The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-24 00:00:00

fullmiirt anit

LONDON, MONDAY, MAY 24, 1847.

Parliament is so nearly approaching to its last
gasp that even the temporary respite of a vacation
must be peculiarly agreeable and consoling to its
Members. The Whitsuntide recess which has just
commenced is, in almost everybody's estimation, the
preliminary to a general dissolution. It is, therefore,
with unusual curiosity that the movements of the
Legislature are scrutinised as the session advances
nearer and nearer to its termination. Much has un-
doubtedly been done by the present Government
towards the fulfilment of its promises, but much like;

THE

wse remains unaccomplished. So absorbing have
been the internal difficulties of the kingdom, that the
Executive has been almost entirely engrossed by the
consideration of the most rapid and efficient reme-
dies. The destitution in Ireland has not alone
pressed heavily upon the State, it has been simul-
taneously attended by the general deficiency of pro-
visions throughout the country and the extra-
ordinary involvement of the money-market. In
striving to diminish the pernicious consequences of
these afflictions, the Legislature has been compelled
to postpone the consideration of many important re-
forms altogether, and to deal with others by a merely
cursory introduction. The sanatory measures have
in this manner been made the subject of one or two
desultory allusions, counting among these even the
explanatory speech of Viscount MORPETH. The an-
ticipated modifications in criminal jurisprudence have
been confined merely to certain casual changes,
though several of them promise to exercise a remark-
able influence when they are ultimately interpolated
as portions of a more comprehensive alteration. The
question of national education, in like manner, has not
had afforded to it sufficient time for its due delibera-
tion. It alone, as has been already observed, would
afford ample occupation for a whole session, and con-
sequently its agitation at the mere fag-end of a session
has miserably cramped both the Ministry and the
Parliament in its regard.
A general dissolution will bring all these matters
prominently before the people. An opportunity will be
afforded to the electors for sending to the new Parlia-
ment only such men as coincide entirely with the dif'-
ferent constituencies upon the multifarious questions
of social and political reformation. The cause of the
multitude will then be at the disposal of the enfran-
chised million ; let them use with discrimination this
golden advantage. Let them ensure their own hap-
piness, and the happiness of their children, by sending
to the House of Commons an overwhelming ma-
jority of liberal representatives, whose votes may at
once open the floodgates of a benevolent and bene-
ficent reform. Let them remember that the
death of Party and the discomfiture of Faction
is only, in the language of Prince TALLEY-
RAND, "the beginning of the end ;" that
the triumph of the free-trade principles was
only the forerunner of a countless number of equally
inestimable victories ; that if the people are only
earnest, and persevering, and unanimous, the preju-
dices and evils of a blundering system of legislation
may be permanently and speedily removed.

Among the habitual croakers many doubts were
expressed on the retirement of Sir ROBERT PEEL
from office whether his successor could remain
in power beyond a fortnight without encoun-
tering an ignominious expulsion, or being com-
pelled to appeal immediately to the country.
Those lugubrious expectations have been so far from
fulfilment, that Lord JOHN RUSSELL has maintained
the authority of his Cabinet in the midst of an un-
wonted turbulence, and has obtained for his various
measures fluctuating, but usually triumphant majori-
ties. Had the Prime Minister been one jot less.effi-
cient, less resolute, or less active, the Administration,
must infallibly have fallen to pieces. The Parlia-
ment must have been dissolved, and a general elec-
tion,,
months back, have ensued. Supposing these'
things had really taken place, the consequences to
the community would have been frightfully calami-
tous. Lord JOHN RUSSELL, then, has 4- title
to the gratitude of the country for• contirm
ing stedfastly at the helm when the dark,
ness around us was increasing and the breakeri Were.
sounding most boisterously. He has car.lect
vessel of State through a very perilous period,
and that with only such an extent of sacrifice'
insignificant when compared with what'would have
been inevitable had he not presided in an efficient
manner over the destinies of the nation. Amidst all
the toils and miseries of office there are at least
these consolations.

