The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-05 00:00:00

1 MOSES AND SON
44
' • respectfully invite public attention to their large and

well-assorted
SUMMELL STOCK.

LONDON, SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1863.

The American President has now done what he
ought to have done long ago : he has ordered the
release of all the remaining military prisoners of the
Confederacy, upon condition of their subscribing
the oath of allegiance and giving paroles. There
was no reason why this should not have been done
some months ago, but it is at all events well that
these brave soldiers, who have committed no offence
excepting for their own States, should be once more
set at liberty. This is one step towards a settle-
ment of the imbroglio of o;lifficulties in which the
Federal Government have contrived to involve
themselves, and it is evident that the war, being
considered fairly at an end, the Cabinet is anxious
to restore things, in the North at all events, to
something of their pristine condition. The enormous
expenditure of the war will be very gladly lessened,
and the serious state of the finances must render it
a great satisfaction to the Secretary of the Treasury
that the Navy Department has ordered the Atlantic
squadron to ten vessels without loss of time. The
reduction of the army will be the next step, but
there are difficulties in the way, since all arrears
will have to be paid up ; and, until the political
atmosphere is calmer, there would be some risk in
turning so many unemployed men adrift. There is
not sufficient employment for those who are already
idle, and the prospect of letting loose men trained
to arms and accustomed to pillage is not reasoning.
The soldiers do not appear to be very popular among
the civilians, since we hear that in several Northern
cities, Philadelphia, Chicago, and others, there have
been disturbances between them, attended with loss
of life.

The real difficulty for American statesmen, how-
ever, is the negro question. The authorities are
now endeavouring to remove all restrictions which
apply exclusively to the negro ; but it is a hopeless
task to reconcile the conflicting elements. America
will have to pay a heavy price for having so long
tolerated and encouraged the crime of slavery.
Any effort at suddenly placing the negro on a level
with the white man will be certain to fail, from his
own lack of training, from the natural antipathy of
the races, strengthened and deepened on the part
of theNorthcrners, at least,by years of prejudice and
dislike. The evil of slow growth cannot be cut
down in a day, and any attempt to enforce a theore-
tical equality without providing for the pressing
physical wants of the emancipated negro will infal-
libly end in disappointment and suffering. It is well
that Northern statesmen should no longer tolerate
the cruel laws which deprived the black man of all
the rights of citizenship, but the greatest mode-
ration and prudence must be observed in the
present transition state, if fresh elements of discord
and domestic wretchedness aro to be avoided.
The Connecticut Legislature appears disposed to
pick fresh quarrels, but it is to be hoped the Wash-
ington Government will have too much sense to
pay much heed to their suggestions, knowing a
little more of the sufferings of war than Connecti-
cut
does. This State very wisely adopted a resolu-
tion declaring that the Government of the United
States ought never to recognise any Government
imposed on the American Continent by a European
Power ; alai that the Government ought not to pro-
fess friendship towards nations which have sympa-
thised with the South. Having thus provided ele-
ments for a quarrel with France and with England,
the wise Legislature of Connecticut adjourned,
leaving other parties to carry out its suggestions
and set the world in a blaze. We hear no more of
the confiscation by this mail, but we shall probably
have further particulars shortly.

On Thursday evening the Birkenhead Workmen's
Hall and Club-house was opened, and several in-
teresting speeches were made on the occasion. Lord
STANLEY was the first to address the meeting, and
the noble lord's address gave great satisfaction to
all assembled. The noble lord is always, particu-
larly successful in dealing with the subjects that re-
late to these institutions, and the efforts of the work-
ing classes to render themselves more cultivated are
always met by him with the greatest encouragement.
In this he shows his discernment and good sense, for
nothing is more calCulated to induce habits of order
and regularity among the lower orders than their
following the example of those above them in sta-
tion, not in apeing their extravagances or copying
their follies, but in adopting some of those habits
and customs which tend to humanize and render
them more sociable. This undertaking at Birken-
head may be regarded as a striking proof of the
advancement of the age, and of the progress which
has been made in that locality. Few things are
more interesting in their way than to notice the
great advances made in progress of allkinds in those
places, which the last generation regarded as nonen-
tities. Lord STANLEY, with that frankness and
candour which always distinguishes him, declared
that he had no right to come forward prominently,
since he had taken no share in the battle, and
therefore should not celebrate the victory. In refer-
ence to the immediate object of the affair, the noble
lord stated that a Place like Birkenhead especially
required some such undertaking, for social wants
are naturally put aside when a necessity grows
up rapidly. It was only in strict conformity
with truth when Lord STANLEY declared that there
was nothing more surprising than the manner in
which Birkenhead had sprung up. From the year
1821 to 1841 the population multiplied itself four
fold, from two to eight thousand, and since that period
from eight thousand to forty thousand. Well might
the noble lord observe, in reference to these striking
facts, that he was reminded no!; so much of anything
which we see in Europe, " as of those new cities
which grow up on the edge of the Western
Prairie, where, with the traffic, with the crowded
streets, and along with every luxury and con-
venience of life, you see here and there, in
corners and byewaya, the stumps still sticking out of

