The Express.
London, England, 1867-04-08 00:00:00

AMERICA.

(no' ous SPECIAL comerozmrarr.)

NEW YORK, Mown Z.

One of the best symptoms of the recovery by the
Southerners of their right reason was afforded by a
meeting of coloured people which was held in
Columbia, South Carolina, on Monday of last
week, and which was addressed by both black and
white speakers from the same platform. It is true
that this is a phenomenon which has been wit-
nessed before ; the peculiarity of this meeting is
that the white speakers were amongst the most
haughty, stiff-necked, and determined of the old
planter class, men who fought till fighting was
useless, and who have ever since they laid down
their arms breathed nothing but bitterness and
rage against the government and the North—such
as Wade Hampton, De Sausaine, Talley, Arthur,
and Cibbes. Two of these gentlemen (Messrs.
Arthur and 13 ibbes) had been invited by the coloured
people to address them, but the others were volun-
teers. Only abstracts of the speeches have reached
us, bat even these are enough to make one stare.
The is the report as it appears in the
Columbia Phanir :

General Hampton spoke of the vast importance of the
present movement—not only to the coloured, but to the
white man. He advised the freedmen to give their friends
at the South a fair trial, and if they were found wanting,
it was then time enough to gu abroad for sympathy. It
was to their interest to build up the South ; for us the
country prospered, so would they prosper. The present
state of affairs was not brought about by the action of the
Southern people, white or black, therefore neither was
responsible for it.

Hon. E. J. Arthur said—The occasion of this celebration
is one in which you have had no agency. It is not the
act of the white men of your country. It has been con•
Tarred upon you by the Northern Congress, and he hoped it
would be the means of enlightening and improving their
mental and moral condition. He, in conjunction with the
white citizens of the South, would endeavour to assist
them by all the means in their power to accomplish that
end. They are politically the equals of the whites, and
education will go far to make them morally and mentally
so. It is true that many of the whites are deprived of
the political rights which the coloured men will enjoy, but
that should not, and will not, create envious and unkind
feelings. He concluded by advising them to regard the
white men who have been born and reared among them as
friends ; let no harsh feelings exist between us ; look to
each other's welfare and happiness ; and last, though
not least. look to your educational and moral improve-
ment.

Wm. H. Talley, Fel., said that they had heard that the
interests of the white man and coloured man of the
South were one and the same. They are parts of the
same society, inhabiting the same land, under the nine
sun, breathing the acme atmosphere and if the lessons of
history and reason taught anything, they taught that,
under such circumstances, the two races must pio-
sor perish together. It was porible at
this im
thee to mark out and recommend any
particular line of policy. Everything was in
doubt and confusion. The country can know no ptosperit
without peace, and that end can be attained only by
carding all elements of strife, and promoting harmony and
ooneert of action. The advice which common sense gives
to the coloured population of the South in the present
emergency is, to try those of the community whom you
have known—those who have hitherto proved themselves
worthy of confidenoe—those who have the same interest.
Unite with those. If these deceive you, it will then be
time enough to experiment on the sympathies of strangers.
He said he knew he expressed the feel* of the intelli-
gent white men of the South when he said that they che-
rished no semblance of hostility toward the coloured man
on account of altered circumstances. The enemies of the
South will endeavour to foment dissensions and jealousies
for the purpose of still further tear*, weakening, and
plundemng our already desolated land; but if the Southern
people, white and coloured, stand united, there is ground
to hope that our children, if not ourselves, may enjoy •
keg period of tranquillity and peace, of prosperity end
happiness.

