourselves any singular foresight ; but our
readers will do us the justice to admit that upon Indian matters THE
PRESS from its foundation has at least exhibited clear views, and drawn
consistent conclusions. A striking letter in the Times of Friday from
" Index," in which certain remarks occur relative to Oude, remind us
that soon after the annexation of that province we expressed our fears
of future troubles. The passage occurs in Tux PRESS of June 21st,
1836, and is as follows :
While the general accounts from India are fall of congratulation on the quietude of
Oude, and the submission with which the change of Government has been received,
private letters warn us not to place too much reliance on this apparent tranquillity. A
communication from Lucknow of the 2:ith of April, written by a gentleman of high
character, and with excellent opportunities of observation, says that the change is
viewed with universal dissatisfaction, and that the ex-King, with all his faults, is greatly
regretted. It was probable that the spring crop ( ltubbee) would be collected quietly by
our revenue officers, but the autumn crop (Kurreef ► might not be got in so easily :—" [
think this quietness is only the forerunner of something that is to come hereafter—Cabal
fashion. Our Government is not popular, and the men in office are not of the cut of
Phere—people that would mollify the change of Governments. According to my ides
the country will not be settled for three years to come." From the tenor of the above,
and similar communications, we are satisfied that there is urgent need of vigilance ; and
that though the present tranquillity may last for some months longer, yet that the
elements of resistance are gathering, and will probably break out with all the greater
violence from having been for a time suppressed. It will be the first duty of Lord Can-
ning to look narrowly into the actual state of Oude. His Government, with opportunities
of gaining correct information, and with full time for preparation, will be inexcusable
should It be caught unawares.
These observations speak for themselves ; and we should not have
drawn attention to them but that in certain quarters the notion is still
carefully propagated that after the first irritation consequent on our
assumption of sovereignty had subsided uo one foresaw or anticipated
the slightest resistance to our rule.

REQUIESCAT.
Thy step is drear, thou dark New Year—there's blood upon thy brow ;
And though thou tell'st of victory, we cannot hail it now.
One passing bell above the strife flings out its awful voice ;
If bride can smile on bridegroom's bier, then England may rejoice.
In conquest's brightest, proudest hour, all glorious though it be,
Our hearts grow cold as thine to think, dead Havelock, on thee.

Oh, sorest blow our stricken land has borne from Arm Divine;
Oh, bitterest drop in that red cup, that drink of deadly wine!
Oh, martyr chief, whose steadfast strength, 'mid danger and dismay,
Poured on our gloom the golden light of Plassy and Assaye.

Bethink ye of that hour when close the foeman's legions drew,
The countless on the dauntless came, the traitors on the true ;
When gallant eyes grew dim with tears, and hope was faint and low,
And gentle hearts were breaking in the leagur of Lucknow ;
Right through the accursed host he swept, right onward to the mark,
As leaps the life-boat through the waves that whelm a drifting barque.
His requiem be the benisons iu fainting accents showered,
His monument our heroes saved, our maidens undeflowered.

ethink ye, while for crumbling power in blind and fated pride,
The cold Iscariots of our land betrayed the crucified,
'Mid waltring hearts and faltering lips he never blenched to own
To Paynim fierce, or Christian false, the God he feared alone.

And whoa upon the gory sod, beneath the torrid zone,
The victor laid him down to die, say not his work was done :
His work is doing evermore, when warrior hearts shall turn
The might of undespairing strength from his proud tale to learn ;
His work is doing evermore, when herald hands shall wave
The banner of the Cross he loved above its champion's grave.