The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-31 00:00:00

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4

LONDON, TUESDAY, JAN. 31, 1865.

There are few things more to be regretted in their
way than strikes. No matter how or where they
occur, they contain elements of a deplorable charac-
ter, and give rise to so many sufferings and losses
that they rank among our great social grievances.

Whether the harm be considered that is done to the
community through the waste of time in carrying

on the trade and business of the country, or whether
we look at the wretched homes or blighted hearths
of the innocent victims of the obstinacy of one side

1r the tyranny of the other who pay the penalty and

reap the fruits of the sowing of strife alike, we must

consider that some stop should be put to the con-
stant recurrence of this calamity, and the spread of
the angry and discontented feelings which give rise
to it. Both sides are often unquestionably to blame ;

the employers exact too much, the employed will
yield too little, and hence all suffer loss, annoyance.

and public reproach. The lookers on from liar
cannot or will not, perhaps, comprehend all e

technical details of the said grievances, and the ins
and outs of the so-called difficulties, but unwarped

by prejudice and uninfluenced by self-interest, their
judgment may be clearer and their opinion of more
value than those more initiated in detail, and more

cognisant of circumstances. They see that the
acquisition of wealth and the jealousy of property

often make the masters unmindful of their

duties; they appreciate their claims without
acknowledging their responsibilities, and in

their over haste to get rich, they are apt to

look upon their men too much as machines
who are necessary for the carrying on of the needful

tasks, rather than as human beings who share the
like feelings as themselves, and have not had the
same advantages to enlarge their views, or the same
inducements to restrain their indignation and modify
their temper. The men are also often found to be
prejudiced against their employers, as a class,
without much right and reason ; and wherever or
whenever did a large body of the working classes
stop to analyse their sentiments or take note of the
cause of this or that effect ? Sufficient unto them
is the idea that they are wronged ; and let that

notion once obtain among them, then it will spread
like wildfire until no consideration of prudence and
propriety will stay its course or check its ravages.
Philosophers and philanthropists have wearied
themselves in preaching moderation to one side and
fair play to the other, and a mutual endeavour to
adjust difficulties to both. It has seemed hitherto
unavailing for any foreign influence or third party
to do any good or effect any material benefit in the
complex character of the affair ; therefore, it is the
more satisfactory to notice that, in one particular,
the differences that have existed are likely to be put
an end to. At a meeting of the masters and opera-
tives at Coventry some conciliatory measures were
undertaken, and we may gladly hail the welcome
intelligence that a period is likely- to be put to the
vexatious differences and ruinous altercations
that have prevailed for some time past.
The masters appear to have acted with
unusual wisdom, and to have made more
efforts in framing overtures for peace than arc un-
happily often witnessed in similar cases. There is no
doubt that they will reap the fruits of their praise-
, worthy endeavour, but meanwhile the thanks of
the conununity are their due, and the recognition
of all qualified to judge will be their meed of ap-
proval and their token of goodwill. There is
nothing more difficult than to be the first in settling
affairs of this sort ; however false or faulty a kind
of pride prevails, to the exclusion often of the higher
motives, and the extinction of the really genuine
sentiments of some of the parties at Coventry. It
is fortunate for the interests of many that these
deleterious influences did not triumph, but that a
happier and kindlier feeling prevailed, which has re-
sulted in a meeting of delegates from both sides to
consider the state of things, and determine upon the
course most feasible to pursue in the dilemma in
which all are placed. Mr. MAULT, the Secretary
to the Manufacturers' Association, very truly ob-
served that that day inaugurated a new system, and
might appropriately be regarded as " one of the
most important meetings in the building-trade," as
hitherto there had been no settled principles, and
matters of dispute were constantly arising. There
are good grounds for supposing that, if the wise and
comprehensive resolutions agreed upon are adhered
to, a better day may dawn upon the trade and
all concerned in it ; vexatious doubts and over-
whelming differences may be superseded by
mutual understanding and comparative con-
fidence in each other, and in the principles that
ought to guide and govern them. Much skill
and caution have been used in the drawing up of
the plans proposed as the means of extrication from
the complex situation now so greatly to be deplored
and deprecated. Delegates from both sides are to
frame the new rules, subject to the supervision of
an arbitrator from each side, and these arbitrators

again are to appoint an umpire. The casting vote
of this latter is to be considered as final, and both
masters and men have promised to abide by and be
satisfied with such decisions as the collective wisdom
and judgment of those engaged in the settlement
shalldeemrequisite. If matters are thus arranged and
adhered to, it may surely be trusted that a better
fate and brighter future is in store for the distracted
and bewildered operatives and their dissatisfied
employers. The masters have done quite right in
giving up the " discharge-note ;" and whatever
errors they have previously committed, they have
done their best to remedy by the frank spirit in
which they have made their advances and proposed
the remedy.. The flag of truce now waved be-
tween the contending parties is a welcome sight,
and will be hailed with satisfaction by all who have
the foresight to see the evils attendant on such alter-
cations ; and if the promise now held out is at all
realised, the prospect for the future must certainly
be better, more honourable to all engaged in the un-
dertaking, and the connection that unites masters
and men may be looked back upon without shame
on one side and remorse onthe other, if they humbly
and heartily strive to do their best, sensible that
their countrymen look to them for preserving the
unanimity so necessary to the welfare of the WI.,
munity, and knowing that, for all their opportuni-
ties, the strength to work, and the power to employ
workers, they will one day be called upon to render
an account.