When one remembers that Wade Hampton is the
very personification of " Southern principles"—of
Secession, caste pride, slaveholding, and " chi-
valry"—that he belongs to one of the best families
in South Carolina, fought bitterly all through the
war, had his house burnt and his estate devas-
tated at Columbia when Sherman passed through
the city, and that when he laid down his arms he
retired sulkily to his plantation, muttering curses
on Yankees and Yankeedom—one may well stand
aghast at his appearance on the platform of a
negro meeting, holding out the hand of political
fellowship to the freedmen.
We are apparently about to have another
"Fenian scene" on the Canadian border. United
States troops have been sent up there during the
last few days in considerable numbers, and the
border towns are once more the scene of Fenian
preparations. I am afraid that this is the natural
result of the circumstances attending the suppres-
sion of the last outbreak. The leniency shown to
the prisoners convicted in Canada was unfortu-
nately ascribed by the Brotherhood here to fear,
and the scandalous Banks' performance in the
House of Representatives. The President, I have
no doubt, meant to do well when be first began
operations against them, but the action of Congress
forced him, in view of the coming elections, to
change his course. The Fenian " troops" were
sent comfortably back to their homes, which, per-
haps, humanity and sound policy required ; hut
the prosecutions commenced against the Fenian
leaders were abandoned in a most discreditab!e way,
which humanity and sound policy did not require ;
and, to crown all, Roberts, the president, was
received on the floor of the house, during the de-
bates on the Banks report on the neutrality laws.
Now that the election is over, there appears to be
no disposition on the part of the republican party
in Congress at least to countenance the movement,
but when we get nearer the next presidential elec-
tion, I am afraid I shall not have the same story
to tell. I have only to repeat now what I said
many months ago, that my belief is, that un-
less some settlement can be made of the Irish diffi-
culty, trouble of a serious character will arise out
of it between this country and Great Britain. The
Irish here are multiplying at an enormous rate.
Every week sees them land by the thousand, and
their gregariousness and dislike of agriculture
huddles them together in large masses in the
towns, where they form communities apart,
which are not acted on to any considerable extent
by American influences or ideas. Until within a
few years the Irish voters, as a general rule, voted
with the democratic party, and occupied themselves
with American questions. I do not remember
any case in which they threatened to form
a party of their own, except during the
school controversy carried on by Archbishop
Hughes with the Board of Education in this city,
in which ho made the same efforts in favour of de-
nominational education which his confreres are
now making in Ireland. On the whole, Irishmen
acted in all political matters as Americans, and
not as Irishmen. Within a few years, however,
they have grown numerous enough to be
able in the present close condition of par.
ties at the North almost to turn the scale.
In some States—Connecticut and New York,
for instance—they are able, except in times of
great political excitement, when the republicans
make desperate efforts, almost to turn the scale, and
they now receive each year a formidable addition
to their forces. They may be said to occupy at

