The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-29 00:00:00

Without a suspension of any arms ! Without the in-
terference for a moment of any third party no matter
how friendly or sympathetic ! The military leaders
of North and South still continuing their deadly
strife. The opposing armies still striving to their
very uttermost all the while to modify the condi-
tion of peace by the force of arms. That such a
proposition might really be entertained with perfect
seriousness, and with a due regard to national honour,
is demonstrated by means of one conclusive prece-
dent adduced from the History of the United States;
the French Minister recalling to mind the undoubted
and indisputable fact that —" The negotiation
which established the independence of the United
States commenced long before hostilities had ceased
in the New World, and the armistice was only esta-
blished by the instrument of the 30th Nov., 1782,
which, under the title of Provisional Articles, con-
tained by anticipation the principal clauses of the final
treaty of 1783." Encouraged by this remembrance,
the French Government now hesitates not to follow
up the failure of its earlier overtures, with a view
to the reconciliation of the American belligerents,
by very urgently but most courteously suggesting,
that " Representatives, or Commissioners on both
sides, should meet at a given place, which it might
be desirable to declare neuter for that purpose ;"
the purpose of negotiation.

The only touch of anything like irony in the whole
note is discernible in the sentence which hints that
in lieu of " the accusations" at present interchanged
between North and South, there should be instituted
a simple "discussion" of the interests now unhappily
separating them from each other. Those interests,
apparently irreconcilable, there cannot be any
serious doubt may, as they inevitably must, be har-
monised. The aspiration of humanity would obvi-
ously be, to hasten the advent of the date of their
reconciliation. Having unfolded the EMPEROR'S
revised plan—" Why," asks M. DROUYN DE
LHUYS, in conclusion, " Why should not a
suggestion, which pays all deference to the
feelings of the United States, obtain the appro-
bation of the Federal Government? Persuaded as
we are," adds the Minister finally, " that it (the new
proposition) is in conformity with their real inte-
rests, we do not hesitate to recommend it to their
attention; and not having desired to make any os-
tentatious parade of influence in the proposed media-
tion of the maritime Powers, we should re-
joice, without the slightest feeling of ameur
propre, at the opening of negotiations sum-
moning the two populations to discuss the
solution of their differences without the co-ope-
ration of Europe." Such is the precise nature,
tone, and tendency of the second, and we would very
earnestly trust more successful, proposition held out
to the United States of America with a view to
the prevention, if possible, of an indefinite continu-
ance of this truly disastrous effusion of blood.
The " idea" of the Emperor NAPOLEON—for which
he does not, in this instance, make war, simply con-
tenting himself with instructing his Minister for
Foreign Affairs to write an exceedingly temperate
and an eminently well-deliberated despatch—the
" idea" of NAPOLEON 111. might surely be taken
into consideration by the Federal Government
without any derogation of their dignity. It might
reasonably be responded to by the Confederates.
It comes forth opportunely enough before the Euro-
pean public at this early part of the new year—a
year, Heaven grant it, destined to mark the close of
the tremendous conflict so long raging in the North
American Republic. The publication of M. DROUYN
DE LHUYS' despatch is especially opportune at this
moment, so far as it relates to the sympathies and
American proclivities of England, occurring as it
does upon the very eve of the reassembling of our
Legislature down at Westminster. Whatever re-
sult may come of it, this new French proposition
can hardly be designated, like its predecessor,
premature ! Second thoughts, it is said (rather un-
grammatically by the way) are often best. Why
not these ?

