The Sun.
London, England, 1847-10-13 00:00:00

141' b Vint

L ONDUN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1847.

The Metropolitan Police force was established for
the purpose of affording full and adequate protec-
tion to the persons and property of all within
their districts. In order the more fully to enable
them to discharge the arduous duties incidental to
their position they are armed with extraordinary
powers, and their persons guarded with additional
protection against any injury. They are permitted
to take into custody any person whom they find in
any manner disturbing the public peace, and to de-
tain him until the case shall be adjudicated on, while
the summary jurisdiction of the magistrates is ex-
tended for their especial benefit, and every justice is
authorised to commit to prison, to be kept to hard
labour for a period of two months, any person
whom he may believe to have assaulted a
police-officer in the execution of his duty, without
giving the option of paying a pecuniary fine, or
without referring the facts to the consideration of a
jury, and that although the charge is indignantly
denied by the accused party, and it is positively
asserted that the complainant was the real aggressor.
The magistrates are not slow to act upon this
authority, and scarcely a day passes that we do not
hear of some persons being committed to hard labour
for attacks on the police. This is, perhaps right
whenever it may appear clearly and beyond any
controversy that a wanton and unprovoked attack was
made. But we confess that we entertain very consi-
derable doubts as to the correctness and accuracy of
many of the charges brought before the magistrates
for their decision. Undue weight is generally
given to every statement made by policemen, and
the most positive denial, the most connected and
straightforward accounts of the transaction are given
no credence to, unless supported by the most incon-
trovertible testimony of other and more disinterested
witnesses. The general rule appears to be, in case
Of doubt, to decide in favour of the police, and to
Punish the accused, thus reversing the benign prin-
ciple of the British law.
The favoured parties are not slow to perceive the
great partimity
evinced on their behalf, and we con-
stantly find them
using the truncheons' entrusted to
them for a very
different purpose in a most brutal
and reckless manner, They are aware of the magis-
terial bias, and they also depend on the esprit de corps,
or perhaps the hope of obtaiinig alike return, inducing
the event of their being toetheircontroverted
i. o
kr denied. It
is unnecessary to go back to the
wn the Dagenham murder, where theb
of 3
ir °i case of
t2lleir ser-
station were ready, at the suggestionat the
geant, to make utterly false and unfounded state-
ments at the investigation that took place. Many
more recent cases exhibit the same spirit, and the
general anxiety to justify any member of the force
whose conduct may be made the subject of inquiry.
They also depend, under the most unfavourable
circumstances, on the leniency of the presiding ma-
gistrate, and that he will leave their punishment to
the Commissioners, in place of dealing with the case
before him on its own merits, and without any re-
ference to other possible consequences. If a
hard-working, industrious young man is brought
up, charged with having, in a moment of in-
toxication, committed some petty assault or
trifling breach of the law, the magistrate
is most virtuously indignant, and unhesitatingly
sends him to the House of Correction, although, per-
haps, he might be the sole support of a widowed
'nether And helpless sisters. A mitigation of the

penalty may be implored. The prisoner will lose
his. situation, his innocent family will be involved in
ruin, and have to submit to the greatest privations,
unless a fine, which must press heavily on all their
comforts, is substituted for the imprisonment. The
magistrate is inexorable. The party should have
reflected before he committed a breach of the peace,
and he (the worthy magistrate) cannot take into his
consideration what may be the results of his judg
ment. But let a policeman commit a violent and
unprovoked assault on a perfectly innoccent
Person, which he would not be justified
in doing even if the party had actually
been guilty of an offence, and a nominal
fine is inflicted, because it is probable " that dismissal
from the force will follow the conviction." That we
do not exaggerate we refer our readers to a case that
was heard at, the Clerkenwell Police-court on Satur-
day last, and a report of which was inserted in The
Sun of Monday evening. There a young man named
LUCAY, walking along the street, was collared by one
policeman ; on asking what he had done to merit such
treatment, another rushed over and beat him most
unmercifully over his back and shoulders with his
truncheon, saying, at the same time, "Take that,
you -." It should be borne in mind, that at this
time LUCAY was in actual custody ; he was making
no resistance, nor attempting to rescue himself, and
yet the worthy " conservator of the peace" inflicted a
severe beating for a fancied offence, as if he were not
only the judge, but also the executioner to adminis-
ter corporal punishment. The assault was not
denied, the only defence was, that he (the
policeman) mistook the other for a person who had
been hooting, ringing bells, and knocking at doors;
and, after a severe lecture on the impropriety of his
conduct and the improper use of his truncheon, a fine
of 10s. was imposed. Had LUCAY returned the blow,
and not patiently submitted to the chastisement, it
is not unreasonable to suppose that he would have
had the benefit of a month or six weeks sojourn in the
House of Correction.
Yesterday it was again our duty to record another
instance of most outrageous and improper conduct on
the part of a policeman, which was elicited in a case
in which he had appeared as complainant at the
Worship-street Police-court. PATRICK HURLEY,
who appeared to be a hard-working, industrious man,
was charged with having interfered with and
assaulted Constable JESSOP in the execution
of his duty. The usual statement was made
by the complainant of his own great mode-
ration, and the audacious character of the attack, and
his at last being compelled to use his staff in self-
defence. The tables, however, were turned, three
disinterested witnesses were produced to show (and
many more were in attendance for the same purpose,
if required) that the complainant had himself acted
in a most wanton and violent manner, that he came
up while HURLEY'S child, a boy only eight years of
age, was playing with some of his schoolfellows, and
without any apparent provocation, seized him by the
collar, repeatedly slapped him in the face, and kicked
him so violently, that the child was knocked down in
the road. The boy's mother having come from her
own door, and asked what he meant, was imme-
diately struck by this gallant policeman in the
face ; the father, who interfered for his wife's
protection, was treated in a similar manner, and on
their retreating to their own house, the woman was
again struck with a truncheon on the head, so that
the blood poured out of the wound, and she was
obliged to receive surgical assistance. The prisoner
shut himself up in his house, and actually sent for
another policeman to protect him from the violence
of his infuriated assailant. He was taken in charge,
and locked up for the night. The charge was at
once dismissed. But in place of the valiant police-
man being placed in the dock, and at once punished
severely for his outrageous conduct, he was let off,
with an intimation that a representation would be
made to the proper authorities, who would no doubt
cause a searching investigation to be instituted.