present • position very similar to that of the
" Irish brigade" in the House of Commons • few
years ago, and use their power in very muck the
same way—that is solely with reference to the
effect of their vote on Irish questions. By voting
together, as they are learning to do, and keeping
clear of all interest in purely American affairs,
the day is not far distant, if it has not
come already, when they will be able to set up '
parties in power, and pull them down at their
pleasure, and all argument, as you know, is wasted
on them. Their only idea of political duty is that
of voting with their leaders. If they reached the
United States more gradually, American society
would have time to swallow and digest them. But
coming as they are now coming, it is impossible to
do anything but endure them. To expect that they
will not be every year more and more courted by
party politicians would be to deceive one'sself
grossly, and I confess I think it would be the part
of statesmanship for English ministers to be pre- I
pared for the day when, if Irish grievances are not
settled, they will precipitate this country into hos-
tilities with England. All Americana that I bays
ever met hate and despise the Irish, and writhe
under their presence. The young generation of
Americans in particular is growing up with •hearty
dislike of them, and the Irish, it is right to say,
leave nothing undone that is likely to make them
odious to their neighbours. Their rowdyism,
drunkenness, turbulence, and crime, their intole-
rance while roaring for liberty, and their
brutal mode of displaying it—witness the
attack on the negroes during the New York
riots, and their equally brutual attack on
the Chinese the other day in California—
the corrupting influence they are exercising on
politics, and the insolent use they make of their
political power whenever they fuel they are in a
majority, as in this city, are gradually developing
all over the country a feeling towards them of the
deepest repugnance. On Patrick's-day here every-
thing is dune that can be done to enable them to
celebrate the day with comfort and effect. The
streets aro kept clear for their procession, the
mayor and other city officials pans it in review, and
the principal buildings are dressed with flags. At
the last celebration, a few days ago, a truck hap-
pened to get in the way, and the driver got con-
fused, or was slow in backing out, when the pro-
cessionista left their ranks, rushed on the unfortu-
nate man, and nearly murdered him and the
policeman who interfered for his protection. Other
policemen came up, and a regular riot ensued,
which was not quelled till twenty policemen
had been badly wounded, and then only
by the help of heavy reinforcements. We
learn by the last mail that San Francisco has been
the scene of an Irish assault on the poor unoffend-
ing Chinese, as brutal as that of the New York
riots of 1863, and in the Pennsylvania coal dis-
tricts, which aro inhabited almost exclusively by
Irish (and Irish voters to boot), who sit on the
juries, elect the judges, and have everything their
own way, secret associations for the murder or
robbery of obnoxious persons, which set the law at
defiance, and render the prosecution of business
almost impossible, flourish with a vigour such as
has never been witnessed in Tipperary. These
things are gradually extinguishing whatever sym-
pathy for Irish wrongs may once have been felt,
but they unfortunately do not diminish Irish
power of mischief, and are not likely to do
so. There is only one way of governing men in
this country, and that is through their own good
sense and self-restraint, and it will not be aban-
doned, 1 think, unless the Irish should prove vastly
more vicious and formidable than they seem now.

THE TRIAL OF LIEUTENANT BRAND AND GENERAL
NYLISON.— We understand that a bill of indictment for
murder will be preferred against General Nelson and Mr.
Brand at the sessions of the Central Criminal Court which
commence to-morrow. The Recorder of London usually
performs the duty of charging the grand jury, but on this
occasion he will in no way refer to the above charge. After
the grand jury have considered the other bill presented
to them, the Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench will
attend the court, and probably on Wednesday will address
them in relation to this particular offence. It is under-
stood that the learned Chief Justice will fully explain the
intricate points of law which are involved in the case. In
the event of a true bill being found, it will be removed by
certiorari into the Court of queen's Bench, and the crown
will probably demand, as of right, a trial at bar.—Sunday
Gazette.

DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF THE WINTER GARDEN
THEATRE, lime Yonz.—Another destructive fire occurred
yesterday morning in Broadway, between Amity and
Bleecker streets, by which the Winter Garden Theatre
was burned to the ground and the Southern Hotel greatly
damaged, especially on the upper floors. The fire origi-
nated, at about 'JO minutes before nine o'clock, in the
north-western end of the theatre, under the stage fluor.
At about nine o'clock no smoke was visible outside the
building ; but occasionally long, wide anus of flame were
flung wildly into the air, as high as :10 or 40 feet
above the roof, and then diaappenred suddenly. The
fire, after breaking from the basement, spread rapidly,
the whole theatre being wheluied in flames a few minutes
after it was discovered. A number of the carpenters who
were there bad great difficulty in escaping suffocation, the
smoke, black and thick, enveloping them and greatly
jeopardizing their lives. The stage carpenters, who had
returned there to resume their usual work, were the first to
discover the tire. The scene from the ferry boats afforded
another of those brilliant sights which have been witnessed
so frequently during the last year, the flames leaping
wildly into the air in long vivid shafts, then disappearing
suddenly and being replaced by dense volumes of
smoke which whirled high into the air, and then tossed
by the winds ignited again, only to disappear as suddenly,
and as suddenly to he replaced by the struggling smoke
and flames. The theatre occupying a high position easily
afforded the view to the crowds of people who thronged
the Hoboken, Jersey City, and Brooklyn ferry-boats. The
drama of Bruton was played at this theatre on Friday
evening, and a spark from the last scene, "The Destruc-
tion of Rome," is supposed by some to have smouldered
in the scenery and caused the fire. Yesterday there was
to have been a stiatiten performance of nowt) and Julid,
and an evening entertainment for the benefit of W. S.
Andrews, of Our etnarican Cuusin.—New York Herold,
March 24.