The Chambers of Commerce of Manchester and
Liverpool held their annual meetings on Monday,
to receive the report of their directors on the pro-
ceedings of the Chambers during the last year—a
year unparalleled for the distress endured and the
manly fortitude displayed by the patient and pa-
triotic sufferers. It was a year the like of which
we hope in Heaven may never be again witnessed.
It has taught a lesson severe in its infliction end
manifold in the variety of its visitations both to rich
and poor, but to the poor more immeasurably bitter
in its desolation. The directors of the Manchester
Chamber of Commerce, in whose extensive district
the calamity has been more intensely felt, not only in
their own immediate neighbourhood, but in the sur-
rounding hives of what were once happy industry
and cheerful hope, lament the sad consequences oc-
casioned by the fratricidal confl:ct in America to
the people of Lancashire. They cannot close the
record of their proceedings during the year " with-
out expressing their profound sympathy with those
members of the community who have suffered, and
continue to suffer, so intensely by these unfortunate
events; and they desire also to pay a tribute of ad-
miration on the one hand to the patience and heroic
self-reliance displayed by the operative classes
under their many and grievous privations, and on
the other to that noble spirit of benevolence evoked
by the distress pervading all ranks throughout the
length and breadth of her MAJESTY'S dominions."
And this tribute to the sympathy of the munificent
donors is not more just to their feelings than
it is due to the honest gratitude of the poor suf-
ferers. But, as the worthy President expressed in
his straightforward speech—it is not charity they
want, but cotton. True ; but were there no fore-
warnings in times past to prepare for a rainy day ?
Yes, but in the midst of plenty he was laughed at
as a fool or bird of ill-omen, who ventured to em-
bitter the cup of comfort by evil forebodings. But
this applied to the employers infinitely more than
to the workers, for out of their earnings the savings
banks bear testimony to their prudence. The
masters also were not remiss in their accumulations,
for the full tide of prosperity flowed on as if it were
never to ebb. Such is the happy indifference of
human nature—it enjoys the present without much
serious apprehension for the future.
The wonderfully rapid increase in the cotton
districts served but to stimulate enterprise the more
in the busy march of successful moneymaking—and
no one seemed or cared to give a thought that such
" a roaring trade" was too good to last. The people
generally left that matter to their masters—and
masters, like men, too often trust to fortune without
due care to keep a good look out, as sailors are bound
to do even in the most prosperous voyage. A pro-
vident seaman must be prepared for all weathers
for no one can foretell what mischief may be brewing
in the distance, however gentle blows the favouring
breeze.

So with the greedy genius of Lancashire in its
eager haste to grasp more and more of the golden
harvest of gain. America was the boundless field
that supplied the one thing needful, and that
was enough. They looked no further, but heedless
went on. It was idle to hint that circumstances
might some day change, and leave the labourer on
a barren field. The curse of slavery was repre-
sented as fraught with misery, and the trade of
Lancashire in all its prosperity was founded on the
labour of the slave, whereas free labour would pro-

duce the article, and prove more congenial to a free
people. All that might be very true, but Lanca-
shire was satiz,fied, and that was enough.
Now that the evil day has come, like a thief in
the night, it is no use to hesitate; the struggle
must be made, and so the amassed capital of slave
labour must be distributed far and wide, to redress
the balance of trade and fill the vacuum occasioned
by neglect or indifference. But what a world
of woe and distress has been opened to the sad gaze
of wondering humanity. It is indeed a pity, and
"pity 'tis 'tia true."
The President entered into a luminous de-
tail of the various places where cotton was
produced, and more especially referred to India,
where abundance might be had, but many ob-
stacles interfered with a ready supply. Lately,
indeed, a good prospect seemed to be open-
ing, occasioned by the price, for, as Mr. LAING said,
Price was the sure stimulant; and price has now
attained a range never dreamt of before, having
actually quadrupled. The raw material costs from
two shillings to half-a-crown the pound, while
the manufactured article has only about doubled in
price. This was the consequence of having trusted
so long to one source of supply. But now they
were busy in all quarters—Egypt, Turkey, Italy,
in its southern parts, promised amply in due time,
but time was the thing that pressed, and want
could not wait for time. Then there were the cen-
tral States of America, the West Indies, Brazil,
Buenos Ayres, and numberless other places, in some
of which double crops could be produced
yearly, such was the bountiful nature of
the clime. But it was to India that at-
tention was now chiefly directed, for there
everything conspired to meet the difficulty but for
one perverse individual, who seemed to delight in
his power of obstinate obstruction—the Secretary
of State for India, Sir CHARLES WOOD-a name of
evil omen to him who shares his councils, and who
before the Ides of March shall have long passed
away may regret that he sailed in the same boat
with such a self-sufficient " individual."

