The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-19 00:00:00

refuse everything that is asked for, and, if not quite
possible to do that, to delay for an indefinite period,
and thus spoil all the grace of the gift and prevent
the required information from being of much ser-
vice to the parties concerned. The notion of con-
senting to produce the correspondence with America
but not with the Messrs. LAIRD was perfectly
absurd, and if anything could increase the odium
which attaches itself to the Government for their
conduct throughout the whole of this affair, it would
be such want of common courtesy, such extreme
reticence, and such overweening self-assumption.
At all events their plans are so far frustrated, and
no one need now remain in ignorance of the trans-
actions which have from first to last engaged so
much attention, and awakened such natural interest
and excitement. A few years back, had a sketch of
these proceedings been traced, how it would have
been been scouted, reviled at, and declared fallacious
in the extreme, that Ministers of England should
treat the honourable and respected subjects of the
realm with a brusquerie and a want of common
fairness which has seldom been equalled in this
country ; and to obtain a parallel we must seek
among the arbitrary enactments of despotic powers.
As if it was not enough:to notify that Government
thought it necessary to detain the vessels until due
inquiries had been made concerning them, and the
most substantial proofs afforded of their ultimate
destination, and as if the real object of all this
fearful confusion and intense commotion could not
have been as effectually gained by the adoption of
more calm, rational, and dignified proceedings.
Again, it was a most monstrous thing for Minis-
ters to doubt the good faith, and question the
validity of the assertions made by the Messrs.
LAIRD, than whom none in the land bears a
higher character for commercial uprightness and
integrity. The excuse put forth, that had
the El Tousson been allowed to take the trial
trip she would never have returned, was a
very sneaking way of getting off a promise, and
diplayed a shuffling and a hesitation totally un-
suitable for the occasion. Yet it is constantly wit-
nessed that when men in any rank of life and
phase of condition undertake to do underhand
work, they become insensibly imbued with the
feeling that actuates those accustomed to such
actions, and well versed in the details of subter-
fuge. It is a crowning proof that Ministers had
really no faith in the justice of their cause when
they interposed delay upon delay, lest time when
it was professed that the affair was a most momen-
tous one, and are now, at the expiration of six
months from the seizure, scarcely in a more forward
state as regards any definite conclusion. It was
exposed the other evening in the House how it
was not till the eve of Parliament that information
was filed against the suspected vessels, and this
circumstance alone is quite conclusive evidence
alike of disingenuousness and pertinacity. It is
almost to be wondered at that Ministers have not
heard more of their disgraceful conduct in respect
to their treatment of Messrs. LAIRD, and of their
unwarrantable trifiirg with the case. If there was
a shadow of foundation for their suspicions, why
not seek to verify them in the face of day and in
the sight of man ? Why not make an example of
the offenders and bring them to condign punish-
ment. This would have been the proper course to
have chosen ; it would have intimidated others
from following in their pernicious ways; it would
have been a good assurance to foreign States that
no prejudice or partiality for fellow-countrymen
would militate against furthering the aids of jus-
tice, and honourably maintaining the rights of
nations, Though dealing a hard measure, still, had
the Government chosen to pursue this open line of
action, many might have gainsaid their policy, but
few could have questioned their motives, and none,
dared to have doubted their sincerity. It is not
too much to say that the Ministers feared to face
the decision of that law which they declared to
have been infringed in its statutes and violated in
its principles. The ends of the earth might have
received the tidings of the steam rams in the
Mersey, before any definite or decided steps had
been taken. The object of all these frivolous pre.
texts is very plain, and the purpose of the intoler-
able delay but too transparent. The session must
be tided over, and then all the rest can easily be
managed. Ministers are trifling with the temper
and defying the opinion of the nation with an
effrontery that past days of intolerance and corrup-
tion could not have surpassed ; but when the Rubi
con has been passed, when patience is exhausted
and hope becomes extinct, all these secondary
causes of irritation, these minor aggravations, will
assume a double force, and appear as fatal evidence
against them. Buoyed up by success and inflated
with pride of place and power, men may do very
much as they please for a while, but when the
pleasant time is past, and the sunshine of official
existence fades away into the cold shade of opposi-
tion, their errors are brought to light which have
been chronicled with jealous care against the evil
day of failure. Amid the long array of defalca-
tions, mismanagement, and blunders, which disgrace
the annals of the PALMERSTON Cabinet, the episode
of the steam rams of the Mersey will occupy a dis-
tinguished place and cast a dark shadow around.
Long may it be before we find this conduct re-
peated in our Statesmen, these insults heaped upon
our merchants, this discredit affixed to our country.
It was not many years ago that it was considered
that the famous Civis Bomanus Sum was not more
Ipotent as a protection than the fact of belonging to
this country. But those days will soon be for ever
past if the present foreign policy prevails. It may
be questioned if many other nations are not Bupe•
rior in their outward attitude, however inferior
their home arrangements may be. For the sake of
consistency, for the love of truth, and for the fear
of ridicule, let not those who have made themselves
conspicuous in such affairs as those certified in the
correspondence here alluded to again venture to
accuse their opponents of making the " humiliation
and degradation of their country a stepping-stone
to office."

The frequent cases of starvation which have
occurred recently in the metropolis have naturally
engaged attention, and some wise suggestions have
been made upon the subject by several persons who
have studied the matter. There is a letter to the
lii ies of yesterday, which seems to present some
of the best ideas on the question that have yet been
published. The writer very properly alludes to
the faulty system of rating which prevails, and
cites several instances to prove the evils that result
therefrom, and the great inconveniences that are
thus engendered. It seems strange, indeed, that
more has not been said heft. re on this topic, and
that more attention has not been paid by the proper
authorities to so very important a subject. One
of the best proofs that can be adduced is given in
the letter alluded to above, that is that the most
numerous deaths always cccur in the parishes that
are rated the heaviest. 'Why an equalised rate all
over London is not immediately effected it is im-
possible to understand, and it is an imperative duty
on the part of the Government that they should
institute inquiries and make investigations for the
purpose of certifying as to the necessity that exists
tor this remedial measure being promptly inaugu-
rated. It is a cruelty to the poor, and an injustice
to the ratepayers in the, over-burdened districts,