The Express.
London, England, 1866-01-30 00:00:00

JAMAICA.

Mr. Bowerbenk's narrative of the events and the state
of feeling which led to the arrest and execution of Gordon.
enables us, the Times remarks, to perceive with clearness
the terrible emotions which *Mae upon men during revolts.
tionary outbreak,. To us, sitting here at home, it seems
impossible that any person of ordinary intelligence should
glance over the meagre testimony in Gordon's case,
those irregular and unsupported depositions, those
irrelevant letters, and not opine to the conclusion
that they were insufficient to fling a man upon.
We cannot imagine how men who knew that they were
responsible for their acts, and that the execution of a
person in Gordon's position must attract especial notice at
home, should have seen proof where there was really none.
But nothing can be more certain then that the executive
really believed the punishment; of this man to be a most
just and necessary act. Gordon was known to be
disaffected; be was known to be the intimate of the
Bogies, Madmen, and the rest ; his enemies were ►he
people killed at the court-house. Jamaica waited to
bear no more, but at once rushed to the conclusion that he
was a murderer, and hanged him accordingly. As for the
immediate duty of inquiring into the events of Oc-
tober the Times trusts it will be lightened by the good
sense of the parties arraigned, who will consult their own
as well as the public interests by giving a full and clear ac-
count of everything.

The anxiety of the conservative journals day after day
to identity themselves with the worst acts of which Go-
vernor Eyre has been charged is a policy, says the
Daily News, which may please the militant spirit
amongst our friends, but though on the hustings
it would give the friends of reform an advantage,
even then the thought would intrude itself that a party
victory was dearly bought by the degradation of a body of
men whom we have been accustomed to respect while com-
bating their prejudices and fears. The conservative party
in, atter all, a great English party, and until we have the
weed of Mr. Walpole, Mr. Henley, and the Earl ^1 Derby
for it, we will not believe that it will dsfead acts which
have for a time, sod until they can be disavowed, covered
the English name with dishonour in every part of the civilised
world. The allegation of the Times, that Gordon was unani-
mously pronounced the author of the riot the moment it
occurred, is declared by the Daily News to be utterly un-
true, as it is ready to show whenever it seams
necessity to do so. No doubt, however, it wee
true that thou who through a long series of years
had filled the island with discontent by acts done in
the name of authority, thoroughly believed that a great
attempt was being made to throw off domination, and it
was almost impossible for them in their position to dis-
tinguish between the discontent amongst the blacks and
disloyalty to the crown. In the meantime, those who
find excuses for Mr. Eyre's dealing with Gordon in the
excited state of the ruling dui may be reminded that
it was preesely to meet such a case that the securities of
British law, which we have been accustomed to regard with
pride sad foreigners with envy, were devised.
The Advertiser objects to the hasty application of the
word "demagogue "Ito Mr. Gordon, seeing that it is not
proved that he was more of a demagogue than Whitfield
or Wesley, or than Burdett or Hobhouse, or than John
Bright or Richard Cohan. In peculiar circumstances
every gannet man may draw upon himself this appellation,
and may afterwards, like Cobdes, live to receive the nearly
unanimous tribute of his country's admiration.

110118 TOPIC&

The Times devotee another orgies to the budget of if.
Fould, heartily wishiog him success la farther pursuing
the course of economy which be hos the distinguished
merit of having consistently recommended for imperial
adoption.

Fontaine= has bees emouraged, the Times thinks, by
the mi.taken impression which has been encouraged of
late, that we had become too timorous to strike a blow for
anything. As long at the subscription, are received from
America, Irishmen at home will be looking for an armada
of ironclad., and calculating on the arrival of an army
from abroad. It is the Interest of so m.ny people to
=sista= these delusions that we cannot expect them to
disappear in a day. but time must ultimately place the
folly in its proper light. and meanwhile we have only to
take care that law and order are maintained by the neces-
sary measures of precaution nod control.
The Herald is positive that had lard Stanley remaised
at the India Mee, merchants would not now be complain.
leg of defective meals of communication in India, and of
unemployed opportunities for the eultivalien of cotton.
When his lordship left the ladle 011ee we bet the minister
who was first really in earnest in the matter.

The Herald would sooner give ap the Boyd A.radeely
altogether than lese one good painter through it sad as

neither Sir E. Landseer nor Mr. Maolise could tie us
pictures if they aocepted the position of President, it blopes
that the Asedszniekas will unite their suffrages upon wane
man who, like either of the late Messrs. Vernon andaheep.
shanks, has at once the judgment to appreciate art and the
leisure to devote to He guidance.
Protesting against the interference with so quiet and
sober a reunion as that which has been recently held on
Sunday evenings at St. Martin's Hall, as a monstrous
violation of common sense, the Telegraph observes that
if the point is decided in favour of the Sabbatarian party
the act in question must be repealed. If the discussion of
this subject should lead to the concession of etfll wider
license to the purveyors of Sunday amusement, the per-
sons most to blame will be the over-zealous antagonists of
such mild and harmless recreation.