The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-24 00:00:00

SPIIIIT OF THE -PUBLIC JOURHALS.

TIMES.---Yesterday both houses were crowded to
hear the Ministerial el-planations which it was
thought must folksy the important meeting of the
Conference on Wednesday. Seldom has such
anxiety been shown for the appearance of a Minis-
ter in his place as preceded the arrival of Lord
Palmerston in the House of Commons ; seldom have
the tedious gentlemen who begin the evening's
business been listened to with more obvious demon-
strations of impatience. The curiosity of the public
was, however, not destined to be fatly gratified.
The Conference meets again to-morrow, and
though it is known that at this meeting it is likely
only to transact some formal buetness, the Govern-
ment is not at liberty to presume that negotiations
are at an end. As long as the Conference lasts it
is possible that some proposition may be made tend•
ing to the restoration of peace, and it would be pre-
mature, therefore, to make any announeem-nt im-
plying that a final rupture has taken place. The
crisis is so serious and the deliberations on which
the Ministry must enter are so important that every
one will rejoice that they have three or four days to
consider their situation and their policy. The Cabi-
net will meet to-morrow, and on Monday next the
Premier will lay on the table of the house the pro-
ceedings of the Conference, and will make a state-
ment on the important subjects which have occupied
its attention. The country will then have anoppor-
tunity of judging how far its honour has been main-
tained in the past transactions, and how far the re-
commendations of the Government deserve its con-
fidence for the future. Of one thing, however, we
Way, happily, be certain. The protocols of the Con-
ference we'l make known not only how constant and
urgent have been the efforts of the British represen-
tatives to devise means for the preservation of peace,
but also how greatly the foreign members of the Con-
ference, including those most opposed to our views,
have valued and acknowledged the good faith and
courtesy of our Government, Whatever may be the
end of the negotiations, no one will charge us, and
we shall not have to eharge ourselves, with any fault
of the nature either of rudeness or of deceit. Our
representatives have neither allowed their convic-
tions to hurry them into any bitterness of expression,
nor their policy to lead them into any dissembling
of their intentions. They have with perfect fairness
and courtesy explained the principles on which
they take their stand, and convinced every one,
both ally and adversary, that their only desire has
been to maintain the peace of Europe, and to pre-
vent, if possible, an ancient and respectable State
from being despoiled in pursuance of theories which,
if carried oat, would bring humiliation on the great
German Powers themselves. We believe the Pfenie
potentiaries of each State will be found ready to
confess that if war, prolonged and embittered, is to
be the fate of Northern Europe, the fault is not to
be attributed to the counsels of our statesmen. As
regards the foreign members of the Conference the
opinion of our Government is equally favourable.
They have, as far as they have exercised any inde-
pendent judgment, shown a tendency to discuss the
proposals submitted to them in a fair and triendly
spirit, and it is probable that had they been
empowered to deliberate and decide, and. not re-
stricted to the communication of decisions made
elsewhere, the result of the Conference might have
been different. As it is, they have been delegates
acting strictly under the instructions of statesmen
who had come to a foregone conclusion on all
the subjects in debate. They will separate with
mutual good will and respect, though perhaps with
no high notion of the advantages to be gained from
such meetings as those in which they have played a
decorous pert for the past few weeks. The German
Plenipotentiaries will, however, be able to inform
their Governments from personal observation that
in no class of English society has thine been any
animosity ag'.inst their country or any wish to
humble it, but that the action of Government
and people has been influenced only by a convict
tion that the Danish Government was defending
rights which it is for the general advantage to
maintain. The Conference has failed ; but we
think it really desired its own success, Tne time
and labour may not have been wholly lost it
some of its members carry beck to their own
countries a conciliatory temper, which may have its
consequences when they are placed in positions of
more real power. However, all is over, and it is for
Her Majesty's Government to decide what is the
course now to be taken. In what way should a great
nation act which finds that its efforts to restore peace
among its neighbours have been made in vain ?
For several months, by constant communication with
both parties, by alternate advice and remonstrance,
ny counsels that were generally wise, mingled here
and there with expressions that may have been im-
prudent, the Government of this country has sought
to hinder the deplorable events of which a new series
will begin on Monday next. Both sides have lis-
tened to us with an outward show of respect, but
have in the end followed the bent of their own in-
stincts and taken to war, because in war they have
seen their best prospect of gaining their respective
ends. The Germans would fight because a campaign
gives them Schleswig; the Danes because they
fancy that war, by calling others to their assistance,
will give them the whole or part of the Duchy in
absolute possession, while a continuance of the old
relations without the Constitution of November
would in no long time alienate Schleswig as much
as Holstein, In the last act of this drama the
situation of the leading personages is as strange
as can be imagined. Prussia and Austria on the
one side, and Denmark on the other, the invaders
and the invaded, the tyrants and their victim, are
found entirely agreed on the subjects in dispute.
Each party rejects our scheme of arbitration, each
natty desires to settle the matter by the sword.
England addresses useless remonstrances to both,
and to strengthen her pacific representation turns in
vain to France and Russia, who on their part affect
unconcern, and look on the unequal combat with a
feeling no stronger than curiosity. This is, no doubt:,
a most embarrassing position for a neutral Power
which has pronounced strongly in favour Of peace.
We find that the belligerents do not accept it, that
the other neutrals are indifferent about it, and that
the only way that we can promote it seems to be by
going to war ourselves, and choosing as our ally
one of the two parties who have rejected our pre-
sets. It is a matter that will call for all the delibe-
raton which the experienced statesmen at the head
of effairs can give it during the next three days.
Whatever may be the duty of this country will, we
feel sure, be readily undertaken by all classes; and
her Majesty's Government need have no fear of
lacking support in any measure which may be
necessary to maintain the honour and interests of
the nation or the general safety of Europe. If these
be endangered by the contest which is to recom-
mence on Sunday, if the Government be really able
to show Parliament that on the fields of Schleswig
great English interests are at stake, whether mate-
rial or moral, there will be no unwillingness on the
part of the nation to act with vigour. If assured
on these points, Parliament would be bound seri-
ously to consider whether the policy of mediation
which has been hitherto practised should be aban-
doned for one of a less peaceful character. This
most weighty question, with all its momentous
issues, we leave for the present to the Government,
lieving that it will be time enough to discuss any
proposal for a change of the national policy when
that proposal has been made on the responsibility
of the Cabinet.

