The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-21 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

TIMES.—War proceeds so much by laws of its
own, and the Americans have so thoroughly ac-
cepted those laws in their utmost rigour, that every
fresh inhumanity we read of in this never-ending
affair can only be regarded as the caprice of an ir-
resistible power. They who cast the die of war have
simply turned things upside down, introduced
agencies they cannot control, and have turned not
only the heart of man but nature itself from its
course. So we read the diary of a Volunteer on board
the Tallahassee as we should an account of the
ravages of a tornado or the vagaries of an imaginary
demon. In this case it must be. We would rather
not be the agents in the business, but as the business
must be done, we must not blame the agency. The
Tallahassee went out from Wilmington on the 6th of
last August on an errand of simple destruction, She
went out to wage war, not with soldiers or ships of
war, but with merchantmen, coasters, fishing
schooners, market boats, packets, pilot boats. What
pleasure there might be in the work, it was that
which the incendiary feels as the rick flares up or
the workshop breaks into a blaze, or which the
wretch feels when be has poisoned the pool, maimed
the horse, or clogged the machinery. But the Talla-
hassee did not sculk on her errand, or seek the aid
of night. She had to run thegauntlet of many Fede-
ral guns as she ran out, and again when she ran in.
She found herself one day alongside a Federal fri-
gate, and seems to have been let off easily, as if
neither of them wished to interfere with so respect.
able a craft. About half a dozen bigger ships
steamed out of New York in one day to catch her,
but only ascertained where she had been. So it is
hard to say why the work is to be thought odious.
It is nothing to what had been done and will be
done on shore. An eye-witness describes the
track from Washington to Richmond, or at least
to within a few miles of those cities, as one
scene of destruction far as eye can reach ; not a
building, not a fence, not a tree, not an animal, not
anything to support life, where four years ago it was
agarden of Eden. It is worse elsewhere, for whole
cities and well inhabited valleys have been thrown
into the furnace of war, and converted into ruinous
heaps in the midst of blackened wastes. The Talla.
hassee brought the hideous, or rather in this case,
the disagreeable reality of war much nearer New
York than the denizaas of Broadway had ever ex-
pected, Off Long Island an unhappy pilot, mis'ed
by the stripes and Stars, and bearing up in the con-
fident hope of a good job, to his horror found him-
self in the very jaws of the enemy, and had to see
his beautiful and fast sailing schooner, the James
Funck, destroyed, not, however, till she done a little
work for her new masters, and brought in a bark.
The day after a large ship, carrying 163 passengers
from London to New York, on being ordered to heave
to, either purposely or not, nearly ran down the Tel -
lahassee, broke her mainmast short, and swept her
decks clean. The captain was an Englishman, and
was under an impression that his personal na-
tionality would cover the ship and cargo. He
found himself mistaken. The passengers, who seem
to have had no idea of danger, no sooner discovered
their situation than they made up their minds to
the worst, experting to be burnt in the ship. Re-
lieved from this fear, and being told that they
would be simply taken out and put on shore, they
seem to have undergone an almost equal amount of
vexation in being compelled to confine their luggage
to a moderate selection of pots and pans, birds, cats,
dogs, and other pets from the Old World. The
Tallahassee sacrificed two precious hours to a deli-
cacy which was overstrained, compared with other
operations of war. Though the ship and her cargo
were sent to the bottom, the comic prevailed over
the tragic in this encounter. Tne former clement,
however, always found a place, a capture being so
unexpected, so provoking, and so utterly irremedi-
able an occurrence to the victims that peculiarities
of character were sure to be brought out. happily,
too, the finer and heroic qualities sometimes showed
themselves in their usual antithesis to the coarse and
mean. Such a contrast the " Volunteer" describes
i❑ the respective bearing of the captain's wife and
the wife of a passenger, also a sea captain, on board
a noble ship, with a valuable cargo, captured and
destroyed the next day. The latter was a termagant,
who raged as a woman might rage who found her
husband unable to help her against the loss of half
her luggage. The former was herself a witness of
(he sad loss of a ship in which her husband had in-
vested his life's earnings for their little ones at home.
She bore it nobly, acquiesced in the necessity of
the case, and observed that she hid often read with
pity the sufferings and privations of the Southern
ladies, adding that she hoped her own loss might
do them some good. Such a trait of real goodness
under the most adverse circumstances—indeed, at
the very last wreck of cherished hopes, and with im-
pending difficulties in their stead—will survive the
fleeting record of captures and destructions, as they
affect our poor earthly gear. W' hen the Tallahassee
has told its long and terrible tale, the incident of the
" brave, sweet woman" who bore her losses without
a marmur, and who, while dropping a tear for her
husband and children, pitied not less the wives and
children of her captors, will leave a deeper and
more abiding trace on the memory than all those
other " moving accidents" of sea and strife. Com-
pared with the classes taking a prominent part in
the war, the Tallahassee struck into a new vein of
American life, and tapped a new spring of feeling.
The great majority of the victims were people
quite outside the political action, pursuing trade
and commerce, but of course somewhat benefited
by the war expenditure. They loved their ships
" more than his wife, or his old woman," one of
them said; they thought the Confederates had
something to say for themselves ; they would not
lend a hand to them except for peace sake; and
they immensely appreciated the value of the parole
given upon their release, as an immunity from the
draught. Oa this point, indeed, they became quite
excited, estimated a parole as worth many hundred
dollars of greenbacks, and were most particular to
have the document all right. It may seem hard
that these people should suffer, and it is certainly
cruel that poor little men taking their fish, their
sheep, their poultry, their vegetable to a good
market, should be suddenly stripped of everything
and landed penniless a good way from home.
Few modes of warfare can be less agreeable to a
man who takes the romantic and heroical view of
war. It is piracy with a pretence. But it is
impossible to distinguish between these proceedings
and the like acts of destructio❑ on land done by
the Federals whenever they have had the opportu-
tunity ; indeed, by both sides now. The "Volunteer,"
at a pillage of this sort, was robbed of everything,
down to a much-used toothbrush, which his plun-
derers wanted for some purpose or other. The con.
'sternation the Tallahassee everywhere excited—
the ideas of burning hanging, drowning instantly
suggested to the victims, and depriving them of
their self-possession and self-respect—itself justifies
the foray. Everybody, at least in a State professing
to be constitutional and to govern itself, should be
made to take his share in the consequences of war,
and not leave one of his neighbours to tight, another
to pay the bill, and others to take the trouble and
worm of it. These trading sailors and fishermen
were making a good harvest on a disaster which
is ruining half the world, and, it is only fit they
should have their risks. We confess, however,
that we should not like the task of teaching them
that lesson.

