The Sun.
London, England, 1847-09-10 00:00:00

Tiifltfll

LONDON, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1847.

It would be an act of supererogation to cite proofs
or to enter into any lengthened argument to establish
the pressing necessity that exists for the introduction
of an ample and comprehensive measure for the
adoption of sanitary regulations throughout the en-
tire kingdom. Perhaps the metropolis itself more
urgently requires that an efficient system should be
founded than any other portion of her MAJESTY'S
dominions. The myriads that are crowded together
in the lanes and alleys; the scenes of distress and misery
that are of daily occurrence in this the capital of
the wealthiest and most prosperous nation in the
world; the insufficient drainage; the deficiency of
light and air in the dwellings of the poorer classes,
ascribable in a great degree to the etft.cts of the
odious window-tax, and many other causes, combine
to produce the most injurious results to the
health and longevity of the inhabitants of the
less favoured districts. The weekly bills of
mortality furnish a sad catalogue of the
fatal consequences of a tainted and impure atmo-
sphere. The returns of deaths for the week ending
on Saturday, in the different 'metropolitan districts,
show an average of fifty deaths per diem, or rather
more than one-third of the number occurring from
every description of fatality, which are described as
having been occasioned by epidemic, endemic, and
contagious diseases. If these cases were more fully
investigated, a large proportion might be traced to
causes which could be removed by judicious and
energetic proceedings. The inquiries that have taken
place in every part of the world of recent years have
gone far to prove that the various scourges, by which
nations have periodically been depopulated, have
originated not in contagion imported from distant
lands, but in the neglect of plain and simple
precautions for averting the malaria spring-
ing up and reeking from their own soils.
A small proportion of the annual expenditure occa-
sioned by the carrying out of the quarantine regula-
tions, and of the annual loss and injury to our trade and
commerce, applied in the removal of the various im-
purities that are so unaccountably tolerated, in the
improvement of the drainage, and the providing for
the humbler classes an adequate supply of pure air
and pure water in their dwellings, would prove far
more effectual for the preservation of the public health
than the absurd system now in force in our ports and
harbours.

It was not because the Government desired to ex-
clude the city of London and the surrounding dis-
tricts from the contemplated sanitary enactments,
that they werta not included in the Act proposed
last session. A measure more specific in its
character and special in its details was
i required,
in order to deal satisfactorily with the various com-
plicated jurisdictions, the immense interests, sts, as well
public as private, involved in the question. Many
taunts were, from time to time, thrown out by those
who sought to impede all legislation on the subject ,
who, in the words of a humorous contemporary'
" rallied round the stenches and the cesspools." As
to the motives that induced her MAJESTY'S Govern-
ment to adopt such a course, it was more than
hinted that it was owing to the connexion that
existed between the Noble Premier and the city of
London and the then approaching general election,
when he would have to seek the suffrages of the citi-
aens. If such accusations were given credence to for
a moment—it the straightforward and manly expla-
nations of the Noble Lord the Chief Commissioner of
the Woods and Forests, under whose especial aus-
pices the measure was introduced, were not sufficient to
satisfy the public as to the Ministerial intentions, every
doubt would be removed by the appointment of the
Commission for inquiring into the sanitary condition
of the metropolis, announced elsewhere in our co-
lumns. The constitution of that Commission is such
as to secure for it the entire confidence of the public.
A more judicious selection could not possibly have
been made. The majority of the persons named to
act thereon have made themselves particularly con-
spicuous for the great and valuable services they
have rendered to the cause. Mr. CHADWICX and Dr
SOUTHWOOD SMITH have probably laboured with
more unremitting zeal and industry, have devoted
themselves more incessantly to the subject than any
others that could be mentioned; indeed no Commis-
sion would receive the public confidence in which
they were not included. Their names afford the
strongest . guarantee that a complete and thorough
prestigati.on will take place ; that every fitting
inquiry w.lll be instituted, and that nothing will be
omitted, order to provide the Legislature with all
the information. that may be requisite or necessary)
and to indicate the nature and extent of the required
enactments. In Lord ROREnT GROSVENOR and Pro-
fessor OWEN they will hare worthy and efficient
coadjutors. Few Members of Parliament, uncon-
nected with the Ministry, could be found whose
acme would be received with gTester Approba.

