Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-09-05 00:00:00

the Colonie

the jou

Ice to his Royal 11

that direction. Such a step on the part Of the Prince
is highly to be commended, on every account. It would
greatly improve his Royal Highness, himself, in expand-
ing his views and enlarging his sympathies ; while it
could not fail to be gratifying to the Canadians, and tc
:strengthen their attachment to the mother country.

The rumour current in London, at the close of last
week, that, at length, negotiations have been opened
between the master builders and the operatives, with
some prospect of an amicable settlement of their un-
lappy disputes, is highly satisfactory. The men them-
-selves, it appears, are beginning already to feel their
'great disadvantage, not to say their degradation, in
having to become something like objects of charity to
the employed of their own body ; and it is not unnatural
`that this should dispose them to listen to reason. Let
us hope that the masters will deal generously with
them, and, while still resisting dictation, that they will
respond to all their reasonable requirements in a liberal
'spirit.

Something decisive has now been done,—although it
may be but temporary,—in Smethurst's case. The con-
lict has been reprieved during her Majesty's pleasure.
With what precise object this has peen done, can
scarcely yet be conjectured. If it is because there is an
Idea that he is not actually guilty, then, of course,
should that idea be in any way confirmed, a reprieve can
%only be the preliminary to a free pardon. If it be that,
under the extraordinary circumstances of the case, the
abject is to avoid the execution of a sentence which
,would preclude all chance of dealing with it afterwards,
*whatever might turn up, then, we suppose, it is but the
first step to a commutation. of the extreme penalty of the
law, under which he was left by the verdict of the
jail'. A few days will probably clear up the mystery.

--*---

METROPOLITAN STRIKES.

[FOR THE NORTHERN TIMES.]

It needs no very intricate knowledge of politi-
-lecanonly to foresee the result of the present
strike among the metropolitan builders. A ces-
aation from labour, and a coisequent impeding of
the circulation of capital, must always, even
toonder the most extenuating circumstances, lead
.cvery
disastrous consequences. But when the
essation is not only temporary, but continuous
from
week to week, as
increased
they are by the effects, aggravated
inan accumulation of evils, will be
which we
'already making
degree. In the strike to
are now alluding the results ttre
h
`classes in the gsht
:tion, and poverty, disease, starva-
a thousand other miseries which
the result doesynPoor can truly experience. But
ot stop and blameablehere • if only the obstinate
look upon their were punished we might safely
out and exposeP tn, ies.himent as a means to point
-their mistaken sense 1,....err0r5, but the effects of
oof the community_ta d_ut7.- reach to all classes
are alike involved in ri
ty and the innocent
<effects are of course first feltlse brYy and
ruin.
The
in fact by the operatives thena-s tlhe poorer classes,
'thus begun continues to spread ethvres ; but the evil
until all become more or less affecteoduth all classes
yhe result.
t
Let us not suppose that these evils are •
Jet us not suppose that our wealth andnnaginary—
grs
-a nation can avert these evils ; they
allevi as
ate
the bitterness of the effect, but the eatnes
cy eannot en-