The President of the Chamber, among other mat-
ters, said that the Commissioner for Italy at the
International Exhibition for 1862, himself a mem-
ber of the Italian Parliament, drew attention to
what might be done in producing cotton in that
country. He says " that there was an immense
extent of land in Southern Italy, equal to 5,000,000
English acres, which has of great antiquity been
known for its cotton-producing capabilities and
the great abundance and cheapness of labour.
He remarks upon the example of American
success, he exhibits drawings of the cot-
ton plant, and proceeds to show that they can
grow cotton equal to New Orleans at 4d. per lb. ;
and he illustrates the advantages of commercial
activity, which by this means may connect the for-
tunes of England with the destinies of Italy." Fol-
lowing such examples, you will naturally inquire
whether or not the effect of the cotton famine has
been felt elsewhere, and more particularly in the
councils of India. It is true Lord CANNING took the
alarm, being governor of India, and being fully
aware of the consequence to England of the Ameri-
can war; and he appeared to find in some corner
of his bureau a despatch which had been received
some two or three years before from Lord STANLEY,
ordering the sale of waste lands. He immediately
issued a resolution describing the manner in which
waste lands should be disposed of, also for the re-
demption of the land-tax, and he ordered immediate
pains to be taken to prepare roads of the most con -
venient character for the removal of cotton from the
plantations to the seaboard. This is some indication
of the readiness of that enlightened Governor to put
India in motion to bring about some alleviation of
1 our distress. You would not only suppose that the
Indian Council, at the head of which is Sir C.
Noon, would have been equally alive to the emer-
gency, but that they would in this country, as well
as Lord CANNING in India, have been put in motion,
instantaneously, with a view, if possible, to minister
to our relief. I am sorry to say, on the contrary,
that what has been done by them has
been the undoing of that which Lord CANNING had
done. By an order from Sir C. WOOD, the sale
of the waste lands and the redemption of the
land-tax has been subverted. Sir C. WOOD him-
self will not see that it has been subverted, but
it has been changed; and the change is of that
character which amounts in reality to a prohibi-
tion of the sale of land. Under Lord CANNING'S
regulations, the applicant for the purchase of land
had three operations to undertake, viz.,—to mark
out the land he wanted, to pay ss. an acre for it,
and to wait one month to see if any other appli-
cant or owner happened to turn up. So that in
one month the buyer might be in possession, and
engaged in its cultivation, That which Sir C.
WOOD says is not a prohibition is a regulation
which contains no fewer than 77 clauses, which
a man must carefully understand before he pro-
ceeds to purchase. When he has made himself
acquainted with the 77 clauses, he may proceed
to consider- whereabouts he will make his pur-
chase. He must then apply for a survey. It is
impossible for any one to determine what length
of time might be required to obtain that survey,
but the applicant must first of all deposit the money
to pay him with. The survey when made will, in
all probability, have to be reported upon, and how
long it may be before that report shall be understood
or determined no one can undertake to say ; but
should it appear that the land may be offered for
sale, then it must be advertised to be sold by
auction. When sold the highest bidder re-
ceives it, whether it be the applicant or not;
and if the applicant does not himself become the
purchaser, he receives back the money he has paid
as deposit for the survey, and he may then go about
to find some other place that shall be more near to
his expectations, more within his power to obtain.
Any squatter may come and dispute a title, and no
matter whether it be in India or in Ireland, we
find very few titles that are not disputed. In this
country we have a very ready way of dealing with
that description of dispute—we have passed an En-
cumbered Estates Act, and did not wait a century,
as we have done in India, before coming to a deter-
mination that good titles shall be made out of bad
ones. However, Sir Charles Wood having thus
placed what we feel to be obstacles in the way of
becoming possessed of waste lands, it is very evi-
dent that if the people of this country are to starve
until cotton is grown under the arrangements
laid down by that Minister, we shall have very few
persons left capable of undertaking our industry at
the end of that time. Centuries may elapse before
any sensible impression has been made upon the
sale of waste lands. The land-tax redemption
also has been entirely overthrown. Lord CAN-
NING arranged that the land-tax should be
saleable at twenty years' purchase. Though at
present an occupier in India may be said to be in
the same position as a tenant at will in this country,
who dares not lay out money for fear that the year
afterwards he may have to pay additional rent
for his own investment, Sir C. WOOD has
quite put a stop to the redemption of land-tax."
And so on ; but we will not enlarge on the ob-
stacles which Sir CHARLES WOOD has determined
to put in the way. All the good which Lord
STANLEY endeavoured to do for India has been