The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-02 00:00:00

THE, SUN", LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JGNE 2, 1864.

alike of friends and of foes, equally of the faithful
and of the impious—it is that which has here spoken,
and which has spoken thus—alone—to the nation
that is being crucified !
Turn by turn, however, in the sequel of his argu-
ment, the Count de MONTALEMBERT arraigns, as
we have already expressed it, the great natione of
the west, to whom, collectively and separately, the
Victim Nation has during these last 18 months of
her agony appealed, but, as the world knows, altoge-
ther in vain. France, England, Germany, Italy—he
takes them one by one into painful and afflicted con-
sideration. What we of course have most to do with,
here, wo turn to at once with all eagerness. " Eng-
land!" exclaims the Count DE MONTALEMBERT, in
anguish—be who best, we believe, among all living
Frenchmen, possibly among all continental Euro-
peans, appreciates us English and our political
institutions—" England !" exclaims this conspicu.
Ous friend and admirer of England and of English
Institutions—" how, can I paint here the mournful
pity with which the lamentable decrepitude of her
foreign policy (the foreign policy of this England
we were so proud of) inspires nowadays
even her best friends, even her most faithful
admirers ? Day after day they speak to us
exultantly of the incontestable progress of des
mocracy in the bosom of this great free people.
But what matters that, if these advances
are only simultaneous with the decadence
but too clearly manifest now (through her foreign
policy) of her energy, of her capacity, of her integ-
rity in the management of the affairs of Europe."
And so forth. We care not to continue, here, the
si3licting remonstrance. The decadence of our
national influence, as represented by our foreign
policy, is only too painfully apparent. It admit',
in simple fact of no denial. But, the responsibility
of it appertains—this in effect is our one consolation,
as it is also our profound and ineradicable convic-
tion—the responsibility of it devolves, not upon
the Nation! It devolves solely and exclusively upon
the Government, by whom the nation is misrepre-
sented at so many points—all of them of gigantic
importance—in regard to the Poles, in regard to
the Danes, in regard to the Confederates.

seating imprisoned felons in a sort of state with
lacqueys attending to them and all around awaiting
their orders. Lord CARNARVON faithfully depicted
a great part of the cause of these evils when he men-
tioned that blame attached itself to the Judges and
the Home Secretary. The former persisted in pass-
ing short sentences upon these offenders, and by
this means society was not perfectly protected, and
also there was exhibited on the part of the Home
Secretary so much uncertainty, vacillation, and
misplaced tenderness towards great and notorious
criminals that crime received a fresh impulse in this
country. This description very naturally portrays
the state of things prior to the formation of a Royal
Commission, and the final introduction of this mea-
sure, which is, at any rate, a remedial one, and pro-
mises, if faithfully carried out in its several
ramifications to effect scme progress in the
much desired path of reform. Lord CARNARVON
was in favour of the system of police supervision.
This may be necessary, but great care should be
exercised in its workings, in order that mischief
may not be done by the adoption of means supposed
`and intended to be remedial. Much harm may be
done to the discharged convict if caution is not em-
ployed in following his movements and tracing the
changes that may have taken place in his character.
At the same time, it cannot be denied that it is very
necessary to try some plan for the eognisance of the
doings of these dangerous characters. The Irish
system appears, from all accounts, to be a very good
one, and it would be well if it were more implicitly
followed in this country. If a great and beneficial
change does not take place in our prisons and con-
vict establishments, it will be very discreditable,
after the universal sentiment of public cpinion
which has been expressed on the matter, and an-
other failure will necessitate the whole subject com
ing before Parliament, and a complete revision and
remodelling of the whole system fundamentally.

