The Sun.
London, England, 1865-07-29 00:00:00

Jaw SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVEN

LONDON, SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1865.

The China, M 3 usual, has mado a rapid passage,
and has brought us intelligence up to the 20th of
this month. There are two or three pieces of news
of some importance by this mail, the most prominent
being the disarmament of the citizens of Charleston
in consequence of the constant disturbances be-
tween the soldiers, the white citizens, and the
"ticiurcd population generally. General BiavErr
has issued an order directing all citizens to give up
arms, to refrain from public assembly, and to re-
main at home at eight in the evening. This measure
may be necessary and prudent, but it is none the
less oppressive, and it proves that America is still
under military direction in practice as well as in '
theory. Another point in which the exercise of
arbitrary authority has been found necessary is in
the curtailment of the liberty of the negroes. The
condition to which the unfortunate blacks have
become reduced by the sudden gift for which they
has necessitated the adoption
wero so ill prepared
Of stringent measures to check the evil. Accord
it has been notified by the superintendent of
freedmen in Memphis to the negroes of West
Tennessee who have been deserting their owners
and collecting in great masses at Memphis, that
they must return and seek employment or they would
be imprisoned as vagabonds. The Federal generals
in Texas and Louisiana have notified to the negroes
idling about military positions that they will be
pressed into the quartermaster's service, or im-
prisoned until employment can be provided for
them. This will certainly be a likely way to get
over the difficulty at the particular points in ques-
tion;because the negroes will either be forced to
accept employment or be imprisoned, and of course
maintained at the cost of the army, or else driven
from the place by the threatened alternative. Un-
fortunately this decision, though relieving the im-
mediate neighbourhood of the Texas and Louisiana

generals, will not dispose of the difficulties m those
places where the negroes, though willing to work,
are unable to find employment. Supposing, for in-
stance, that the Tennessee negroes return, as they
are bidden, to their former homes and try to sup-
port themselves, but cannot get work, what is to
become of them ? It will come to a question be-
tween starvation and Government support ; but
how a Government, which is obliged to give its
credit Ors 75 per cent. of certificates of indebtedness,
is to undertake the support of some millions of per-
sons is a problem not to be easily solved.
The Government is apparently resolved to restore
outward tranquillity to the States, since they have
despatched two cavalry expeditions into Texas
to put down the bands of marauders who
still infest that State. If the Federal authorities
would remember that next in importance to secur-
ing the outward protection of life and property is
giving security to trade there would be more hope
for the future of the country.

The ram Stonewall has been formally resigned
into the hands of the Federal authorities by the
Spanish Ambassador, and it is to be immediately
removed from Havannah. Another interesting in-
cident in the China's news is the fact that two
Southern statesmen have boldly expressed their
views on the present condition of the Southern
States, and have reminded the Northern people
that their conquest has been achieved by physical
force alone, and that if they hope to restore tran-
quillity they must exercise magnanimity towards
their fallen foe. This plain speaking will, we trust,
have some effect, and serve to convince the Nor-
therners of the truth which they arc beginning to
recognise—that physical force alone may crush, but
can never govern, an intelligent and united people.

The course of the Great Eastern, with her pre-
cious freight of the magic girdle that is to bind
together all nations of the world, is being watched
with the greatest interest and anxiety by the
dwellers in both hemispheres. The success of the
momentous expdition at the outset was all that
the most sanguine hopes could desire, and at the
present moment every string promises well for the
ultimate triumph of the greatest achievement of
submarine telegraphy ever accomplished. But
within the last few days there has been a very
anxious interval, whose history shows at once the
exquisite processes necessary in dealing with the
cable, and the wonderful skill of the electricians
who have charge of it. _

