The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-13 00:00:00

rHE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 13, 186a9

........-4-.------------,----
of the man whom they have unanimously called i fasting in. a course which must in the end occasion
to the head of their military affairs in this national far more injury to trade than the endurance of the
crisis. As we have before said, the employment of :much-dreaded evils on one side, and inconvenient
freedom would be as great a source of moral as of arrangements on the other.
material strength. It would prove unmistakeably
to Europe that slavery is not the cause of the war,
and would be the greatest possible blessing to the
Confederacy itself, by enabling it to get rid of the
plague-spot, and to solve that terrible problem
which has so long retarded American civilisation
and hampered Southern energies.

The action of constitutional freedom in some parts
of the -world is beginning to make itself felt in others.
Russia, so long the abode of feudalism—the very
essence, as it were, of a despotic government and
an unrepresented people has, during this
generation, begun to emerge from the
darkness. The emancipation of the serfs,
which will be one of the most memorable acts of
the reign of ALEXANDER IL, was a most important
step in the right direction. That proceeding, how-
ever, militated directly against the power of the
nobles, who naturally resented any interference
with their traditional rights. They are anxious to
retain their legitimate influence, and some of them
have wisely come forward rather as the leaders and
representatives of popular rights than as the last
remnants of the old feudal system. The EMPEROR,
however, is unwilling to grant their wishes, and
objects to granting them the privilege of political
assembly. He will find it difficult to withhold
from the most influential men in his kingdom that
which they can justly lay claim to as a right
sanctioned by the charter of CATHARINE H. The
matter has not been suffered to rest after the refusal
of ALEXANDER to listen to the appeal of the Moscow
nobles. The Pskow nobles have followed the
example of their compatriots, taking warning by
their failure and framing their plan of action
so skilfully that the EMPEROR will find it impossible
to adopt legal measures against it. The Govern-
ment, on the other hand, has appointed a com-
mittee for the revision of the laws respecting
the assemblies of nobles. The struggle will be
watched with interest in this country, and it is hoped
that the EMPEROR, who has conceded so much to
one class of his subjects, will not withhold
from another their just and constitutional rights.

The Governors of Georgia and of North Carolina
have addressed the people of those • States in very
different terms. If we are to believe the New York
version, which may perhaps be looked upon with some
suspicion, as the reporters may speak their wishes,
the Georgian Governor denounces the policy of
JEFFERSON DAVIS, and objects to the arming of
slaves. Governor VANCE, of Carolina, on the other
hand, very justly declares that the only real danger
to Southern independence are depression and dis-
sension among the Confederates themselves. He
urges upon the thousands who are absent from their
post the imperative duty of returning to their stan-
dards, and very sensibly reminds them that if they
do not act with promptitude and unanimity, the
abundant harvest fields of last year will this year
be .ploughed by the foes.

Columbia has been burnt by SHERMAN'S troops
in retaliation for the fire of the citizens—a specimen
of Northern magnanimity which must have shown
the Southern people how much forbearance they
might expect from Federal supremacy. We shall
wait with interest the arrival of the next mail,
which will probably bring us intelligence of an
eventful and important character.