It is a lamentable fact that one of the direct
afflictions that befall humanity is at the same time
desolating the Old and New Worlds. Civil war is
devastating the ancient and effete empire which
claims to be the leader of civilisation, while it is
sapping the strength and retarding the progress of
the great Western Republic, whose admirers would
have us regard it as the model of political wisdom.
Iu America, and in China alike, the horrors of inter
necine strife are tending to the ruin of the nation
and the wretchedness of the people; differing, how-
ever, in the two countries from the fact that in one
they are the product of a chronic and well-nigh
hopeless complaint, in the other the result of a fierce
and acute disorder. Our dealings with the two
cases have been systematically different. We have
tried intervention in the one case, and non-inter-
vention in the other. We have treated unques-
tionable rebels as belligerents, and have, on the
other hand, refused to look upon belligerents as any
other than rebels. Men, money, and ships have
been at the service of the one civil war, while the
other has waged fiercely for three years without
obtaining that verbal interference or acknowledg •
ment which some persons think would be sufficient
to arrest its progress. But in neither case has our
Government contrived to escape blame, and in both
instances it has bad the satisfaction of being called to
account for contributing by its conduct to the waste of
blood and treasure, and the wholesale misery inflicted
by civil war. Their offence in the trans-Atlantic
struggle has been a negative one, but with regard
to China they are more seriously involved. From
time to time the questions appertaining to our
Chinese policy are discussed in the House generally
with the same result. It usually happens that no
decided movement results from these debates, vet
they are not without service as reflecting in some
degree the mixed feelings of the country. The dis-
cussion of Tuesday evening was one that could not
be overlooked, whether from the political et ,ndir4
of the hon. member who introduced it, from the
length to which it extended, the number and variety
of the speakers, or the masterly menner in which
Lord PALMERSTON disposed of the arguments of his
adversaries. The case is undoubtedly a difficult
and a complicated one. It is not to be met by a few
general maxims, nor capable of being treated by a
panacea like that recommended by Mr. COBDEN.
The vicissitudes of Chinese civil war are certainly no
business of ours, and it is idle to talk of interfering
on the grounds of humanity and hatred of bloodshed,
while we leave the great Western struggle to go
on unchecked. But it is also none of our making,
and had an Englishman never set foot in China the
Taeping rebellion would have been raging all the
same. The real difficulty of the case lies in out
commercial interests, welch are of course also the
commercial interests of Chi a, and hon. gentlemen;
who censure so severely the policy of the Govern-
ment in defending the treaty ports do not show any
conclusive reason ashy we should surrender out
rights, damage our commerce, and suffer serious in
jury to be inflicted on the Chinese themselves by
the destruction of their trade because a civil war
has broken out in another part of the Empire. Mr.
COBDEN, in his severe strictures upon our Chinese
policy, remarked that " it was a remarkable fact
that this is the only foreign country in which We
have sought to force tr de by violence and war, and
it is the only country which forms an exception to
the progress made in our commercial dealings."
The hon. gentleman forgot, however, that the de-
preesion of trade must be attributed rather to the
internal commotions of the Empire than to any
interference of ours. Lord PALMERSTON, it is true,
maintained that our trade with China was by to
means in the condition represented by Mr. COBDEN,
ill
but it is evident that if it fails to realise the expec-
tations of our merchants at present, such a state of
things is owing to the war in the silk districts, the
piracy, See., which Mr. COBDEN and his Mende
would leave unchecked. Whether we can rea-
sonably hope that peace will be soon esta-
blished is, as Lord PALMERSTON observed, beyond
the power of any man to predict. But having esta-
blished commercial relations with that country, and
thus opening to our trade an outlet, including one•
third of the human race, there can be no reason
why we should draw back now from the position
attained with so much difficulty. It is no more a
selfish policy to protect our relations with china
than to follow out the interests of commerce in any
other shape. It is certainly very undesirable that
we should, as a nation, interfere in their internecine
ware, but we have every right to defend those
treaty por:s to which we have some claim. Mr.
• difficulty. It requires
COBDEN'S suggestion of the establishmentofopn
ports presents one very serious
would
the consent of the Chinese themselves, who
never agree to such a plan. The question of piracy
is one which needs prompt and careful attention,
for the extent to which it is carried in Chinese
waters is something startling. Of itself, it is suffi-
cient to cripple the most flourishing trade. We
read with astonishment Mr. COBIiEN'S declaration
that he wants to see the state of things existing 15
or 20 years ago restored, and the order which for-
bade the destruction of pirates, unless they were
proved beyond all question to have attacked a
square-rigged vessel. He wishes this order to
supersede the very moderate and sensible instruc-
tions issued by Admiral EXPER last year, when
he directed that Chihese vessels should on no so
count be destroyed by her MATEE3II'S ships, unless