The cable was, of course, originally made in
lengths of 100 or 150 miles each, and these lengths
had to be spliced together on board the Great
Eastern as each fresh instalment arrived. In run-
ning the outside wires, which were joined at dif-
ferent lengths, little bits of wire had to be cut out
and thrown away. One of these little bits, no
thicker and scarcely longer than an ordinary darn-
ing needle, fell unheeded on the coil, and the weight
of the layers of the cable above it gradually pressed
it down into the hempen covering. When the pay-
ing out was going on, and this piece of cable passed
through the machine, this insignificant piece of
wire became a dangerous, though still unseen foe,
for it was sharply bent until it penetrated the hem-
pen covering and pierced the gutta percha within.
Happily, the skill of the electricians and the preci-
sion of the tests were able to trace the mischief to
the exact spot, but not until some anxious hours bad
been passed by all concerned when the sudden
failure was discovered. It had first to be ascer-
tained whether the error was in the ship or in the
submerged cable, and, after careful examination, it
was decided that the fault was in the
wire actually under water. The cable was
accordingly cut, the direction ascertained,
the course of the ship reversed, the winding-in
apparatus set to work, and the mighty wire slowly
heaved in again from its ocean bed. So accurate
was the calculation as to the exact spot affected
that it was within a quarter of a mile from the place,
although that 'was 11 miles from the ship, and the
whole length submerged was over 80. A short
length was at once cut and a new splice made, the
tests vigilantly applied, the cable sunk once more,
and, after a delay of 24 hours, the Great Eastern
was once more on her way. Such was the hindrance,
the anxiety, the exertion necessitated by this small
amount of " matter in the wrong place." And how
much greater might have been the consequences!'
What fortunes might be lost, what great national
questions affected by the sudden failure of the tele-
graphic communication ! When such vast effects
are produced by such trifling causes, it may well
teach us humility and caution. The shares, which
were at once affected by the stoppage, have since
shown increased confidence in the ultimate suc-
cess of the cable, and it is no wonder, for
while the accident shows what minute care
is necessary, and what trifles may affect the
communication, it has proved also how perfect are
the means of discovering the exact locality of any
flaw or hindrance, and how well our electricians are
able to deal with it. The distance which the Great
Eastern has already travelled gives every reason
for hoping that good fortune will attend her, and
that we shall before long receive through the
great cable itself the intelligence that in the sense
in which the Grand Monarque dismissed the Py-
renees from the map of Europe, the great Atlantic
Ocean no longer divides the two foremost branches
of the Anglo-Saxon people.

The English public will learn with satisfaction
that the Cologne Court of Appeal has rejected the
protest made by the Procurator-General against the
decision of the Tribunal of First Instance respecting
the Banquet Committee. It will be remembered
that the acts of the police in dissolving the Com-
mittee was declared illegal. This did not suit the
views of those functionaries, and they forthwith
appealed to a higher Tribune, but with no better suc-
cess. Indeed, they have only made their failure more
complete, and its effects more mortifying, for a
second repulse is always worst. The Court has
confirmed the decision of the Tribunal of First
Instance, and thus the Banquet Committee
so harshly dissolved, and the guests so
rudely sent back, have gained a great moral
and social triumph. The fact is, that there is a
strong national feeling of independence in Prussia,
and that those who persist in opposing all popular
demonstrations will find out their mistake in the
long run, when, perhaps it may be too late. A
more ill-ordered attempt than that lately made at
Cologne has seldom if ever been witnessed ; it was
about as ill-judged as could possibly be. No harm
could under any circumstances have accrued had
the intended festivities been permitted to proceed;
indeed, they would have been a good safety-valve
for the excited feelings of the community. As it is,
however, the worst possible construction will be put
upon the motives of those men who interfered so
ruthlessly and unexpectedly and with the strong arm
of authority interposed to hinder the affair. There
is no doubt, indeed, that worse will be attributed to
the concerters of the opposition than they planned
and proposed, and certainly they have done their
best to prove that free-speaking is henceforth to be
unknown in Prussia, and that public meetings are
from time to be tabooed. It follows as a matter of
course that indignant feelings are aroused and vexa-
tious notions are paramount in the mind of many
who might have let things take their chance, and

been contented not to express their dissatisfaction
at much that took place. It would be expecting
too much from the present powers that be
in Prussia, to think that they could emulate the
wisdom of FREDERICK the GREAT, who applauded
the miller, when he declared that the judges at
Berlin would defend his rights from the unjust
claims of the monarch, but they had better learn
discretion, and take a lesson in time. The progress
of enlightenment and the march of civilisation
have done too much, and spread too widely, to
admit of the tyrannous acts now being perpetrated,
that a century since were committed with impunity,
and it is not at all likely that the Prussians will
permit any monarch or minister again to trample
on their rights and subvert their constitution. They
are very unlike the French in their ways, but, if
really roused, they can be quite as dangerous, and
more so, perhaps, because they always have a pur-
pose in their actions, and are not led away by the
panics of the hour, and the fascinations of an
"idea," dazzling in its promise, but difficult, if not
impossible, 'of fulfilment ; at any rate, it is so much
gained in the good cause of freedom and the sacred
rights of nationality that the unfair and unwise
prohibition by the police at Cologne has been cen-
sured in a proper manner, and the tribunals which
recently proclaimed and ratified the decision have
done their duty, and served the highest interests of
the State in upholding the majesty of the law intact
and inviolate.