Another case yesterday took place at Marlborough-
street office, in which two policemen were convicted
of having used great and unnecessary violence to
a respectable man and his wife, whom they assaulted
and most unnecessarily took into custody, dragging
them at night to the station-house, although they
were housekeepers, and well known, who could have
been summoned to appear on a future occasion. In
this latter case, it is but justice to the presiding
magistrate (Mr. HARDWICK) to state, that he
fined the policeman forty shillings, or one
month's imprisonment in the House of Correction.

We trust that the above cases all occurring within
a very few days, may have their proper effect, and
that they will induce some of our magistrates to pause
before they yield implicit: credence to the uncorrobo-

rated statements of policemen, or exercise the great
power entrusted to them without adequate inquiry,
Unless something is done, and that speedily, to
check the tendency on the part of the police to use
their truncheons on trifling occasions, they will
become a perfect nuisance, and the public will have
to seek protection against the violence of a body who
should act as guardians, but who really are a greater
evil than any of those they were intended to remedy.

Switzerland is stirred to its very entrails by the
revival of a patriotic enthusiasm among its inhabi-
tants. The determination which bas been avowed by
the Diet to effect the expatriation of the Jesuits, and
the total dissolution of the Sonderbund, has aroused
a spirit of opposition in the Cathelic cantons which
will; require the utmost exertions of the Govern-
ment to allay, and which, were it only for certain
geographical reasons, it will find impossible to extin-
guish. Switzerland, as we have said, is stirred to its
very entrails with this enthusiasm in favour of its
_ _

old institutions and its ancient religion. Since the
(lays when CATRELINEAU unfurled the standard of
the fleur-de-luce in the bocage of La Vendee, and
HENRI DE LAROCHEJACQUELIN unsheathed his sword
in the cause of the Bourbon dynasty, there has been
no such manifestation of political and religious
frenzy as that which is now agitating the moun-
taineers of the Helvetic Confederation. In Schweitz
the people have assembled together to pronounce, in
the face of Heaven, their resolution to uphold the
Sonderbund. Underwalden is animated with simi-
lar sentiments. Zug is prepared to combat with
the forces of the Diet, and the Landsgbmeinde of
Uri protests against the proceedings of the Govern-
ment. 'Valais, and Friburg, and Lucerne, are sustained
by a kindred determination. Whether it arises from
a blind admiration of antiquity, or from an ignorant
spirit of fanaticism, or from a superstitious terror at
the consequences which may follow from a submis-
sion to the system of expulsion and abolition enjoined
by the Government—it is undeniable that the men of
the Catholic cantons are resolute in their determina-
tion to befriend the disciples of IGNATIUS, and to
preserve the Sonderbund from extinction.
Those who are familiar with the national character
of the Swiss will readily comprehend this extra-
ordinary affection for whatever political and religious
institutions are time-worn and time-honoured. While
civilisation has purified all other countries as with a
species of moral alchemy—changing the dross
of feudality. and ignorance into the gold of modera-
tion and enlightenment—Switzerland has continued
unchanged and unaffected. Having once asserted and
achieved its independence, it has remained isolated in
its geographical asperity, and has retained even to the
middle of the nineteenth century all its primitive pe-
culiarities. The freemen of the small cantons have
been secluded among their mountains, while the
adjacent states have yielded to incursions both moral
and physical, and the result of this seclusion has been
the retention of all their bygone partialities and ob-
solete prejudices. They are as credulous in their
erroneous opinions as the one-eyed savants of the
Flying Island. They are as monotonous in their
schemes of internal legislation as the citizens of
Marino. But with the errors of their progenitors
they have preserved their bravery, their patriotism,
aatansidnvetiehgresoirrnof sseuxqui sit e devotion for liberty. The moun-
wiintzenrolannactlitaurteinans,
a n
d stalwartas in
undauntedproportions, in
valour, as they were in the days of GESLER and his
immortal antagonist. That the national prowess of
rt
ah
tee
dll
he layse
beentle C otensfteidfieerda tnino na
hthasouisnanndo bma at
tn ne
.e
fir edi
de gg e
an
ne d-
under the most perilous circumstances. The Swiss
soldier has so distinguished himself in foreign armies
as
to acquire the admiration of the magnanimous.
Different from all other mercenaries, the Swiss have
ever evinced the most immutable devotedness for the
sovereign or the principality among whose legionaries
they have been enrolled. They have identified them-

