The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-17 00:00:00

gly

LONDON, SATURDAY, OCT. 17, 1863.

Mr. BERESFORD HOPE has now, in common par
lance, hit the right nail on the head—has driven it
home, and then clinched it? We allude to his re-
marks upon Lord RUSSELL'S policy in regard to
th© two steam rams. made by order of a French
firm, christened by outlandish Mabomedan names,
and now very recently marked with the broad arrow
of Her BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S Government. Mr.
Here has told no "flattering tale" to the Foreign
Secretary. Far from it. He has quoted Lord JOAN
against Lord RUSSELL! He has displayed to view
a contrast as vivid as that displayed to view by
Prince HAMLET. Ile has held the two pictures
(drawn both of them by the same master hand)
he has held them both very pointedly, indeed,
before the eyes of BRITANNIA, as HAMLET held his
two before the eyes of Queen GERT RUDE. " Look
on this picture and on this ! " We gaze at
the two counterfeit presentments, as it were, over
the shoulder of the National Goddess, and—what
is it we see ?—Lord JOHN and Earl RUSSELL
depicted by himself. Lord JOHN as a very
BOANERGES. Earl RUSSELL " singing small."
Lord JOHN indignantly repelling the bare
idea of any modification of the laws of England to
gratifying the wounded and ever-sensitive pride of
the Imperial Government of France. Earl RUSSELL
meekly conforming to identically the some kind of
thing, at the behest, not of the proud Government
of France, but of the insolent Government of those
imuddle-headed. Federals at Washington. At
E
gowrie on the 26th of last September,
1863, the Foreign Secretary said in refer-
ence to his policy in regard to the latter—
" Everything that the law of nations requires,
everything that the present Foreign Enlistment
Act requires, lam prepared to do---even if it should
be proved to be necessary, for the preservation of
Parliament
our neutrality, that the sanction of
should be asked to further measures
Thethat her
MAJESTY'S Ministers may still add."
noble lord, when holding a seat in Parliamentmaea
one of our popular, and not as one of our hereditary,
representatives, said on the contrary on February
1858, in reference to Lord PALMERSTON'S proposed
policy in regard to France, in the matter of the
Conspiracy to Murder :—" I hive been, I confess, a
good deal shocked by some of the declarations made
in the course of this debate, by which it seemed that
the favour of a foreign Power was of more value
to England than the maintenance of her ancient
"It is easy to ask for a mild
prestige."
measure at first to satisfy a foreign Power. At the
same time, even any demand of this kind naturally
rouses the jealousy and susceptibility of the British
If I were to vote for the introduction
people. • •
of this bill I should feel shame and humiliation in
giving that vote. Let those who will support
the Bill of the Government. In that shame and
humiliation I am determined not to share." The
contrast presented to view by these two memorable
passages taken from two such very different speeches,
uttered by the selfsame statesman—in 1858 in refe-
rence to France, in 1863 in reference to the Federals
flagrant as this one,
so
—a contrast so glaring,
needs, when given, not one syllable by way of com-
ment. The people, the Comnions, can bide their
time—till February.

The news
Whifrom New ch the Indian mail has brought
Zealand confirms the apprehensions
generally felt as to the state of affairs in that colony.
Auckland itself appears to be surrounded by un-
friendly natives, and for forty miles south of the
town the country is described as a vast camp. The
Waikatos and their allies are in arms to the num-
ber of 7,500, and a still
eater
is feared.
The struggle has been goingg rising
on varied success
between the natives and the
settlers, but, from the
great discrepancy of numbers, ett
without any conclu-
sive result. The first regular battle took
place on
the 17th of July, when General CAx
men against a native position on 11°11
led his
a bill. Th
Mleaving, it is said aories were routed and fled,
fourth of their number, among the slain being "
' 4
uncle of the KING and several chiefs. The loe
ees
when the combatants come to close quarters or in
oven ground are always immense on the side of the
natives; but with their characteristic sharpness
they avoid such encounters as far as possible, while
they seize every opportunity of butchering the

