The Express.
London, England, 1848-06-28 00:00:00

RE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 28, 1848.

to report conversations, and lay traps for the
representative of a friendly government, when
performing his disagreeable duty of giving advice
and getting information;—if a government be mean
enough to establish each a system of domestic inqui-
sition, it may asperse with dirt the character of the
most innocent and honourable, but at the same time
so far degrade itself below the level of all erect nce
and all respect, that its future slanders must pees for
what they are worth, and be dismissed, es sullying,
even by presence or contact, the regard of men of
sense and honour.

THE press of more exciting news prevented
our noticing a day or ,two ago the important
meeting reported in our columns of Monday, of the
friends of criminal reforms in reference to juvenile
offenders. We neither overlooked its import, nor for-
got its claim to public attention, and take the earliest
onortunity of commenting thereon. Certainly,
even in these revolutionary days, few subjects
have greater or more pressing demands upon the
notice of the publicist and statesman than this ; for
just as it is dealt with, wisely or negligently, will the
criminal calendar fall or rise. The child abandoned,
becomes, by our present system of " let
alone," almost inevitably an abandoned adult.
If we would seek to repress crime, and to de-
crease the elements of disorder in society, we
must of necessity begin at the source, and un-
dertake to deal with our felon population in its
youth. Such as the boy is, such will be the man. Or,
if there be any sort of change, it will be for the worse.
Evil courses once begun, are continued less perhaps
from choice than from an overwhelming necessity. In
fact, except in very rare cases, children exhibit no vo-
cation of themselves to crime; they are forced into it
by idle and vicious parents, or by the oersons to whom
their worthless parents have committed them. That
the criminal population is a rare apart—almost an dis-
tinct ft om the general mass of society surrounding it as
the gipseys—every person well acquainted !with our
prisons is well aware. With an organism thus predis-
posing to ill, and thrown by external force into tempta-
tion and guilt—the narrow way of good barricade!
against them—the broad way of evil open and easy—
the flood of necessity behind to urge them on, and
with no acquired sub, perhaps, little natural power to
resist and to oppose—no wonder that they should
fall—should violate the law and suffer its vengeance,
alternately deepening the crimes, as the losing
gamester does his stake, until all is lost.
If these children be "let alone," which we thus
meet with in the jail, it is as certain as the sun will
rise to-morrow and the next day that in time they
will return to occupy wards of their own, and help to
swallow up the industry of the honest workman or
shopkeeper, who first suffers from their depredations
and then by the costliness of their maintenance in
prison.
What can or ought to be done with these embryo
'offenders? The question is difficult—as all com-
plex social problems are—but not incapable of solu-
tion. The meeting of Saturday gave an answer to
them which, in the main, we consider a wise and just
one. The speeches then delivered were far more get mane
to the matter than speeches at philanthropic gatherings
equally arc. They were less ornate and more prac-
tical: that of Mr. Mos CKTON MILNES WAS particularly
deseiv!ng of commendation for its just views and
philosophic tone. The great advantage was that the
assembly had a purpose—a distinct proposition to
carry—and there was little room for cant or verbiage,
though Lord BROUGHAM, with his usual versatility,
contrived to introduce a variety of topics about him-
se.f which were amusing if not very pertinent—espe-
pecially his Lordship's assurance that he was no longer
a juvenile noraddicted to habits which excite suspicion
of a certain sort.
The recommendation of penal farms was that most
prevalent. It is a scheme -or rather part of a
scheme—which we have always contended for ; com-
bined with a proper amount of literary education, the
system of industrial teaching may be made
of the utmost value. Agricultural labour, under'
certain restraints and conditions, may be made amply