The second reading of the Penal Servitude Acts
Amendment Bill was not achieved without a dis-
cussion, in the course of which some very wise
suggestions were made, but they do not seem to
have been paid much heed to. Lord CRANWORTH'S
motion was the wisest of all—that transportation
offered the best means of disposing of the convicts
generally: It is very much to be regretted that it
was not contrived in some way or other to carry
out the recommendations of the commissioners—
there are so many reasons in favour of the plan,
and it seems to offer an advantage to all sides.
Here in this country we are set free from the
great anxiety of watching these men, and are re-
lieved from the fear of their renewing their depre-
dations, which brought them originally into trouble.
The men themselves are no doubt greatly bentfitted
by the change. They can lead a new life, in the
strict and literal acceptation of the term. If disposed
to redeem their evil ways, they meet with encou-
ragement on all sides; if inclined to relapse into
wrong paths, they ere saved the great danger of
their former companions in vice surrounding them,
and danger is put far behind them. As for the
colonists themselves, they would be the gainers in
acquiring so much more assiitance in their numerous
undertakings. It is inconsistent for them now to
raise such an outcry, when they were at one time
most glad to meet with the aid of those they now
scam. The chief absurdity of the clamour that
has been made regarding this proposition is, that
there would be no likelihood of the convicts escap-
ing from Western Australia. As the inhabitants there
did net object, it was an arrogant assumption, and
a piece of unjustifiable interference on the part of
the other colonists, to make themselves so disagree-
able and unaccommodating. Lord GRANVILLE said
that " from each of the colonies, except Western
Australia, there came the strongest remonstrance!'
This affirms the report that has already been cir-
culated concerning the idea that it was prejudice
which urged the minds of those who put so decisive
a negative on the suggestion, and made their veto
of exclusion the signal that doomed hundreds of
their fellow creatures to a wretched fate at home.
instead of entering on a new existence in distant
lards. Lord GRANVILLE'S arguments on this point
are very inconclusive, because a Government is not
bound to attach importance to the unreasonable
demands of colonists, although their unjust repre-
sentations should never be overlooked. For this
reason it appears that a mistake has been made in
Ignoring the request of Western Australia to allow
the convicts to be sent to a greater extent, and in
acceding to the overbearing request of the other
colonies to desist from the enterprise determined on.
One of the first fruits of the pernicious workings of
this act has been to give up the proposal of the
commissioners to make seven years the minimum
term of a sentence to penal servitude. It has been
reduced to five, and thus an important future in the
disciplinarian system has been changed through the
unwise acquiescence in a chimerical notion. Lord
CARNARVON'S opinions on such a subject
as that of this debete are always worth
listening to, and it is satisfactory to
find that to a great degree he approved of this
measure, although ha also was disappointed at the
turn events had taken respecting the plan of trans-
portation. He very forcibly illustrated his view of
the subject in contradiction to the arguments used
by some, regarding the universality of the Austra-
lian settlement which was opposed to it, by saying
that " So far from their being a universal concur-
rence of opinion in opposition to it, the district of
Moreton Bay had itself petitioned for an increase of
convicts." Very true were the strictures passed by
he noble lord on the style of the systems which
have hitherto prevailed in this country regarding
the convicts, and the notable failure of their work-
ings. Certainly there can be no doubt that they
have not accomplished two very important deside-
returns; they have neither bestowed satety on the
public, nor exercised a check on the offending par-
ties to restrain them from further mischief, and on
others to deter them from following so very per.
nicious an example. There have been some grievous
errors extant in the old plan, and the prospect of
their being early partially rectified is at any rate
satisfactory in its way. Lord CARNARVON stated
that,the principle of tho Bill was to inflict "sharp
and certain sentences," and he did not deny
that he approved of this notion. It has been proved
by experience that it is a
positive cruelty to the
unhappy individuals themselves to pamper them
relaxation
z
in such habits of luxury, and to afford them
firstone
prisonsand tihnensomaneother
another, so
thatrespects
more prone to the commission of error than
they quiteln
theira tio
when they entered it, by not having their passions
subdued by stern treatment and their period of
durance rendered, in reality, a penance, as it should
be in all things consistent with the • preservation of
their health and strength. Nothirg has been of
more detriment to society than that specious senti-
mentalism which transferred to the criminal the
sympathy and consideration which belonged of
right to his victim, and so confused the relative
bearings of things, and the issues of right and wrong
that caricaturists were not out of place in repro.

the officers were requested by competent Chinese
LA'EST INTELLIGENCE
authorities to do so, or airless a pirate was caught IGENCE•
in the act of piracy. This order calls forth Mr.
COBDEN'S stern reproof; but it is only reasonable
and just that we should lend our aid to the sup-
pression of that piracy which is so disastrous to
Chinese trade. Notwithstanding the hon. member
for Rochdale's able and temperate speech, and
the fierce invectives of the member for Birmingham,
there seems little ground for censuring the course
which several successive Governments have pur-
sued in endeavouring to foster our trade with
China by every means in their power. Members
are often too ready to attribute the want of faith,
the cruelty and injustice so common with Eastern
nations, to some fault on the side of our authorities,
and en Englishman's natural horror of unnecessary
violence and bloodshed makes them too prompt to
pass severe censures without fall iutormation. Of
this we had recently a striking example in the case
of the Kagosima ; and we should have thought
that that lesson might have taught the hon. mem-
ber for Rochdale and his associates to be less sus-
picious of the Eastern policy of our Statesmen.

LREUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]
AMERICA.
(Per North American, via Crookhaven.)
NEW YORK, MAY 21 (Morning).

On the evening of the 19th inst. General Ewell's
corps made an unsuccessful effort to turn Grant's
right.

The Federals captured 300 prisoners and lost 700
n killed and missing.

General Beauregard is in General Butler's imme-
diate front preparing to assault his entrenchments.
General Sherman has reached o.ssevilie.

A great battle is imminent at. Atalanta.
Mr. Stanton, Secretary of War, announces that
25,000 veteran troops have been sent to reinforce
Genera) Grant.

PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION,

Toe author of the forged proclamation of Presi-
dent Lincoln has teen arrested and sent to Fort
Lafayette. He concocted the proclamation for
speculative purposes.

HOUSE OF CO nMONS, JUNE 1.
TESTS ABOLITION (OXFORD) BILL.

Order for committee read, Motion made and question
proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave th
Amendment proposed, to leave out from the word " That"
to the end of the question, in order to add the words
" this house will, upon this day three months, resolve
itself into the said committee," instead thereof. Question
put, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part
of the question," Tho house divided—Ayes, 236 ; Noes,
226.

NEW YORK, MAY 21 (Evening).

----
AYES —236.
Adair, li. E. Fenwick, E. M. Norris, J. T.
Adani, W. P. Fenwlck, 11. North, F.
Agnew, Sir A. lermoy, Lord O'Brien, Sir P.
Alcock, T. Finch, C. W. O'Conor Don, The
Andover, Lord Finlay, A. S. O'Logtilen, Sir C.
Anstrucher, Sir R. Fitzroy, Lord F. Onslow, U.
Antrobus, E. Fitzwilliam, C. W. Owen, Sir H.
Ath umney, Lord Foljambe, F. J. S. Pac&e, Col.
Ayrton, A. S. Forster, C. Paget, C.
Aytoun. it. S. Forster, W. E. Paget, Lord C.
Bagwell, J. Foster, W. 0. Pea,e, H.
Baines, E. Fortescue, F. D. Peel, Sir R.
Baring, Sir F. Fortescue, C. S. Peel, F.
Baring, 'l'. G. French, Col. Fender, J.
Baxter, W. E. Gaskell, J. M. Peto, Sir M.
Bazley, T. Gibson, T. 31. Pilkington, J.
Beaumont, W. B. Gilpin, C. Pinney, Col.
Beaumont, S. Gladstone, W. E. Ponsonby, A.
Bellew, R. M. Glyn, G. C. Potter, E.
Berkeley, 11. F. Goldsmid, Sir F. Powell, J. J.
Biddulph, Col. Gower, F. L. Pryse, E. L.
Black, A. Greene, J. Ramsden, Sir J. W.
Blake, J. Greenwood, J. Ricardo, 0.
Blencowe, J. G. Gregson, S. Robartes, 'l'. J. A.
Bouverie, E. P. Greaten, H. R. Robertson, 1).
Bouverie, P. P. Grey, Sir G. Rothschild,Baron II
Brand, IL Gurdon, B. Russell, A.
Bright, J. Gurney, S. Russell, Sir W.
Brown, J. Haulleai, G. St. Aubyn, J.
Browne, Lord J. T. Danbury, R. Scholene,d, W.
Bruce, H. A. Haud ey, J. Scott, Sit W.
Buchanan, W. Hankey, T. Scully, V.
Buckley, Gen. Hardcastle, J. A. Seely, C.
Buller, J. W. Hartington,3larquis Seymour, Danby
Burke, Sir T. J. Ilayter, sir W. Seymour, Digby
Butler, C. S. Headlam, T. E. Seymour, A
Butt I. Henley, Lord Shaft°, R. D.
Buxton, C. Herbert, H. A. Shelley, Sir J. V.
Caird, J. Dibbert, J. T. Sheridan, It. B.
Calthorpe, F. 11. Hodgkinson, G. Sidney, T.
Cardwell, E. li odgson, K. Smith, J. A.
Childers, H. C. E. Holland, E. Smith, J. B.
Cholmeley, Sir 31. Howard, C. W. G. Stacpoole, W.
Churchill, Lord A. Butt, W. Staniland, 31.
Clay, J. Ingham, R. Stansf eld, J.
Clifford, C. C. Jervoise, Sir J. Stuart, Col.
Clifford, Co'. Johnstone, Sir J. Sykes, Col. W. H.
Clifton, Sir It. Xing, I'. J. L. Talbot, C. It. 31.
Clive, G. Kinglake, A. W. Taylor, P. A.
Cobbett, J. 31. Kinglake, Serj. J. Thompson, H. S.
Cobden, R. liinnaird, A. r'. Tile, W.
Coke, Col. Layard, A. H. Tollemache, F. J.
Colebrooke, Sir T.E. Langton, W. H. G. Tomline, G.
Collier, sir R. P. Lawson, W. Iraey, C. R. D.
Corbally, H. E. Leatham, E. A. Trelawny, Sir J. S.
Cowper, W. F. Lefevre, G. J. S. Turner, J. A.
Cox, W. Lee, W. Verney, Sir 11.
Craufurd, E. H. J. Lewis, H. Vernon, H. F.
Crawford, R. W. Lindsay, W. S. Villiers, C. I'.
Crossley, Sir F. Locke, J. Vivian, H. H.
Dalglish, R. Lysley, VT. J. Vyner, R. A.
Davie, Sir H. It. F. 31acEvoy, E. 'Waldron, L.
Davie, Col. F. Mackie, J. Warner, E.
Dering, Sir E. Mackinnon, W.(Ly.)Watkin, E. W.
Diliwyn, L. L. Mackinnon,W. A. Western, S.
Douglas, Sir C. 31`31ahon, P. Westhead, J. F. B.
Duff, 31. E. Maguire, J. F. Whitbread, S.
Duff, It. W. Marjoribanks, D. C. White, J.
Dunbar, Sir W. Marsh, 31. H. White, L.
Dundas, F. Martin, I'. W. Wickham, H. W.
Dundas, Sir D. Martiu,J. Williams, W.
Dunkellin, Lord Massey, W. N. Winnington, Sir T.
Dunlop, A. in. Merry, J. Wood, sir C.
Enfield, Viscount Miller, W. Woods, I.L.
Ennis, J. Mitchell, T. A. Wrightson, W. B.
Esmonde,J. Moncreitf, J. Wyvill, M.
Evans, T. W. 3lonsell, W.
Ewart, W. Morris, D. TELLERS.
Ewart, J. C. Morrison, W. Dodson, J. G
Ewing, H. E. C. Neale, V. Goschen, G. J.

