The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-29 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, JUNE 29, 1863.

Mr. BERNAL OSBORNE'S motion comes before the
house again this evening. Whatever result may
attend the present discussion, the ultimate issue of
the Irish Church Question is one upon which we
can entertain no doubt whatsoever. "In the endless
list of public wrongs," said the Times of Saturday,
in its leading article, " there is none that surpasses
the Irish Church Establishment," an opinion in
which all who ponder over some of the " great
facts" brought forward by Mr. OSBORNE in his ad-
mirable speech on Friday evening will very heartily
soncur. Mr. BERNAL OsBORNE, on that evening,
was in his happiest vein. For a gallant,
dashing onslaught upon the foe he is perhaps
unequalled at the present moment in the House
of Commons. The peculiar merits of his very cha-
racteristic eloquence are prominently displayed in
the discourse in question, but that discourse has
higher claims on the public attention. As an
Irish landlord he speaks of the peculiar grievances
of the Irish people. As a mem'eer of the Church
Establishment he speaks of the especial wrongs com-
mitted by the establishment of that Church in Ire-
land. Among the numerous examples with which
the speech abounds, Mr. OSBORNE mentions the
ease of a friend of his own, wno had been ap-
pointed, with an income of £5OO a year,
to a living containing five individuals ! A
relation consoled the bewildered clergyman with
the suggestion that when he absented himself for
a holiday he could take his congregation along
with him ! Apart from the laughter which could
not fail to follow Mr. OSBORNE'S very amusing
mode of employing the reductio ad absurdum,
very serious reflections must be forced upon every
thinking mind that peruses a chronicle of so much
injustice—a chronicle of moneys " wrung from the
hard hands of peasants," from a proverbially im-
poverished race, to be lavished with a pro-
digal extravagance upon men who have no-
thing to do! " In Lisronagh, very near which
I myself reside," said Mr. OSBORNE, " the
living is £206, and one policeman attends the
Church !" It has been argued that if the Church
Revenues were equally divided they would only
allow £2OO a-year fel. each Minister, which is little
enough for an educated gentleman, but then very
properly adds Mr. OSBORNE, "If the gentleman
does not earn it he has no right to it." And how
can he earn it in a country where the people are of
a religion different to that which the Government im-
poses upon them. The discussion in the house will
bring many facts under public consideration with
which the majority of the people of this country are
wholly unacquainted. The English people have a
keen appreciation of tyranny and inj tatice on the part
of Austria and Russia. They can feel a deep sympathy
with wrong and oppression in Italy and Poland, bat
nearer home they are disposed to be, for a time at
least, incredulous as to the possible existence of such
evils- We say advisedly, for a time, for there is in
the heart of hearts of the British people an inherent
love of truth and justice which ultimately makes
itself felt. A good cause will inevitably triumph
We do not expect very much apparent benefit
from the motion now before the house, but as we said
at the beginning of these remarks, we entertain
not the slightest doubt whatever of the ultimate
result of the Irish Church question. Reform
will come to that, as it does to every injustice.
That venerable abuse will give
'Ara!, like so many
of its venerable predecessors.
Again
and again,
in these columns, as the readers of The sun are
well aware, we have advocated, with untiring
confidence and consistency, many an apparently
hopeless cause, based upon truth and justice.
Again and again we have witnessed the tardy
but inevitable triumph of those principles, when
the forlera hope has been swelled by the adhe-
sion of the entire army, and vebemeat opponents
have come over to the winning side. It Wa6
S 0 with
Reform in Parliament, with Catholic Emancipation,
with the Corn Laws, with a multitude of less im-
portant measures, and it will be so with the Irish
Caureh and with many other similar abuses. Re-
form will come. Ina country of professed religious
toleration, in a country where truth and justice are
dearer to men than their lives, in a country where
the press is a fourth estate, and the power of the
people a reality, it is quite impossible that any
scheme of legislation so unfair, so unreasonable,
as, d so unjust can be for a moment tolerated when
once Its full iniquity is recognised. For his

personal instrumentality in bringing about that
recognition, all true lovers of Reform and enemies
of oppression, must feel greatly indebted to the
hon. member for Liskeard.