tion by the public than that of the Noble Lord.
His high character, the position he so worthily
occupies as one of the representatives for the metro-
politan county, the anxious desire he has ever
manifested to promote sanitary improvements by
every means in his power—all indicate him as pecu-
liarly qualified for the duties of the station in which
he has been !placed ; while the eminent scientific
attainments of Professor OWES, the researches he
has already prosecuted, and his well-known
ability and industry, will render his as-

sistance of the greatest value. The fifth
Commissioner may be looked upon as the no•
minee and representative of the Corporation, and
we are happy to find that they have selected a person
in every respect so unobjectionable as Mr. RICHARD
LAMBERT JONES. We hail the appointments with the
greatest satisfaction, and we doubt not that the result
of their labours, when brought before the Legislature
in the ensuing session of Parliament, will testify that
the public confidence has not been misplaced or mis-
applied.

Physical force Reformers are no longer in

ence in England—or, supposing there are men who
regard the enforcement of political principles by
pikes and bludgeons as rational, they are so conscious
that such opinions are the abhorrence of the people,
that they preserve a profound silence, and continue
in their own natural obscurity. What was formerly
conjectured by philosophy has been proved by ex-
perience. What the more moderate of the repub-
licans conceived to be possible in IGBB and in 1789,
has actually transpired in 1829 and in 184 G. The
day-dreams of ANDREW MARVELL and BENJAMIN
CONSTANT have been the achievements of DANIEL
O'CONNELL and RICHARD COBDEN. That reason is
more irresistible than swords and muskets—that
moral force is more tremendous and overwhelming
than physical violence—that the victory of truth,
even when it is the truth of the feeble against the
strong, of the rich against the poor, of the rabble
against the aristocracy, may be ensured merely by
the reiteration of logical argument--are facts that
are demonstrated by experiment, and recognised by
the million. The triumphs effected by the peaceful
champions of Free Trade and Catholic Emancipation
have so strikingly attested the irresistible power and
energy of the moral and intellectual weapons of
attack, that there is no longer a proba-
bility of the recurrence of those bloody strifes
which have hitherto been so frequently attendant
upon the destruction of ancient political abuses. Un-
less the community become demented by some con-
tagion of folly as inexplicable as the disease which
has latterly affected the potato crops, we may regard
the outbreaks under the direction of FROST, WIL-
LIAMS, and JONES, and the insurrections of the Re-
beccaites as perhaps the very last occasions upon
which the population of Great Britain will have had
recourse to arms for the diffusion of liberality, and
for the abrogation of the evil laws still retained among
the national statutes. So universally are these opi-
nions of the efficacy of moral and intellectual agita-
tion disseminated, that any one who should attempt
to arouse the multitude upon the old demagogic sys-
tem would inevitably be viewed as equally insane,
and as fitted for incarceration in the dungeons of
Bedlam or Newgate as ever was Lord GEORGE
GORDON.
Instead of those uproarious meetings which were
convoked in the northern districts by Mr. Orator
HUNT, and which elicited the butchery of Peterloo,
we are now-a-days contented with those magnificent
and sedate demonstrations which welcomed the leaders
of the League in Covent-garden Theatre. Even the
most impatient and impetuous of the advocates of a
political reformation are satisfied with the certain
and pacific campaigns which are successively com-
menced, prosecuted, and completed for the advance-
ment of popular interests, and the extension of po
pular happiness. It has been seen so repeatedly,
that although the ammunition expended in those
campaigns is chiefly so much type and paper, and is
destructive rather of prejudices than of lives, that the
most hotheaded Radical in the United Kingdom is
contented with weapons so bloodless and yet so
potent as the pamphlet and the journal—the eloquence
of the orator, and the effusions of the printing press.
Having gained free trade by such moral exertions
as the speeches of RICHARD COBDEN, the rhymes of
EBENEZER ELLIOTT, and the brochures of PERRONET
THOMPSON, the people are beginning again to bestir
themselves for efforts of a yet more liberative tendency,
convinced of the power which is in their possession,
and satisfied with the keenness of that two-edged
sword—printed and spoken logic—which they have
recently wielded to such good effect, and which
proves capable of severing :the most intricate of the
Gordian knots of erroneous legislation. Now that
the restraints on our national commerce have
been actually or virtually removed, they are
resolved that the restrictions still continued on the
rights and consciences of a large portion of the com-
munity shall sooner or later be removed in like man-
ner. Whether the benefits of education are to be
experienced first by the poorer classes or not, it is a
matter already determined in the minds of those who
are really devoted to the cause of civil and religious
liberty, that restrictions should no more be placed
over the political views entertained by the people
than over the importation or exportation of merchan-
dise and provisions. The latter has been secured
against any such unnatural interference, why not
the former ? The products of nature and ingenuity
are relieved from the thraldom of centuries, why no
the masterpiece of the creations of OMNIPOTENCE