isolated and defenceless settlers. The present aspect
of affairs is certainly not encouraging, for the atti-
tude of the natives is calculated to give rise to grave
uneasiness. There is reason to fear a general up-
rising of the tribes, and the fact of more than seven
thousand of such crafty and relentless enemies hav-
ing arms in their hands, is sufficient of itself to
excite alarm. Their leaders have been known to
declare their intention to " slay and spare not,"
armed and unarmed alike, and when once these sav-
age tribes commence hostilities there is not much hope
of conciliation or compromise. Stimulated by their
native prophet and encouragedbythe hesitatingthemby and
e
timid policy hitherto pursued towards
European authorities, the Maories
grand es seresnad eh beento haveof
gathering all their forces forl one
extermination. Auckland was to have been sur-
prised,
the settlers murdered, and the undisputed
supremacy of the Maories secured once and for ever.
Sufficient indications of their temper have been
shown in the murder of the settlers at Drury, in
the subsequent assault on the convoy, and in the
many savage and unprovoked murders committed
when the victims were quietly labouring iu their
own fields. The colonists are fully alive to the
danger, and so at length are the authorities. The
most active steps are being vigorously taken, and the
greatest enthusiasm and unanimity prevail. The
defence of Auckland has been very wisely entrusted
to the second class militia and volunteer corps, who
have been hurriedly called out, and after a few days'
drill placed on the active service list. The first
rank of militia and volunteers are reckoned among
the regular forces, and the whole of the assistance
thus rendered by the province of Auckland alone
amounts to over 4,000 men. It cannot, therefore,
be said that the colonists in this instance have left
the task of defence to the Home Government, On
the contrary, the greatest promptitude and zeal
have been manifested. The townspeople and the
out-settlers alike left their employments at the first
summons, and large numbers joined the volunteer
corps at the very first rumour of danger. Complete
confidence is placed by all parties in the General
appointed to the chief command, and the acts of
the authorities appear to have been well received
by the people. There was one exception which
does not much surprise us. The Government hav-
ing consented to place arms and ammunition in the
hands of a party of natives professing friendship
were forced to retract their gift by the discontent
of the populace, the naval brigade who were to
have acted in concert with these men refusing to
proceed on the expedition with them if they were
armed. Such conduct may appear to us strange
and disorderly, but we must remember that the
lives and fortunes of the colonists are in the scale,
and they have had too much cause to distrust the
good faith of the Maories to be influenced by the
desire for conciliation generally felt by the Govern-
ment. Still, notwithstanding the eager spirit of
the colonists, the energy of the Government, and
the ability of General CAMERON, the great want
remains. The Europeans are totally insufficient in
numbers to cope with the Maories, and conse-
queatly the war will be protracted through a long
course of tedious, harassing, and cowardly assaults
unless put down at once with the strong hand.
However wise and just it may be to regard the
rights of the natives, to pity their ignorance and
to attempt to win them over by kind and concilia-
tory measures at the first establishment of a settle-
ment, that day has long gone past with the
Maories. Hesitation they interpret into fear, re-
luctance to engage in hostilities appears to them a
sure indication of want of power, while their
treachery and cruelty have been too painfully evi-
denced for any reliance to be placed on their pro-
fessions of friendship and goodwill. There can be
no doubt that too much leniency has been shown
to them by our governors, and the colonists are
now reaping the fruits of that mistaken policy.
We have made the velvet glove so soft that the
iron hand could no longer be felt inside it, and the
deluded natives now probably think that the exter-
mination of a British colony is a task easily accom-
plished. This error they are likely to be convinced of
by the settlers themselves, and by their brother cola
nists. Australia, who is never lacking in public
spirit, has come valiantly to the rescue. The latest
intelligence from Melbourne tells us that, at the
meeting of the Assembly, the Government had an-
nonncedtheir intention of despatching the whole of
their troops, with the trifling exception of six drill
instructors of artillery, at once to New Zealand.
This resolution excited the unanimous approval of
the press and the public, and the Australians have
also supplied the New Zealanders liberally with
arms, ammunition, and stores. Added to these
important services, a large body of volunteers is
likely to be raised in New South Wales—an assist-
ance no less valuable than the Armstrong guns,
which the generous sister colonies have already de-
spatched to their imperilled neighbours. This is
the spirit in which the danger should be met, and
the New Zealanders have done wisely in appealing
to such powerful and open-handed friends. The
native minister of New Zealand has, we learn,
visited New South Wales for the purpose of en-
listing help, and an English officer, when the mail
left, was in Melbourne, for the purpose of raising
1,000 men there. Our readers will remember that
we suggested this resource some time back, and we
are not surprised that the colonial authorities should
have arrived at the same conclusion. It is reported
that Sir GEORGE GREY has appealed most urgently
to Sir HENRY BARKLY for help, telling
him, at the
same time, that he had already called out for active
service, in the disturbed provinces, every male be-
tween 16 and 40 years of age, while many over 50
years were employed in the towns. There is, in
fearcisti,s7afnodrttuhne ately no doubt of the urgency of the
bestsevere
lessonw we c an
with a
hope , that l
iule
the 11 aa
y a
o r e
as
may be read a
possible, and the future safety of the settlements be
thus effectually secured.

