The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-16 00:00:00

movement is remarkable, and the only way to I
account for its suddenly progressing
to so great an
extent is to consider for how long a period the
public have been perplexed and dismayed by the
reports of the misunderstandings between the
masters and men. When these were respectively
terminated, it may doubtless have been supposed by
the uninitiated and the casual observer that the
danger was over ; but such was not the case—the
evil had taken deep root, and we can recognise how
strong was its influence in the deplorable events
now witnessed. The numerous meetings that are
being held testify to the anxiety felt by all con-
cerned in the matter to come to some understand-
ing as to the rights and wrongs of the affair ; but
we do not discern any particular anxiety to make a
settlement for the sake of terminating the differences
that prevail. The opinion that was expressed at
the meeting of the puddlers in Wolverhampton is
no doubt a very sound one, and well expresses the
true state of the case. It said that this lock-out
was in reality an evidence of " latent antagonism"
which the masters' union felt against the men's
union, and that it was not likely that two such in-
stitutions should long continue in existence without
coming into contact with each other. The strike in
North Staffordshire, which has truly been consi-
dered a small affair to create such mighty mischief,
if regarded in its true light may be rather looked
upon as the excuse than the reason for the disaster ;
doubtless the masters were glad of a pretext for
proclaiming their opinions, and hailed in this
convenient circumstance the opportunity for
legitimately asserting their supremacy. There
are no signs as yet apparent that they will be suc-
cessful in putting down the firmly-banded and
compact unions of the operatives, or in coercing
them to succumb to their wishes. At the best, the
consent that is wrung from exhaustion is a very in-
sufficient one, and when the first excitement is over,
the old feelings of discontent will inevitably return
with renewed vigour; and the spirit of discord will
smoulder until a fresh provocation or an aggravated
action again calls it into full play and gives free
scope for the exercise of irritated feelings. There
are not wanting proofs of the correctness of the
views entertained respecting the effect that the
masters' Union has had upon this lock-out. During
the months that it has been in formation an in-
creasing dislike to the men's Union was re-
marked, and an opportunity was wanted to try the
strength of the one against the other, which
occasion has just been furnished. The best argu-
ment in support of this conclusion is the fact
that some masters agreed to open their works at
once if the men would give up their Union. One
proposal that was made appears to be a very desir-
able one, but it is not likely in the general convul-
sion which has occurred, that any partial offer will
be accepted, or terms entered into, which do not
embrace the disputed matter in a complete form.
It was proposed that a meeting of representatives
of masters and men should be held to settle the
question of the puddlers' wages, and the men con-
sented to work for a fixed time at a fixed rate of
wages without regard to the price of iron. At
New-
castle a meeting was held between a deputation of
the men with the masters' committee, and it is
satisfactory to notice that an amicable spirit per-
vaded its course.

The unhappy state of affairs which these dissen-
sions has produced is well described in a letter from
a member of the South Staffordshire Ironmasters'
Association, and the concluding passage is well-
calculated to exhibit the dangers and difficulties
that the future may bring forth if a speedy and
satisfactory settlement be not come to. The
writer observes, that if the North Staffordshire men
will not follow a wise course, and the men from other
districts do not carry on the work, " one of the
greatest of our national industries will be prostrated,
and a large portion of our trade probably pass into
other countries." Such a consequence is grqatly
to be deplored, and yet its likelihood cannot b e
denied. When it is too late to remedy
the evil those who have occasioned it will be
the first to regret it. It is not so much
the fault of any one now that this
mischance should have occurred, as it is the blame
of those who in times past have persisted in keeping
up ill will and jealous feelings between master and
men. Far-sighted and experienced observers have
for a long time been descanting upon the fatal con-
sequences that would ensue if these efforts were
continued, but no heed was paid to their remarks,
and we now have to deplore the consequences of
their advice not having been followed earlier in one
of the most disastrous events that has paralysed
trade in the memory of the present generation.