Grain and manufactures are permitted to be exchanged
without further interposition on the part of the Le-
gislature, why not also the votes and opinions of free-
men ? We have obtained Parliamentary reform and
the emancipation of trade, why not the ballot and an
extension of the suffrage? These are the reflections
which are already forcing themselves on the consider-

ation of the populace, animating them to fresh
labours, dissipating their anxieties, and in.
spiring them with that noblest of all na-
tional resolves, the determination to leave
a lesser number of impediments in the way of political
and social improvement for our posterity, and even
for the next generation. Men are beginning to re-
cognise in the Grecian myths the symbols of mo-
dern advancement, and, among others, they cannot
assuredly but recognise in the myth of Hercules the
representation of the popular energies, such as they
exist under a free constitution ; for the People, like
Hercules, have a series of gigantic labours to accom-
plish—labours which would baffle the capabilities of
anything lesser than a multitude or a demi-god.
That there is nothing extravagant in this comparison
is sufficiently well testified by the deeds even now
performed by the population of these islands. Was
there not something Herculean in the achievements of
1829—0 f 1832—0 f 1834 —of 1835—and of 1846?
Was there not something Herculean in the emancipa-
tion of Catholics, of slaves, of boroughs, of munici-
palities, and of commerce ? And shall O'CONNELL,
and GREY, and IVILBERFORCE, and RUSSELL, and
PEEL, and CouDEN have no imitators ? Those who

on Wednesday evening gave their countenance to the
" Association of the National Alliance for promoting

the Real Representation of the People,"—and among
them were men not less distinguished than _ the

Members for Bradford and the Tower Hamlets,

Colonel P. THOMPSON, and Mr. G. THOMSON,—con-
ceive that there is room enough, and opportunity
enough, and reason enough, to evoke such imitators,
and to reward them with similar successes. Ilie are
filled with a like conviction.
The

official journal of Rome, of the 26th ult., an•
nounces that, on the previous day, the PorE had
authorised the establishment of two railways, one to
the frontier of Modena, the other from Rome to Cil
prano, in Naples.

The unexpected arrival of Cardinal LAMBRUSCUINI
in Rome had produced considerable sensation in the
capital. The greatest unanimity prevailed among all
classes of the population in favour of the POPE. The
clergy generally had joined tho movement; and our
correspondent adds, that this fact was regarded as
more advantageous than if a pitched battle had been
gained against the Austrians.
It was reported in Turin, on the 2d instant, that
the Austrian Government had replied to the note of
King CHARLES ALBERT, and the latter had spiritedly
rejoined.

It is positively stated, in a letter from Frankfort of
the sth, that the bases of the postal reform proposed
by Prussia and Austria have been acoepted by all the ,

Sates of the Germanic Confederation, as well as by
the post administration of the Prince of La Tour and
Taxis. Nothing further remains to be done than to
arrange administrative and other details, which will
be effected at the Congress that is to meet about the
13th of October next at Dresden. The object of the
reform is to establish a daily service and a uniform
tariff for all Germany, and to abolish in favour of the
mails all the customs' barriers which exist between
the different states.