It has often been said that there is no evil with-
out some corresponding good, and this has been
forcibly exemplified in the recent and still continu-
ing cotton distress. Though originally springing
from the desolating war in America, and creating
much prolonged suffering in our manufacturing
districts, it has yet been the means of
conferring great, and, we may hope, lasting
benefits on other countries.: Its effects in Turkey
and Egypt have been most remarkable, not only
from the success which has attended the cotton cul-

tivation in those countries, but from the energy and
public spirit which the authorities have shown.
There is a mortifying contrast between the manner
in which the cultivation has been encouraged
in those half civilised regions and in our
Eastern dominions. It might have been supposed
that a rich and powerful country like England, so
deeply interested in the supply of cotton, and pos-
sessed of sufficient wealth, energy, and enterprise
to make any experiment of the kind not only pos-
sible but easy, would have been only too eager to
avail herself of the opportunity offered by the rich
and varied climates and. soils of her Indian
territories. But whereas in Turkey and
Egypt every effort was made, not only
to induce the people to enter into the cultiva-
tion, but to instruct them in the best means of
doing so, and the most profitable means of laying
out the money received for their cotton by the pur-
chase of the proper instruments for the improvement
of the soil and the dressing of the cotton, our
Indian authorities have acted with their usual
supineness and dislike to any striking progression.
The golden opportunity has been suffered in a great
measure to slip past, and when the fall of price,
consequent upon the cessation of the American war,
comes, the Indian cultivator will probably
be disgusted at the loss of his present high
profits, and will abandon the attempt. If
more active steps had been taken to en-
courage the cultivation during the years of the
distress, by the time peace was restored to the States
the first difficulties and preliminary expenses would
be over, the quality of the cotton improved, the frauds
of packing, &c., done away with, and the whole
trade set on a firm footing, when moderate profits
would be quite sufficient to repay the ordinary
outlay of cultivation, and to give the ryot a suitable
reward for his labour. At the annual meeting of
the Manchester Chamber of Commerce yesterday,
Mr. ASHWORTH, the President, made a very sensible
speech, commenting on the present aspects of
the cotton trade, and we are glad to see
that the views of most of the gentlemen who
addressed the meeting on the subject were enlarged
and enlightened. The change which has come over
the trade since 18G0 is one of the most startling in
commercial history. Its vast extent and flourishing
prosperity prior to the transatlantic struggle, its
sudden collapse and subsequent gradual rise into a
state that gives hope of complete resusci-
tation even without the aid of its old
source of supply, form a most remarkable
and interesting history. In 1860, observed Mr.
Asnwount, which was the year of our largest con-
sumption, we consumed an amount of cotton valued
at £34,000,000. Last year, for about half the
quantity, we paid £80,000,000. It is something,
however, to have even reached this level after
the almost absolute stagnation of the trade.
The fact of its growing indigenously in many dif-
ferent parts'of the world proves what may be done
by intelligence and enterprise ; and we hope our
commercial men will do all in their power to en-
courage such enterprise, besides endeavouring, if
possible, to rouse an indifferent Government to

vigorous and consistent action.

The Royal marriage Act.

TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sut,—Some few weeks ago your paper contained some
remarks relative to the Royal Marriage Act, and you stated
that it was an error to suppose that the members of the
Royal family aro compelled to marry foreigners. The law
is as follows, "by Act 12th Geo. 111., c. 11, no descendant
of the body of King George 11. (other than the issue of
Princesses married into foreign families), is capable
of contracting matrimony without the previous consent
of the King, signified under tho great seal, and
any marriage contracted without such consent is void.
Provided that such of the said descendants as are above
the ago of 25 may, after a twelvemonth's notice given to

the King's Privy Council, contract and solemnise marriage
without the consent of the Crown ; unless both Houses of
Parliament shall, before. the expiration of the said year,
expressly declare their disapprobation of such intended
marriage ; and all persons solemnising, assisting, or being
present at any such prohibited marriage, shall incur the
penalties of the statute of prremunire." Now, as the com-
mon report is, whether true or false, that the Princess
Mary of Cambridge is desirous to marry Lord Hood, there
is one important clause in.- the said Royal Marriage Act,
which belongs solely and exclusively to the House of
Cambridge, and which can only be known to members of
the legal profession. It is as follows :—" The exception of
the issue of Princesses married into foreign families." Now
the word issue (unlike that of child or children, which is
wholly and exclusively confined to the first generation, and
can never take in grandchild or any more remote genera-
tion) means any descendant in law, and would apply as,

for instance, in the following case :—The present Queen
is the issue of King James 1., albeit, she is his great, great,
great, great, great, great granddaughter. Now the Princess
Mary of Cambridge, and her brother, the Duke of Cambridge,
as also their sister, the Duchess of Mecklenburgh-Strelitz,
formerly Princess Augusta of Cambridge, are, it is true,
descendants of the body of King George 11., but they arc
also the issue of a Princess married into a foreign family,
as the present Duchess of Cambridge was the granddaugh-
ter of the Landgravine of Hesse Cassel, and she was prior
to her marriage Princess Mary of England, one of the
daughters'of King George, and therefore the issue of a
Princess married into a foreign family.
Thinking this may not bo much known at this dis-
tance of time, I have taken the liberty of troubling you
with this letter on the subject ; and although in all proba-
bility the upholders of the Royal Marriage Act would call
this a mere quibble of the law, still it is a very nice point,
whether the House of Cambridge and all their descendants
are not free from the fetters of the aforesaid Royal Mar-
riage Act, and are able to contract matrimony without the
consent of her Majesty, her heirs and successors, signified
under the great seal. I don't here pretend to enter upon
any discussion of the merits or demerits of the Royal Mar-
riage Act, but merely and simply to state the law as, Sir,
your obedient servant, A. LAWYER.