The arrival of the Calcutta mail brings us, as
usual, varied intelligence. The records of the semi-
civilisation of China, the barbarism of Japan, the
infant vigour of the young Australian communities,
the struggle between settler and savage in New
Zealand, and the strange complex life of English-
man and Hindoo in India, all form part of its wide
panorama. A very large proportion of the human
race are concerned in this intelligence, and the part
which is played in it by Englishmen and the de-
scendants of Englishmen is at once gratifying and
interesting. In China we have evidence that an
Englishman has played a most important and hon-
ourable part, and Colonel GORDON, in returning to
his own country, has the satisfaction of doing so
not only as the saviour of Imperial autho-
rity, and the terror of the Taepings, but as
the preserver of the best interests of China and
the benefactor of the European community as
well as of the Chinese Government. He has known
how to maintain a regard for honour and discipline
even among the wild and mercenary troops whom
he led, and the unscrupulous and dishonest officials
with whom he had to deal. While his courage and
his military skill have extorted the admiration of
the Chinese, it is more gratifying to him to bear
home to his countrymen the thanks of the Eu-
ropean community, who are not disposed to regard
success as the only test of merit. The Story of
Colonel GORDON'S career is one of which we in
this country may be justly proud--not less for the
high spirit with which he directed affairs, than
for the remarkable success which everywhere
attended his efforts, and made his name so
potent among the rebels that the very news of his
approach was often sufficient to induce their sur-
render. General GORDON'S career has been watched
with keen interest by the people of this country,
who have been justly proud of his character and
achievements. It will be remembered that the
Chinese Governor of Shanghai requested the
English Admiral and Commander to appoint an
English officer to the command of a Chinese force,
who might act against the Taepings beyond the
magic circle which our naval and military authorities
had drawn 30 miles round the European settlement.
The Chinese, capable of but little when officered by
their own treacherous and grasping countrymen,
are, as events have proved, completely transformed
when led by Europeans or Americans. Such a
leaderas
Colonel GORDON is not indeed always
forthcoming, but WARD and BURGEVINE and
others have shown what can be done
in the way of fighting,though their bands were
sometimes as dangerous to their employers as to
their adversaries. It was the evils arising from the

action of these mercenary adventureis—one of
wl tom, indeed, deserted to the enemy—that induced
the Chinese to ask for English aid. The rebels had
desolated the silk districts, and had driven the
famine-stricken population of the great plains in
the interior of China as far as Shanghai itself. The
cities were plundered and burnt, the people were
slaughtered in immense numbers, the means of sub-
sistence for the survivors destroyed, and one of the
most valuable and flourishing industries of China
was almost entirely paralysed. The casual adven-
turers who offered their help to the Imperial Go-
vernment in these straits were as rapacious
as daring, and the Chinese authorities had sense
enough to perceive that what they wanted was
a leader who would combine the energy, ability, and
courage of WARD and BURGEVINE with the steady
principle of an English officer. These qualities
were found united in Colonel GORDON, who having
previously distinguished himself in the Crimea,
was selected by the English commanders to fill
the responsible post. It was a task of no common
difficulty or danger that was set before him, and
the charge of 5,000 Chinese, officered by European
soldiers, and sailors and recruits from the mercan-
cantile marine, was one which probably few men
would willingly undertake. We all know the ex-
traordinary and undeviating success which he
achieved with this medley band, though the par-
ticulars of his victories, and the list of the cities
and possessions which he recovered for the
Imperialists, are less 'familiar in London than
in Shanghai. The catastrophe at Soochow
abruptly arrested GORDON'S course of triumph, and
the treacherous conduct of the Futai towards the
Wangos, whom GORDON had promised to protect,
deprived the Chinese Government of his valuable
services as leader of the band. In a private capa-
city, however, he subsequently accompanied the
Imperial army to Nankin, and the capture of the
city was mainly due to his unofficial directons for
the assault.

It is not surprising that even the Chinese, re-
luctant as they are to own themselves eclipsed,
should have acknowledged the debt which they owe
to the virtual preserver of their dynasty, or that on
Colonel GORDON'S departure from the country in
which he has played so conspicuous a part, they
should load him with honours and praises.
But it is probable that Colonel GORDON
values more highly the unforced tribute of
respect and gratitude presented to him by
the merchants of Shanghai, who, judging his
conduct by the European standard of honour and
integrity have thus awarded him a public token of
approval. The military skill of an officer who, in
spite of all difficulties, of want of means to pay his
troops, and the serious obstacles attending the dis-
cipline of a mixed and discordant band, within the
space of two years, disposed of so formidable and
widespread a disturbance, cannot be lightly rated.
But when we add to these facts the important con-
sideration that GORDON'S force at the commence-
ment of 1863 numbered only 5,000, and that he
marched against just twenty times that number,
with men who were far from being all Europeans
or Americans, we shall have some idea of the abi-
lity which he has displayed. There is therefore
good reason to hope and to anticipate that the same
qualities which Colonel GORDON has displayed at
Chang-chow, Soochow, and Nankin will enable
him to attain yet higher distinction in the imme-
diate service of his own country, should the occa-
sion unhappily arise to need the active aid of skilled
commanders.