Long as was the period that elapsed after the over-
throw of NeroLzori on the plains of Waterloo before
the British army was called upon to uphold its former
fame in the face of a numerous, well-disciplined, and
dauntless foe in the East, and much as it was
univer-
sally regretted that the machinations of other Powers
had rendered it imperative upon us to " let slip
the dogs of war," yet are the feelings of
national pride and enthusiasm fresh in the

Irecollection of all, which were kindled upon
receiving the intelligence of the series of bril-
liant victories achieved by the British and Indian
armies under the distinguished leadership of a LIAR-
DINGE, a GOUGH, a NAPIER, a SALE, and a SMITH.
The Crown and the Parliament cordially entered
upon the satisfactory duty of uniting to confer their
respective and signal marks of approbation for the
skiil, the perseverance, the discipline, the indomitable
energy, the unflinching valour, and the remarkable
genius 'which these accomplished heroes had, one and
all, exhibited throughout their arduous and terrible
campaigns. Such, however, is the deep gratitude
with i%hich the English people regard any extraor-
dinary services rendered by their countrymen, in
either the naval or military professions, for the main-
tenance.of the honour and interests of the British
empire, that after the prerogatives of the SOVEREIGN
and the beneficence of the Legislature had been mu-
tually called into requisition for rewarding the tri-
umphant efforts of the different military commanders
to whom we have alluded, a feeling of dis-
appointment crossed the minds of many that,
in two instances at least, more substantial
honours had not been conferred. It ill consorts
' with the generous sentiments of a grateful people
to he told that precedents and technical considerations
stood in the way of recognising in the most elevated
manner the unique gallantry of the conquerors of
Sinde and Aliwal. The handsome eulogiums
passed in Parliament, and especially by the Duke of
WELLINGTON, upon the renown recently acquired by
these heroes in the East, in addition to what they
had respectively acquired years ago in the moat
memorable war of Western Europe, whilst they must
have proved highly gratifying to Sir C. NAPIER and
Sir H. SMITH, only rendered the public more sen-
sible that something was yet to be done before it
could be said that they had been fairly requited for
the glorious victories which they had gained, and
which are now imperishably recorded in the military
1 annals of their country. This feeling is rendered the
more apparent by the enthusiastic reception which is
severally given to these gallant officers as they are
occasionally found returning to their native land.
Such was the case when the lamented hero of Jella-
labad arrived from India, to which he so soon
returned to expire upon the field of battle. Such,
again, is the case now that we have Sir HA AR.:
SMITH among us. The general rjvicing with which
his presence is everywhere greeted reminds us for-
cibly of the days when the brave NELSON appeared in
England fresh from the glories of the Nile, and when
the iron Duke himself re-appeared from the conti-
nent after his complete mastery over the most power-
ful enemy that ever any country, ancient or modern,
had to contend against.

The British soldier is as humane as be is brave, and,
convinced of this, we regard with unmixed feelings
of delight the demonstrations of public admiration
which are being daily made in honour of the distin-
guished career of Sir 11. SMITII. Frequently in
Parliament has the Duke of WELLINGTON adverted
in terms of painful recollection to the dreadful inci-
dents of war; and it serves to heighten (if possible)
our esteem of Sir H. SMITH when we find him de-
claring, in connexion with his hope that the blessings
of peace may be continued, that " the profession of
arms is a damnable trade, and if it must be that we
have to act, let it be carried on with the utmost mitigation
of its horrors."

This is a noble sentiment ; it ever animates the
British officer. Viewing war as at times a neces-
sary evil, victory is ever glorious ; but when
it is gained, unalloyed by any trait of inhumanity, its
merits are enhanced to the utmost extent.