POST.—Lord Stanley and Lord George Manners
remind us that there is a great distinction between
Tories by nature and Tories by the mere accident of
birth. Lord George and his brother, the Duke of
Rutland, who have just been addressing an agricul-
tural audience, are still orthodox believers in all the
theories of their party. The Duke still ho!ds to the
doctrine of protection, while Lord George, more
moderately, is content with calling for a reduction
of the malt tax. But nothing less will content,
Lord Stanley than a sweeping away of half the
landmarks of Europe. M. Bismarck now knows
that he has the ex-Indian Minister's full permis-
sion to swallow up the coveted kingdoms of Ha-
nover and Saxony; and the inferior populations
of the Turkish Empire will now be made aware
how much the heir of the House of Derby wishes
to see them triumphant over their old masters, and
placing a final extinguisher upon the Ottoman
Empire. All those who boast of our possessing an
empire on which the sun never sets will now also
learn that the future candidate for the English Pre-
miership looks forward to the creation of a Cana-
dian Empire, and an Australian Empire, free from
British superiority, and to the formation of a king-
dom or republic of Canada, and to a kingdom or
republic of Australia. Well, this is a mighty
ascent above the mere malt-tax themes of the Duke
of Rutland and Lord George Manners, New ideas
are proverbially carried out by original minds; but
it is the greatest marvel cf all that such new ideas
and such original minds should dwell in Tory
ranks. Nor is Lord Stanley sparing of the language
in which he clothes these gigantic views of change.
As for the Germanic Confederation, he plainly cm,
tertains the utmost contempt for it, and for the fas-
tidious recognition of existing rights on whichit is
avowedly based. " The existence!" he says, " of
these petty German sovereignties is useless ; they
multiply, as we have seen, the risks of war; they
serve, as far as I can perceive, no single polireal
purpose; and the sooner they disappear from the
map of Europe the better, in my judgment." This
is bold language, and it needs no great insight into