There is no war news.
The Confederate steamer Florida left Bermuda
on the 14th inst., it is believed for the track of the
New York and Liverpool steamers.
The City of Manchester and the Hansa, saiiing
to-day for Europe, take 550,000 dols. i❑ specie.
NEW YORK, MAY 21 (Morning).

Gold 831 per cent. premium.
NEW YORK, MAY 21 (Evening).
Money easy, Gold 83/ per cent. premium. Stocks
slightly firmer, New Yurk Centrals, 135. Illinois
133, Erie 117. 5 dots. 20 cents. United States.
Bonds, 106*. Cotton advancing. Middling Ui.J.
land, 91 to 911.

FURTHER DEFEAT OF THE FEDERALS,
(FROM THE TIMES' CORREbPONDENT.)

(Per the North American via Crookhaven, Juno 2.)

NEW YORK, MAY 20.

At daybreak on Wednesday Grant again unsuc-
cessfully assaulted Lee's centre and left. After a
desperate conflict, lasting throughout the forenoon,
the Federals were forced to retreat, with loss of 1,200
killed and wounded.

An attack by Lee is stated to have been subse-
quently made upon Grant's front and repulsed.

Johnston continues to draw Sherman away from
his base. Official despatches from the latter, to 2
p.m yesterday, announce his arrival at Kingston,
70 miles south of Chattanooga, and that he wee
still advancing, and Johnston retiring.
The Federate' had occupied Rome.

The surprise against Butler on Monday appears
to have been completely successful. The Confede-
rates captured General Hickman, with nearly his
whole brigade and e;ght or ten cannon, and drove
the whole Federal force to their intrenchments at
Bermuda. The Federal loss in killed and wounded
is admitted to be 2,500. General Ransom com-
manded the Confederates.
The Government has suppressed the World and
Journal of Commerce, for having published the
forged proclamation. Both printing offices are in
possession of the military.

MAY 21.

On Thursday Ewell gained Grant's rear, and
attempted the capture of :he Federal supply trains,

The result is unknown ; but after an hour's
fighting, in which the Federals lost upwards of
1,000 men, the Confederates returned to their in-

trenchments.

Mr. Howard, of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, has
been arrested, es the author of the forged procla-
mation, and sent to Fort. Lifayette. He has con-
febsed his guilt, and implicated others.
Gaid, 183.