the ground to mark the remains of the old primeval
forest that has hardly yet been cleared away.

The purport of the building whose opening was
celebrated was to afford a club, a place of meeting
for business, refreshment, or society, for those
among the great population of artisans and
mechanics who inhabit that shore of the
Mersey. Lord STANLEY, in his usual downright
fashion, declared that he would not dwell upon the
old hackneyed theme of keeping men from the
public-house, but that no man ought to be driven
there because he has nowhere else to go to. If
there is no convenient place where he can resort to,
the meeting of his club, or enjoy a fire and friendly
society on a cold winter's night, it is natural that
he should resort there. The noble lord spoke in a
very amusing manner concerning the old notion
which so many people are apt to entertain that
every one should stay at home. In reference to
this he very truly said that men in the richer
classes " having a great deal of time at
their disposal, and having materials for
making far more comfortable houses, do not
make it a universal rule to pass their evenings with
their wives and children." In fact, no greater mis-
take can be made than the error into which those
would-be Reformers fall when they make one rule
for themselves, and another for those beneath them
in the social scale. How far more sensible it is to
take up the matter in the spirit with which it is
treated in this speech, and to admit that there
exists a necessity for friendly intercourse, and that
when this is enjoyed in a comfortable and civilised
manner, it is not only a pleasure to the individual,
but a benefit to him intellectually and morally.

Every great town throughout the country ought
to follow the example which Birkenhead has
so well and worthily set, and the advantages that
must accrue from such establishments cannot be
over-rated. This hall is not intended as a school
in disguise, as a lecture-room, or an institute ; all
these things are very good in their way, but this is
intended as a club-room for all interests and pur-
poses, a place where men may resort and read the
newspapers, and talk and obtain refreshments with-
out running the risk of being disturbed by rough
and disorderly persons.

Lord STANLEY declared that their part of England
was very prolific in such affairs, and many reasons
existed why it should be. The spirit of enterprise
among the poople prevented them from " lagging
behind" when anything useful had to be done ; and,
besides, they possessed more wealth than most other
places, especially among the artisan classes. A
third less flattering cause might be traced to the
fact that outdoor life was not so agreeable, and
therefore it was the more important to render in-
door existence more pleasant and profitable. Con-
siderable amusement was created by the noble lord
speaking as if he was in Lancashire, and then excus-
ing himself by saying that the Liverpool people felt
as if they had annexed Birkenhead long ago.
As Lord STANLEY truly observes, there seems no
danger to apprehend that the future prosperity of
the undertaking is not secure, and the name of Mr.
LAIRD is a sufficient guarantee that the arrange-
ments are sound and satisfactory in a buiiness
point of view. " Independence," as the noble lord
said, "is a term very much abused." No one is
really independent but the savage. Civilised
society cannot exist unless the rich depend upon the
poor and the poor upon the rich, but the relations
between employers and employed will be better,
pleasanter, and easy, if, as Lord STANLEY remarks,
habits of proper independence and a sense of self-
respect are cultivated among working men.
Mr. LAIRD, who was very warmly received,
made an excellent addresS. Ile stated that they had
provided a workmen's hall, and' it now remained
for the working-men of the place to prove their ap-
preciation of it by promoting its success. Mr.
LAIRD spoke very fairly and sensibly as regarded
the relations between men and masters, and truly
said that if the working classes wished they might
improve themselves greatly, and also benefit their
children. Earl GROSVENOR also addressed the
meeting, and expressed his great satisfaction at what
he saw before him. The noble Earl declared that
they were accustomed to the launches of great
vessels, and if that might be called a vessel
which they were launching that night, "it
was certainly not one of the least worthy of
those vessels which have been built on the shores of
the Mersey." In Chester they are attempting some-
thing of this kind, which they hope to inaugurate in
the autumn, and Earl GROSVENOR declared that he
hoped many of those around him would assist at
the opening, and they might thus best " run toge-
ther in the race of progress, which those tnstitutions
were established to promote; and so far as the rivalry
between them was the rivalry of doing good, they
would do all the good in a practical manner %hich it
was in their power to do." It 'may be said that this
affair at Birkenhead is, in some respects, a work of
national interest and importance. Nowadays trade
and commerce are the chief objects of excitement
to many, and it is always a matter of great conse-
quence that those masses who are employed in hard
and continuous toil should possess means of relaxa-
tion and objects of interest. The greatest credit is
due to those who have done their utmost to speed
the good work, and in thus coming forward to assist
their fellow-men they have showed themselves true
citizens of their country, and honest labourers in
the noblest cause that can engage attention, that
of conducing to the welfare and welldoing of all
classes of the community.