punitive ; and at the same time may be made an
important agent of reformation. These lads might
be trained into useful farm and agricultural labourers
—and if, in addition to this, they were taught to read
and to understand the principles of religion and
morale, they would prove a valuable secession in the
colonial labour markets. The Colonic Agricola of
Mettrai furnishes a model for such an institution, and
the Warwickshire farm would supply some valuable
hints for its organisation. But some of the mistakes
of the French establishment must be avoided in the
English one. It must not be made to act as an in-
ducement to commit crime. We have all heard the
story of the French mother who regretted that
she could not get her eon into Mettrai,
because lie was neither a liar nor a thief.
The agricultural schools which we hope soon
to see established in this country, must not be
so conducted as to suggest such thoughts. The
deportation of the olives should, therefore, be
an essential part of the plan. We would
abandon the useless, impolitic, and expensive prac-
tice of sentencing for short terms. Felonies and
misdemeanors of the graver kind imply vicious
habits, or deep-seated ignorance, or both; and if we
recognise in punishment anything beyond mere
vengeance—especially if we see in it, and pretend to
employ it as, the instrument of reformation—then
terms obviously inadequate in length to admit of any
lasting effect being produced upon the mind of the
culprit are quite absurd. At the time this
very . meeting was being holden, we were ex-
amining one of the great jails of the metropolis. One
boy of 15 was in for the fourteenth time : in arrests,
and trials, and prison maintenance, he must have cost
the country hundreds of pounds. There was one little
fellow of 9, who said he had no father nor mother : he
lived with "Bill." There were many such. It is quite
useless to keep such urchins in prison for three or six
months, and then turn them out again to commit new
robberies. They have nothing else to do—nowhere
to go, but to the old criminal haunts, where they are
compelled to renew their former practices. They will
live upon society—either secretly by theft, or openly
in gaol. It is for the interest of society—monetary
as well as moral—that they should be taught how to
live upon themselves: an act which the poor children
have no means of learning without its aid. The
parents are as ignorant as their offspring, and have
an interest in corrupting them The state is the only
parent which has power to step in aid save them ;
and for its own sake it should do it without delay.
In committing juvenile offenders to such an indus-
trial institution care must be taken, however, to dis-
tinguish the essential criminal—the member of the
real felon class—from the occasional culprit, whom
accident or a peculiar temptation may have induced
to commit an exceptional offence. For the first,
there is little or no hope, if sent back again into the
world; because the only persons who can exercise
influence over hint are interested in his delinquencies.
The other may be a child of respectable parents, and,
as the circumstances are different, the duty of the
magistrate is different. For a first offence, the latter
might be punished and returned to his family, and
become in time a useful member of society. With
the other such a hope is idle ; and it would be a
mercy to the child, as well as a saving to society, to
deal with it effectually on the first commitment, in-
stead of, as now, on perhaps the fortieth.
In bringing up the young criminal population as
agricultural labourers, there would be two great ad-
vantages not attained in the present method of teach-
ing them trades in the prisons. When settled in the
world again, their occupations would generally ye-
move them from the temptations of the towns into
rural districts; and, agricultural being one of the
lowest and severest sorts of labour, the honest artisan
would not have to complain that the delinquencies of
these persons had given them advantages which his
honesty had caused to be denied to his children :—the
last is, practically, a most important consideration.
We trust that government will find time to consider
the petition which is to be presented to the legislature
on this important subject.

