The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-19 00:00:00

THE MOMENT THE

EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE

IS ISSUED,

TOGETHER WITH A LIST OF THE

were throwing up earthworks round the southern
quarters of the town--a small redoubt had also
been erected to the east, which will have to be
reduced before a regular onslaught can be
made to storm the city. Meanwhile, the
British are not idle. They are actively
pushing on the works against the town,
which, however, were scarcely so far ad-
vanced as we had anticipated. If, however, there
were no unnecessary delays, they might be in
readiness to commence in good earnest within a
few days after the despatch of the 3d inst.
A comparatively small party only can labour
simultaneously—some three or four thousand at
the utmost—who can carry on the engineering
operations. The remainder of the army must
necessarily remain idle. Now, after leaving an
ample force to protect the gallant fellows work-
ing in the trenches, quite sufficient might be
spared to attack and rout MENSCHIKOFF and
his demoralised and disheartened troops. As we
suggested yesterday, we therefore consider it by
no means improbable that we may hear of another
battle and another victory before we can announce
the capture, or even the bombardment, of Sebas-
topol.

The melancholy catalogue of those who perished
in the fearful struggle on the Alma, who freely
shed their blood in one. of the most brilliant ex-
ploits ever recorded in the pages of history, has
just been published. Poor fellows !—their names
will be recorded in the national archives, as men
who faithfully and efficiently discharged the ar-
duous and important duties confided to their
hands, and an irresistible claim is established on
behalf of their mounting families—a claim that
should be discharged by an unanimous vote of
the Imperial Parliament, and not by charitable
contributions. The protection of those who have
lost their protectors in the bloody strife is
a national debt. As such, it should be treated.
A suitable maintenance should be secured to those
rendered destitute by the victory that was hailed
with such rapturous enthusiasm, such boundless
joy, by the community at large. It should be
guaranteed by Act of Parliament to the widows
and. orphans of the mighty dead. The widows
and orphans of the soldiers are as well entitled to
such payment as those of commissioned officers to
their pensions.
Voluntary contributions, however creditable to
the liberal donors, should not be looked to for the
means of liquidating this imperative demand.
They may be granted as additional rewards, but
not as payment of the debt, and in such case they
should be bestowed after the claim has been
satisfied, and a suitable Parliamentary provision
been made for the widows and orphans.

At present the contributors to the Patriotic
Fund are not giving to the widows and orphans
of the soldiers who perished, or who may here-
after perish, on the field of battle, or by disease
during the war. They are giving to Mr. GLAD-
STONE—subscribing to the Consolidated Fund !
Let what will be said, this is the fair practical
view of the subject. The nation is required not
merely to meet all the heavy expenses of the war,
but to raise a present capital sufficient to provide
annuities for khe parties justly entitled during
their lives, the principal whereof will at their
deaths fall into the Exchequer. Indeed the
principal will at once be appropriated, and pen-
sions granted in return, and probably not so high
in amount as would be bestowed if there had been
no such subscription lists opened.
It is an ingenious device, a very plausible
dodge, indeed—worthy of Mr. JOHN DAWKINS
himself. But we trust that the public will take
full time for consideration, and not fall into the
trap in the excitement of feeling occasioned by
admiration for those who have fallen, and sym-
pathy with the afflicted mourners. Britannia will
protect the widows and orphans of the bravo.
She will not suffer them to feel the want of hus-
band or fathers so far as money is concerned ;
she will not consign them to the tender mercies
of the Union Workhouse ; nor will she degrade
them into being objects of charity, as they will
be if dependent upon the so-called Patriotic Fund.
Parliament will be required to vote pensions, or
give considerable grants of money to some of the
Generals in the event of the capture of Sebasto-
pol and the successful termination of the campaign
in the Crimea. We may hear of a large vote of
money or a permanent pension to Lord RAGLAN
and his successors in the title he has so honourably
and fairly won. Bo it so. It has been well
merited ; and, doubtless, further claims will be
established by the gallant officer before the meet-
ing of Parliament. But Ministers would not ven-
ture to degrade him by sending round the begging-
box en his behalf. The debt due by the nation
should be recognised by the national assembly.
The Representatives of the British people should
acknowledge the debt they owe to the successful
General, otherwise it would not and ought not to
be accepted by the Noble Lord. A public sub-
scription might be raised as an accessary to, but not
as a substitute, for the Parliamentary grant. The
case of the widows and orphans is exactly similar,
and should meet with similar treatment. But, as
we have stated, they are to be degraded into mere
mendicants, that a certain charge might be kept
off the Consolidated Fund, and that Mr. GLAD-
norm might get a large sum of money into his
hands—the money value of certain annuities
which should be granted whether the money was
raised or not. Let there be no mistake on this
point. As we have pointed out, the Patriotic
Fund, although nominally for soldiers' widows
and orphans, is not really so. It is for the Ex-
chequer. Let the People of England say whether,
after paying increased taxes, they will devote
their surplus funds to such a purpose. Let the
working men know to what they are applying
the dais' wages so generally asked for. If they
wish to give it, well and good ; but let them do it
with their eyes open, and not be deceived by
false pretences.
"Posterity " owes much to Mr. GLADSTONE.
On the eve of the war he denuded the Exchequer
of its balances to pay off eight millions of a debt
contracted last century. He proclaimed the
principle that the present generation were to meet
all the expenses of the war commenced, to save
posterity from the reckless ambition of the AUTO-
nRAT—to prevent him from carrying out his ini-
quitous projects ; and now we are required to
save them from any charge on account of the
widows and
ws and orphans of the brave men who
perished in fighting their battles. This may be
People
to
humble judgment,right; but
and
ddowees not a
"theaero in
our
understand the true state of the case before they
part with their hard-earned money.

3IEIIICAL ASSISTANTS FOR THE ARMY.

TO TAX EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—Since additional medical assistance is now so
much required both in the navy and army, allow me,
through the medium of your excellent columns, to sug--
:zest that medical pupils, who have not walked the hos-
pitals, but who have served three yearA of their appren-
ticeship with a legally qualified practitioner, should be
eligible to enter either service, at a small salary, to dis-
pense medicines anti to assist in operations, or in any-
thing which might be necessary.
Should this be adopted, I myself am one, and I know
.nary
others, who would volunteer.—l am, Sir, your
obedient servant, ALFRED WRIGHT.
Regent-street, October 18, 1854.