Justice was vindicated yesterday in the execution
of Dr. PRITCHARD, and the feelings of horror with
which we naturally regard such occurrences as pub-
lic executions are mingled with some sort of satis-
faction that so atrocious a deed has been visited
with the severest penalty of the law. It seems, in
truth, surprising that men should persist in such
schemes when they have had warnings and examples
of the most awful and impressive character before
them, but there can be no doubt that, if capital
punishment were abolished, these crimes would be
of much more frequent occurrence. Dr. PRITCHARD
at the last confessed his guilt, which was so far satis-
factory, and tended, in some degree, to show his
sense of the enormity of his deeds and his own con-
trition. It is curious to observe that there is a
similarity, in many points, between PALMER and
PRITCHARD. Both Were members of the medical
profession, and of some repute in their calling, both
'employed nearly the same poisons and sacrificed
several victims, strangely enough both destroying
their wives and wives' mothers. Indeed, it is diffi-
cult to tell how many fell a prey to the crafty de-
signs of these accomplished villains. Both were
pleasing in appearance, of good manners, and well
calculated to mix in polished society. These cha-
racteristics, of course, disarmed suspicion, and
enabled them to put their skill and learning to fatal
uses. It is a triumph of science that such ingenious
devices as these resorted to by these hypocrites should
have been detected, and it is earnestly to be trusted
that this second grand discovery of intricate man-
oeuvres and deep designs will deter, if not altogether
prevent, the repetition of such fearful crimes. h
some respects Dr. PRITCHARD and PALMER stand
out from amidst other criminals of their age for
their utter depravity and want of feeling. There
can be no worse phase of murder no where in the
dark annals of crime, more repulsive for the mind
to dwell upon, and more inimical to the feelings of
our common nature, than the deeds of which they
were convicted. It is really a sort of relief to think
that they have suffered for their fearful acts accord-
ing to the utmost rigour of the law, and that the
mistaken course often adopted in such affairs was
not followed in their cases. It is difficult enough
to detect the machinations of such manoeuvres when
they are suspected, which is also slow to occur, and
the only possible manner of dealing with such
offenders is to carry out the extreme letter of the
law. It is the bounden duty of those who minister
the law to do their utmost for the protection
of the community, and the suppression of
wickedness and vice, and murder ranks fore-
most among crimes of the darkest dye. A
useful lesson may be learned from the details
of these horrors, and that is, for those who may
be so unfortunate as to come in contact with
doubtful cases, not to suppose that it is impossible
for people to be so cruel or that it is not likely for
those in a good position of society to perpetrate
such deeds. Experience has shown that those who
are removed from the temptations of want, the de-
basements of poverty, and the influence of depraved
companionship, are capable of committing crimes
which startle and impress by their extent and
horror, and for a brief period put other and more
immediate objects of interest and excitement from
the thoughts of a busy world. Dr. PRITCIIARD may
have many to emulate him, and some who are now
pursuing his dark and deadly path. It behoves all
who have reasonable grounds for suspicion to be on
war
their guard not to let such miscreants escape ; and
teitvtoer
thatbweilellseanerhlyeunnlpdrierta-
segtoPoedciallyis it
noimportant pretext
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on
be exempted from their sentence when once convic-
tion has taken place.