contingent futurity to divine that it may bring the
noble author of it into considerable difficulty at a
future time. If political utility is to be the sale
measure of territorial right, in Heaven's name what_
fearful wars of opinion may we not be destined to r.
Lord Stanley's argument is pretty nearly equivae
lent to saying that it Prussia thinks Hanover and
Saxony useless political distinctions, she may
swallow them up ; if Austria thinks the same of
Bavaria and Wurtemberg, she may do likewise; if
Germany, collectively, forms the same disparaging
estimate of all that remains of Denmark ; and if
France sees the inutility of the Low Countries, theta
the sooner they are joined to France the better.
This is a fine prospect for the strong, and rather a
poor one for the weak. Lord Stanley evidently
desires to see one, or at most two, great biermaa
monarchies, end about thirty stipendiary princes
exiled, consoling themselves on the pier at Brigh
ton. Neither is he more Conservative nor more
animated by a respect /or vested rights at Constan. "
tinople than he is beyond the Rhine. "The Turks,
says Lord Stanley, " have played their part in hir
tory ; they have bad their day, and that daY
it
over; and I confess I do not understand, except lb
be from the influence of old diplomatic traditions!
the determination of our older statesmen to stand
by the Turkish rule, whether right or wrong." T 1129
is not an uncommon notion on the part of those wh
are not practically acquainted with the populatio%
of whom they speak, and who have an idea tha
Mehornetan races must of necessity be inferior to
Christian races. But those who do know TurkeY
know otherwise, and will uniformly acknowledge
that, with the single exception of the Greek people,
the Christian races of the Turkish Empire are very
inferior to the Mohametan races by whom they are
governed. This inferiority extends at once to in"
tel!ect, energy, and moral character; although ess
ceptions will be found in certain enterprisiug
Christians, of whatever origin, who are vaaeredA
around the capital. Lord Stanley may be
that it the mass of the Turks were not very suPe•
rior to the mass of the Christians, no influence fro°
this country would have kept them in the position
which they hold. Not having visited King's LYtin
for three years, Lord Stanley finds a good Insy
subjects cropping up for treatment before his Aft
miring bucolic constituency, who naturally_Won",,e;:,
.with great admiration, at the width and origin"v
assure.
of his views. His lordship disdains political pre;
diction ; yet, undismayed by the ominous in
y
days' prophecy of Lord Russell, he has his ()%vn
ards
fling at the future. What he foretells, as reg
the American struggle, will be eminently canal:46ll
tory both to North and South. Both, he says, o'l t
labour in vain. He foresees that the North raus
overrun and conquer the South; but that when they
have done so their administrative and canstitutionai
difficulties will only begin. Then•the noble lord
turns to the Italian question, and he throws
paradoxical glance on that curious problem also. Ile
has, at least, contrived in a word to put the Roman
part of the question in a new light. He says
plain truth is that Rome is dear as a gift. It 1,
all ruin, and swamp, and malaria, and the
are a vast deal better without it. Let the 11°P
keep it, and be thankful for nothing. This,
in a
word, is Lord Stanley's view about the Illetnar,
question ; but if the excellence of the atmeaPhith
were to determine the capital, the two E,13.5t.,
Houses of Parliament would not be sitting at west
minster: If, however, Lord Stanley were to lie
accepted as an exponent of the vie% s of the GI
vernment, he would satisfy our difficulties gnat
doubts as to a Reform Bill next year. He ear the
in the last session of an expiring Parliament '—
introduction of such a measure would be out of the
question. In this way he excuses himself from
t
any elaborate discussion of the subject, saying
before Parliamentary Reform comes on for discus
;
sion, again the existing House of Commons must
be dissolved ; and, therefore, he will again be on
the King's Lynn hustings before he will haveir;°4
give a vote in the name of Na constituency. "'—
few la marks on the subject, however, are charao
terised by the good sense which usually pervades
his speeches on domestic affairs. He says that the
difficulty lies in this wise —An inconsiderable
change in the franchise would. not satisfy these from
whom impetus to the measure itself would proceed;
while an extensive scheme of reform would_ 6,b.,
once be negatived by the voice of those who
to have a good reason before they make a gre.a
S.
,
change. Probably this statement contains the gist
of the whole reform difficulty. On the malt tab
uestion Lord Stanley does not agree with the Duke
of
Rutland and Lord George Manners; he is alto'
gether opposed to repeal : he says, truly enough
that the revenue cannot afford it ; and he adds ths
t
its abolition would result in diminishing also the
return from spirits and the duties obtained frora
tea. Lord George Manners advocates a complete
repeal ley instalments; while Lord Stanley will.
agree only to a small and definitive reduction.
However, the main argument against compromise
is, that the expense of collecting remains the same'
and that it is only by maint iriing the tax that you
make the collecting expense profitable, and only
by abolishing it altogether that you get rid of
costly organisation.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

,t. -....

BIRMINGHAM—THURSDAY.
A fair demand for English wheat in our market to-daY,
and last week's quotations were realised. Barley tending
downwards. Oats 6d lower. Beans and peas dheaper.
—English wheat was sold at 40s to 448 for white, and 36s
to 41s per 36 stone for red, Barley, new malting, 305 to
36s per qr ; grinding, 23s to 26s Oats, old, 24s to 300
per 30 stone; Irish, 19s to 245. Beans, 448 to 46s per ,11.••
peas, 38s to 40s per 36 stone.

