The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-08 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1865.

The discussion of the American question is now
the constant occupation of every one at all qualified
to give an opinion on public affairs. The Duke of
ARGYLL is the last contributor on the subject, and
many may be anxious to peruse his remarks. The
text of this letter seems to be a speech which Lord
DALHOUSIE recently made in the General Assembly
of the Free Church in Edinburgh. The noble lord
appears to haVe expressed himself with great dis-
cernment, but his opinions are not in accordance
with those of the Duke of ARGYLL, who has set him-
self to work to demolish his arguments and disprove
his assertions. How far he has succeeded in this
effort must be a matter of opinion ; but the feelings of
the community have alreadybeen too fully and forcibly
evidenced to admit of any possibility of his receiving
general approbation. Lord DALHOUSIE stated very
truly that the origin of the American War was
not to settle the question of slavery by its abolition.
While we sympathised with the American people in
the great trials that have come upon them, it is of
importance that we should not deceive ourselves as
to the meaning and purpose of the strife. Lord DAL-
n o usIE gave the true version of the affair when he said
that " the lamentable fratricidal war arose from
the evil passions of men," and Surely no one who
has at all studied the facts of the case can deny that
the struggle has been fraught with all the intensity
of party feeling. It is very true what the noble
lord said that, if the abolition of slavery takes place,
it will be because the " hand of GOD overruled the
and out of that great evil
vain purposes of man,
brought the grand issue of the abolition of slavery:,
The Duke of ARGYLL thinks it of great importance
that this notion be contradicted at once, because, he
says, if it were merely speculative interest, it could
safely be left to the judgment of history; but as it
is, it concerns the maintenance of good relations
between this country and the United States. This
desideratum, in his Grace's opinion, depends not
only upon the action of the respective Governraents,

Every now and then the pleasure and animation
of a general holiday is marred by the startling
intelligence of some deplorable catastrophe. Families
are ruined, happy homes broken up, and men and
women who, in the full vigour of health and
strength, start in the morning for a few hours
pleasure trip, are carried in the evening to the wards
of the nearest hospital, suffering, mangled, and
dying. Such has been the case with the terrible
accident on the Shrewsbury Railway, when, owing
to some neglect or mismanagement, a large excur-
sion train, consisting of thirty-two car-
riages, proceeding from Liverpool to Bir-
mingham, dashed off the line, when the two
engines and a great number of the carriages were
dashed to pieces. As might be expected the damage
done was fearful. One of the stokers and ten pas-
sengers were killed, while from thirty to forty others
—some accounts go as far as fifty—were more or
less seriously injured. The description of the scene
at the moment of the accident, at the Chester sta-
tion, where thousands flocked to learn the extent of
calamity, and at the infirmary, where all the staff
was occupied during the whole of the night in at-
tending to the sufferers, faint and hurried as it is,
agivesd would o terriblebe
picture.unfari Of course, it is difficult,
n
as to the origin of
et to give any opi-
nionthis calamity ; but
one thing cannot fail to strike the most casual
observers. How is it that so many of these dread-
ful accidents happen to excursion trains? The
companies Duke their own arrangements ; they'

