The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-26 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 2G, 1861.

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It is difficult to &fine the limits of the Schleswig-
Holstein question, or to say when the world will
Lecr the last of the plots and countet-pluis, the
rumours, propositions, and errangetnents

SEEM all but interm;nable. Perhaps the conspire,
tore believe that by complicating the affair they
may mystify people, and finally throw a doubt over
their minds as to who is right and wrong in the
matter. When a question comes before German
Diets it is generally to be predicted that its solu-
tion will not be very simple or very rapid. There
are so many forms and ceremonies to be gone
through, so .many prejudices to be humoured or
conciliated, that a satisfactory adjustment is tedious
and prolonged. It does not seem that the present
will afford any exception to the rule, and the meet-
ing at Weimar of the delegates and the committee
of tltr assembly of members of German Diets does
not appear to have made much progress, or to have
advanced very far towards the destined goal. There
is a recapitulation of the old story, and great stress
is laid upon the moral force which urged on the
great German Powers to fulfil the wishes of the
people of the Duchies, and of other States, to secure
the succession of the legitimate heir to the throne.
It is wearisome to go over the well-trodden ground,
but it is impossible to understand the tactics cf the
Germans without doing so. To what end they per-
aim in reiterating the same thing the uninitiated
might be puzzled to know ; but this is the wily
purpose of all aggressors, to persist in their self-

laudations until they have won over all waverers
to their standard. It is late in the day for the corn.
mittee to declare that they estimate rightly the im-
portance of the success gained by the liberation of
the Duchies, and the gain that has thence accrued
to Germany, The reason for this satisfaction is
still more strange that it is due to the national
Will, and in conformity with the national desires.
Much the Cabinets of Berlin and Vienna troubled
themselves as to whether the people cared for the
undertaking or not : the thirst for self-aggrandise-
ment, the greed for more possessions, urged them
on, and no idea of bowing to the dictates of the
national will or the expression of the popular feel-
ing. All is not secure we learn, however, as we
proceed, for the separation of Schleswig-Holstein
from Denmark was only half of the national pro-
gramme, and "even this was only attained by a
course diametrically opposed in more than one
direction to that desired by the nation, and marked
out by right." So much for the great sentiment of
magnanimity which should unite the German minds
in unison. It is now put forth to the world that
their justice is won by injustice, and that their
apparent attempts at unity of action and combina.
Lion of design are in reality but very lame and im-
potent conclusions. It is well known that there is
no one like a candid friend for telling one of one's
fay.lts, and dilating upon unpleasant consequences.
It would seem so indeed in the case of this inspect.
ing committee, who have continued to speak their
Wads pretty plainly as to what Las been done i
amiss or left undone by the German Powers. It
is said that the real aim is not yet accomplished,
banr..4, to constitute an independent State of
Sehttewig-Holstein. Against this various obstacles
interpose themselves, and it is further stated that
the proceedings of
the two great Powers " con-
sten tly challenge
anew the distrust of the nation."
This is to the point at any rate, and all must agree
as to its veracity. " A 9 they declined to allow the
people of Schleswig-liolstein to participate in the
conflict, as they subsequently refused .
a voice to
in debating the terms of peace, Be they still with-
hold from it the execution of its right to participate
in the decision of the internal future of the
country." This is one of the best strictures
yet furnished against the insincerity of the goi.
tfisant friends of the Duchies; and coning from
'uch a quarter the sting of its satire is rendered

The enforced retirement of the popular and re.
spected Earl of CARLISLE from his Viceregal dig-
nity has brought up again a question of consider-
able importance to the sister kingdom. Tho total
abolition of that costly and profitless office has long
been hinted at, and by degrees the whispers have
grown into open suggestions. Men ask for what
purpose the Lord Lieutenancy is retained, without
obtaining a satisfactory answer. It cannot be said
to fulfil any legislative office which might not be
otherwise providad for, while so far from gratify-
ing the Irish it appears to be looked upon with
suspicion and disfavour by a large body of the
people, who openly assert that it indirectly favours
and fosters thoso national and sectarian jealousies

triai,ll a< o Elao I.> art ooF élao 00 ~+kvy Tr we are to
accept the views of an anonymous Irishman, who
has recently indited a pamphlet* oa this subject,
as at all representative of the feelings of his coun-
trymen, the retention of the viceregal establishment
is very little kindness to the people of Dublin, or
indeed any part of Ireland. It is not very likely
that the Whigs, while in office, will see fit to
abolish so convenient a piece of patronage and so
comfortable a sinecure, but in waiting for the days
when the cold shade of opposition awakes their
dormant energies in favour of reform, it may be
worth while to examine into some of the arguments
of the gentlemen who choose to assume to the extra-
ordinary pseudonym of " Eblanensis." Separating a
great deal of wordy declamation and extravagant
imagery from the more substantial and business-like
portion of his essay, we find the principal charges
which he brings against the office are its inju-
rious influence on the administration of public jus-
tice, its inevitable dragging of the dignity of the
Crown into partisanship, and the unwitting en-
couragement which it gives to the warfare between
rival creeds and factions, These would be very
serious evils could they only be brought forward
against great and commensurate good, but when
there is really nothing to show beyond empty
form, Englishmen and Irishmen alike may well
pause and inquire why there ;should be a Lord
Lieutenant at all ? The accusation as to the bad
effect of the Viceroyalty upon public justice, the
writer substantiates at some length, maintaining
that from the very constitution of the Irish
system, justice is subject to influences in its dis-
pensation which " necessarily corrupt it, destroy its
even-handed character, and break the confidence of
the public in its purity." He contrasts the un.
biassed position of the English Home-Secretary
with the situation of the Lord-Lieutenant. The
former, responsible to the Crown and to Panties
went, subject to rigid cross-questioning on every
official act, obtains all his information through the
regular channels, and would be insulted were
it proposed to bring him in contact with
irresponsible parties. The latter, from the
very circumstances of his position is easy of
access to all interested in the furtherance or the
hindrance of a cause. It is difficult for the most
impartial to preserve a strict neutrality, while the
general public preserve no neutrality at all. When
a crime is committed, says the writer of the pam.
phlet before us, the first question asked is, whether
it is an agrarian outrage P followed by an inquiry as
to the respective religions of the parties coneerned,the
amount of the Government reward, and the degree
of official energy with which the case is taken up.
Upon these facts being ascertained people range
themselves naturally on either side as with us in a
political contest, and " the parties interested on one

or other side of the question throw their force into
the future procccdings, as if it were a game of skill
to be decided, not on the merits of the case, but by
the adroitness, energy, and perseverance of the
backers on either side." In cases of civil right the
same partisan and religious prejudices come into
play, so that instead of all creeds and parties laying
aside their differences to join in the punishment of
the evil-doer, the offence is made an occasion of
displaying those differences to the utmost, and
right and wrong, by one common consent, made

subservient to the great ends of party triumph
and defeat. It is this unfortunate state of
things which the anomalous position of the
Viceroy fosters instead of discouraging, and
hie combination of the duties of bead of
the executive and representative of Royalty

* " Appeal to Cmsar ; or, Ireland's Last Falter Struck Off.''
BY Ebleaensio. Boone, New Boncl,ktreet, 104.