selves with whatever cause they have espoused.
Profits, emoluments, and promotions, safety, luxury,
and idleness, have never seduced them from the side
of a fallen master or from the ranks of a doomed and
tottering! government. They have transferred their
loyalty with their persons, and their obedience with
their halberts.

Such are the indisputable characteristics of the
hireling adventurers of the cantons, even when fight-
ing at the behest of a paymaster. And it is against
a race of this unyielding disposition that the forces of
the Diet will have to march, and that, too, when
leagued together in their natural strongholds.
Physical force seems unfortunately to have found
its advocates in the Radical members of the Govern-
ment, and this fact would certainly warrant Young
Ireland in fraternizing with Young Switzerland. If
the statement recently made to the Vorort be correct,
namely, that the Diet can calculate with confidence
upon 22,000 armed men of the elite, besides 10,000
as a reserve, and 5,000 volunteers, making in all an
army 37,000 strong, there will, unquestionably be a
formidable mass capable of being brought into opera-
tion against the supporters of the Jesuits and the
Sonderbund. Would this, however, be sufficient to
justify an onslaught ? Would it, in fact, be conso-
nant with those principles of liberality which the
Radicals of Switzerland aspire to render triumphant,
to enforce their views with sabre and musket-ball ?
Hare not the peaceful achievements of DANIEL
O'CONNELL and RICHARD COBDEN proclaimed the
great truth, that abuses may be destroyed otherwise
than by the butcheries of the military ? Are the
Helvetic pastures so sterile, that the ground must be
fattened with the blood of its citizens? Heaven
forfend that the land which has fur centuries been
the abode of heroes and patriots should become a
battle-field for physical-force Reformers and the ad-
vocates of a stolid and pertinacious fanaticism !

Should such, unhappily, prove the result of the pre-
sent preparations, it will constitute the most mournful
chapter in the history of Switzerland.

It is said that the Roman Government will receive
from the French authorities at Toulon 14,000 mus-
kets.

A letter from Leghorn, of the 6th, states that per-
fect tranquillity reigns in Tuscany, but that a pro-
found sensation has been caused by the resignation of
the Marquis DE LEJATUO, the Governor of Leghorn,
which is said to have been the result of some re-
proaches addressed to him by the Grand Duke, for
his intention of organizing two battalions of civic
guard, who should have the election of their officers.
On the other hand, however, the appointment to the
Ministry of two liberal men—RIDoLFI and SEEMS-
TOM—inspires great confidence.

The Pie dmonteae Gazette of the 6th publishes the
Following proclamation :

" As the verbal recommendations of competent
authorities have not succeeded in certain parts of the
kingdom in preventing the assembling of numerous
crowds of the people in manifest violation of the laws
in force ; and as it is necessary that these assemblages
should cease and no longer disturb the public peace,
and put a stop to business and trade, it is by these
presents made known to all, that such assemblages are
expressly forbidden, even when the intentions giving
rise to them are not in themselves blameable.
" Director General of the State Police,
" Lieutenant-General LAZARI."
_ _

A letter from Naples, of the 30th ult., states that
M. PIETRACATELLA, the President of the Neapolitan
Ministry, has resigned, in consequence of his being,
unable to obtain the assent of the KING to his pro-
jects of reform. The capital was tranquil, but the
retirement of M. PIETRACATELLA had produced, it is
said, much gloom. It is said, however, that the KING
has determined to grant an amnesty, and to make
certain concessions to his subjects.