MR. POPE HENNESSY AND THE KING'S COUNTY
ELECTION.—At the official declaration of the poll for the
King's County, which so unexpectedly placed Mr. Hen-
nessy at the bottom of the list, and caused Sir P. O'Brien
to be declared duly elected in his stead, a paper of objection
was handed in by the late hon. member. Mr. Hennessy
denies the accuracy of the arithmetic of the assessor; that
the sheriff and deputy sheriff should have cast up the votes
on oath ; that votes had been counted for Sir P. O'Brien
which had been given for Mr. Hennessy ; that the assessor
had counted votes for the same gentleman which had been
obliterated as given before ; and that the assessor had
counted three votes given by ono voter, and made several
other errors against Mr. Hennessy. In his subsequent ad-
dress to the electors Mr. Hennessy said—The unexpected
and remarkable decisions now given by the assessor have
not only affected but actually reversed my majority, and I
am apparently defeated. I say apparently, for the decisions
against me are of such a nature as to necessarily involve an
inquiry before a Parliamentary committee. To that impar-
tial tribunal the extraordinary circumstances of this extra-
ordinary election will be submitted, and I will with confi-
dence claim that seat which, for a second time, the majo-
rity of the electors has given me.
THE CROPS IN LINCOLNSHIRE.—Harvest opera-
tions have commenced in the neighbourhood of
Stamford. The wheat crops are generally light, but the
barleys are good. Several farmers in the Spalding dis-
trict have commenced cutting oats and peas, and in a few
days a commencement will be made with the light wheats.
By the middle of next week harvest will, with a continu-
ance of fine weather, become general in the fens. Some
farmers may congratulate themselves on the appearance of
their crops, but others have not been equally fortunate.
Tho root crops have benefited greatly by recent rains.
THE ACCIDENT AT SHEERNESS.—SUPPOSED Loss
OF A LADv.--The accident which occurred on Thurs-
day afternoon to the Oread, steam boat, with nearly 300
passengers on board, was not caused by the Enchantress,
as some of the papers stated, but by the Wildfire, steam
tender to the Formidable, which was crossing to her moor-
ings at the mouth of the Medway. On perceiving the
steam boat entering the harbour with passengers to laud at
the pier Mr Burr, the quartermaster, slackened the
speed; a collision, however, took place. Tho Oread came
in contact with the Wildfire's bow, and thus the accident
was occasioned. Tho master of tho Wildfire, Mr. G.
Brockman, was not on board, and the vessel was in charge
of the quartermaster. Mrs. French, who was picked up
by the engineer with his boat, and conveyed to the For-
midable with her daughter and friend, where every atten-
tion was paid to her by the medical officers, has so far
recovered from the injuries she received about the head
that it is expected she will be removed to her residence at
Sheerness to-day. A gentleman from London arrived yes-
terday at Sheerness, and recognised the portion of a lady's
silk dress, which was torn off during the collision, and he
states that it belonged to Mrs. Turner, a widow lady, who
resided at No. 11, Tilemer-crescent, Bayswater, and that
she had not returned to her home as was expected. It is
feared, therefore, that she is lost. They were searching
for the body at a late hour last night.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN.

KIEL, JULY 29.

Herr von Hallhuber, Austrian Commissioner for
the Duchies of Schleswig-Holstein, has sent to
Baron von Ledlitz, the Prussian Commissioner, an
official note, protesting against the arrest, by the
Prussian military authorities, of Dr. May, editor of
the Schleswig-Holstein Zeitung, of Altom, and
against the expulsion of Herr Frese. The munici-
pality of Kid have also resolved to protest against
these acts at the supreme civil court of Holstein.

AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, JULY 29.

An Imperial decree has been published to-day,
dissolving the Ministry of Marine, the duties of
which are transferred, partly to the Ministry of
War, and partly to the Ministry of Commerce.
Another decree appoints Herr von Schmerlingtyre-
sident of the Supreme Court of Justice. Count
Belcredi is appointed Minister of State for the non-
Hungarian provinces, and also to act provisionally
as President of the Council of Ministers, and as
Director-General of Police.
Count Lawisch has been appointed Minister of
Finance, Herr von Somers is nominated Minister
of Justice for the non-Hungarian countries, Count
Haller is provisionally entrusted with the Direction
of the Transylvanian Aulic Chancellorship. The
former Ministers—Von Mecsery, Von Plener, Von
Burgher, and Dr. Hein—will be called by the Em-
peror to other functions.

OVERLAND MAILS. .
ALEXANDRIA, JULY 21.

The Euxine and CeyV? left here, at 6 p.m.
yesterday for Marseilles and Southampton respec•

tively.

(NOTE.----It is assumed that these vessels have the
Mauritius and Bombay mails, and that those from
Calcutta and China will follow shortly in the Pera
and Poonah.)

SPAIN.
.MADRID, JULY 28 (Evening).
General Prim has been here, but has now left

again.

The Progressist party will continue to observe an
attitude of abstention from political affairs.
A royal decree has been published relieving Senor
Tavira from his functions as Spanish Minister at
Chili.