The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-13 00:00:00

success, and the ranks of the Liberal party and the
Radicals appear to have a better chance of combin-
ing than they have had for some time, but we warn
the one and the other that neither will he stand as
the first Minister of this country, nor will they

succeed in gaining the respect or confidence of the

people if the noble Earl, as the head of the Govern-
ment, yields to the senseless clamour of a preju-
diced sect, and if they as a party support such
notions. They will throw away their chances, and
prove that they are not deserving of trust and unfit
to be leaders of the people. If there is one thing
more another that the English people love and reve-
rence it is fair play, equal laws and equal rights
for all, and it is the principle, the vital breath, the
native air of our Constitution which has been vio-
-1 lated in the suspension of Governor EYRE during
the inquiry. Talk of an impartial investigation !
The affair is prejudged and the verdict virtually given

already. The very classes whom it is most neces-
sary to impress will consider that he is condemned ;
they will not stay to chop logic, or to weigh
words ; they will see that the man who feared

not to take a decisive stand against the leaders of
the outbreak, isdeserted by his own superiors in the
hour of difficulty. This is not what we should have
expected, and it is not what we have a right to ex-
pect from the Ministerswho form the Council of this
mighty empire. Already we feel the loss of the
statesman so recently interred in Westminster Ab-
bey. Lord PALMERSTON would never have allowed
such an act of injustice to be perpetrated as the
suspension of Governor EYRE. Ile never for-

sook a friend or gave up a subordinate, no

matter how many offences he might be
charged with. If Earl RUSSELL had been wise
he would have joined in the same track,
but-he seems to think it better to yield to
clamour, and to stultify himself and his col-

leagues. If this is to be the fashion of the day
with them, it is high time for the nation to be on
the alert, and not to allow the world to believe
that the spirit of the English people is degenerating.
If anything could make the conduct of Ministers
more absurd and unreasonable it would be the
language which is employed by the projectors of
the scheme for ousting Governor EYRE. No rational
or temperate man can really be impressed by
extravagant assertions such as " three thousand
killed," and " eight miles of dead bodies;" and it
is mean and contemptible for those in high
places to yield to such manifest intolerance and
prejudice.

By this unpardonable concession to the demands
of the anti-slavery people, the Ministers are holding
out a premium to the negroes to revolt again.
Why should they care for the anger of local autho-
rities if the Government at home are to take their
part, and supersede and suspend those whopresume
to put them down? Mistakes of this important
nature are not often made by the Cabinet of Eng-
land ; but when they are, those who make them rue
the day when they fall short of the requirements of
the rulers of a great country and the representatives
of a free people. There is no possible reason why
the inquiry should not be conducted while Mr.
EYRE is in authority as Governor, and it is quite
ridiculous to state that any suspension is necessary.
What we want, what all lovers of justice want,
what the community require is that Governor EYRE
should be treated exactly the same as if no society
had been held in this country to call him a mur-
derer, and as if no violent partisan had denounced
him. Such is not the case. Some of those who
have joined the ranks of the negro-apologists
are important in their way and their wishes ;
their prejudices and their intolerance have
been considered by the Ministers to ,be of
more consequence than the claims of justice, the
spirit of fair play, and the principles of good
government, order, and peace. It might
have been inconvenient to offend the mem-
bers of the powerful deputation who waited in
Downing-street, but it will be found that there is
a power stronger than they are and mightier than
any opinions they represent. A full and impartial
inquiry was desired to take place, and when that
was satisfactorily concluded, there would have been
every opportunity afforded to the authorities to
supersede the Governor if he had been proved to be
in fault ; but then, and not tillgthen, should they
have acted. By appointing another to fill his
place the Ministers have sacrificed the claims
of Governor EYRE to the clamour of an
unscrupulous set, and to the unfair demands of a
prejudiced party. When Parliament meets they
too will be called to account, and it will then
remain for the representatives of the people to tell
them of their misdoings. A greater error of
judgment could not have been committed
than this suspension of Governor EYRE. It will go
through the length and breadth of the land, and be
received with delight by the votaries of the violent
party, while it will be received with consternation
by all independent men who desire to find the
Ministers of England act worthy of their high
calling, and not regard convenience or political
interest as objects of greater regard than the
maintenance of those principles which have made
the Constitution of England everywhere re-
spected. Impartiality is the one thing needful in
the conduct of all Governments, and without it
they are unworthy of confidence.

Notwithstanding the more exciting topics which
arc occupying public attention, the quieter but not

less important question of Parliamentary reform is
not suffered to be altogether overlooked. Its ad-
vocates probably feel that it has been left in abey-
ance long enough, and that the conjuncture of a
new Ministry and a new Parliament affords so
favourable an opportunity that it must not be
neglected at any cost. The Ministers of late years
have found a very convenient excuse for their own
\ supineness in the matter, and in the apparent inac-
tion and supposed indifference of the people, but
so far as meetings,
and addresses, and memorials
lcaignhtuennedde.ceive The tllefarac itsh
that
must now a
tthosewhobe orwemreie en-
ndif-
ferent were precisely those who already possess the
franchise, and have little or no incli • nation to divide
their power or influence with others • ' , while the
working men, or those who are really most influ-
ential and reflective among them, wisely believe
that in showing their respect for law and order,
and proving that they can wait with patience for
any desired change, they are giving the beat proof
that they are really fit for the possession of
political power. The speeches delivered by
various artisans and small tradesmen at
the working-men's meeting at St. Martin's-hall
gave certainly no mean specimen of the intelligence
and education of our working men, even while they
manifested indications of that hasty judgment and
intemperance of opinion which are the natural
dangers of inexperienced or partially cultivated
minds. Reformers of this stamp are too apt to
believe that everything can be put right by mea-
sure and rule, that all the evils and grievances of
a country can be removed by Act of Parliament,
and that the troubles •of Ireland and Jamaica, the
difficulties of commercial legislation, and the
oppressions of trade can be at once mitigated by
the adoption of certain popular theories. Those
who have mixed for many years in the actual
politics of the day, and who are
familiar with the