After a winter of unusual severity and hardship
the spring has dawned gloomily enough in some
parts of England. Indeed, it would seem as if
misfortunes of all kinds were conspiring together,
and the calamities are almost unparalleled in their
magnitude, as well as overwhelming in their sudden
conjunction. We have as yet scarcely recovered
from the fearful crisis occasioned by the stoppage
to the cotton trade, and now the community is called
upon to face new troubles of an aggravated descrip-
tion. The failure of the Bank at Birmingham is as
great a misfortune as could possibly have happened,
for its collateral circumstances are so peculiarly
unhappy. It is often observed upon the
occurrence of such events that many things
aggravate the calamity, but there can be
no doubt that in this case it is no exaggeration to
declare that the particulars of the failure are most
deplorable in their immediate and remote conse-
quences, and their direct and indirect influences.
The great reputation which the bank has so long
possessed, and the extensive dealings relating to it,
have contributed to heighten the calamity to an in-
tense degree, and the numerous customers connected
with it occasion the spread of the evil to be enor-
mous in its extended ramifications. The excitement
was, of course, very great when the sad intelligence
became known, and as the time pdssed on, and
allowed people to reflect upon what had happened,
despair succeeded to the sentiment of dismay at first
so generally experienced. It appears that this cala-
mity which has come so suddenly upon the public
has been anticipated for some time past by those im-
mediately concerned in the business, and with a
view of warding off the casualty the firm sought to
become amalgamated with the Birmingham Joint-
stock Bank ; but, unfortunately, as will often occur
in such matters, the steps that were necessary to be
taken to effect this arrangement hastened the advent
of the catastrophe which caused such consternation
on Saturday. There arc some valid reasons adduced
for the stoppage, and it seems that for the last ten
years the firm has been struggling to extricate them-
selves from the embarrassments into which some
unfortunate occurrences had involved them. It is
not so surprising, then, considering these circum-
stances, that this deplorable calamity should have
occurred. Large sumswere drawn out of the bank
by the ATwooDs some years ago, and in the circular
issued on Saturday it was stated that to that circum-
stance the failure is to be attributed. It is estimated
that the liabilities of the firm are nearly a million,
and therefore it will be readily understood how ex-
tensive the losses will be. It is a sad reflection to dwell
upon, in connection with this affair, that the poorer
classes have invested their savings in this bank.
The prompt course pursued by the joint-stock bank
was the means of averting much of the calamity
that otherwise would have been almost overwhelm-
ing in its character. Great credit is due to the libe-
rality of the managers, who opened a credit
account, which afforded relief in some degree
to the distracted sufferers by the catastrophe.
By this means two hundred credit accounts were
opened, and thus the wages of many were paid who
otherwise would have fared but badly. It is satis-
factory to catch one ray of light like this amidst the
gloom of so melancholy an occurrence, and nothing
is so rare to meet with in cases of this sort as that
prompt and active forethought which assists in-
stead of adding to the pressure of the evil. The
full extent of the failure may not be so disastrous
in some respects as was feared at first, and it is a
great point gained that the shock of the first part of
the affair should have been in some degree miti-
gated. It is always to be dreaded that in these sad
affairs an angry feeling should arise, and that the
sudden shock produce such an effect upon un-
disciplined minds that disturbances arise, which of
course increase the evils already so difficult to bear.
The lock-out is a calamity that gives rise to more
painful reflections than the failure of the bank, for
the one was in all probability impossible to avert,
while the otherisc: on theainlyt part of theheconsequenmace
noyf
and ill-
selfish vie
in-
fluencing the rest. No possible excuse can be
framed for those who cater to the views of a clique,
and answer the purpose of prejudice. It is most
unfortunate that the assiduous efforts of many well-
intentioned persons should not have prevailed to a
greater extent than they have done, and that all has
now resolved itself into the question of which is the
strongest—the masters or the men. Such a con-
summation of disputes is always to be dreaded, and
in this particular instance it must be declared that
the blame rests chiefly with the masters ; they
seem to have precipitated matters in order to
force on this trial of strength, and put into execu-
tion those intentions which they had previously
formed to put down with a high hand and a strong
intent those vexatious strikes which continually
harassed them, and interfered with their business.
It is melancholy to contemplate the distress which
will infalliby ensue before long among those thus
thrown out of employ. At the outset of these affairs
the blow is not experienced in full force, because
there is money in hand, but as time goes on, and
little by little the resources dwindle away, gaunt
famine stares them in the face, and their homes
present frightful pictures of misery and destitution.
It is to be trusted that at the meetings which will
be held during the next few days some desirable
arrangements will be made, but we must protest
against the mode pursued by both masters and men
to settle affairs. It is
community, and a disgrace to a commercial
it is a scandal to a Christian
country. V.
and the employed
—mpioyers forget their responsibilities,
denyattrahetiironot7theinwteinredsist,sanind tpheus
r.
restlewconsideration ly casting

Convents and Monasteries.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

AUSTRALIA.

PLYMOUTH, MARCH 13.

The Kent, from Port Philip on the 17th De-
cember, passed up Channel off the Start yesterday
afternoon.

She brings 10,000 ozs. of gold, about 100 pas-
sengers, and a full general colonial cargo.
21 of her passengers landed here this morning by
a pilot boat.