Great credit has been taken by the members of
the late Parliament for their performances during
their last session, and certainly there were two or
three measures of great public value which under
their auspices passed into law in that period. A
gentleman has now arisen, however, to disturb a
little of their complacency, and to prove to them
that in regard to one import interest—the agricul-
tural—they did not achieve so much as was expected.
Mr. FLOYER, in addressing his constituents at an
agricultural dinner, observed that it was rather an
unfortunate thing, under the circumstances, that
the bill for the prevention of contagious diseases
among cattle- and sheep had been thrown out last
year and not brought forward again this session.
Another. point on which legislatiOn might have been
advantageous was referred to by Mr. FLOYER,
namely, the collection of agricultural statistics. On
this head, however, the hon. gentleman was inclined
to agree with the policy of inaction, admitting the
advantages which would be derived from the col-
lection of a large body of statistics, but, on the
other hand, demurring to the inquisitorial charac-
ter of the inquiry proposed. Still this difficulty
might be avoided by a little trouble, and the
system of inquiry has been found to work well in
a neighbouring kingdom, so there is no reason why
benefit
farmers and agriculturists who submit to fill
schemetoforward
themselves.
from
The
maltich dutytheyof
course
wouldeo
de r
ve
came under discussion at D orchester, and Mr. FLOYER
remarked that the bill for altering the mode of
assessing the duties on malt was the only one this
session which affected the agricultural interest ex-
elusively. As for the Malt Tax itself, Mr. FLOYER,
though an advocate for its total abolition, observed,
very justly, that it was a matter which must be left

to the country at large. If the feeling of the com-
munity was in favour of the tax he had very little
doubt that it would be ultimately carried. The
fact is that the public generally has good
reason to fear that between brewers and landlords
neither town nor country would get the full benefit
of the reduction. As for the Union Chargeability
Bill, Mr. FLOYER expressed his hope that, whatever
the previous opposition to the measure, all classes
would combine, now that it had become law, to
make it work as well as possible. Those who are
really sincere in their opinions and disinterested in
their opposition will no doubt give it a fair chance,
but there is often very great difficulty in working
a measure which touches private interests. As a
whole the agricultural class has no special right to
complain of the last Parliament, but it is to be
holed that the new house will be more energetic on
behalf of all classes.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.

The following telegram has been received by
neuter's Telegram Company (Limited), from R.
A Glass, Esq., Managing Director of the Telegraph
Construction and Maintenance Company :
" VALENTIA, Saturday, 12 noon.
" No change since yesterday."

GERMANY.

PRAGUE, AUG. 5.

Herr Von Beust passed through this town yester-
day on his way to Vienna. lie will proceed thence
to Munich and Gastein.

SPAIN.

ZARANG, Aua. 4.

The Queen has arrived here. Her Majesty met
with an enthusiastic reception at the towns passed
through on the journey. The Court will return to
Madrid on the Ist September.

LISBON, AUG. 4.

The Queen and the infant prince arc progressing
satisfactorily.

PRANCE.

PARIS, AUG. 5.

