The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-26 00:00:00

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LONDON, MONDAY, JUNE 2G, 1865.

Election addresses and speeches are now the
order of the day, and it is a curious and interesting
study to mark the nice distinctions without a differ-
ence that exist in some quarters. The fact is there
is very little for any one to say, however anxious
they may be to distinguish themselves. Ministers
are showing an extraordinary eagerness to get to
the country and send their friends there, and in
order to effect their purpose they are resorting to
strange expedients,:and employing divers tactics,
which surprise all who observe them. The white-
bait dinner, which has long been considered an esta-
blished custom, is this year to be abandoned, for no
practical reason that any one can see, and altogether
the arrangements in official quarters are more pecu-
liar than promising. None of the Ministers have as
yet issued their addresses, and some surprise has
been expressed at Lord PALMERSTON'S reticence.
The truth is, that if better things could be said we
should see more alertness to come forward ; but
what have these champions of Reform and zealous
upholders of our character and influence abroad to
say for themselves? When the Conservatives were
so unscrupulously and unceremoniously hurried from
office in 1859 the public were sedulously informed
that there were two important reasons why the
present Government should be installed in
office, and these were that Reform should
be vigorously dealt with, and that our foreign
policy should be more skilfully administered.
-Whatever the most zealous supporter andmost adroit
apologist for Ministers may say on these subjects, re-
form has been abandoned, and as for foreign affairs,
this country has seldom if ever been in a more dis-
graceful position. As for the pretext that was skil-
fully put forward that the late Government had too
much leaning to Austria, what has become of the
present one ? have not political faith, national
honour, and public feeling been trampled down, in
order to secure to the German Powers their utmost
desires and fullest realisation of unlawful schemes.
While, if we look to what has taken place beyond
the Atlantic, may we not affirm that great injury
has been done to the cause of humanity by the
supine course that our Ministers have taken in some
cases, and the partial and prejudiced manner in
which they have acted in others. Even now the
end is not seen, for by their refusal to protest
against the savage and virulent demeanour of the
Federals, they may be
losing a chance of preventing
a great crime being perpetrated, and tacitly agree-
ing to a cruel wrong and injustice.
The constituencies had better not suffer them-
:,;elves to be deceived by the specious pleas that
niay be put in at the approaching elections,
Laic take time to consider how badly the promises
have been kept that were made so prolifically at the
last general election, and what
misuse has been
made, of the opportunities that have since presented
themselves by those then so clamorous for office
and so captious and critical concerning the short-
comings, real and imaginary, of their opponents.
Among those whose position may be envied is Sir
J. PAKINGTON. The right hon. baronet has sat for
Droitwich for upwards of a quarter of a century,
ani there is no chance of his re-election being
opposed. his address is simple and straightforward,
which is eminently characteristic, and accords well
with all that is known of his career, politically and
officially. Sir Jou observes that the principles

which have guided his public life —" essentially
Conservative as regards the main institutions of the
country, essentially reformatory wherever practical
improvement can be *isely effected—remain un-
changed." It may fairly be ques.tioned if the right
hon. baronet is not in reality a better Reformer
than more pretentious and fair seeming ones ; he
has the merit of consistency, and he is not led
away by the speeches of demagogues and the
shuffling expedients of the day. The greatest im-
provements are not those which are either effected
in haste or delayed as long as possible, and then
agreed to at the eleventh hour, through sheer

necessity.
Sir E. B. LYTTON has come forward with spirit,
and both in his address and speech showed no re-
luctance to enter on the contest at the election,
or backwardness in applying himself to the onerous
duties that will await the new Parliament. It
would be well if more among the candidates would
display that fair estimate of their opponents, and that
desire to maintain good-will that distinguished the
speech of the right hon. baronet on Saturday.
Bitterness of feeling and party spirit carried to ex-
cess are quite out of character in the present day—
the intelligence of the ago has pronounced against
them, and it is to be hoped that, so far
as possible, all such unseemly exhibitions may
be avoided in the approaching elections. Mr.
BAINES has issued his address to the electors
of Leeds, and speaks out boldly and decidedly in
support of his views. The advice which is tendered
by this energetic Reformer is wise and sound, and
many time-servers and prejudiced politicians will
do well to pay heed to it. Mr. BAINES winds up
his remarks with this impressive passage—" The
object of every friend of his country should be to
admit, not in a grudging spirit, but with a hearty
welcome, the educated, provident, and industrious
portion of the working class to the franchise,
and thus to bind them heart and soul to the
maintenance of the laws and Constitu-
tion." At the time of the Reform Bill being
passed many regretted that they had not
listened earlier to the words of warning which had
been given to them by the present observers and
far-seeing judges. It appears probable that there
will be a sharp contest for Oxford University, and
both Mr. Gladstone and his opponent are on the
alert. Notwithstanding much that finds disfavour
in his acts and speeches, many will regret if the
University is no longer represented by one so bril-
liant as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and it is
appropriate that Oxford should send to Parliament
so distinguished a scholar. Sir FITZROY KELLY'S
address is a very smart one, and tells some home
truths that those in office will not much relish. It
cannot be but that the common sense of the
community must be awakened to the shortcomings
of our present Cabinet, and the one potent spell of
being a supporter of Lord PALMERSTON will lose its
charm and influence. Sir F. KELLY denounces,
in appropriate language, the policy of Earl RUSSELL
in deluding weak nations with the hope of support
and then leaving them to the mercy of their foes.
Ministers are very much mistaken if they think
that the retrospect of their foreign policy will not
be most damaging to them on the hustings, while
their truckling conduct in domestic affairs will cover
with shame and reproach.