ADMIRALTY, APRIL B.—APPOINTMENT& —Lieu-
tentnt G. W. Hand, to the Minotaur. Paymaster IL G.
Barlow, to be secretary to Rear Admiral F. Warden, C.B.
A.i.tant Paymasters F. E. Pirkia, to the 'realisable ; G.
Liddell. to the Indus ; and H. G. Herbert, to the Victory.
Naval Instructor G. Ennis, additional, to the St. George.
Surgeons S. Cift, to the Lord Clyde ; R. C. Welement
(saustant), to Hasler ; and G. Maclean. M.D.
(assistant), additional to the Wellesley. Midshipman W.
H. C. rooks, to the Endyn.ion, as supernumerary.

On Saturday morning the agent of the Hull
Whale and Seal Fishing Company (Limited) received a
telegram, stating that the company's screw ship Diana
had arrived at Ronan Voe, Shetland, and that the captain
and eight men were dead and four supposed to be dying.
This was confirmed by ► letter subsequently received by
the agent at Lerwick.

Twenty-one fellows of Trinity College, Cam-
bridge, have signed the petitions for the enfranchisement
of women which have lately oeen circulated at Cambridge.

A FRENCII CORPORAL. —M. Houdot, s corporal
in the 36th Regiment of the line, is giving lectures at
Albi. The Jouroal du Tars announces that the subject of
the last lecture is to be "Erasmus and Germany literature
in the 16th century."
Du. DE JONOleri LIGHT-BROWN COD LIVER OIL.
—A reference to the unprecedented number of ojdnlona from
eminent members of the Yaeulty who have recorded their em-
phatic approbation of this 01l affords the explanation of itagreat
celebrity. The following high tevUmony Ls home by Dr. Lea-
heater. rits Cor-ner for Central Iliddlesex .—" I deem the
Cod Liver Oil sold under Dr. de doughs guarantee to i.e
preferable to any other kind as regards gerndnenees and medi-
cinal ellescy " gold only In awaited bottles, th. od., 4s. 1111. and
39.4..:anbdr Dr. de Jongres Agents. Ansar, Harford, and Co., 77,
, London, and chendsta.—Adverthremeut.)

REPRESENTATION OP MIDDLESEX.

On Saturday evening a public meeting of electors
of the county of Middlesex resident in the district of the
Tower Hamlets took place in the large assembly room of
the George Hotel, Commercial-road, for the purpose. of
bearing from Mr. H. Labouchere an exposition of his political
opinions as a candidate to represent the county in parlia-
ment,n the room of the Mr. R. Calling Hanbury,
.

Mr. Jugs Husegitrrs, the coroner, was called to the
chair, and was supported by Mr. Bruce, of the Arm of
Younger and Co. ; Messrs. W. IL Howes and W. Newton,
members of the Metropolitan Board ; Messrs. Dickenson,
Imrie, Comber, Preece, Dr. Orten, Mr. B. Hall, Dr. Gar-
rett, Dr. Black, Messrs. Moody, Partin, Hull, &c.