ITALY.
TURIN, MARCH 13.

fighting against our oppressors, go on with the
heroism displayed hitherto, without suffering your-
selves to be discouraged by misfortune, without fear-
ing danger, without desponding on account of the
desertion of some of our countrymen. These will,
perhaps, return to our ranks to blot out the infamous
stains of traitors; but if they should not do it, if they
should obstinately drag on in their degradation, pity
them, for in the midst of their joys and distinction
they are very unhappy. The consciousness of their
being at the same time Mexicans and the subjects of
a foreign despot will be the horrible torment that
shall wither and consume their contemptible exist-
ence. Do not forget that the defence of our country
and our liberty is for us an unavoidable duty, be-
cause by it we defend our own dignity, the honour
and dignity of our wives and children, the honour
and dignity of all men. We have for this reason
generous supporters at home and abroad, who by
their writings, by their influence, and by their re-
sources, assist us, wishing ardently the safety of our
country. Renew, therefore, your efforts, and be as-
sured that time, our constancy, our union, and our
activity will reward our sacrifices by the ultimate
triumph of the sacred cause we defend. Mexicans!
he who addresses you, faithful to his duty and to his
conscience, will devote all his energy to the national
defence; will promote it by all the means in his
power, and, with your support and co-operation,
will maintain high and without humiliation the flag
of indepedennce, of liberty, and of progress, which
Mexico conquered by the heroic courage of her war-
riors and by the precious blood of her children.

The Opinione of to-day announces that the King
has signed a decree granting a full amnesty for
political offences, and for contraventions of the
press law, as well as to all those persons who were
compromised in the Aspromonte affair.

" BENITO JUAREZ.
" National Palace, Chihuahua, Jan. 1, 1865."

The Lock-out in the Iron Trade.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, Saturday Night.
To-night the " great lock-out in the iron trade
commences in this district, and on Monday morning
an immense number of men upon Tyneside, in the
Cleveland district, and other parts of Durham,
Northumberland, and North Yorkshire, engaged in
the iron trade, will be in enforced idleness if the
North Staffordshiremen do not get their dispute
settled in the meantime. Letters have also been re-
ceived by the ironmasters in this town to-day inti-
mating that the Scotch masters intend to " lock
out."

The following is a list of the blast furnaces in the
Cleveland district, made up to yesterday :—Eston
Bolckow, Vaughan, and Co. (limited), 9in ; Clay
Lane Co., 6 in ; South Bank Co., 3 in. Cargo li
Fleet—Jones, Dunning, and Co., 3 in ; Cochrane
and Co., 4 in ; Giles, Wilson, Pease, and Co., 3 in,
2 out. Middlesborough—Bolckow, Vaughan, and
Co. [limited), 4 in ; Hopkins and Co. (limited), 2
in. Port Clarence—Bell Brothers, 6in ; Norton—
Warner, Lucas, and Barrett, 3 in ; Stockton—.
Holdsworth and Co., 3 in ; Ferryhill—Rosedale
Iron Co. (limited), 3in : Newport—B. Samuelson,
3 in ; Thornaby—W. Whitwell and Co., 3 in ;
Darlington—South Durham Co., 3 in ; Witton-
park—Bolckow, Vaughan, and Co. (limited), 4 in ;
Stanhope—Weardale Iron Co. (limited), 1 out ;
Towlaw—Weardale Iron Co. (limited), 4 in, 1 out ;
Consett—Derwent Iron Co. (limited), .7 in, 11 out.
Total, 73 in, 15 out, gross total, 88.
The following is the number of the puddling fur-
neces in the northern counties generally :—Walker
—Messrs. Losh, Wilson, and Bell, 50 ; Gateshead
—Messrs. Hawks, Crawshay and Sons, 03, Con-
sett—Derwent Iron Co., 99 ; Bishopwearmouth—
Ditto, 31; Birtley—lron Co., 6 ; Shotley-bridge—
Richardson and Co., 27 ; Hive—Jarrow, Elliott,
and Co., 10 ; Sunderland—Tyzack and Co., 7 ;
Britannia—G. Hopper, 16 ; Jarro—Palmer and
Co., 30 ; Tudhoe—Weardale Iron Co., 64; Middles-
borough—Bolckow and Vaughan, 68; Witton-park
—Ditto, 71; Tees-side—Hopkins and Co., 55 ;
Albert-hill—Barningham and Co., 45; Stockton
Iron Co., 20. Total, 646.