PosT.—For some time past numerous complaints
have been made from year to year against the
laws which regulate the registration of voters. Last
autumn, while the revision courts were at work
throughout the country, these complaints were
more loud than usual. Thousands of voters in
different districts, whose right to the franchise
was round to be undoubted, were compelled to
appear before the revising barrister under pain of
losing their electoral privileges. In those counties,
eepecially, where the two great political parties are
pretty equally divided, the complaints of indignant
electors were numerous beyond all precedent ; and
the grievance was, in truth, not a light one, It is
hard to have a right put iu jeopardy by the mere
caprice of a political opponent, and to be put to
the a:ternative of either losing it altogether, or of
being obliged to defend it at much inconvenience,
and often at considerable cost, The result is that
thin policy of objecting to votes upon frivohlooules otor
insufficient grounds is found upon
answer. Many persons will be always
ehoefdoiwuongd
their who
omit to take the proper meansl
yorefuse to take the
electoral rights. Some
osoitaidvveertence, fail to NM-
trouble ; others, throng
and thus these speculative
ply with the nquirementsiofothhieeeatciotnosf, Pasarltilleantte;
6tectioneerrHgfilto, aro turned
p operly terOle..
to very good aceLnt in the annual battle of tht
registration cotirot. Tt iA lrue
aremedy. The question is not. without revising
if satisfied that Et frivolous objection has
made to any vote, may order the objector to pay
beenba r rist er,
costs to the amount of 20s. The inadequacy of this
sum in cases of county voters is notorious. In order to
defend his vote a min is often required to produce
his title deeds, which are probably in the bands of
his solicitor in the county town, or, it may be, in
London. But wherever they may happen to be,
and whatever may be their antiquity or their bulk,
some one must be employed to bring them to the
registration court, and 20s. is the utmost amount
which their owner can recover in the shape
,of costs
for any expense he may have incurred. 'There is
another grievance connected with these objections
which render them still more vexatious. The party
whose right to vote is disputed has no means of as
certaining the ground which his adversary means t:
take until they are confronted in the whole court
He must, therefore, come prepared at all points to
defend his right, and the trouble and expense to