but also upon " the mutual understanding between. I know when the holidays are coming long before the
the two nations of each other's character, and a time, and should surely strain every nerve to avoid
just appreciation of each other's conduct." So far unnecessary risk. The excursion system properly
as we can judge from tha recent intelligence that -managed would be a pleasant recreation for the
we have received, the United States seem inclined_ people, and a source of profit to the shareholders ;
to complete the war in a style and spirit worthy of but as it is, it is likely to go out of favour with the
-its reckless commencement and its ruthless pro- frequent recurrence of such terrible catastrophes.
cedure. It is not likely that Englishmen can
understand, far less appreciate, the feelings which
induce the conquerors to show no consideration to
the conquered, and still less can they comprehend
the principles which actuate those who resort to the
meanest stratagems and the most vile subterfuges
to gain their unworthy ends. It is a scandal to the
reputation of a civilised country, and a violation of
the chivalrous feelings that govern warfare among
savage tribes, to make terms to get the enemy
within their power and then to abjure those
promises and deny those pledges. It is too late in
the day now for any special pleader to advocate
the cause of the North or its claims to our sym-
pathy and support. Even those who are against
the doctrines of secession cannot approve of the
mode pursued by its enemies across the Atlantic.
The Duke of ARGYLL states that the Amen-
cans are very sensitive to our opinion. It
cannot be said that we have seen much
evidence of this in their actions throughout this
sanguinary struggle ; they have been very abusive
and violent when any expressions from the people
of this country have offended their amour propre,
but no good effect has been prOduced by their know-
ledge that the majority of Englishmen were disap-
pointed, annoyed, and indignant at the manner in
which the Federal cause was carried on and sup-
ported. As for the attempt to make out that the
struggle for supremacy was a make-endeavour to
abolish slavery, it is quite an idle undertaking, and
must prove a complete failure whenever • and
wherever it is done. We find nothing new in this
letter, only the old arguments recapitulated, and the
old theories made to do duty again for the hundreth
time. What evidence has been presented through-
out this affair that at all shows • the sincerity of the
North in the matter of abolition. Indeed, Mr.
SEWARD, in a speech delivered some time ago, when
the war was in its thick and blaze, and astute
observers thought the chances of success pretty
equally decided between the disputants, declared
that when peace was concluded then would be the
time to discuss and decide about slavery. No doubt
in saying this he declared what he believed himself,
and what was also the opinion of those with whom
he acted in concert. It seems out of character, then,
to endeavour at this period to impart a dignity to
the cause of the North which it does not really
possess, and to seek to enlist the sympathies of the
people of this country in favour of men whose
only wish was to seek their own aggran-
disement and keep all power and profit in their own
hands. It is a well-known fact that the Northerners
treat the negroes much more severely than the
South do, and really do not care or wish for that
abolition which is put forth as the crown of their
efforts and the glory of their cause. No greater
inconsistency has been observable in the wars of
modern times than the persistency to call things by
their wrong names, which pervades the advocates
of the Federal cause in this country. It has been
the theme of inspiration to many a demagogue
orator; it has formed the test of many an essay
and disquisition on the subject by graver writers ;
and now it is taken up in solemn state by the
Duke of ARGYLL, who, in his severest tone of lofty
rebuke and indignant astonishment, proceeds to
deal with the matter. It seems strange that
those who are so vehement in their approval
of the North, and so violent in their
denunciations against the South, forget that these
States which fall under the ban of their displeasure
are nearly as large as those of the North, and that
there their inhabitants spring from a common stock
with those adulated and admired Federals. What
reason exists for the indignation felt by some against
'the South possessing their independence seems diffi-
cult to understand, and what makes it more un-
lawful for them to secede from the North more than
for those Northern States to have seceded from
GEORGE THE THIRD might puzzle the ablest logician
or the most maginative counsel to decide. The
Duke of ARGYLL pays a bad compliment to his
friends when he states that the claim of the South
was " incompatible with their continued existence as a
nation." Surely there is sufficient vitality and vigour
in the United States to carry on a flourishing career
quite independent of any other State whatever.
The Southern cause has failed for the time, but only
for the time, unless very different tactics are em-
ployed than those which gain favour in high places
just now. The Confederates have suffered enough
in all conscience without misrepresentation being
added to their wrongs, and the Federals must not
receive undue praise and undeserved encomiums.
They have triumphed through treachery, by num-
bers, and in consequence of the tame attitude and
demeanour of foreign nations. They are abusing
their opportunities and tarnishing whatever fame
they might have gained for successful strategyand con-
tinued energy. The people of England have made
many sacrifices to put down slavery, and of all
nations are the best qualified to appreciate the en-
deavours in the same cause made by other lands ;
but these efforts must be honest and honourable,
just in the sight of Heaven, and straightforward in
the eyes of man. All subterfuges are valueless
to gain respect or reverence, and the efforts
so assiduously made to connect the prosecution of
an exterminating war with the sacred rights of man
and the noble progress of freedom is totally unavail-
ing, because the argument is based on no solid
foundation, and
_becomes in point of effect and
strength of conviction but as sounding brass and as
a tinkling cymbal.