Madrid papers of the 3d have arrived.
The Gageta publishes the decree of amnesty in
the following terms :---
"ROYAL DECREE.

"It being my royal will to consign to oblivion the
dissensions and disturbances which have occurred in
the monarchy during the last years, I hereby decree
the following :
" Art. 1. The representatives of my Government
in foreign countries shall grant a passport for Spain
to whatever political emigrants may ask it, without
any other condition than exacting from them an oath
of fidelity to my royal person and to the constitution
of the monarchy.
" Art. 2. All trials pending for political offences
shall at once be desisted from, with no other excep-
tion than that of those which may be connected with
the armed rebellion now going on.
"Art. 3. Those persons comprehended in the pre-
sent decree who shall have served in the ranks of the
ex-Infante Dun Carlos shall not be able to reside in
the military districts of Catalonia, Arragon, Navarre,
and the Basque Provinces, without a special autho•
risation from my Government.
" Given at the Palace, the 2d of September, 1847.
"Is signed by the Royal Hand."
(Countersigned)—" The Minister of War, FER-
NANDO FERNANDEZ DE CORDOVA.
"The Minister of Finance, JOSE DE SALAMANCA.
"The Minister of iy.arine, JUAN DE Dios SOTELO.
" The Minister of the Home Department, PATRICIO
DE LA ESCOSURA.
"The Minister of Commerce, Instruction, and Pub-
lic Works, ANTONIO Kos DE OLANO."
The Espectudor, which is the semi-official journal
of the new Cabinet, publishes the following pro-
gramme of their policy:—
" 1. Ministers have resolved to recognise and prac-
tise the great principles of absolute toleration, of
ample reparation, of impartial justice. 2. To cover
with a thick veil the sad history of internal discords,
treating men not for their conduct during the past,
but as they may act in the present and the future.
3. To admit all citizens, according to their merits
and capacities, to public honours and places, and men
of all opinions to civil, military, and diplomatic func-
tions. 4. To publish a pardon, which will have effect
for a brief term, in favour of the Montemolinist fac-
tions. 5. In order to recompense the Progressistas
for the injury done them by preceding Governments,
to restore the members of that party who were ex-
pelled from the Senate, on account of the events of
1843, to the senatorial dignity, and among them
General Linage, M. Martin de los Heros, M. Ramon
Gil de la Cuadra, M. A. Lopez, and M. P. Acuna.
6. The illustrious Duke de la Victoria (Espartero)
to be nominated Senator, in recognition of his emi-
nent services and his high virtues, and in consequence
to be allowed to return to Spain. 7. The Palace
question,' being of a private nature, not to be allowed
to be discussed by the newspapers. 8. The creation
of two new Ministerial departments to take place,
one consisting of Public Works, Agriculture, and
Commerce, at present annexed to the Department
of Public Instruction sw.the other of the Colonies.
9. M. Salamanca will continue the financial reforms
announced in the decrees of Ist and Sth August, and
will introduce others. 10. He will pursue the sale
of the national property, and take measures for the
encouragement of commerce. 11. M. Cordova will
instantly propose a decree restoring the ranks and
honours accorded by Espartero when Regent. 12.
He is also determined to decide favourably with
respect to the petition recently presented to the
Queen by some Progressista Deputies and Senators
in favour of the chiefs and officers who shed their
blood and exhausted their fortunes in combatting for
her Majesty's cause. 13. He is further of opinion
that the sacred debt contracted by the nation to the
soldiers and sub•officers who served the Queen in the
last civil war shall be paid. 14. The new Minister
of Justice, when chosen, is to be required to consent
to give employment to the magistrates and judges
who have been without places since 1843 on account
of their political principles. 15. In the meantime
they are to receive an allowance, to be paid by the
Treasury, of not less than one-fifth, nor more than
one-half of the salary which they received in the
situations they held."
Senor ZA.RAGOSSA has been nominated Political
Chief of Madrid. The Duke DB FRIA.S had not
arrived on the ad. Should he refuse to accept office
the portfolio of Foreign Affairs will be offered to
Senor ONIS.