The Citaimiart, after referring to the melancholy cir-
cumstances which had called upon the electors of the
county of Middlesex to assemble for the purpose of electing
another representative in parliament in the place of the
excellent one which had been taken from them, said be had
great pleasure in introducing to their notice Mr. H. Labou-
chere, a name well known in political circles as connected
with the liberal party in this country. (Applause.)
Mr. LIBOCCHELL, who, on presenting himself, was most
cordially received, said he was at Leeds some few days av,
when the news reached him of the lamented death of the
late member for Middlesex, Mr. Hanbury, and subse-
tr
Ilteegram from some of his friends stating that
t
thought
he would be an eligible candidate. On
coming to town he thought it his duty to see some of the
chief men of the liberal party, for his impression was
that some gentleman connected with the city of foa-
-1 don could better work in the cause than he mould ; but
thews leaden of the liberal party thought differently, and as
the Liberal Registration Association had passed a resolu-
tion in his favour, he had been induced to oome forward.
(Hear, hear.) As he was to • great extent unknown, he
was desirous of telling them who and what he was. The
honentlenmn then stated that in early life he was con-
nected with the diplomatic service, which had enabled him
not only to understand the politics of his own, but to
learn that which be considered easential to every politician,
the practical politics of other countries. A little before
the last general election Windsor was represented by two
conservatives, and the circumstances under which he was
induced, in conjunction with Sir Henry Hoare, to contest
that borough were then: he found that there were •
number of country gentlemen in Windsor and its vicinity
who considered it a privilege to have the nomination of its
members of parliament eatirely belonging to themselves,
sad that the electors were nothing but their humble ser-
vants. He and Sir H. Hoare thought it was time to break
up this system, and to give the electors the opportunity of
sending to the House of Commons whom they pleased.
After a close contest be and Sir Henry Haire were elected.
He (Mr. Labouchere) had engaged the usual liberal agents,
and gave strict instructions that nothing but legitimate
parliamentary expenses should be paid ; but charges of
bribery were preferred by petition, and, although the com-
mittee declared that neither by themselves nor their agents
were they guilty of bribery, yet, on the grounds that a
larger than a legitimate number of committee rooms were
engaged, they were unseated. He mentioned this because
he was desirous of showing to the electors of Middlesex
that the stigma did not attach to him of having corrupted
any constituency. (Hear.) With regard to his political
opinions , he was neither an old, broken.lown Whig nor an
u tra-redical. (Applause.) He thought that the consti-
tution, however, might be so modified as to bring a much
larger clam of the community within the pale of the fran-
chise without damaging it. (Hear, hear.) He was one of
those who believed that no country was safe, or could
really and truly enjoy self-government, that was not de-
pendent upon the carmen support of the people, but at the
same time he begged them to understand he was not in
favour of universal suffrage. With regard to the present
political crisis, they hadprobahly rail the instruction tothe
house incommittes to be brought forward by Mr. Coleridge.
Mr. Disraeli bad announced that he had determined to op-
pose that instruction. It did appear to him (Mr. Lebow.
chere) that the principle of Mr. Disraeli's bill was to give
with one hand and take away with the other—(hear, hear)
—end he considered the great and important principle of
his bill, which would benefit the country and secure the
balance of power justly, was to insert • personal rating in
the case of compound householders. He (the hon. mulls
date) could not understand that such would be the case,
but he thought it would be an injustice to the compound
householder. To his mind the best reform bill which hail
been introduced of late years was that introduced by
Mr. Gladstone last session, but which, through the want
of union amongst the liberal party, was defeated. (Hear,
hear.) Mr. Dimeeli's was, without doubt, a bad bill,
but be should be sorry if it did not go into committee,
as be thought that, perhaps, something aught be made
of it, and that • large addition to the franchise
would be the remit. Whatever the result might be,
he hardly thought that Mr. Disraeli would go to the
°Danny; but at the same time he was in hope that there
would he compromises on both aides. (Hear, bear.) The
country wanted two things—a good, sound reform bill, and
that bill mimed speedily. (Applause.) As regarded the ballot,
that was a subject which the electors of Middlesex had
very little to do with ; but, with regard to small boroughs,
be did think, from what he knew, that aman should not run
the risk of losing his bread unless he consented to vote
against his conscience—(hear, hear)—and therefore he
should be inclined to vote for it. (Hear.) Alter referring
to the subject of capital and labour, and expressing himself
favourable to the establishment of such tribunals as there
were in France and on the Continent, to whom appeals
might be made, the hon. candidate touched upon that of
education, and said it was a national disgrace to England
that amongst. its agricultural population, and even in the
towns, more ignorance prevailed than in any other civilised
nation upon religious topics. Although as a member of the
church of England he should deplore the deaden*, from
that high social and moral position it held in this country,
still he was opposed to church rates. (Cheers.) He was in
favour of non-intervention, and isonaidenal that we
had no right even to grant English money to enable the
Greeks or any other nation to found a government.
As to local subjects he should Disko it his duty to master
them. [A Voice : Equalisation of poor rates.) Well, there
were two sides to that question. An equalisation of poor
rates would ma certain extent destroy that supervision and
economy which existed among parochial authorities in the
administration of the rates; but at the same time it appeared
hard that the poorer districts' should have to maintain the
larger amount of poor, while the rest comparativelynaped.
He should not object to see a fair equalization of rates.
[A VOICE: Flogging.] When in parliament he had voted
against the lash in the army, and should do so again.
(Applause.) With regard to the licensing system, he
could not support Mr. Gray's bill. He thought the pre-
sent system could not be very well interfered with, as it
was a guarantee that those who had houses licensed for
the sale of spirits. tea, should keep them in an orderly
manner ; besides, there were vested interests, which made
the subject a difficult one to deal with. (Cheers.) The
hon. gentleman expressed his willingness to answer any
questions which might be put to him, but none were pro-
pounded, and he resumed his seat amidst Iced applause.