There can be no question that the welfare of a
country depends mainly on the industrial employ-
ment of its people. Where there are flourishing
trades and manufactures there is an absolute cer-
tainty of material progress and development, and
the possession of either the raw materials which are
the staples of such manufacture, or the energy and
industry which turn them to account, are the best
guarantees of internal peace and prosperity. We
have long felt the value of such resources among
ourselves, and it will be a source of sincere gratifi-
cation to Englishmen if the sister country should
prove able and willing to turn her own na-
tural wealth to profitable account. Ireland
is rich in resources, and certainly no
one can accuse her dexterous, quick-witted
children of want of skill or aptitude in the
higher branches of handicraft. It only requires the
capital and the enterprise to set such schemes on
foot, and the industry and perseverance on the part
of the people necessary to maintain them, for the
commercial resources of Ireland to be rapidly
developed, and the wealth and prosperity of the
country to be increased tenfold. The flax works
have always been considered to be one of the most
valuable of her industrial resources, and of late it
has risen very much in public estimation owing to
the cotton famine. It has been thought, and
wisely, by the friends of Irish progress, that it was
most desirable to seize the opportunity afforded by
the extravagant price of cotton to push forward
the flax works. The progress of the trade has been
very rapid where it has been fully established. In
Belfast, where thirty years since there was not a
single flax-mill, there are now fifty thousand per-
sons employed in this single trade ; and it must be
remembered that, considering the population of
Ireland, that is no insignificant number for a
single town. It is, therefore, not sur-
prising, though it is highly satisfactory, to
find that some patriotic and energetic Irishmen are
anxious to extend the benefit to the southern parts
of the country. There is now in existence a Cork
Flax-spinning and Weaving Company, which has
erected a fine new mill in the city, and which ex-
pects to employ about 11,000 people. The effect of
so large an establishment on the industrial welfare
of the city will no doubt be very beneficial; and,
if the company is wisely and prudently managed,
both in principle and in detail, it may exercise a
most important influence. A grand meeting of the
shareholders and their friends was held on Monday
last at their mill, when Mr. MAGUIRE, the able and
energetic mayor of Cork, presided. He spoke
strongly on the necessity for united exertion on the
part of Irishmen if they wished to see any substan-
tial improvement in the condition of their country,
and he cited the case of England in 1862 as a proof
of the stability afforded to national prosperity by
manufacturing resources. In that year half a million
of people were out of employment in Lancashire,
and there was a bad harvest. Yet the buoyancy of
the revenue resisted all depressing influences, and
the Chancellor of the Exchequer was even able to
reduce taxation. He attributed this phenomenon,
in a great measure, to the manufacturing energy of
the country, which had all the world for its mar-
ket. After referring to the remarkable develop-
ment of the flax trade in Belfast, Mr. AIAouiRE
observed that he could see no reason why the same
thing should not be done in Cork. The city pos-
sessed, he said, intelligence and ample resources.
There was an admirable site for the works, a very
fine building for the mill, and they were working
a raw material which the county could produce
to any extent, and which is always in demand.
The price of cotton, he thought, would never return
to its former level, but in this he is possibly mis-
taken. Still there are many purposes for which linen
is preferable to calico, and with increased produc-
tion, and consequently lowered prices,
it could come more into competition. The
company has not all its work to begin,
for it has already set on foot operations on a small
scale. A preparatory training mill has been esta-
blished, in which one hundred ignorant boys
and girls have been taught by competent in-
structors during the last three months. The
result has surprised the expectations of the
most sanguine, for, after deducting 10 per cent.
to set aside as a reserve fund, there has been 101
per cent. in the way of profit. If this is the result
of the labour of inexperienced hands in so short a
time, the prospects of further experiments are cer-
tainly most encouraging. So the assembled com-
pany seemed to think, for the amount of- sub-
scribed capital was raised during the meet-
ing to nearly £42,000, a very large proportion of
the total of £60,000. Independently of the imme-
diate return to the shareholders, the scheme has a
powerful claim on the assistance of the benevolent
and patriotic. We may fancy how different would
have been the prospects of the 100 ignOrant boys
and girls without the intervention of this factory,
and when we consider the effect- of the profitable
and regular employment of 11,000 persons we may
have some idea of the good to be attained. The
more Ireland is encouraged to trust to manufacture
the better, sin-A, the development of her natural
wealth, and the opening for talent and industry,will
be the best means of checking that excessive emigra-
tion which all parties deplore.

SIR JOHN MAXWELL, OF PoLLoc.—Ycsterday
morning Sir John Maxwell, of Polloc, died at the
mansion-house of Polloc. The deceased baronet had been
in delicate health for some time past. A few weeks ago he
became ill, but he recovered, and his friends believed re-
gained his wonted strength. Last week, however, he was
seized with cold, which developed into a form of influenza
fever. Ho became gradully worse, and expired about six
o'clock yesterday morning. Sir John, who was the eighth
baronet, was born in 1792. Ho was educated at Westmin-
ster, and at Christ Church, Oxford, represented Renfrew-
shire in Parliament from 1826 to 1831, and Lanarkshire
from 1832 to 1837. He married in 1839 Lady Matilda
Harriet Bruce, daughter of tho seventh Earl of Elgin, and
in 1844, on the death of his father, succeeded to the family
title and estates, and for many years held the office of De-
puty-Lieutenant for the counties of Renfrew and Lanark.
Sir John leaves no family, and his nephew, Mr. William
Stirling, of Kier, M.P., succeeds to his estates.—Seetsman.
SERIOUS COLLIERY ACCIDENT NEAR WIGAN.—On
Monday evening an accident occurred in the shaft
of one of the pits belonging to the Norley Colliery Com-
pany, situated at Pemberton, near Wigan, by which nearly
100 men were imprisoned underground for 18 hours. The
shaft in question is 508 yards deep, and by it are worked
three seams, the Lower and Upper Arley Mines and the
Orrel five-feet. Adjoining is a second shaft, about half
the depth sunk to the Orrel four-feet and the Cannel, and
from these seams second communications, principally for
the purposes of ventilation, are established with the deeper
mines. On Monday evening a couple of yards of the brick-
ivork
.in the deep shaft gave way at one side, about forty
yards from the surface; and falling to the bottom, of course
did very considerable damage to the timber and other ap-
pliances in the pit. A foreman named Peat and an assistant
were lowered to the spot to report upon the accident, and
whilst they were in the shaft a second fall took place,
damaging the cage in which the men were, but without
doing any injury to the men themselves. Before any visit
could be paid to the workmen below it was necessary to
make the sides safe. About 7 o'clock yesterday morning
the shaft was believed to be safe again, and Peat descended
in a hopper to the bottom, where he found there had been
much damage to property, but no loss of life. The men
were immediately wound to the surface, and about half-
past 9 all were in Pafety on the pit bank.

HER MAJESTY.

BAL3IORAL, June 6.
The Queen, accompanied by Princess Louise,
drove out yesterday morning.
In the afternoon her Majesty, accompanied by
Princess Helena, and attended by Miss Bowater,
drove beyond Invercauld.