If skill in
1
Putting tl----1------e most favourable construe-
atiw(mayuPaw°l2kward circurnstanZy
actions, and .
wit in explaining
cause, then Sir ROUNDELL
appear the better
PALMER has certainly done
to ornament good service to the Go-
, can make the worse
curious notice
a double
both
might almostsel
and a sup-
vernment, of which be is an
port. One thing is
to the electors, that he presents
American affairs, or what
The public or general view that h
different from the official aspect. In 9 gave is very
speech is distinguished by that moderation
is his chief characteristic. There is which
much that
really expresses the state of public opinion •
in many
parts of his address. For instance, when he saps
that " nobody can help feeling some sympathy or
men who maintain a gallant contest against great
odds," Thence he correctly explained that the
cases
viewi
e d address
sh ooi
sf.
South had a large share of public sympathy. When
Sir ROUNDELL PALMER maintained that those who
ware in favour of the independence of the South
might yet consistently declare themselves in favour
of the abolition of slavery, be gave utterance to
wise and sound statements, There is nothing so
absurd in the way of argument, or so unfair in the
way of retort, as
up-
holders o to assert that those who have in
any. way advocated the cause of the South, or as-
"ted it in its ef
slavery, ff.nts for independence, are the up-
eiples and thus derogate from the prin.
that should rule the actions of Englishmen,

has made such noble and heroic sacrifices. No
and dishonour the cause for which this country
one of enlarged views or extended experience can
be taken in by such notions or deceived by such fal-
lacies ; but there are many who are well meaning
and good intentioned, who suffer themselves
to be blinded to the clear aspect of affairs,
and led astray by the specious sophistries of pre-
judiced and perverse politicians. The fact is that
there is no more hatred of slavery in the Northern
States than in the Southern. The latter are honest
enough to declare their allegiance to its doctrines,
and therefore are so far honest and straightfor-
ward. It will be conferring a boon on them-
selves, and a blessing on their land, whenever
they sufficiently appreciate the advantages of free-
dom, and recognise the right which divine pre-
cepts inculcate, and human laws in their perfec-
tion maintain, that every man bas to independence,
but that does not affect the claim set forth by the
Federals to dictate terms to them. The best answer
to the frantic asseverations, and the fierce denun-
ciations of the abolitionist section may be found in
the doings of the Northerners at home. In what
position is the negro placed in their towns ? Has
he the rights and privileges of a citizen, is he
suffered to consider himself as one of the com-
munity among whom he resides ? The conduct of
the rioters at New York on the occasion of the
disturbances that took place at the conscription
sufficiently answer the queries in the decided
negative. The sooner a decided stop is put to
this attempt of setting up the North as the cham-
pion of freedom and the denouncer of slavery, the
better for the eternal and immutable principles
of justice that should rule the condition of States,
and regulate the opinions entertained of their
policy by surrounding countries. When Sir ROUN-
DELL PALMER goes on to indicate the reasons
which induced the Government, of which he is a
member, to recognise the South as belligerents,
and yet to decline to recognise their independence,
his arguments seem to lose their force, and
assume a tone more in accordance with the neces-
sary formula of details that emanate from
those charged with official responsibilities.
It may be a mistaken notion that induced the Go-
vernment to take this course, and doubtless subse-
quent experience will prove it to have been so; but
the chief blame that now rests on them is that they
are not honest or truthful in their declarations of
neutrality. It is a perversion of commonsense, and
a denial of evident facts, when a member of the
Government states that they desire to preserve an
" honest neutrality," when it is patent to the world
that only within a few days the most stringent
measures have been adopted in order to favour the
fancies and further the interests of the United States
Government. It is an insult to public sense to per-
sist in making this statement, and it is quite incom-
prehensible how sensible and well-informed indivi-
duals can be deceived in this fashion. The speech
of Earl RUSSELL, the other day, is in
itself a suffi-
cient answer to the virtuous indignation that is
constantly expressed in regard to this often dis-
cussed question. It is quite useless to persist in
prolonging the controversy. All the skilled intel-
ligence of the most astute and the flowing eloquence
of the most gifted orators will not alter facts nor
undo past actions. It would be more honest, more
manly, and more creditable for the Government to
take their stand upon a decided line of
action. Let
them say we are resolved to encourage the Federals
by every means open and covert that lies in our
power, and not go on in this shuffling
and hesitat
ing manner. They will end by disgusting all sides
without doing themselves any good, or their
country. Sir
repu-
tations any credit in the eyes of the -
ROUNDELL PALMER concluded his speech by assert
ing that there were two things which our Govern-
ment expected to secure by their
conduct in this
American war, and they were peace and honour.
It is very possible that before the sanguinary con-
test is over it will be shown that they have don
just the reverse, and that their shuffling and hesie
-
tating policy has endangered the one, while their
want of energy and lack of independence has
seriously affected the other. When Parliament
assembles it may be seen that rather different views
are entertained regarding her MAJESTY'S Govern-
ment than those which Sir ROUNDELL PALMER
makes bold to predict. He says that the people
would owe a deep debt of gratitude whether they
acknowledged it or not. Now it seems evident to
those who scan the course of events, and thoroughly
sift the conduct of those who are now
representing
the country to foreign States, that the reverse of
gratitude will be the sentiment entertained for those
who have ihj
need our commerce, suffered our vessels
to be stopped on the high seas, and their views in-
suited, while their cargo was confiscated, who have
allowed acts to take place and language to be spoken
regarding our people and our property that a gene-
ration ago would have fired the resentment of the
general population, and provoked a declaration of
war at once. When a nation threatens to sweep
onr commerce from the seas, and we tamely submit
to all kinds of indignity, it is not presupposing too
much to say that lookers-on will believe that we
are afraid or unable to provoke an issue with them.
The tone of public feeling must be very much altered,
and the temper of the English nation altogether
changed,
Secretary, can
before the course of policy as pursued at
present, and promised for the future by the Foreign
win approval and !gain esteem from
any ranks or classes of the people. It would be
hardly going too far to say that it is a contradic-
tion in terms to what the wishes of the generality
have pointed at for some time past, and what many
have openly proposed as desirable.