Some officers under orders for Catalonia having
been heard to utter seditious threats, have been placed
under arrest.

It was at the personal request of the QUEEN that
General MANUEL CONCH/ accepted the Captain-
Generalship of Catalonia. PACHECO, the late Premier,
goes as Arribassador to Rome.

MADRID BOLSA, SEPT. 3.—The Three per Cents.
considerably improved, having closed at 261 for cash.

We have received the Paris papers of Wednesday.
The Opposition journals are in ecstacies at the de-
feat of the Government in the first of the series of
prosecutions against the Press.
Our readers will remember the sensation produced
some week or two since, by the seizure of several of
the papers on account of their observations on the
Praslin tragedy, and on the general corruption per-
vading the courtly circles of society in France.
Among the papers so seized were the Gazette de
France and the Democratic Pacifique, and the trial of
the editors of these papers came on before the Court of
Assizes of the Department of the Seine on Tuesday.
The gerant of the Gazette de France suffered judg-
ment to go by default ; but the gerant of the Demo-
cratic Pacifique appeared, and went to trial. He was
indicted for attempting to excite the hatred and con-
tempt of society against various classes of persons, and
for attempting to bring the Government of the KING
into contempt. The article itself was given in evi-
dence, and contained among other passages the fol-
lowing. Speaking of those who had acquired power
by the Revolution of July, it says :—" This power,
which they had obtained by the profession of prin-
ciples of freedom, they have only employed to degrade,
to destroy, to corrupt. They have sown selfishness
and materialism, and they reap crime and death."
Again, in addressing the Government, it says :
" You know your guilt—you know that these reve-
lations, these corruptions, and these crimes, whether
of baseness or of blood, which have impressed their
seal on the historical epoch at which you govern, and
which you have made according to your own image
—you know that these are signs of the time." The
article concludes thus :—" You tremble because you
know that your hour is nigh, and, we tell you, and
tell you with truth, we, who see ih you the great
enemies of order as well as of liberty, that if you
are so blind to your own interests as not by promptly
retiring, to give to public indignation the satisfaction
which it requires, that public indignation will soon
change into the devouring anger of a people, and that
you will have raised a terrible tempest that will sweep
away with you everything that you have defended."
M. Datm, the advocate of the Democratie Pacue,
justified the article, and declared that if it was true
that to preserve its existence the Ministry had had
recourse to corruption, if it was true that a Minister
had sold a privilege of a new theatre—if it was true,
as had been said by M. CUIIIERES, that power was in
greedy and corrupt hands, if the formal denunciations
of M. EMILE DE GIRARDIN were true, then the writer
of the article was fully justified, and that it was im-
possible for any writer to have gall sufficient in his
pen to properly stigmatise such acts.
The jury were of M. DA.lsi's opinion, and after a
deliberation of eight minutes only, returned a verdict
of acquittal. The Union Monarchique, in speaking
of this trial, says—
" The Ministry has experienced a significant
check. The editor of the Democratic Pacue was
acquitted to-day by the jury. This was the first epi-
sode, the first battle of that absurd and brutal war
which M. Hebert has so imprudently declared against
the press. Will he continue it ? e know not.
But, on the eve, perhaps, ofsucceeding the Democratic
on the benches of the Court of Assizes, we are happy
to hail as a favourable omen the first protest of the
jury against the ire and rage of a power at its last
11/151).
The National thus sings its " song of triumph :"

" The Ministers wished to know what a jury
thought of them, and a jury gave their opinion yes-
terday by acquitting, after a deliberation of five
minutes, the first journal prosecuted before the Court
of Assizes. Nothing, moreover, could have been
more arbitrary and ill-judged than the conduct of the
law officers throughout the affair. Five journals were
seized--a most inexplicable selection; for there was
not a single Opposition paper which did not accuse
the Government with the greatest energy of having