The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-21 00:00:00

The Weather—Sun Office, June 21, 1864.

THERMOMETER.
This day at Two o'clock

Barometer-30.02.
WIND —W. ; fresh breeze, and fine.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
DAY.—Morning, 2h. 47 m.—Afternoon, 3a. 10m.
r°44l°ll4ow•-Mortung, 3h. 32m.—Afternoon, 3i.sSm.

t
0;111

SUIT

LONDON, TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1864.

Pas wonderfully ingenious series of contrivancee

by which the Government have so cleverly managed
to tide over the chief part of the session, have left,
. ev'm now, in this third week of June, at any rate,
one 'very distinct alternative still at the command
of the House of Commons. The House has, in the

tter of Danmark, up to this present time, bee❑

treated quite systematically by the Government
most superciliously—we had nearly said most
conturnelious:y. It has been " put off' by
a succesion of evasions of which we be-
lieve that the records of " Hansard" furnish
no parallel. It was denied the papers first of all.
It is now virtually prohibited from having a glance
at the protocols. The Cabinet has been consistent

at least in ono thing, namely, in declining to

nish one syllable of frank or manly explanation.
No matter whence the inquiries came to them,
whether the interrogator rose on the side
of the Opposition or on the Government
side, either from a back bench or below
the gangway, he was safe to obtain one
invariable kind of reply, which, of course,
amounted to no reply at all : namely, a repetition
literally usque ad nauseam of that evasive phrase
glibly articulated all through the session with such
"damnable iteration "—to wit, that it would be
indiscreet, as yet, to utter a syllable more about it !
And so the longest day has come, and Parlia-
ment, even now, has not had vouchsafed to it
one word of rational explanation. To-morrow
in all human probability, the Conference will meet
for positively the last time. On Sunday next, the
period of the supplementary fortnight's armistice
will come to an end. Monday next, in all likeli-
hood, will be signalised by the recommencement of
hostilities. The Government laughing in their
sleeves the while at having thus adroitly rendered
the session so far nugatory in the matter so long
that the dog -days are felt to be close at
hand, and the time of the grouse•shooting almost
one might say beginning even now to be sighted.
Late though it is in the session, late though it is,
in other words, in the season—one alternative hap-
pily still remains, as we have just now intimated, in
the safe keeping of the House of Commons, in the
grasp, at the command of her Majesty's Opposition.
And the observation we would speak of is simply
this—Either to force on at last a full and complete
discussion of what Las hitherto been shirked so
completely by the Government— Or, supposing that
discussion still to be evaded by Ministers on the
plea of indiscretion, to petition her MAJESTY not to
prorogue Parliament until the Foreign Policy
of the Government, more particularly in this matter
of Denmark, shall have been brought under the
consideration of her faithful Commons. For one
thing or the other, the country will holl the House
of Commons responsible. Either, these momentous
subjects for discussion must be discussed at once,
coute qui coute, Or measures must be taken for pro•
longing the session beyond the usual period of the
grouse shooting, until the Legislature shall have
had an opportunity of discussing the foreign
policy of the Government.

When Captain SEMMES' spirited vindication of
his course as captain of the Alabama appeared so
recently it was not anticipated by many that the
career of that gallant little vessel was so near its
close, and that but one more signal event was to be
added to its chronicles. The intelligfnce that has
just arrived will be a source of great regret to
many who have watched the progress of this
famous vessel, and admired the daring and intrepi-
dity which have signalised her men. It is seldom
that so much interest has been fixed and so much
attention centred in one vessel, and in the annals of
naval hittlry it is certain that the Alabama has
some peculiar and distinguishing features which
will for ever set it apart in the memory of all who

have taken cognisance of her striking incidents. It
was not to be expected that such a course could go

on long with impunity, and perhaps the rea

wonder is that before this we have not received the

intelligence of her defeat or capture. It is entirely
owing to consummate daring and the most consider-

able skill in management that ❑p till now this little
vessel has walked the waters like a thing of life,

spreading destrection on her track, striking terror

amoflg all who encountered her, and while triumph-
antly sweeping the seas filling the minds of those

o❑ shore with amazement and admiration. Those

who perused Captain SEMMES' communication wi

have seen the straits to which be and his crew

were reduced, and the difficulties that they had to

contend with, in consequence of the very unfair and

unusual course adopted by Earl RUSSELL with re

gard to the dealings of this country in the matter

of the vessels of the belligerents sending prizes into
our ports. If counted by the span of time the
Alabama has had but a short life, bat the chronicles

of fame take no note of weeks or months, and,
according to this calendar, her existence has

