The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-24 00:00:00

at 1 opponent of slavery as an institution that he waits
17or a who ,e year or two after his succession to the

Presidency, before he can venture to deal with it
as an institution even partially—then doing so only
partially—inilictingernancipation as a penalty upon
the more obdurate antagonists of the Union ! De-
monstrations of this kind, we may rest quite assured
of this, will never further the interests of Eman-
cipation by a single hair's breadth—no matter
whether they be indulged in, as political pastimes,
in Yorkshire or in Virginia.

It was justly ob,erved by a public speaker the
other day that the English were always great in
associations. We have societies for the patronage
and cultivation of every branch of art, science, and
literature, and we have charitable assemblies and
associations for the furtherance of objects of practi-
cal benevolence. If any great political question
becomes the leading feature of the day, we are sure
to hear of public meetings, of companies formed for
the assistance of one side or the other, of chairmen
elected and committees appointed to carry out the
popular views. If an eminent man passes away
from among ns, some among his friends and ed
mirers are sure to bind themselves together in order
to do honour to his name and his memory. In more
private life, too, the principle of association is
usually carried out to a considerable extent among
the English. Clubs and assemblies, institutions
and meetings of various kinds enable men to gather
together to discuss the different fides of a question,
to collect and contribute information in that free
and open manner so congenial to the atmosphere
of our national mental life. So useful and so plea-
sant were these institutions felt to be, that it was
suggested by some practical philanthropists that if
they could be brought down to a lower scale of life
they would prove valuable antidotes to the
temptations which so continually assail the
working man. Mechanics' institutes have been
in existence some years, and have doubtless
been productive of much good, although they may
not have fully carried out the sanguine antici-
pations of their founders and originators. They
are chiefly designed to give the working man an
opportunity of cultivating his mind, and as such
they have probably given the first help up the
ladder of learning to many a young ambitious
spirit, who would otherwise have been kept in
durance vile by

"Those two gaolers of the daring mind,
Low birth and iron fortune."
The movement that is now being made in some
places is, however, totally distinct in its character.
We allude to the formation of Working Men's
Clubs, which are gradually extending through the
metropolis. Lectures, recitations, and classes of
different kinds will be part of the programme, but
still instruction is not the chief aim. There is a
reading-room, a library, smoking-room, and lava-
tory, and members will be supplied with refresh-
ments. Free discussion on all public topics is also
courted, and this is a feature especially worthy of
notice, as several clergymen have been prominent
leaders of the movement. A pubic meeting was
held in the National School-room of St. Martin's-
in-the-Fields, on Tuesday evening, to celebrate the
opening of one of these clubs it, the parish. The
Rev. 11. SWABEY stated that it was now fairly
launched, and remarked that there had been con-
siderable difficulty in finding suitable accommoda-
tion, but it had at last been obtained in Great
May's-buildings, St. Martin's-lane. Mr. MAR-
SHALL, one of the speakers, said that these clubs
provided for a want long felt by the lower
classes, and it was satisfactory for the working
men of the district to know that, by sacrificing
one pot of beer, they could become members
of this useful and agreeable institution. They
would have, in addition to other advantages, the
privilege of assembling together for the purpose
of exchanging ideas, as the upper classes did.
The remarks of some working men who addressed
the meeting r.re especially worthy of notice, as
showing the sentiments of the class for whom
these institutions are designed. Mr. NOEL, a
journeyman carpenter, who seconded the resolu-
tion, pledging support to the club, said that there
were many working men who required a club like
the present, but who did not want to cultivate their
minds, and therefore did not care about joining
mechanics' institutes. The Working Man's Club
would, he thought, meet every objection. They
did not intend to exclude any kind of discussion,
neither were they members of a teetotal society,
although they hoped to reclaim drinkers by giving
them better amusements. He considered that these
clubs would tend to counteract the evil influence of
the publichouse. Mr. TURLEY, a tailor, told the
meeting that, in consequence of some reports, he
had asked Sir F. GREY, the chairman of the meet-
ingin St. Martin's Hall, what restrictions were to
be placed on members ? Sir F. GREY had replied
that there was none whatever, but that the work

ing men might manage their club in whatever
manner they pleased. This is how it should be;
and we agree with Mr. TURLEY in believing that
the working men will prove themselves worthy of
the trust reposed in them, and that their club will
be conducted in a spirit of order, fairness, and mo-
deration that will deserve success.

The entertainment at Liverpool to the officers
of the Channel Fleet was a very successful affair.
The greatest cordiality prevailed throughout, and
on several occasions much enthusiasm was excited.
Lord STANLEY, who was present, responded for the
Houses of Parliament, and made an effective speech
on the auspicious circumstances which drew them
together. He said that ho valued the opportunity
thus afforded him of testifying his gratitude to
Admiral DAcREs and the officers under his com-
mand for the honour of the visit thus paid them by
the Channel Fleet, and also for a sight that was at
once " interesting and unique. The chairman had
truly said that it was the first time since Liverpool
had been a borough that the Mersey had been
visited by a considerable portion of the Royal
Navy. He added that he trusted this first visit of
Admiral DACRES would not be his last, for Liver-
pool always appreciated naval men. The sea had
made it what it was, and Liverpool men took pride
in the sea. In one way they had a navy which
could compete in some measure with the magnifi-
cent ircn vessels lying in their waters; a navy
existing indeed for
but purposes exclusively peaceful,
not the less a triumph of human indus-
try and skill—those vast ocean steamers, which
have
lined the New World to the Old,
and crossed the Atlantic with the regularity of
boats crossing a ferry,at a speed which is only SW-
passed by the railroad." In this fleet before us,
Lord STANLEY went on to observe, there is a series
of novelties, for almost every vessel is an experiment.
We have most likely seen the last of these old
wooden t wcedecked ships which will carry the flag
of an English Admiral. We also saw the first of
those noble engines of destruction, which are revo-
lutionising naval warfare, and which our friends
on the other side of the Atlantic are kind enough to
be trying for our instruction, and at their expense.
He Wished the House of Commons could see and feel
What they now experienced, and then be was sure
that they would believe that for the money that
they had expended they had ample value received,
and also they Would then acknowledLe that they