The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-11 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1855.

Sir ERSKINE PERRY has entitled himself to the
thanks and gratitude of the community, for the
masterly manner in which he treated the im-
portant subject which he last night brought under
the consideration of the House of Commons and
the nation. He has already amply avenged the
slight cast upon himself, and the gallant and dis-
tinguished body of men, of whom he was the
faithful and efficient advocate, by the " count-
out" of Tuesday fortnight. The just claims of
the Indian army can no longer be shelved by a
Ministerial trick, or even by a Ministerial sneer.
They have recently received a small instalment of
justice ; but, trivial and insignificant as was that
instalment, taken per se, it might be regarded as
the introduction of " the sharp end of the wedge,"
by means whereof the defences of ignorance
and prejudice—by which a full measure of
justice was obstructed and delayed will
speedily be rent in sunder. Within little
more than a fortnight the House readily gave the
required hearing ; and, although we cannot but
deplore the decision arrived at, we feel that the
discussion was eminently useful, and that it has
paved the way to the full and complete success,
at some future and not very remote period, which
the proposition so pre-eminently merited.

Let us now look to the result of the division of
last night. By a very decided majority of nearly
three to one (171 to 62), the representatives of
the people of Great Britain resolved that it was
not expedient or proper to appoint a select com-
mittee to inquire how the army of India might be
made most available for war in Europe, or the
steps necessary to be taken if it should be deemed
advisable to constitute the army of the East India
Company a Royal army. Matters are so exceed-
ingly auspicious just at this moment—the po-
litical atmosphere is so perfectly cloudless, that
Parliament can repudiate
,the services of several
hundred thousand veterans rather than wound
the too tender susceptibilities of those who, having
purchased their commissions, have a right to de-
mand that nothing should be done to depreciate the
value of the commodity for which they have paid
down hard cash. These gentlemen, or their
friends, earnestly protest against " Free Trade"
in military appointments. They must be pro-
tected against the competition of the tried and
experienced veterans of the Anglo-Indian service,
the Secretary for War gravely remarked, it is
only fair that they should have their turn for
acquiring a knowledge of military affairs, and
that they may have the chance, the country is to
submit to the loss of the services of men who could
have avoided the mischances that more than
quadrupled the losses occasioned by the War—and
who might have led to its termination long ere this
had they been employed. In other words, we have
had:to submit to an addition of sixteen millions to
the permanent debt, an annuity of 116,0001. for
thirty years, as well as an addition of more than
fifteen millions to our taxes, with a prospect of
an early and considerable' addition thereto, in
order to preserve the venal system of military pro-
motion intact, and to keep the patronage of India
in the hands of a few elderly gentlemen, who ob-
tain ample interest for the money they invested in
what was originally, and ever ought to have been, a
purely mercantile speculation. As the time may not In a previous article we -have noticed the at-
be distant, when Noble Lords (by courtesy) and tempt which, for sonietible tia5t,16...1 been made
Right Hon. and Hon. Gentlemen will have to to have Hampstead-heath enclosed. A bill, it
render accounts of their respective stewardships, appears, is shortly to be brought before the House
it is well that their several constituents should be with this object. Need we say with what fee]-
thoroughly cognisant of the nature of the votes ings we are disposed to regard it ? Need we call
on Honourable Members at once and indie-
g even in opposition to Sir ERSKINE PERRY's
motion. nantly to reject it ? Whether we need or not,
'ißh4t is it, then, that has been thus summarily, we cannot refrain from doing so. The measure
1111'4' We regret to
The aid of 457,000 trained men and be obliged to add, contumeliously is so unwarranted and of so pernicious a character,
rejected.' and the attempt to forward it has been so insidi-
-E
12,000 exp. •
nenced officers ! ! It is true that a ously and perseveringly pursued, that silence
large proportion of
these men belong to the na- might be dangerous. Here we are, denizens of
tire populations, but the sepoys, when well offi- London) atmosphere of smoke and
„
cored, have ever pr breathing an
ed themselves brave and dust, some of us—poor clerks and artizans more
efficient soldiers ; and there are also some 50,000 especially—daily panting for fresh and wholesome
or 60,000 European soldiers, exclusive of officers, air, a want the public parks but imperfectly sup-
included in the list. It seeded not
testimonials adduced by Sir E
the over- ply, and yet Parliament must be pestered and
whelming
E. PEaRy its valuable time wasted with an impudent attempt
to prove the practical efficiency of this magnifi-
to get it to do what would earn it deserved indig-
cent array.
It is universally recognised, sa.ve Perhaps
nation if it did—enclose a breezy wide-spread heath,
feather-bed warriors,
by some Whichconsiderable wealth, , by a recorded will, is ever to remain open.
aristocratic blood or think The case
lay at soldiers," and to an
themselves entitled " to p
coming " between the wind to make. enclosure whicla the owner has a legal right.
warn veterans from That,
and their nobility ;" and yet,
through some at. treme circumstances we admit, might, save under ex-
, be an unjustifiable• t
o'fliirdf red-tapisni, the nation is to eschew ference, but in this er-
the ask
*owe of men educated in this practical will only be to Prevent the rejection of the bill
0010.,
uglll organised and suited for any tator's intention, and the
deprivation
violation of a tes-
-091141040714 jt juiced, too Dad. It is aPi
act of II Wefts bp,..taa.
'Well/ 444
ermivation of th© pub-
.


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