The Irish Partlloasrtesaibooeout tlo be reorganized under
roeiykdo we hope that they
another name.
may avoid the shoals and
usefulness of their predecl
they may cordially es:or:ands on which the
co-operate togewttalser
improvement of the social condition
countrymen, without seeking to fight
wf reeked ; that
mtehroeeflgeneral
their
battles ; that they may devote their atytenctiason
to the best manner of meeting the present'
difficulties and emergencies by which they are
environed, with the means within their power; the t
they may rather seek to- apply theie means to the

best advantage, to direct them into the most favour-
able channels, and to diffuse the attainable benefits
throughout all parts of the country, in every district,
than remain in helpless sloth and apathy, refusing
to avail themselves of the proffered assistance because
they cannot obtain all they desire or demand, and re-
viling the Government because it cannot achieve
impossibilities. On the original formation of the
Irish Party, we looked forward with anxious hope to
the result of their labours ; we could readily conceive
the vast national advantages that would be obtained
from the cordial co-operation of men of all classes,
creeds, and parties, for the benefit of their common
country. That such men should lay aside their petty
animosities, their innumerable points of difference,
and combine together, in order to preserve their
poorer brethren from the destitution and misery
under which they were suffering, appeared to be a
feasible project. It would certainly require a
considerable degree of self-control, the sacri-
fice of many fondly-cherished prejudices, and a
total abandonment of every selfish consideration;
but it, was practicable, and the magnitude of the
emergency, the urgency of the danger required
it. We did believe that these concessions
would have been made, but, we regret to say,
that we were disappointed. The Irish Party
was formed, but they speedily degenerated
into the advocate§ of landlordism, whose sole
exertions were directed against the establish-
ment of an efficient poor-law. They sought
not to do away with the necessity for such a mea-
sure, by inducing the landowners voluntarily to perform
ihe duties incidental to the possession of their proper-
ties, but vainly endeavoured' to weaken and impair the
strength, to deaden the effects of a law demanded
by the public voice. Many who had joined their ranks
fully determined to perform their parts, and punctually
to fulfil the conditions imposed upon them by
the national compact, found how grievously the con-
federacy had departed from the principles upon which
it was called into existence, and silently seceded from
the body, which speedily sunk into a state of lethargy
and inaction.

The first great error committed by the managers
was, the determination that their deliberations should
be conducted privately, that no publicity should be
given to their proceedings. This was a fatal mistake.
It enabled the members of the predominant party to
carry out their own peculiar views. The protests,of
those objecting to such a course were unheard. It
ceased to be a national assemblage, directing.. the
public attention to things beneficial to Ireland, but was
changed into a clique of some dozen or two of coun-
try gentlemen, speculating on what -would be most
for the benefit of their own class ; of course their
opinions carried with them no weight or authority,
and speedily went for nothing. We are rejoiced to
find that a new attempt is to be made, that the first
false step has been retraced, the resolution for privacy
rescinded. A number of influential gentlemen, of
every grade and variety of political feeling, have met
together, and decided that for the future stated meet-
ings should be held for conference and discussion, to
which the press should be admitted. Orangemen,
Conseriatives, Whigs, Radicals, Old Irelanders,
and Young Irelanders, agreed to forget their own
disputes, and to watch over the interests and
prosperity of Ireland. A glorious opportunity
is opened to them. They cannot Suppose
that anything they can put forward can influence the
Legislature during the present session; let them strive
then•to provide useful employment for the people, to
induce the owners and occupiers of land in every
locality to draw together, and each to perform his own
part, and not seek to evade his portion of the common
burden. By not attempting too much they will
make themselves really useful. They are new fully
warned. -They -must be aware of the causes that
beveled to the failure of their exertions hitherto, and
they fink,' feel perfectly certain that efforts' Will be'
made to lead the new body into similar errors, which,
snccessful, must deprive them of all utility, and
render thews a- curse, in place of a blessing to their
country.

Letters from Genoa announce that, in consequence
of the publication of the decree relative to the press
recently published by the GRAND DUKE of TUSCANY,
some disturbances had broken out at Pisa. It is said
that the decree was torn publicly in that city, and
that even the bust of the GRAND DUKE was broken
to pieces by the populace. We hope that these
rumours are false, or at least that there is exaggera-
tion in the account. It can scarcely be comprehended
that a concession which had excited a general en-
thusiasm at Florence could have been received in such
a manner at Pisa."