Our news from India brings us little of impor-
tance. The war in Bhootan continues to be trouble-
some, though no serious results are apprehended.
The mistake seems to have been in underrating
the craft and persistence of the enemy, though there
is no question of his inferiority in the open field.
Civil matters are favourable, and the great
matter of interest at Calcutta is at present
the proposal to employ the Mutlah as a
relief to the overcrowded Hooghly. Many circum-
stances tend to render this a very wise and politic
proceeding, since trade and commerce are seriously
encumbered by the condition of the port, where
only 174 vessels can be accommodated, while 200
often lie waiting outside. The trade of India is
increasing with such marvellous rapidity, and is yet
only so partially developed that the question of
proper accommodation to her merchant vessels be-
comes of the first importance.

PHOTOGRAPH OF CARDINAL WISEMAN.

By Messrs. Moira and Haigh.

Numerous though the photographic likenesses
that have been published of the late Cardinal Wise-
man, those by the Messrs. Moira and Haigh are, to
our thinking, not only the very best, beyond all
comparison, but are, in point of fact, the only pho-
tographic portraits of His Eminence that appear to
us to be really satisfac+ory. They are published in
various forms and sizes. They comprise amongst
them full length cartes de visite of the late Cardinal,
both sitting and standing : as well as in the form of
an enlarged photographic print, suitable for framing
—the latter, these larger photographs that is, being
authenticated with a facsimile of the departed pre-
late's exquisitely beautiful flowing Italian auto-
graph, "N. Card. Wiseman." Whether presented
to view in the larger or the smaller photograph, in
the framed picture, or in the mere carte de visite, the
Cardinal is represented as arrayed in full pontificals
as a Prince in the Roman Hierarchy—that is to say,
clad in ermine and scarlet, with a laced aib over the
tyrian purple of a cardinal, with a gold chain and
cross about the neck weightily embedded in the
ermine, with buckled shoes just visible under the
cassock, and with a skull-cap of scarlet brought
out vividly to view by the contrast of the
grey hair beneath it. As an artistic produc-
tion, this portraiture is deserving of very high
praise, the accessories of the picture being admir-
ably selected and no less admirably arranged.
Beside the archiepiscopal throne, surmounted by
the carved effigy of the broad-deafed cardinal's-hat,
with its tasselled appendages, there lies upon a
table at the Cardinal's elbow his doctorial-hat, also
—like the skull-cap, and the soutane—of bright
scarlet. Beyond these, through a window in
the background of the picture, is the campanella
of the Church of St. Pudentiana, at Rome, from
which his Eminence derived his title as Cardinal
Priest. As a memorial of this remarkable man,
recalling very vividly to mind his form and features,
the photograph of Cardinal Wiseman, published by
the Messrs. Moira and Haigh, possesses an interest
for the public at large, but more especially, of
course, for the Cardinal's co-religionists.

VISCOUNT AMBERLEY AND THE REPRESENTATION
OF LEEDS.—LEEDS, Wednesday Night.—Viscount
Amberley to-night addressed a large number of the Liberal
electors of Leeds. He explained his views upon the foreign
policy of the country, and upon some other topics of poli-
tical interest. Several questions were put to him by va-
rious electors, in reply to which he said he declined to
promise to support the ballot, on the ground that the
advocates of the measure had failed to prove their case.
He would vote for the abolition of church rates. Upon the.
subject of the franchise his lordship was very closely ques-
tioned, but, to the surprise of almost all present, he de-
clined to pledge himself to vote for a£6 franchise. This
caused a feeling of great disappointment, and instead of the
resolution approving of his lordship as a Liberal candidate
in conjunction with Mr. Baines at tho next election which
Was expected to have been proposed, on the motion of Mr.
Lupton, seconded by Mr. Marshall, a resolution was passed
thanking Lord Amberley for the frank expression of his
views, but at the same time recording the opinion of the
meeting that no candidate would satisfy the Liberal elec-
tors of Leeds whose opinions on the franchise did not at
least go as far as the support of the £6 borough franchise.
His lordship will to-morrow evening address the remainder
of the Liberal electors, and it was announced that ho
a fuller
owxop
ou
sdiQvna ail
of
tohnethoepP;ibrrectitoyf orfefgiving