A circular has been issued by the Minister of the
Interior, dwelling upon the admirable tranquillity
with which the municipal elections have been con-
ducted and the tendency of harmony among the
electors, by a mutual sacrifice of their exclusive
pretensions.
" With the Government," continues the circular,
" there cannot be either vanquished or victors. We
receive with the same cordiality the re-elected and
newly-elected. May the conciliatory sentiment
which presides at the elections survive and per-
petuate itself among the councillors.
BOURSE, Aug. 4.—Two o'clock.—To-day Eng-
lish Consols come with an advance of at the first
despatch, which advantage they lose at the second.
The market here is weak, Threes, for the Account,
67f. 90e. Italian Fives, 64f. 90c. Credit Mo-
bilier 740 f. for the Account, but 756 f. 25c. for cash,
thus maintaining a de'port of 16f. Lombard and
Austrian Shares offered at 476 f. 25c. and 403 f. 75c.
Three o'clock.—The market continued unsteady to
the end. Threes have retrograded 12ic. Credit
Mobilier 7f. 50c., Lombard 3f. 75c., and Austrian
Shares if. 25c. The last quotations are as follows :
Ditto Threes —
Mexican Loan 471
Do. Bonds —
Russian —
Austrian
Spanish Throes
Homo Debt —
Deferred
Roman —

4 per Cents 97
Do. end month
3 per Cents. 37 85
Do. end month 67 85
Credit Mobilier 750
Do. end month 737 50
Bank Shares 3600
Credit Foncier —
Italian Loan 64 70
Do. end month Gi 90
RAIL'

VAIN.
Cash. Amt.
842 50
1060
851 25
565 -
- ... 540

Orleans
Northern
Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern
Western
Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa
Ditto to Barcelona
Roman

272 50
408 75

475

- - ... 190 -
- - 313 75

RUSSIA.

The Invalide Russe gives the subjoined account
of the state of the Caucasus and the insurrection
alluded to in a late telegram from St. Petersburg :
" The Caucasus is conquered, but it is far from
being pacified ; the success of our troops and the
emigration of the hostile tribes have advanced the
work, but have not been able to complete it. Not-
withstanding the experience which the mountaineers
must have received of their inability to resist the
Russian forces, the very first adventurer or fanatic
easily finds adherents ready to follow their in-
stincts of pillaging. This summer was particularly
favourable for such attempts. The emigration of
the mountaineers of Western Caucasus, although►
accomplished under very unfortunate circum-
stances, awakened among the Tchetchents the
same wish to abandon their native land. The
Government had no reason to oppose that design, as
the departure of the new emigrants would give it
the means of satisfying those who remained by dis-
tributing among them the land, and therefore nego-
ciated with the Turkish Cabinet for the conditions
of this new emigration. The lands for the new
colonists were appointed in Asia Minor, and the
emigration began about the middle of May, and con-
tinued without any obstacles. The passage was
to be effected by the Georgian military road and
the Transcaucasian provinces, and it became there-
fore necessary to divide the emigrants into small
parties, which followed each other at short inter-
vals. It can be well understood how easily it
was to agitate the county at such a time. In-
deed there remained only the inhabitants who
had not yet determined what they were to do, and
who hesitated between the material advantages
which they were sure to obtain from the distribution
of the lands of the emigrants and the problematical
advantages promised to them in a foreign country.
The inhabitants who had decided to emigrate had
sold their property, implements, &c., and awaiting
the time of their departure were exposed to all the
suggestions of idleness. The superior administra-
tion understood very well the danger, reinforced
the troops in the province of Terck, and took
every precaution to prevent a revolt. The event
very soon justified these precautions, as already
on the 23d May the chief of the Ichkeria district
received the news that a shepherd from the
frontier of Andia and Ichkeria, called Tura ek Miz-
zaeff, had been proclaimed imam, and had proclama-
tions distributed to the neighbouring souls inviting
them to assemble on Mount Gamardouk to destroy
the infidels. A body of 200 Ichkerians answered
the call and assembled on the 24th May under the
command of the new imam. However, finding
that Mount Gamardouk was occupied by three
companies of the Koura regiment they made
for Mount Etichkert, in the province of Dargo,
where the assemblies of the Itchkeria people
usually take place. They were met there
by the Naib of Dargo, who having re-
ceived in time the news of the revolt from the
chief of the Ichkeria districts, immediately assembled
the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, and attacking
the partisans of Taza, repulsed them with consider-
able loss. The Naib of Veden cut off the retreat of
the insurgents and forced them to retire into a forest.
, In order to prevent any communication taking place
between the revolters and the neighbouring districts,
military cordons were drawn round the place of
refuge by the inhabitants of Tehitchnia, Argoun,
and Lagorne. These measures produced the speedy
surrender of Taza, who was delivered with his fol-
lowers on May 29 by the inhabitants of Koratchai
to the chief of the Veden district. This rebellion
was of little importance, and was in fact quelled by
the inhabitants alone without our soldiers. The
inhabitants understood very well that our soldiers
were behind them."