appertain to her history read more like one of those
tales which used to delight an earlier generation
than the records of doings which belong to this
laggard age. So far then there is not so much to
regret in the sudden end of this celebrated vessel—
she seems to have fulfilled the intention of her crew,
and not to have left a wreck behind for her foes to
triumph over. Doubtless there will be most ex-
treme rejoicing in New York when the news of
Sunday's conflict reaches there, but they must
remember that instead of now boasting at the
victory they might consider the length of time that
it has taken to catch this terror of their navy. The
end must come to all triumphs, a tid the end• of
the Alabama has not been a mean or unworthy
close to a career of daring and adventure. She has
gone down to an ocean grave fighting valiantly,
with courage undaunted, and zeal that knew no
abatement, if we lament that her victories are
o'er, that the skilful little craft can no more plough
the waves, there remains other points of satisfac-
tion to mitigate the regret, and the crew who so
gallantly defended her will rejoice that she is safe
under the great waters from the grasp of a cruel
foe, and may not serve their triumphs when they
return to tell their friends of the fight and victory.

Alderman SALOMON'S Bill for purchasing South-
wark and Waterloo Bridges appears to have given
rise to some dissatisfaction on the part of the rate-
payers of the metropolis. The bill which the
Alderman has introduced into Parliament is de-
signed to facilitate the passage of traffic across the
Thames within the metropolis, and it is proposed
that power should be given to the Metropolitan
Board of Works to purchase any one or more of the
seven proprietary bridges -within the area of their
jurisdiction, and to levy a rate not exceeding a
penny in the pound for the purpose of defraying
the expense of such purchase, the power to levy the
rate being granted until January Ist, 1884. This
does not appear to be by any means an unjust or
extravagant scheme. It it, evident from the very
fact of there being seven proprietary bridges within
the are of the metropolis that there is great need
of some reform. These bridges give rise to very
great inconvenience on the part of the poorer classes,
a fact sufficiently proved by the thinness of the
population in their vicinity. The toll, too, has the
injurious effect of encouraging the overcrowding
of the busy thoroughfares on the Middlesex side,
since labouring men and others, who are forced to
live near their work, object to adding the amount of
the weekly toll to their rent. If a working man
has to pass to and fro even twice a day, the
amount will be sixpence a week, and sixpence
a week makes a good deal of difference in four or
flee shillings rent. -Where the men go home to
dinner, &a., the amount is. of course, doubled, and
so they crowd their families away on the north side
of the river, while the south in many parts remains
comparatively bare, Ratepayers have a good right
and good cause to watch jealously any addition to
their burdens, but in the present instance their
opposition is scarcely well-founded, seeing that
they themselves will participate in the relief. It

is most probable that by far the greater number of
ratepayers have occasion to cross some of the toll
bridges several times in the course of the year, and
if they do so in vehicles they are now paying an
amount which is nearly equal to a moderate rate,
for, tis it is only proposed to purchase one bridge
at a time, the full amount of one penny per pound
need certainly not be levied. All the arguments
against turnpikes apply with double force to toll.
gates o❑ bridges, and it is a most inconvenient and
unsatisfactory way of levying money. It adds very
much to the confusion at Loddonsbridge and other
of our great thoroughfares, since heavy waggons,
&c., are naturally sent by the free bridges, and so
they are overcrowded to a dangerous extent. All
the metropolitan highways and byeways should be
free, and the traffic over old Father Thames should
be free also. If we object to impositions on our
trade, and obstructions to our commerce, we should
certainly remove these impediments which come
under both heads, and are entirely opposed to the
whole spirit of our legislation.