The letter of Earl RUSSELL to Lord LYONS on
the subject of the trade with Matamoras is a very
excellent one. It refers directly to the most im-
portant points of the case. In the first place, there
is this striking statement made which truly epito-
mises the events that have recently taken place—
" There is an impression," he says, " that it is the
intention of the American Government by captures
without cause, by delays of adjudication, by wanton
imprisonment of the master and part of the crew of
captured vessels, to put a stop to the British trade
at Matamoras altogether." This is speaking
out at all events ; and a decided opinion
is given with a determination and energy
which is not often fuund in Lord RUS-
SELL'S despatches. He then goes on to state
that the trade to Matamoras is a perfectly legiti-
mate one, and that it is quite impossible to say be-
forehand what goods will be consumed in M,xico,
and what carried into the Confederate States. This,
he truly declares, is a "matter beyond the scope
and destination of the sea voyage." Finally, Lord
RUSSELL is very determined in his summing up of
the case. He intimates that if from any motive
the British trade be deliberately subjected to a vexa-
tious and arbitrary interference, that "it is obvious
that Great Britain must interfere to protect her
flag." This is the right spirit to display in such a
question, and if it had been exhibited earlier much
annoyance might have been spared to many. Mr.
SEWARD'S reply to Lord LYONS is not at all satis-
factory, it is only what might have been expected
from him, considering the circumstances. After re-
capitulating the various important observations that
have been made in the communication recently re
ceived, Mr. SEWARD admits that he does not in the
least doubt that the impression mentioned does
exist in England. He, however, appears to attach
very little importance to its existence. Mr. SEWARD
then describes the magical springing up of this
trade with Matamores, comparing it to the instan-
taneous creation of the aurelian lights. He pro-
nounces his opinion regarding the Peterhoff, and it
must be very encouraging to those who are at all
concerned in this complicated matter to learn that
Mr. SEWARD has appropriated to himself the right
tojudge in advance, and that he considers the vessel
was engaged in unlawful trade. If the affair is not
yet settled by his own account, it is somewhat pre-
mature for Mr. SEWARD to express himself after
this fashion. The vessel is indicated, moreover, as "a
forerunner of other fraudulent crafts of the same
character, organised with regularity, so as to con-
stitute a contraband packet line." This is
unwonted assurance, even on the part of an
American statesman. He not only refuses to take
the hint that is given, but he volunteers his own
hurtful remarks, and insinuates that all is true that
has been already asserted against the character
of British traders. Mr. SEWARD is also indignant
at the impression that has prevailed in Englane
on this subject, and seems to say that it was en-
tertained with the intention, if not the
purpose, to prevent the exercise, by this Go-
vernment, of all legal right to arrest the new con-
traband trade." Things must have taken quite a
new turn when it is permissible for any one, how-
ever powerful his position may be, to speak in these
terms of our country and our countrymen. It is
not enough that we have already submitted, as Earl
RUSSELL has truly declared, to the " most severe
interpretation of the law of nations," it is not
enough that we are to endure injuries,
and bear heavy privations at home and
abrord, for the sake of this American
war, tout now it is incumbent on us to put up with
insult, and it is deemed necessary that the language
of bravado should succeed to the actions of tyran-
nical interference and unjust assumption of autho
city. It is of no use after these asseverations for
Mr. SEWARD to make more plausible statements.
and to refer to the past for encouragement for the
present and hope for the future. It is evident, with
out a shadow of doubt, that it is the intention of the
American Government to throw every obstacle i❑
the way of British commerce and to heap every in-
sult upon the British name. It remains, however,
for us to decide how far this may proceed, and
how long this can endure without rousing
the indignation of this country. Are we
to allow this state of things to continue for
an indefinite time without protesting against i; i❑
a form and a manner that cannot be mistaken, and
that no one will profess to misinterpret. The time
has gone by when it is desirable to make all these
sacrifices for a shadow ; no good has resulted from
the strict maintenance of the law inexorably laid
down at the commencement of this struggle that
our interests were to be subservient to the will and
pleasure of the Government of the United States.
It is therefore expedient that some show of resist-
ance should be made to this unscrupulous interfe-
rence with the traffic of British vessels, and the
rights and privileges of British subjects:

The festive entertainments which the Royal
Bride and Bridegroom have honoured with their
presence may be held to represent the various
phases of our national life. The splendid assem-
blies held at Guildhall and in the Exhibition
Building have testified to the loyalty, the libera-
lity, and the taste of the men of peace and the men
of war—the merchant princes of the City, and the
gallant and fashionable " Guards." The stately
circles of our old nobility have been well re-
presented by a series of banquets and re- ,
ceptiona ; the haunts of classic learning have played
their part in the pageant; the youth of England
have given their loudest hurras ; the busy sports
man on Ascot Heath has looked up from his betting
book to cheer the Royal carriages ; the homage due
to the dead has mingled with the cordial loyalty to
the living in the beautiful gardens at lit•nsington ;
the shrines of music and art have been visited, the
sparkling scenes of the drama have passed before the
youthful pair whom all classes delight to honour. 1,
Nor have the masses been without the opportunity
of showing their interest and affection. The
spectacle presented by the thoroughfares of the
great metropolis on the day of the Princess ALEX-
ANDRA'S arrival ; the universal rejoicings in cele-
bration of the wedding celebrations, that extended
wherever Englishmen resided, that is to say, pretty
well over the habitable globe—all exhibit the
breadth and depth of the hearty goodwill and
Ympathy of English men and women to the young
heir to the Throne and his beautiful bride. Never •
twhhelielessthteheeb,paraintoiersamofawould have been incomplete
d.England were left unnoticed,
and the warmth and readiness of the national. bene-
volence remained withal:tell
has now been supplied by illustration. This gap
the rainterestingrß ceremo-
nial.thei of Wednesday last, when
o f tyhae Britishgh-
nesses inaugurated the new bu;lding
Orphan Asylum. The claims of an orphan on our
charity are universally acknowledged_they are
supported by the common feeling of mankind and
by the special recommendation of Scripture.
They are felt to be touching in their helplessness
and urgent in their need, and haves een duly.hon-
oured by the establishment of many excellent Irish-
, tutions. TheJ3ritieh Orphan Asylum Rhone object,

in the words of the Prince of WALES, is " to give
a home and education to the fatherless and
destitute," has been especially fortunate in the
earnestness and open-handed kindness of its sup-
porters. The liberality of its able and energetic
treasurer, N. S. THORNTON, E?q,, has already
proved of the greatest service w the fortunes of the
institution ; and now the munificence of Mr. ED-
WARD MACKENZIE, of St. Paul's-wharf, has made
the new building and its surrounding grounds the
property of the charity. The Prince of WALES,
amid the astonishment and delight of the assembly
announced that this gentleman had given the mag •
nificent contribution of £12,000 for this express
object. Nur must it be supposed that the ex-
citement of the moment or the splendour of
the scene had any iflueuce on the generosity
of this munificent donor. He was under
the impression that the expected banquet had
already taken place, and that the festivities were
all concluded when he asked the managers what
the new building would cost ? " £12,000," was the
reply. " Then I will make you a present of it,"
said Mr. MACKENZIE, quietly. The Princess had
thus an unexpected opportunity of seeing an ex-
ample of that genuine English benevolence, which
simply and unostentatiously gives and does more
than could be asked or hoped. After so brilliant
and successful a festival, we cannot doubt that the
fortunes of the British Orphan Asylum will flourish
with renewed vigour, and That the hope expressed
by Mr. THORNTON, that the noble gift of Mr. .MAC
KENZIE would serve as an example to others to lend
their aid to the good cause may be abundantly
realised,

DELAY OF RECOGNITION,

Cui Bono ?

All admit the impossibility of re-union, and that
the Confederate Statbs must be recognised some time
or other, but put off this necessity for fear of um-
brage to the North N to what good does this
delay tend ? would it not have been better, as Gen.
Scott. advised, " to let the wayward sisters depart
in peace ?" Would it not have been better for
England to have done in 1861, what she must do
soon, saving the North a million of lives and hun-
dreds of millions sterling,—saving the South the
firing of their cities, the drowning of vast tracts of
their country, the desolation of their homesteads
and plantations, and the arming of the blacks to
massacre the whites ?

Would it not be best at once to recognise
the South, for the sake of North and
South? to prevent similar carnage without any
results for another year, increased by the too pro-
bable but unnatural retaliation of the South in zhe
invasion of the North by destroying private pro-
perty, and burning Philadelphia, Washington,
Pittsburg, Cincinnatti, and other cities from re-
venge.

Justice and self-interest call on the British Go-
vernment, with those of Europe, to recognise the
South as the means of peace and employment to our
starving operatives, but humanity for North and
South, to save both from destruction, and• to us, as
their kith and kin, flesh and blood to do so as
brothers, as Christians, it is our duty.
The mother country ought to yearn after the
good of her progeny, now destroying one another
by a fratricidal war, only to be stopped by recog-
nition. X. Y. Z.

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.