BLOCKADE OP MARACATBO.—Let night's Gasette
contains a notification that Lord Palmerston hu received
from Mr. Bedford Wilson, her Majesty's Charge d'Affaires
at Carew's, a despatch, dated thelSth of May last, report-
ing that the Venezuelan government had declared and esta-
blished a block de of the port (plaza) of Maracaibo and its
adjacent coasts, including in this latter term the whole of
the coast bordering the Gulf of Maracaibo, from Cape San
Roman, on the peninsula of Paraguana, to Point &pada,
on that of La Goajira.
THE ORLEANS FAMILY.—PICTURES FROM THE
Truism za.—A eteamer recently arrived from Havre at the
port of Southampton has brought two packages, destined for
the family at Claremont. They were undtutood to contain
two family portraits, one of the late Due d'Orleans, and
the ether 01 the Princesse Marie, an; also some netillcw:rk,
losaiptliated bT the Si QUM of the 'nook,

GERMANY.

PRUSSIA.—The difficulty of forming a new
ministry at Berlin seems insurmountable. Our dates
are of the 25th, up to which no arrangement had
been come to, and a decree, of which the following is a
translation, appears in tte official journal, bearing the
signature of Camphausen, &c. :
We, Frederick William, by the Grace of God, King of
Prussia, &c., &c. Command, on the petitions of the Diet
convoked for the consolidation of the Prussian constitution,
after hearing our Minister of State, as follows :
For the protection of the assembly convoked for the con-
solidation of the Prussian constitution the following resolu-
tions shall immediately come in force :-1. No member of
the Diet can in any manner whatsoever be called to account
either for his vote, or for words and opinions expressed
by him in his quality as deputy. 2. No member
of the Di:t can, during its sciaion, be made re-
sponsible or be arrested fir any action, amenable to
punishment, without its sanction, unless he be taken in
the execution of the deed, or within twenty-four hours alter.
A. similar meant is also requisite in case of arrest for debt.-
3. Every judicial proceeding against a member of the diet,
and every arrest shall be suspended during the term of the
session, if required by the diet.—Ratifted by our royal sig-
nature and great seal.—Given at Sat .s Souci, June 23, 184'.
Farusatcx WILLIAM. Countersigned, CAMPHAIIEN,
VON AOLESWALD, BOIINNMANN, HANG/MINN, Vote PA-
TON, VON SCHRECKENSTHIN, VON SCHLENITZ.
The Cologne Gazette says Berlin is again in a state
of fermentation, and another rupture seems evident.
The Breslau Gazette says, on good authority, that
the Prince of Prussia will take the command of the
federal troops in Schleswig-Holstein, and that Gen.
Von Wrangel will replace Gen. l'fuel at Posen.
AUSTRIA.—A letter from Innepruck of the 20th
says: The Archduke John has set off to-day. The dipla
matic corps are dispersing ; the majority repair to
hell, whither the court will also repair. The Ban
of Croatia will set uff to-day. It is hoped that an
arrangement will be effected with the Magyars.
Prim. Peter/lazy has, it is said, addtts.sd a very
urgent note on the subject to the ministry at Peat,.
The ministers Doblhoff and Weseenberg will follow
the Archduke John to Vienna.

WURTEMBERG.—We learn from Ulm, under
date June 23, that Count Von der Lippe, governor of
that fortress, has put an end to his lite by shooting
himself. The event had excited great sensation.

BELGI UM.
THE KING'S SPEECH.

The following appeared in thesecond edition of last
evening's Express.
BRUSSELS, Jere 2G.—This afternoon, about
one o'clock, the Belgian Chambers were opened
by the king in person, with more than usual so-
lemnity. The following is his Majesty's speech :
Gentlemen—l am happy at being in the midst of the re-
presentatives of the nation. In presence of the agitation
which so deeply excites Europe, Belgium has remained
i calm, confiding, and strong. I longed (11 roe lardoit) to
give public expression to the gratitude and just pride which
I felt in my heart. The changes in the political state of
several nations have not in any way (auconement) altered
our good international relations. Our official relations with
the French republic have been established on terms of
mutual goodwill. From all parts we have received testi-
monies of ay rapethy and esteem.
The last guidon was distinguished by important laws.
The circle of political rights was considerably enlarged, and
the first application of electoral reform has proved that we
did not presume too much on the sound sense of the nation.
The erganisation of the civic guard is actively carried on
the excellent spirit with which the people are influenced
facilitates that organisation, and gurantees its success.
Circumstances have imposed extraordinary burdens on the
country, which has understood their necessity, and courage-
ously supported them. By means of the financial measures
voted last session, our patriotic army has been maintained on
a respectable footing of defence ; we have sustained employ-
ment; the public treasury has been able to fulfil faithfully
all its obligations, and the burden of the floating debt has
ceased t 3 press on credit. The future will recompense the
sacrifices of the put.
The subsidies destined for extraordinary wants have been
voted only until the lit of September next, but, thanks to
the prudent reserve which we had imposed on ourselves
with respect to the expenditure, the creation of new bur-
dens will not be necessary, and unless unforeseen
cations interpose, the budgets already voted will suffice till
the end of the year.
All our efforts, gentlemen, should tend to maintain a good
financial situation for Belgium, for on such a situation its
strength and security mainly depend. The normal budget
of the expenditure will be reduced. My government is re-
solved to effect by degrees economical reductions.
Several imposts will be fundamentally modified; and in
the partition of these burdens we shall not lose sight of the
duty of spuring tha« indlnduals whose livelihood is gained
by their labour alone. With real solicitude we shall continue
to seek out all the best measures for improving and raising
the condition of the laborious chum..

We are passing through a period of difficulty for Euro-
pean society. Belgium will not allow herself to be diverted
from the wise and sure path in which she has entered.
By happy union, she has been enabled to reconcile stability
with progress, and order with the practice of liberty in
every shape. In order to keep on that path, and success-
fully accomplish her mission of peace and labour, she has
only to have faith in herself and remain united. You,
gentlemen, who faithfully express her sentiments and
her wishes, and who are entrusted with her dearest interests,
will worthily respond to her expectations. You will afford
the government that kind co-operation which it requires in
order to fulfil its difficult task ; and then, again, our com-
mon efforts will have deserved well of our country.
On concluding the speech, his Majesty was gseeted with
loud cries of rive k Rol !