THE DtiTY ON RACEHORSES.—ACCOrdirig to a
return just issued the duty on racehorses in the year ending
the 31st March last was £1,746 4s.
COMMENCEMENT OF THE OYSTER SEASON.—YCS-
terday morning the oyster season was opened with
the usual ceremonial at Billingsgate-market. Owing to
the partial failure of the breed of oysters this season, the
supply was very limited, only four boats coming into the
market, whereas on previous occasions a fleet of from 20
to 30 has arrived. The result was that prices nearly
doubled, and the most inferior qualities, usually sold at
9s. and 10s. per bushel, brought from 16s. to 205., and the
real natives from £5 to £6, and were eagerly purchased at
those prices.

TIIE LONDON SWIMMING CLUB.--The lovers of
the useful art of swimming may look forward to an
exciting 1,000 yards race for the gold medal of the London
Swimming Club at the Serpentine on Monday morning.
Seven o'clock is the time fixed for the start, which will
take place from the oast end of the lake, while the goal will
be Kensington brid e. Some of the most skilful swimmers
of London and a few adepts from Cambridge University
and elsewhere hays already entered. •

AMERICA.

(Per the Persia, via Crookhaven, Aug. 4.)
NEW Your:, July 25,

The President has ordered the release of all the
remaining Confederate military prisoners, including
General officers, upon their subscribing to the oath
of allegiance and giving paroles.
The Confederate officers in Fort Warren, includ-
ing Generals Kershaw, Marmaduke, Corse, and
Major Harry Gilmore, were released on Sunday
last on these conditions. The only remaining pri-
soners now in Fort Warren are Vice-President
Stevens and Postmaster-General Began.
Attorney-General Speed has declared that cotton
or other property in the Southern States belonging
to local or neutral owners, which has fallen into the
possession of the Government, cannot, according to
the Acts of Congress, be restored to such owners,
except upon the decision of the Court of claims as
constituted by Congress.
The Navy Department has ordered the Atlantic
squadron to be immediately reduced to ten and the
Mississippi to five vessels.

Secretary Stanton has annulled all orders by the
military commanders which impose restrictions upon
the negro and do not apply to the whites as well.
The Government has determined to retain posses-
sion of Ford's Theatre, in Washington, and pay
rent for it until the Ist of February. If by that
time Congress shall not have authorised its purchase
it will be restored to its proprietors.
Provisional Governor Parsons, of Alabama, has
issued a proclamation directing many of the county
and town officers in his State elected under Confe-
derate rule to continue to discharge their duties
until relieved by a general election. He appoints
the 31st proximo for the election of delegates to re-
vise the State constitution, and the 10th of Sep-
tember for the assembling of the delegates in con-
vention.
Disturbances between returned soldiers and civi-
lians have occurred recently in Philadelphia, Chi-
cago, and other Northern cities, attended in each
instance with loss of life.

The Connecticut State Legislature, previous to
adjourning last week, adopted a resolution declar-
ing that the United States Government ought never
to recognise any Government imposed upon any
nation on this continent by a European Power ;
also a resolution that the Government ought not to
profess friendship towards nations which have sym-
pathised with the Southern rebellion.
The ironclad ram Dunderberg, the construction
of which was commenced in this city in 1863, was
successfully launched on Saturday. Her armament
will consist of four 14-inch Rodman and 14 11-inch
Dahlgren guns, mounted in bomb-proof casemate
on deck.

The Royal Mail steamship Persia, from New
York on the 26th inst., arrived at Queenstown at
12.45 a.m. to-day (Aug. 5), with 190 passengers
and $87,500 in specie. She landed 82 sacks of
mails and 17 passengers, and proceeded for Liver-
pool at 1 a.m. All well.