At this time of the year speculations as to the
prospects of the harvest begin to be rife. The
matter is so important to all classes of the commu-
nity, and depends so much upon causes entirely
beyond our control, that there is good reason for
anxiety and watchfulness. Englishmen generally
find plenty to say about the weather all the year
round, and what our insular awkwardness and re-
serve would do without the assistance of the meteo-
rological changes to help us over the difficulties of a
first introduction, a casual meeting, or the enforced
companionship of a journey, it is difficult to imagine.
But if the alternate frost and thaw of the winter
and the varying sun and rain of the spring serve to
occupy our idle moments, when the year moves on
to summer time the matter grows really interesting,
and town and country alike look at the midsummer
skies with watchful eagerness. A few years back
we had a thoroughly wet summer, a summer whose
damp and gloomy days were but too well remem-
bered in the scarcity of the winter. Then again, in
1863, we had a glowing season, which filled our
barns and granaries, and gladdened the hearts of
the poor. Last year was a singular specimen of
the variations of the English climate. It was dry,
so dry that the evaporation of the rain in falling a
few feet made a perceptible difference to the meteo-
rologist, and yet so cold that the average summer
heat was not reached. The dryness produced a
sensible effect upon the turnip crop, which
was of a very inferior quality. The combined dry-
ness and dullness of the year was, however, more
seriously felt in its effect on the hay harvest, and
the deficiency in this and the turnips made cattle
provender so dear and scarce that the price of meat
rose to a terrible height. It is therefore no small
satisfaction to find the prospects of the haymakers
as yet very good. They have no lack of sunshine to
complain of, and the rain for which they have begun
to sigh is apparently at hand. Haymaking in Wales
has already become general, and the crops give hopes
of being far superior to those of last year. In some
parts of South Wales the wheat is in full ear, and
the barley and oats are thriving. In other parts of
the country, too, there are favourable indications,
and we may reasonably hope for a fair harvest—
that great boon to the working millions. With the
present high price of lodging, which is more likely
to augment than to diminish, the price of bread—
always important to the poor—grows doubly in con-
sideration. There is, therefore, ground for thankful-
ness in the prospects of the year ; and we hope that
a few seasonable showers will speedily. remove the
only present cause for anxiety.

The annual dinner of the Social Science Associa-
tion, which took place on Saturday evening, pos-
sessed some features of interest. It was rather a
celebration on behalf of the Society for the Amend-
ment of the Law, which is now incorporated with
the larger Association, than a mere general assem-
bly, and the presence of Lord BROUGHAM, the
great law reformer, and the venerable president of
both Societies, gave it especial importance. The
noble lord, in giving the toast of the evening, "The
Prosperity of the United Societies," took occasion
to remark upon the important law reforms which
had been carried this session. The concentration of
the law courts was a measure which the veteran
president himself advocated many years back ; but.,
like other reforms, it has taken many long years to
effect. Another measure which Lord BROUGHAM
warmly approved of was the extension of equitable
jurisdiction to county courts, without which the
constitution of those courts was lamentably de-
ficient. Sir FITZROY KELLY, in speaking on the
same subject, remarked upon the great services
which Lord BROUGHAM himself had rendered in the
good cause. Thirty years ago he made a speech
advocating certain reforms in the law, which
at the time met with strenuous opposi-
tion.e
influential
greater w y part w
eorfe to
other irnrfluhe
Ipleposjedudgtoes thoseand
reforms in tote, yet after the lapse of many years
the changes recommended by Lord BROUGUAM in
1828 became law, One of the principles which he