Mr. Maim moved, and Mr. Hsu L'4 emended:a resole.
tion approving of Mr. H. Labeuchere Ai a fit and proper
representative of the county of Middlesex.
Mr. NEWTON supported the resolution, and urged um.
nimity amongst the liberal party, although there might be
slight differences of opinion on points of detail, at d'ex.
pressed his gratification to find that. instead of there being
a second liberal candidate in the poem of Mr. Hodgson.
chairman of the Dank of England, that gentleman had
placed his name on Mr. Labouchere's committee.
Dr. Orten, Mr. Prnee, and other gentlemen having also
expressed their opinions in favour of the candidate, the
resolution was put and carried unanimously unidat loud
applause.
Mr. Lattorcnxitereturned thanks, and in doing so, said
as it was utterly impossible be could wait personally upon
the 14,000 electors, these meetings were the means he must
adopt to make his opinions known to them. (Hear.)

A cordial Tote of thanks to the chairman brought the
meting to close.

The nomination of candidates will take place this dsy
week, the 15th inst. The usual notices were issued on
Saturday.

The REDISTRIBUTION CL AVM ES. —Much die-
latiNfaCtiell is fetid to prevail in West Ham and its neigh-
bourhood at the proposal contained in schedule C, by
which the parish is taken out of South Essex and united
with a Middlesex borough—the North T wer Hamlets.
It is argued that the member taken from Maldon should
have born given is a third member to South Essex, which
would then have been represented (including the member
for Mahlon) by four members, which is as nearly as
possible its proper proportion, according to population.
The motive for taking 07,000 inhabitants from a constitu-
ency of 2u7,000, in order to add them to one of 311,000,
is freely commented on in West Ham and South Essex
generally, and confidence is expressed that there is little
likelihood of its so far escaping the vigilance of parliw.
meat as to par into law.
RAILWAY DEBENTURES COMMITTEE.—The com-
mittee appointed to inquire into the question of railway
debentures has brought its labours nearly to a conclu-
sion. The committee stands adjourned till Monday next
to decide upon the report, and to consider how far it will
be practicable to adopt the provisions of the bill intro-
duced at the beginning of the session by Sir Stafford
Northcote for winding up railway companies unable to
meet their engagemeta. It would be very definable if,
together with the recommendations of the committee for
giving increased value to railway debentures, sonic men.
sure could be agreed upon for facilitating the winding up
of companies in financial difficulties. The bill proposed by
Sir Stafford Northcote was open to many objections in
matters of detail and it remains to be seen how far its
more objectionable features may be modified in committee.
—Railway New.