Statement of furnaces building :—Eston—South
Bank Co., 3 nearly ready ; Middlesborough—Hop-
kins, Lloyd, and Co., 4 nearly ready ; Eston—
Bolckow and Vaughan, 2 two-thirds completed ;
Fighting Cocks—Middleton Iron Company (limit-
ed), 2 nearly completed ; Ferryhill—Rosedale Iron
Co. (limited), 4 nearly ready ; Eaton—South Bank
Co., 8 commenced ; Middlesborough—Stevenson,
Jaques, and Co., 3 commenced; Newport—Samuel-
son, 1 commenced; Cargo Fleet—Swan, Straubenzee,
and Co., 2 commenced; Carlton—Bastow and Co.,
2 half completed.
An idea may be formed of the extent of operations
in this locality from the fact that the last fortnightly
pay for all Messrs. C. Palmer and Co.'s extensive
works and mines amounted to £20,000 in wages.
The old-established firm of Messrs. Hawks, Craw-
shay, and Sons have declined to lock their men out,
and they will be at work at Monday morning. If
the lock-out in this district were protracted it would
have a very disastrous effect upon many industrial
operations, as ultimately iron shipbuilders and other
extensive works would have to knock off. But
though affairs look most gloomy in the manufac-
turing villages to-night, it may be asserted with a
good deal of confidence that the prospect of an early
settlement and return to work does not look so re-
mote now as it might be feared. Both masters and
men exhibit a very conciliatory spirit ; no time has
been lost iu arranging for a meeting between the re-
presentatives of the men and the committee appointed
by the North Country Ironmasters' Association, and
it is quite probable that an interview will be arranged
for Monday. Meetings of the turned-out work-
men are being held in the various places comprised
within the jurisdiction of the Gateshead Execu-
tive of the Ironworkers' Union to-night, and the
following questions to be put to the masters have
been submitted to the meetings :—" What are we
locked out for ?" "What have wedone ?" " On what
terms are we expected to resume work ?" "If we
are not to resume work, then give us a clearance
and a character, in order that we may go and ob-
tain work elsewhere."
Affairs are very gloomy at Middlesborough, and
and the tradespeople look with a rueful aspect upon
the lock-out. The only large concerns on the
Middlesborough and Tee-side district, it is antici-
pated, that will not lock out are the Stockton Roll-
ing Mills, which employ about 200 hands.

The thirty-first annual meeting of the share-
holders of the Bank of Australasia was held to-day,
Mr. Edward Hamilton, in the chair. The report
stated that the fourth series of new shares having
been paid up, the capital of the corporation was now
augmented to £1,200,000, the amount limited by the
charter. The first instalment of £lO per share re-
ceived dividend in October last ; the second instal-
ment would participate in dividend in April, and the
third in October next, after which date dividend
would be paid on the entire capital of the corpora-
tion, and the distinction between old and new shares
would cease. The directors had declared a divi-
dend on old shares, payable on the 11th of
April next, at the rate of 6 per Cent. per
annum and a bonus at the rate of 8 per
cent. per annum, both free of income-tax, being
together at the rate of 14 per cent. per annum, or
£2 16s. per share for the hall-year. A dividend
and bonus at the same rate per cent. would be paid
at the same time on the first and second instalments
of £lO each on the new shares, amounting together
to £1 Bs. per share.

HANDEL FESTIVAL—This being the first day for
securing vouchers giving a priority of seats for the
Handel Festival, in'June next, at the Crystal Palace, largo
numbers of persons were assembled at Exeter-hall, and at
the Crystal Palace, awaiting the opening of the offices at
10 o'clock. Personal applications received even numbers
introducing them to the ticket clerks—the odd numbers
being reserved for applications received by post up to this
morning—these numbers being taken alternately. At two
o'clock there was still a large number of applications to
deal with, and it was estimated that up to that time about
£3,000 had been paid in at the Crystal Palace office, and
about £2,000 at the office at Exeter Hall. The offices
were to close at four o'clock, reopening at 10 o'clock to-
morrow morning, when personal applications and remit-
tances by post will be attended to alternately, as to-day.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.—The Capital Punishment
Commissioners met on Friday and Saturday, the 10th and
11th inst., at No. 2, Victoria-street, Westminster, when the
Duke of Richmond, Lord Stanley, M.P., the Right Hon.
Mr. Justice O'Hagan, Mr. H. Waddington, Mr. Gathorne
Hardy, M.P., Dr. Lushington, Mr. W. Ewart, M.P., Mr. G.
W. Hunt, M.P., Mr. C. Neate, M.P., and Mr. John Bright,
M.P., attended. The secretary, Mr. H. Patteson, was also
present.

The Oxford and Canterbury Hall Company.