Madrid journals of the sth and 6th have been
received.

The Gaceta of the sth contains a decree charging
General CORDOVA provisionally with the Ministry of
Marine, and also the following :

" MINISTRY OF THE HOME DEPARTMENT. ROYAL

DECREE.

" Conformably with the report of my Council of
Ministers, I hereby decree as follows:
" Art. 1. The Legislature of 1846 is declared
closed.
" Art. 2. The Cortes of the kingdom are convoked
for the 15th November of the present year, by which
period the Senators and Deputies shall be assembled
in the capital of the monarchy.
" Given at the Palace, the sth of October, 1847.
"Is:signed by the royal hand.
" Countersigned, the Minister of the Home De-
partment, "LUIS JOSE SARTORIUS."
The Gaceta of the 6th contains the following
decree, suspending the execution of ESCOSIII/A plan
of civil government:—

" ROYAL DECREE.

" In attention to the reasons which the Minister of
the Home Department has exposed to me, I hereby
resolve that the administrative reform, comprehended
in my royal decress of the 20th September last, and
in the other dispositions for carrying it into effect,
be suspended until the Cortes can occupy themselves
with so grave a subject, the dispositions which ruled
previously remaining in force.
" Given at the Palace, the sth of October, 1847.
"Is signed by the royal hand.
" The Minister of the Home Department,
"LUIS JOSE SARTORIUS."

The Espectador describes the new Ministry as
"Narvaez multiplied by Seven ;" and then continues
thus :
" What will a Ministry be over, which dominates
that fatal personage whose name was first given to
fame by the groans of weak and inoffensive women and
innocent children, and barbarously immolated to his
brutal instincts of blood, in the unfortunate villages of
La Mancha! That man whose insolent lips denounced
the noble and loyal population of Madrid as vile and
traitorous, his repugnant impudence threatening them
with thunders of persecution and vengeance ! That
man who presided over the period of suffering which
commenced in 1843, and filled the neighbouring
nations with illustrious exiles, and the prisons and
dungeons with the victims of his rage, and sent the
gallows in triumph through every Spanish town of
any importance," &c., &c. It concludes thus :—" No,
the country has no doubts ; it sees its moderate hopes
mocked at, the most solemn and public promises
broken, the most sacred oaths violated, and all the
work of perfidious intrigue and of the blackest
treachery. Let us read the reverse of the programme
of the 2d September, and we shall learn the pro-
gramme of the new Narvaez-Cordova Ministry."
Speaking of the fall of the last Ministry, it says—
" Alas I all this has an explanation fatal for the
country, for the institutions, for the throne ; fatal,
also, for the royal sister of the Duchess of Mont-
pensier I On the ruins of that ephemeral power has
risen again the sinister star of Ardoz, which shone
for three years in our horizon through vapours of
blood from the butcheries of Alicant, Carthagena, and
Logrono ; the sombre aspect of the dictator, so sweetly
caressed by France, has raised itselfagain. We tremble
for the fate of the institutions, for the fate of the
country, for the fate of the Queen Isabella, surrounded
again by the friends of Louis Philippe."
It is said that NARVAEZ is by no means secure in
his new position, and that it is not at all improbable
that a Progressista Ministry may be appointed, with
ALAIN as President of the Council. It was with the
utmost reluctance that the QUEEN was brought to
consent to the appointment of NARTAEZ.
The Eco del Comercio says that conferences
took place between Ros DE OLANO, General SEE,

RANO, and General NARVAEZ, and that, at the con.

elusion of them, they all three had an interview with
the QUEEN, in the course of which she signed the
decrees. The Eco adds, that she did so with great
repugnance, and wept bitterly; and it asserts that
one of the arguments used to induce her to do so was
a statement to the effect that a vast conspiracy against
her had been discovered in the Progressista party-
The QUEEN, it is said, is now convinced of the false-

hood of those calumnies against the Progressistas by
which she was induced to consent to the appointment
of NARVAE; and only awaits a favourable oppor-
tunity to dismiss him.

Senor OLOZAGA arrived in Madrid on the 6th.
Lord CANNING has also arrived in the Spanish capital.
It is a somewhat curious coincidence, that the day
after the accession of NARVA.EA to power, an estate
in Estremadura, formerly the property of Don CAR-
LOS, was sold by auction, and purchased by Senor
GA viRrA, the agent of Queen CHRISTINA, without
competition. Strange inferences have been drawn
from this fact.

The Clamor Publico and the Eco del Coraercio
fused that General NARYAEZ had sent off a Cabinet
courier to Queen CHRISTINA with .dispatches, stating
that she might return to Spain whenever she pleased.
The same journal states that ARRAZOLA, the new
Minister of Justice, had already some intention
of resigning, on account of his having been coldly