not been small nor insignificant. She has been It has always been felt that the claims of those
hard at work from the outset, through all the who devote their lives to the public service deserve
storms and conflicts of her fitful course, paramount consideration at the hands of the nation.
until she has sunk gallantly fighting to the Soldiers and sailors more especially are entitled to
last, the ruling spirit strung in death. It was no relief and assistance in times of sickness and dis-
tame and easy victory, no playing at fighting, that tress, since they are called upon to sacrifice and to
ensued when this pride of the Confederate navy risk so much on behalf of their countrymen. Eng-
went down into the great waters, on which she had land, never slow to acknowledge a claim upon her
played so conspicuous a part, and where her hard- gratitude or her kindness, has readily responded to
earned laurels had been won. When the minor the wants and requirements of her disabled or
events of this long and arduous conflict between superannuated naval and military servants; and it
the States of North America are put into the shade Chelsea and Greenwich do not fully accomplish the
of oblivion, there will stand out conspicuous the works for which they were designed, it is not the
feats of the Alabama, and the memory of this fault of their original founders, nor is it owing to
vessel will survive as an example of what may be a want of sympathy and approbation for their
achieved by daring and dexterity. Conclusive as objects on the part of the public. But until lately
the details afforded by the various accounts un- there was a great lack of care for the families of
doubtedly are, itmay be said that they are not wholly these brave men, and the various institutions and
uusatisfectory to the friends and admirers of the associations designed to benefit and assist the
distinguished vessel. They may read events which soldier, and left the important work of caring for
would not disgrace a ship of far more power and
those dear to him undone. The soldier's daughter
magnitude. There was no wavering nor hesitation, has an especial claim upon our care, since she is
bat the greatest energy and spirit were evinced deprived of the counsel and protection of a father,
throughout the conflict, which was sharp,short, and perhaps during the most important part of her life,
severe, In some respects this was a fitting end for
if he is stationed abroad. bh© is liable at any
a vessel that has throughout its whole career bean, moment to be orphaned by the casualties of man or
as it were, a thing per se and totally distinct from the evil influences of an unhealthy climate. An
others. It was as well that a startling finale expedition like the Ashantee affair makes many
should succeed to a course that was alone in its orphans, and it is not too much to expect that the
strange outset, and unmatched in its meridian blaze nation shall care for those helpless ones whom the
of day and triumphant tide of success. While the soldier has left behind him. The Soldier's
Federals will
rejoice without stint at this fulfil- D Aughter's Hume, at Hampstead, was provided
went of their hopes, their opponents will reserve to eight years ago, for the purpose of educating and
themselves the right of satisfaction at the gallantry providing for soldiers' daughters. It was opened
which marked the closing act of this strange affair. under the auspices of the late Prince Consort, and
Death and defeat towered around the Alabama as
she sunk under water her has been patronised by many distinguished per-
,
but dishonour was not there; and it
deck covered with dead sons ; still it is unsatisfactory to find that at
and dying,
tidionthatot, in some respects, this
a venture which was the annual meeting held on the anniver-
sary, of its opening on Saturday last,
ism aay ' fitting
the report stated the number of annual therefore,subscrip-
ter
termination
bei
ns
aa
desperate but dashingly carried out, which was
tions to be diminished. The financial condition of
fraught with hazard, and where the chances could the house is at present good, but its progress rests
nut always be on the side of gain. lt seems that
on an insecure foundation, unless the annual sub-
there was considerable difference in the advantages
scribers hold their ground. The practical working
of the two vessels, the Kearsage being chain-plated
of the Institution is very satisfactory. The girls
under her outside planking. Those on board the
Alabama were not aware of this circumstance. It who have left it are doing well in the world; one
of them has gained a scholarship, and is in training
appears at first sight that Captain SEM3Es,wa,
for a schoolmistress ; others are in service and
rash in thus engaging the Kearsage ; but there s
attended to and receive prizes for good conduct,
no doubt that he had some reasons for BO doing, from. while the average number in the house is 162. A
the fact of his sending his valuables on shore pre-
proof of the great need that exists for such an
viously to entering on the momentous struggle, establishment is given by the fact that more than a
such conduct seems to prove that it wee not foot. hundred applications have been refused for want of
hardiness at all events that urgcd him on, but the funds. It is gratifying to find that soldiers then,- '
conviction that the exigencies of the case demanded selves appreciate its value, since we are told that
the venture of whbse issue he was doubtful. It will contributicns from regiments are on the increase,
be a source of satisfaction to nearly all who peruse and the committee have wisely resolved on grant- '
the details, that the gallant captain has been saved, log to regiments contribating a requisite sum the ;
not only that his life has been preserved, but that
privilege of nomina;,ing regimental scholars. The
he has been preserved from his enemies. Judging
Duke of WELLINGTON, and other gentlemen who •
from past experience, the Federals were not likely
attended the meeting, desirous of putting the ;
to show much consider ation to a foe who had done
regular income of the institution on a better foot- ,
them so much mischief arid always seemed so im- lug, increased the amount of their annual subscripe
poseible to catch. Certainly the laurels of the
tions, thereby giving practical evidence of their
contest are all on the side of the Confederates, and
interest in its success. e hops that a good many
which ever way we lock at things courage and W
ethers will follow their example, since the import-
careero ers
constancy seem to belong to them exclusively. The
of the Alabama has been a 1 omance from auce of protection regular trainingfor soldiers'
and
the outset, all the exploits and adventures that daughters must be evident to all. It has become

the wise and prudent custom ot late years, when
striving to benefit any particular class, to assist the
young belonging to it. Thus not only relieving
the chief anxiety and lightening the labours of the
parents, but conferring lasting good on another
generation. Little encouragement has been hitherto
given to our soldiers to form domestic ties, but in
the present day we are trying to make amends in
some degree for the errors of the past, and certainly
an Institution like the one alluded to affords not
only satisfaction for the present, but hope for the
future.