the 1. advocated is now universally admitted—the
per nission for the principal parties to a suit to give
evidtmce respecting it. Lord BROUGHAM and Sir F.
KELLY. are both anxious to extend this principle
s till further, and to admit it in criminal as well as
in civic cases. But as Sir FITZROY KELLY reminded
his hearers, it is difficult to estimate the immense
obstacles int the way of the reformer, whether
social or legal. Interested opposition is always
strong and persevering, while there are num-
bers of cautious or indolent men who dislike
change and. innovation of every kind. There are
some minds: with whom as a late poet finely says—
" Oppression has grown sacred in its venerable
wrong," and men who have occupied an official po-
sition for a. good many years are apt to grow fet-
tered by the prejudices inseparable from their posi-
tion. Red--tapism unconsciously influences them,
and the dislike which they feel to every proposed
change arises quite as much from a reluc-
tance to interfere with the established order
of things as from any real or apparent
danger in the change itself. This renders it
very difficult for the law reformer to proceed, since,
as Sir F. KELLY pointed out, any such reform was
usually referred to the judges for their opinion, and
the judges as a body were almost always averse to
a change in the administration of justice. In the
way of social and political reforms, too, there are
often very embarrassing obstacles to surmount, and
rapid progress cannot always be looked for; still
steady and unflinching perseverance will usually
carry all before it. We are glad to find Lord
BROUGHAM supporting his old reputation as a poli-
tician by boldly advocating the extension of the
franchise, especially in the direction of the skilled
artisans.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

SPAIN.

MADRID, June 23.
Marshal O'Donnell delivered the following address
yesterday in the Congress :
Gentlemen Deputies,—•

Called by the will of her Majesty to occupy this
position, I believe it to be my first duty to state my
political programme to the national representation.
The first thing done by the Government, gentle-
men, is to hoist this flag. The Ministry belong to
the Liberal Union, but are conciliatory, and desire
to see around them Liberals attached to the country
and its institutions.

The Ministry not only desire that this may take
place, with all the detached fractions of the Liberal
Union, but will accept with pleasure the support of
all the individuals of these Chambers who may wish
to array themselves under the banner of their party.
The Ministry have no idea of exclusiveness.

The programme of the Government, gentlemen,
is already determined. The Government have re-
solved to settle all questions arising in this house
in accordance with the proposals they have made
from these benches.

There are three serious questions to be settled
with regard to home policy. The first is the ques-
tion of the press. The Government declare that
they withdraw from the other legislative body the
two bills brought forward by the former Cabinet.
They consider that the present press law satisfies
all necessities, being accompanied by the establish-
ment of the jury, which ought to be the tribunal of
the press. The Government have decided to act as
follows : common offences, under which category
are those committed against the fundamental bases
of Spanish society, may be and will be tried by the
ordinary tribunals. As regards special offences of
the press, the Government believe that the jury will
be sufficient to repress them as well as to protect
their liberty of writing.
I now come to the question of the electoral law.
The present law, gentlemen, not only in the opinion
of him who has the honour to address you, but in
the opinion of all, has unfortunately fallen into
complete discredit. This is a matter upon which
all parties agree. The Government hold the same
opinion ; and wishing to render the legal contest
open to all parties, to enable them to come here and
advocate their doctrines in entire liberty, and de-
siring also that that those obtaining the majority of
votes in the country should be those to represent it,
the Government will immediately request authorisa-
tion to bring forward a bill adopting the principle
of large electoral circumscriptions—the elections
taking place by provinces and the qualification
being reduced one-half.

In this bill also the Government have endeavoured
to combine all they consider necessary, and every
possible precaution in order to avoid abuses of
power, and to render the elections really free, so
that all the electors may give their votes without
being exposed to any sort of constraint.
Relative to the question of ecclesiastical liquida-
tion, the Government believe that great resources
still exist in the country to carry out all the public
works and other means of development of which
Spain stands in need. These measures consist in
ecclesiastical liquidation. The Government have
resolved to effect this liquidation with the greatest
activity, in order to carry out the compact concluded
between the civil and ecclesiastical powers.
In foreign questions the Government will endea-
vour to preserve the good relations now existing
between Spain and the other nations of the world,
doing everything upon all occasions to maintain the
dignity and independence of the Spanish nation.
A grave question, gentlemen, to which I must call
your attention is that of Italy. The Government
consider that the time has now come to take a de-
cided course in this question. They believe that
without prejudicing the interests of Catholicism, a
resolution can be taken consonant with the ideas
and interests of Spain, considered as an European
and constitutionally governed nation.

Finally, with regard to the interesting question of
public order, the Congress is aware that the Mi-
nistry have come to power under grave and difficult
circumstances. It is not I who say this, you have
heard it from the lips of those who sat in these
benches, and the same idea has been expressed in
the preamble of the bills recently brought forward
by the preceding Cabinet. Nevertheless the Go-
vernment assure the Congress that they fear no-
thing for public order, that they believe they have
the means of maintaining it, and that to uphold the
law they will employ no other means than the law.