The Sun.
London, England, 1865-10-05 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

TIMES.—To counterbalance the many benefits
which a free press confers on a country there is but
one evil—that whatever unlimited publicity prevails
there will probably be found one or two journals
willing to gratify political or personal malevolence I
or to pander to the public greed for scandal by
calumnious attacks on individuals. Hitherto this
country has been tolerably free from the scourge of
personal defamation ; for the high tone of public
life and the influence of an educated class which
takes a deep interest in the national politics have
had their effect in moulding English journalism,
the conduct of which is for the most part decent and
honourable above that of other countries. But to
this character there are some flagrant exceptions.
Since the Satirist and its brethren passed away, no
newspapers have so readily opened their columns to
calumny, have caught so eagerly at any flying false-
hood if it would serve their turn in giving them
momentary notoriety or inflicting pain on their op-
ponents, as the organs of the extreme Radical poli-
ticians of this country. The gross personality of
these journals is their chief title to notice, and no
doubt insures them a certain number of readers, for
whenever any offensive or scandalous story which
has been whispered about in clubs for a week or so
gets into print, it is sure to be in the pages of one
of these advocates of popular morality and en-
lightenment. As a general rule, respectable men
do not find it worth while to notice the attacks of
this disreputable journalism ; but the chief repre-
sentative of it has thought fit, within the last few
days, to pass the limits of ordinary vituperation,
and to make charges which require an answer.
list of alleged subscribers to the Confederate Loan
has been fabricated, either here or in America,
and the list, or part of it, has been published
in the Morning Star, which has made it the
subject of two leading articles. Whether the whole
story was an American canard, or, what is equally
likely, was got up in this country and sent over
to America for the purpose of being subsequently
reproduced here, we cannot tell ; but that it is
a malicious imposture is perfectly certain, and,
indeed, could hardly be doubted by any one who
read it. A number of names were published by
the Morning Star, including some whose operations
were probably notorious, and who were introduced,
no doubt, to give an air of veracity to the docu-
ment, but extending to others who were chosen
solely because of their supposed leaning towards
the Confederates during the war. How gross
was the fabrication is evident from the circumstance
that Mr. Beresford Hope, who never held a farthing
in the Loan, is set down as being a loser to the ex-
tent of £40,000. Mr. Evelyn Ashley, whose con-
tradiction we publish elsewhere, was made to close
the list as having lost only £5OO. But our imme-
diate concern is with ourselves. In this list the
Editor of the Times is stated to have been a loser
on Confederate Stock to the amount of £lO,OOO,
and the Star has made its deductions from the sup-
posed fact. That it should be thought possible by
the ignorant and obscure that the opinions of 'a
great newspaper are formed from time to time to
suit the mercantile speculations of its conductors is
conceivable, but that such views should be really
taken by men conversant with journalism and its
interests—that the expression of such opinions
should be honest, we cannot believe. Even had the
statement been true it might have occurred to these
ready calumniators that whatever opinions were
expressed in the Times had been consistently held
from the time when the Northern States entered
upon the enterprise of subjugating the South by
force. Though we in no way defended Secession,
yet we were of opinion that the bloodshed and the
financial burdens that would be caused by war
would be a greater evil than a peaceable separation.
These opinions were expressed long before there
was any thought of a Southern loan, and from the
beginning to the end of the struggle they never
varied. So that, even had such an investment as
the Star imagines and comments on been made by
a conductor of this paper, it might be fairly consi-
dered as the effect, and not the cause, of his sym-
pathies. But the statement is a complete falsehood.
No Confederate stock whatever has at any time
been acquired or- possessed by the Editor of the
Times. The injurious and insulting comments
which the Star has based upon the original false-
hood are therefore entirely unfounded. No repro-
bation can be too great for the levity which admits
such imputations on the congenial authority of the
New York Herald, and then makes them the theme
of affected indignation. Such conduct tends to
lower the tone of public life in England, and to
degrade the discussions of the Press by malignant
imputations and base personalities. And amend-
ment in this particular offender we do not expect,
but we have reason to hope that the scandalous
articles which have been published in its columns
will sufficiently disgust the respectable part of the
Press, and make English newspapers more than
