The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-22 00:00:00

Southern Independence,

Last evening a public meeting was held at the
Town Hall, Ashton-under-Lyne, "to take into
consideration the propriety of memorialising Go-
vernment to at once acknowledge the independence
of the Southern States of Americe." The chair
was occupied by Dr Lees. Abcut 800 people were
present. The Chairmen said that the crisis at which
American affairs have now arrived justified the
people of this country in expressing an opinion on
the subject. The present attack upon Richmond,
by General Grant, was the fourth or fifth that the
Northern army had made; and if it failed the time
would then arrive when European Governments
should step in between the combatants, The Chair
man concluded by reading a letter from the Rev. J.
P. Hoppe, Dukinfield,who expressed sympathy with
the Southern States.—Dr Vernon moved a resolu-
tion affirming that the time had come when the
people of that town were entitled to express an
opinion on the matter.—Mr. C. Brook seconded the
resolution, which was carried by a large majority.
—The Rev. F. H. Williams moved a resolution ex-
pressing an opinion that the Southern States had
justly won their right to a Government of their
own choice; and that the timely recognition of
such right by the Government of England, followed
as it probably would be by other European Go-
vernments, would, under the present cireumetaecee,
tend to hasten the conclusion of the unjust and
cruel warfare which is being waged by the Federal
against the Confederate Government; and that
meeting accordingly respectfully submitted to her
INlrjesty's Ministers the propriety of taking such
steps to that end as they might think prudent
in concert with other European Powers. Be
also moved that if the resolution was carried,
it should be forwarded to Mr. Lindsay, M.P.,
in order to strengthen his position when he
brought forward his promised resolution
on ttis subject in the House of Commons-
He said that after three years of strife,
during which the success and gallantry of the
South had been every day manifested, and whose
cause had been illustrated by such men as Jack-
son, ihauregard, the gallant but bloody Longstreet,
and Captain Semmes—(applause)—it was time the
cause of the Confederates was recognised. The
professed neu nay which this country had pur-
sued was, as Mr. Bright described, a "friendly
neutrality," but, unfortunately, it was on one side ;
and it was but an illustration of that neutralit)
which this country witnessed the other day when
the Kearsage sunk the Alabama with shells manu-
factured in Birmingham, and cannon forged in thi.
arsenals of England. (Hear, hear.) If the recog-
nition was granted, it would be followed by a
renewed prosperity to the people of Ashton, and
by an extension of free trade principles to the
Southern States. Mr. E. Hemingway eecondeei
the motion, which was carried amidst loud an.
piens°. On the motion of Mr. G. Mellor, seconded
by the Rev. R. V. Mecdona, a vote of thanks was
passed to the chairman, and the proceedings, which
lasted little more than an hour, terminated.

The Etna has arrived from New York with
£244,767.
The foreign exchanges yesterday afternoon w.r€
lather lower.

An arrangement was completed yesterday for the
union of the banking firms of 11Zes,2rs Glyn, Mills,
and Co., and Messrs. Carries and Co. The united
business will, after the 30th inst., be carried on, at
67, Lombard-street, user the firm of Glyn, Mills,
Curries, and Co.

The share certificates of the Provincial Banking
Corporation are ready for delivery in exchange for
the bankers' receipts.
MR. COBDEN AND THE ROCHDALE REFORM
ASSOCIATION.—The following letter, in reply to an
address frora the Rochdale Reform Association, has been
forwarded by Mr. Cobden to Alderman Stewart :—" London,
June 14.—Dear Sir—l am duly favoured with your letter,
enclosing the resolution of the general committee of the
Rochdale Reform Association, informing me of the intene
Lion of the Conservatives to bring forward a candidate at
the next election. I have since had the opportunity of
reading the very full and frank explanation of ray opponent's
views Oh public affairs, and I consider it creditable to him
that, at a time when it is the fashion to ende.tvour to efface
the old division lines of political parties, and to inculcate
the theory that there is no loriger any difference in the
opinions of public men, he has scorned that spirit of com-
promise, and givan expression to views of such a nature as
to afford a. very clear and intelligible issue between him and
myself. An electoral contest, when great principles which
purify the political atmosphere are at stake, is an ordeal not
wholly unprofitable, and I accept with cheerfulness my
share of the coming struggle, leaving the iTsstuaenwkiinthgrnost
confi-
dence in the hands of the constituency,
cordially the body over which you preside for its hearty
assurance of support, I remain, dear Sir, yours, &e.,
RD. COBDEN."

TUE EFFECTS OF WAR.—A native of Worcester,
writing to his brother in that city, gives a brief but perfect
picture of indiuidual loss during the present terrible war in
America I have made nothing during this war by my
hara-earned labour, but, on the contrary, have lost all my
property. rely farm was in the valley of Miision Ridge, and
a part of the battle ground. The fight was over my pro-
perty, and destroyed my fine house, stable and barn. The
waggons and live stock were taken by the soldiers. My
fence round 15 acres of land was also destroyed ; and still
to make it worse, I lost all my timber land, so that I have
not a tree left to make a fence rail. All is a perfect waste,
and desolation reigns around that portion of country which
was previously so fluurishing. The land is no use to me
now. Ido not think I shall do anything it
with any more
ouch is my bad luck. 1 did not save a piece of furniture or
a rag of clothes ; I did not save 25 cents worth of all I had
in this world.'—Birmingham Peet.

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HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, June 21.

The Queen, accompanied by her Royal Highness
the Princess Helena, drove out yesterday afternoon
attended by Lord Charles Fitzroy.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess
Louis of Hesse, Princess Louise, and Prince Arthur
also tock a drive in an open carriage and four.
The Earl and Countess De la Warr arrived at the
Castle and had the honour of dining with her
Majesty and the Royal family.
The Queen, accompanied by their Royal High-
ceases the Prince and Princess Louis of Besse,
Princess Helena, Princess Louise, and PriI3CESS
Beatrice, went to Buckingham Palace this morning,
attended by Lady Caroline Barrington, Made•
unoiselle de Grancy, Lord Charles Fitzroy, and Lieu-
tenant-Colonel the Hon. D. Roe.
Afterwards Princess Beatrice visited the Dean of
Westminster and Lady A. Stanley, attended by
Mademoiselle Norelle.

Their Royal V Highnesses Prince and Princess
Louis of Hesse attended the evening savice at St.
George's Chapel on Sunday last.
Prince Arthur, attended by Major Elplaiestose,
left the Castle this afternoon for Buckingham
Palace,
Viscount Palmerston and the Earl of Clarendon
ha& audience of the Queen at Buckingham Pal'
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visited
her Majeety.
The infant Prince Albert Victor also came to the
Palace to see her Majesty.
The Queen, accompanied by Prince and Princess
Louis of Hesse and Princess Beatrice, left Bucking:
ham Palace at 6 o'clock and visited their Roya
Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales at
Marlborough House.
Thence her Majesty proceeded in an open car-
riage and four to the Paddington Station for
Windsor Castle, attended by the Marchioness of
Ely, the Hon. Mrs, Bruce, the Hon. Horatia St°P.
ford, the Hon. Harriet Phipps, Mademoiselle &
Grancy, Lord Charles Fitzroy, and Colonel the
Hon. D. de Ros.
His Royal Highness Prince Alfred accompanied
the Queen to Windsor.

!he Marchioness of Ely has succeeded the Cioull-
tess of Desart as Lady in Waiting.
Lord de 'Tablet' and Colonel the Hon. Atigustu°
Liddell have succeeded Lord Rivers and Lieut.
General Sir Henry Bentinck as the Lord and Groom
in Waiting.