which he is put mv thus tir considerably increased.
Such are a few of the most prominent grievances
to which the present system of registration gives
rise, and which, after the lapse of two-and-twenty
years, an attempt is now being made to remove.
We allude to the Bill for the Amendment of
the Registration of County Voters, introduced
by Mr. Thdson, which, Vi 73 understand, will probably
receive the sanction of the Legislature during the
present session. Several of the provisions of this
bill are intended to remedy the evils which we have
shortly described. One section provides that all
objections, with the exception of those officially
made by the overseers, must "set forth in specific
terms the ground, or several grounds, of objection"
upon which it is intended to rely. And the same.
section provides that no person so objected to shall
be required to defend his vote before the revision
court upon any other point than that upon welch
he has received due notice. This would prove a
serious check upon the present vexatious system of
objecting to votes upon frivolous grounds, or, as is
very frequently the case, upon no grounds at all.
Nor would it leave the bona fide objector the
smallest ground of complaint, for it would be easy
for him to state his true reasons, if be had
any, for objecting to his neighbour's vote. The
points to be discussed before the revising barrister
would thus appear on the notice of ol4jection, and,
these being at once disposed of, there would be as
end of the case. No fishing questions would be
allowed, with the view of detecting some flaw in an
adversary's title, other than that set forth in the
notice which the latter has yeceived. Much irre-
levant and irritating discussion would be thug
avoided, which, from the uncertainty at present at-
tending the nature of objections, is at times likely
to arise. Another important provision, intended to
protect county voters from needless annoyance, i 5
contained in the 22d section of the proposed bill.
By this section any person whose vote has been
objected to may make a declaration upon oath in
answer to the grounds of objection alleged against
it, and setting forth the facts upon which he relies.
This declaration is afterwards to be transmitted to
the clerk of the peace for the county, and notice
of this fact is to be sent to the objector. If, not-
withstanding this declaration, and the reasons by
which it is supported, the objector still persist in
contesting the point, and he fails, the revising'
barrister is to be empowered to make him par
costs to the amount of £5 ; that is, five times the
amount which io any case can et present be
imposed. In ordinary cases in which the pair
objected to has not made a declaration on 080
in answer to the notice of objection, but has
simply appeared and defended his vote in the
court of revision, the barrister is to be em-
powered to give costs to the extent of £3, if he is
satisfied thut the objection is frivolous and vexatious-
These provisions, and others to which we need not
now refer, appear to be well calculated to protect
voters from annoyances to which they are noW
notoriously subject. It is also proposed to OA
various additional duties upon the clerks of the
peace and the overseers, which, we should imagine,
will lead to a considerable incresse of expense. But
considering that the present Registration Act toe
been in force since the year 1842, we need not be
surprised that it should now require amendment'
Upon the whole it has not worked badly, otherwise
it would not have remained so long unaltered. But
experience has clearly shown that it may be made
to cause much unnecessary annoyance to those for
whose protection it was especially designed—we
mean all bona 4de possessors of the franchise. We
believe that the bill before the House of Common•
will much diminish, it it does not remove, the exile
that are now complained of.

COUNTRY MARKETS.


MANCHESTER--THURSDAY.
A somewhat better attendi3:nce at our market to-day, but
English wheat was in shr,rt supply, and held for an
ad-
vance of is to 2s per qr, whien checked sales, but a fair
busing-ss occurred ht an improvement of is. American
brought 2d per 1001 b over previous quotations. Flour was
held for an amendment of is per saes, but only a limited
business. Oats and oatmeal in steady demand at former
rates. English and Egyptian beans were 6d dearer. la
Indian corn also there was a rise of 6d.