An Untravelled Frenchman's Notion of
English Fashionable Life and Manners !

As amusing
a specimen of this as can be found
anywhere—even in M. Alexandre Dames' prepos-
trously funny _
drama of Rean—arpeared in the
feuilleton of La .Presse as recently as Tuesday
last, the 13th of October. There, in that feuilleten,
a new chapter of a aerial story called " Regina di
Gennaro," now being published day by day in deli-
cious morsels for the entertainment of the readers of
La Prase, begins (on Tuesday) thus—" Daring 15
days, nothing was talked of in London but the
beard of Sir William. Attention was perpetually
directed to it in Hyde-park and in Covent-garden
_in every place, indeed, in which it is good taste
to go and show oneself for an hour daily. Sir
William bore with imperturbable calm the pointed
attention of which he was thus the object, and
allowed the young misses to laugh at his beard
without evidencing the least resentment." The
author's ipsissima verba are worth giving, how-
ever, precisely as they appear in La Presse :
" Pendant quinze joure, on ne parla dans Londres
que de la barbe do Sir William. On se le montrait
]'attention
a_ Hyde-park ; Covent garden, partout oh it est de
bon Sofa d'aller se faire voir une heure par jour.
misses rire—as
Sir W• •
ilhaln supports avec un calms imperturbable
tcnu°l gr
us
eorf d
loen
while appearing t 11 etatt l'objet, et laissa, sans en
m.oin-dre ressentiment, lee juenes
t
Lando
as barbe." All which charming par.
English fashionable life and manners,
g possiblytethme most natural things in
the world (of
bably draw a smile from lant would pro-
the shoulders, of M. the lips, and a shrug from
Alphonse Esquiroe.

A meeting of the holders of Peruvian Dollar
Bonds is called fcr Wednesday next, to consider what steps
should bo taken to obtain payment of their bonds and
coupons in hard dollars, instead of in the depreciated
American paper now illegally tendered,