In the sitting of the Prussian Diet, on the 12th,
the Marshal presented a communication from the
KING, expressing his entire approval of his conduct
with respect to the motion of several Deputies of the
Duchy of Posen, relative to the Polish language and
nationality. MS MAJESTY based his approbation on
the rule of the Diet which forbids the introduction
of motions concerning the interests of only one pro-
vince. The KING added, that he would willingly
have consented to the desire of the Marshal to allow
the motion to be discussed by orders, if it were not a
manifest violation of the law. He, however, gave
an assurance that, if the persons who signed
the motion will address themselves to him, either
through the next Provincial Diet, or directly, they
may be certain that their demands will be carefully
examined.—Some observations having been made on
a bookseller having pretended that he had the right
to reprint officially the debates of the Diet, the Royal
Commissioner said that in such a case the censorship
must be employed, but the word censorship" ex-
cited great opposition.

The Grand Duke Of MECKLENBURG-SCIiWERIN
has given orders that all grain importt d by sea to the
ports of Rostock and Wismar shall be free of duty up
to September 1.

, The Austrian Government has just invite& the
Governments of the other German States, as wall as
the Post;office Director of the Prince DE LA Tetra--
ET•TAXIS, to name delegates to meet' at Dresden-irk
the course of next month, for the purpose of ent;ilpg,
into a general arrangement for a uniform system for.
the conveyance of the mails in Germany, and for the
reduction of the postage of letters.

Madrid papers to the 15th have been received.

It Was reported that. ESPARTERO, LINAGE,. and
several other. Spanish exiles, resident in London, had
petitioned the QUEEN for permission to return, and
that the Progressista leaders were zealously supporting
the prayer of the petition. The KING continued at
the Prado, passing his time in praying in the Palace
chapel and sporting in the Palace grounds. The
QUEEN returns from Aranjuez to Madrid at the
latter end of May, and proceeds immediately after.
wards to La Granja.

A letter from Barcelona, dated May the 18th, an-
nounces that Colonel BAxEcos, on the, ISth, Caine up
with the, band of the Carbst leader TRISTANY, and
after killing 22 of their number, succeeded in ctptur•
ing TRISTANY himself, who was shot the next morn-
ing. The fall of TRISTANY is considered as the death-
blow to Carlism in Catalonia.

The Bolsa was closed in honour of the Feast of St
Isidro.

We have received the Paris papers of Thursday.
The Moniteur Parisien publishes a telegraphic
dispatch announcing the death of Mr. O'CoNNELL,
at Genoa. The dispatch itself will be found in
another column. Some of the other French papers
mention the circumstance.

The Journal des Debats announces that the Duc
DE MONTEBELLO has signified his acceptance of the
office of Minister of the Marine, and was to leave
Naples for Paris on the 20th at latest. Notwith-
standing this acceptance of office by the Duc DE
MONTEBELLO the Ministry is anything but firm, and
a Ministerial crisis is expected daily. The sudden
return of M. DUCHATEL from Havre proves this fact.
On this subject the Union Monarchique says—

"It appears certain that the sudden return to Paris
of M. Dacliatel must not be attributed,
as some j.ermls
have done, to new embarrassments in the foreign policy,
but to certain political difficulties at home, which, al
though of a secondary nature, have raised some serious
inquietudes and sown seeds of discord in the bosom of
the Cabinet. Among these difficulties, one of the prin-
cipal is said to be the ch(Jice of a succ ssor to M. Jay r,
in the important prefecture of Lyons, and the energetic
opposition made by Sauzet to the nomination of M.
Azevedo, the present Prefect of the Basses•P3 ie é
vvh,., in the Opinion Of M. Duehatel, is an excellent ad
nunlstrator, but'unf,/tuhately has the r-putaiob of pro-
fessing in matters of religion certain ideas totally in'