BURTON. ON.TR:
A fair show of grain at our
is ti 2s per qr.
Old white wheat ..42s to 46s I
New do. 4!s to 46s I
Malting bar1ey....328 to 35s
Grinding d0.....28s to 30s I

ENT—THURSDAY.
• market, and prices advaDred

Old red wheat„ 37s to 40a
New do. 3BB to 419
Oats, 198 to 289
348 to 429

BIRMINGHAM—THURSDAY.
Thera was a fair supr',',y of English wheat at market t6'
day, but the sale war, uull, and last week's prices were ad-
vanced is per qr. Barley was more inquired for. Beans
and oats were held for fully late prices Peas rather dearer.
—English wheat was sold at 40s to 443 for white, and 36s
to 423 per 36 stone for red, Barley, new malting, 303 to
383 per qr ; grinding, 24a to 26s Oats, old, 22s to 30s
per 30 stone ; Irish, 18s to 245. Beans, 36s to 40s per qr.
Peas, 34s to 38s per 36 stone.

BRISTOL—THL-ItsnAy.
A good supply of English wheat at market, for which
farmers asked extravagant prices, hut on the sales effected
the advance made was not over is to 2s per qr. Foreign
wheat sold freely at is advance upon late quotations. Oats
were in active request, and 6d dearer. Grinding barley .
good demand at a stmilar advance. Beans and Indian corn
were the turn higher in price.

EDINBURGH GRAIN--JUNE 22.
To. day there was a good supply of grain, which sad
at about last week's prices.
Wheat on the top Os 6d up ..... ....average Os 9d up.
Barley on the top 3s Od down .average Os 5d down,
Oats on the top 180 d down., average Os 4d down.,
Beans on the top is Od down. average Os 2d up.
Average Prices.
Wheat........ . 4oa 5d 1 Oats. 2os IV,
Barley .. ~,. 2Bs lld 1 Beans 353 Oa
Total Supply and Sales.
Wheat .1224 qrs Sold 981 qrs
Barley... 22s qrs Sold 129 qrs
Oats 1493 qrs Sold 1106 qrs
Beans l.O qrs Sold 76 qrs
Flour sells as follows :—Whites, 38s Od; extras, 365 Cd;
superfine, 34s Od ; fine, 32s Od.

Foreign Mail Packet List.

MAILS DUE.

Australia and Mauritius, via Southampton . June --**
via Marseilles July 14.
Brazil and Cape Verde, by British packet. July t'•
Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena June 29
China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southauipton June--:
via Marseilles June„

Falkland Islands
Gibraltar, via Southampton .....
India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton Junc--,;
via Marseilles June 2!:
India (Bombay), via Southampton
via Marseilles July 5.
Portugal.... ......
Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton Junejuly
via Marseilles
Newfoundland .... June V,
Oporto and Vigo
U. S. and British N. America, by Brit. packet.... June 30'
by U.S. packet....
by Canadian packet. June 26.
All parts of West Indies, including Chili, Peru, 2.5•
California. and Briti,,l; Columbia.... I June

FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT THE nicH3lols9
STATION.--Yesterday afternoon, about half-pest 3
o'clock, a shocking occurrence took place near the Richmond
station of the Windsor branch of the London and South-
Western Railway. A man, whose name is believed to be
Smith, while attempting to cross the railway was knocked
down by one of the down trains, the engine and carriages of
which passed over his body and limbs, frighttully mangling
the unfortunate man and causing instantaneous death. As
sosn as the dreadful accident was perceived, tan remains of
the poor fellow were removed from the spot where he was
killed and taken to the dead house at Richmond to awaiC
the coroner's inquest. The deceased, it is stated, was s
foreman to a builder. This branch of the South•\Vesteru
Railway has lately been singularly unfortunate with rgart.l
to oLcurreaces of this kind.