MANCHESTER—THURSDAY.
There was a slender attendance at our market al°
morning, and the proceedings were of a very lifeless cha;
ratter. Wheat, both English and foreign, sold slowlY
about last week's prices. Flour also dull, and see quo.,
prices rather lower. Oats and oatmeal in limited request 2
at downward rates. Beans in fair inquiry. Indian corn
must be noted 3d to Gd below last market day.

BURTON.-ON-TRENT—THURSDAY.
There was an average show of wheat at our market to;
day, which was unaltered in price. Barley plentiful, bO
the demand ruled slow at late rates. Oats met a heitvbe.
trade, at former rates. Beans pretty much the same
as
fore. Peas stationary.
Old white wheat..44s to 47s
New do. ..42s to 46s
Malting barley....als to 37s
Grinding d0.....26s to 30s

Old red wheat, ~.41s to 448
New do. ..38s to 41s
Oatq ...... 20s to 290
Beans .......... 38s to 448

BURY ST. EDMUND'S—IVEDNEsDAY. to.,
There was a good supply of both wheat and barley at
week
day's market—the former met a free sale at last wee
quotations, and the latter a slow demand in favour Of the
buyer.

EDINBURGH GRAIN—WEDNEsDAY• tea
To-day there was a good supply of country wheat. Sal
at prices fully as dear as last week.
Wheat on the top 2s Od down ...average is
5d up.
Barley on the top Os 8d up
..average
Oats on the top is Od up.do
Beans on the top 3s Od down average 3s la
2d
UTaverage
1 s
Os
2d .

Total Supply and Sales.
Wheat ..1163 qrs Sold 806 qrs
8ar1ey........1116 qrs Sold 896 (IT3
Oats
Beans 94 qrs Sold 68 qrs
Ave: age Prices.

,ls oa

Wheat.. 4ls ma I Oats ** 2--
400 2a
Barley 2ls 4d I Beans tra
Town• made flour sells as follows :—White, 375; el.
superfine, 355; superfine, 335; fine, 31s.

GLASGO W—WEDNESDAY.
At this day's market the wheat trade was quiet, and the
arrivals moderate. Fine sorts at last weex's rates
ferior 6d per qr cheaper. Barley was the turn lower. 'oatS
barely supported late rates. New beans a slow sale, and 1°
cheaper. Flour ruled dull.

THE LATE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.---It is Stated
that on his deathbed her Majesty twice came from her long
retirement and paid a visit of kindness to her noble subject.
The Prince of Wales came also to see the duke the day
after the Queen's first visit. He was permitted just before
his death to see his infant grandson, the future heir of his
illustrious house.

Births.
ANDRADE.—On the 19th inst., the wife of D. AndradeEsq., 17, Aberdeen-park, Highbury, of a son.
stead
DAVENPORT.—On the 18th inst., at Chalcots, flame
the wife of J. T. Davenport, Esq., of a son.
HODSON.—On the 18th inst., at The Chantry, Bis's'o'f a
Stortturd, the wife of Charles F. Hodson, EA', -
son.

Marriages.
BREBANT—PEEL.—On the 18th inst., at St. John's,
dleton, Albert Antoine A. Edmond, son of the late CaPo.f
Pierre A. Brebant, to Frances Grace, second daughter iv
John Peel, Esq , M.P., of Middleton Hall, Wittvile
shire.
THONGER—Woon.—On the 18th inst., at Islington+
ya-
Tiionger, Esq., of 22, Wharton street, to Ellen
both, eldest daughter of Alexr. Wood, Esq., o f 7 Itiver"
terrace, Islington.

Deaths.
BOSWELL —On the 15th inst., at Culdee., Auchtcrarelcf
Grace, widow of Sir Alexander Boswell,' of Auchinicc
Bart.
DEW.—On the 19‘1 inst in Ryder-street, St. Jolo'6
Reginald Dew, aged 31.
DAVIS.—On the 19th inst at 17, Upper Belgrave-P,lllet
Pimlico, Edward Davis, and
is Esq.,
aged 61.
HIGGINS —On the 19th inst., at Star Hill, Rochester, We°
Giles Higgins, Esq., aged 67.
LOVEDAY.—On the 19th inst„ at Williamscote, Oxford'
shire, John Loveday, Esq., aged 79.
SOMERVILLE.—On the 19th inst. at at Newbold
Leamington, Vice-Admiral Lord Somerville, aged 71.

-___
-- - ----- ,
London: Prin:ed and Pt-Wished by WILL lA3I AN9III _C2: 1
of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at Tim SUN 0150 e `n• '- ;
Strand, in the Precinct of the S tvoy, n the ColgitY c'u
11.1141mx.—Friday, October 21, 1861. •