ever careful to maintain the excellent traditions of
mutual courtesy and respect by which they have
been hitherto distinguished.
P OST. —According to recent advices from Southern
Africa, we are sorry to find that the affairs of the
hitherto flourishing colony of Natal had begun to
assume anything but an encouraging aspect. When
war Lroke out suddenly between the Free State and
the Basuto tribe, it was hoped that its injurious
effects upon Natal would be confined to the suspen-
sion of those trade relations which, during some
years of peace, had grown up between the colony
and the adjoining countries. Having for a length
of time maintained friendly relations with the belli-
gerent parties, the people of Natal, at the com-
mencement of hostilities amongst their neighbours,
were most anxious to avoid any interference with
the course of events, and to preserve a position of
strict neutrality. An unfortunate circumstance,
however, occurred in the first days of the war which
not only at once alarmed the colonists, but has since
created great excitement among them, and caused
them to take energetic measures, with a view of
placing the country in a position to meet a very
serious contingency. No sooner had the Dutch
Boers of the Free State proclaimed war against the
Basutos, than the latter, better prepared than their
enemy to begin the conflict, poured their hosts at
several points into the territories of the Free States,
where they committed every species of atrocity upon
the inhabitants, who were, owing to the insane
policy of their Government, totally unprovided
with the means of defending themselves against so
sudden an invasion of their territory. But the
Basutos, not content with venting their indignation
against the people of the Free States, knowing
that tho country immediately lying beyond the
Drakensberg Mountains was principally occu-
pied by Dutch farmers, and heedless of the fact
that the latter were British subjects, crossed the
frontiers of Natal, murdered some of the peaceable
inhabitants, and carried off a considerable booty.
Such an atrocious act at once aroused the indigna-
tion of the people of Natal, and in a very short
time a large force of volunteers from all parts of
the colony was assembled at Ladysmith, the nearest
post to the scene of the outrages, for the purpose, in
the event of repazation not being promptly made, of
inflicting condign punishment upon the marauding
tribe. Sir Percy Douglass, the commander of the
forces in Southern Africa, who happened to be in
Natal at the time, also proceeded to the frontier,
taking with him the greater part of the British troops
stationed in the colony. A. very considerable force
was thus assembled at Ladysmith—consisting of a
battery of Royal Artillery, part of a regiment of
regulars, several troops and companies of volunteer
riflemen, and about 800 natives of the frontier Zulus,
who were most anxious to be led against the Basutos.
In the meantime the latter had retired with their
booty across the mountains. A period of inaction
now occurred, which we fear is likely to have an
injurious effect in the colony. It appears that the
Natal Government have no authority, even in such
a flagrant instance as the invasion of their territory,
to take any but precautionary measures, without,
in the first place, notifying the facts to the High
Commissioner, the Governor of the Cape Colony,
who resides .at the distance of 1,000 -miles from the
country, and awaiting his order. Sir Percy
Douglass
sent a telegram to the Governor of the Cape on the
2d July, stating that the Basutos had made an inroad
into the Flip River country, carried off much stock,
and killed some farmers ; and also that a force had
been ordered to assemble at Ladysmith. The
answer to this telegram was sent onthe
which 12tht July,
h
utlye,
after a delay of ten days, during
volunteers were growing impatient, and Sir Percy
was apprised that Moshesh, the Baseousit,potohnCedhoeinuefet,reahhgaaed
been communicated with, and full
has
restitution and
fromAhimcorrf
going on between the High Commis-
d hismanded
followers.
ccoominmpeinttseadtiobny
ssiinoneeer been
and Basuto Chief, but the latter does not
seem inclined to take any active steps to comply with
the demands of the High Commissioner. His son,
Molappo, in a letter, recommends the Government
to " go in and do the work themselves." "
says the Natal Mercury, "is what the colony is very
anxious to do." Valuable time, however, has been
lost in the course of the correspondence with the
Basuto Chief, and it would seem that the latter is
not disposed to comply with the demands of the
High Commissioner for restitution of booty carried
off, compensation, and the delivering up of the
marauding chieftain, Letsoane. The Natal Govern-
ment has not the power to order any forward move-
ment of their forces towards the Basuto territory,
and it would appear that the marauders are likely to
go unpunished, the volunteers having been ordered
to return to their homes. The Natal Mercury says
—" The volunteer forces, who turned out in large
numbers and excellent spirit, are very much dis-
gusted at having been ordered to return without
being allowed to revenge the outrage committed on

our territory." The numerous natives in the colony
are very anxious at present to be led against Moshesh,
and, if the latter be allowed to defy the colony with
impunity, very injurious effects may be produced
among them. This is a matter demanding serious
consideration, and the white population. of Natal
are perfectly justified in calling upon the Imperial
Government to allow them greater liberty in dealing
with their foreign relations. At the present time
all the foreign relations of Natal, their dealings with
the Dutch republics and the native tribes of the
interior, are subject to the control of the High
Commissioner, who has never been in the colony,
and who resides a thousand miles away from its seat
of government. This is felt to be a serious evil,
and, as one of the local papers observes, " may in-
volve the Imperial Government in great expenditure
and trouble, the present arrangement preventing
that promptness of action so essential when dealing
with savage races." The Legislature are not at
all satisfied with the present position of things,
and at the eleventh hour suppressed a proclamation
of neutrality which was already in the printer's
hands. It appears to us that no valid reason
can be urged against the Lieutenant-Governor
of Natal being, if that be necessary, granted a sepa-
rate commission empowering him to administer the
foreign relations of the colony. It is evident that
this most necessary appointment should be made
with the least possible delay, or the present native
department of the colony should be charged with
this important duty. This would probably best
meet the wants and wishes of the colonists, who,
being chiefly interested in maintaining their foreign
relations in a satisfactory state, might certainly be
allowed greater liberty than they now possess in
dealing with the native tribes beyond the limits of
the colony. Of late years trade relations have
sprung up, and are being extended, between the
colonists and the adjoining countries, and it is a
matter of mach consequence that the governor and
his council should have the entire regulation of these
important matters. There is yet another circum-
stance in the present critical state of the colony that
militates seriously against its best interests. It
appears that Col. Maclean, the present Lieutenant-
Governor, was about to retire from the colony on
account of ill health, having received a year's leave
of absence. The government has devolved upon
Col. Thomas, 67th Regiment, the Commandant of
the Forces. Now, however capable that gallant
officer may be, it is only reasonable to believe that
his previous experience has hardly been of a nature
to fit him for the office of governor of a consider-
able colony, whose internal and external affairs can
only be properly regulated by an individual possess-
ing special administrative qualifications. It is un-
questionably of great importance, at a time when a
serious danger men aces the peace of the colony,
that the governor should not only be a man of firm,
yet conciliatory disposition, but that he should
have studied, with a faithful desire to comprehend
them, the peculiarities of the people and the country,
and possess an intimate knowledge of the surround-
ing independent tribes, to whom his name and his
successful administration of the affairs of the
colony should in a measure be familiar. A man of
resolute character should at the present time be on
the spot, one who understands the people, both
within and around the colony, thus doing away
with the necessity for its foreign relations depend-
ing upon the action of a high commissioner residing
nearly 1,000 miles from the country. Such a per-
son, we believe, could easily be found. Mr. John
Scott, the predecessor of Colonel Maclean in the
government of Natal, is, we believe, at present in
this country. That gentleman for a period of
eight years vigorously and successfully ruled the
colony, and we believe that his departure was
greatly regretted by all the colonists. He it was
who, under great difficulties, inaugurated the pre-
sent form of government, and, in fact, the country
may be said to have been organised by him as a
colony. The people of Natal would doubtless hail
his return among them at this time with pleasure,
and, in view of the existing complications in that
colony, we believe it would be to the interest of
Natal, as well as of this country, if, as in the case
of Sir George Grey in New Zealand, Mr. Scott
could be induced by the Colonial-office to accept a
term of office in that part of our South African
dominions.

COUNTRY MARKE T B

lIIILL-T UESDAY.

At our market to-day there was a small show of English
wheat, which sold readily at an advance of is per qr. Malt-
ing was in good request. Grinding barley was slow of
sale. Oats held at 24s per 24 stone. Beans and peas dull
at a reduction of is per qr. A fair business done in lin-
seed at is per qr. advance.
English old white wheat, 43s to 48s ; old red, 40s to 455.
Barley, chevalier, 28s to 325. Oats, Russian, 22s to 245.
Beans, new English, 42s to 435. Peas, English blue, 35s
to 36s 6d ; grinding, 35s to 35s 6d per 36 stone.