The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-12 00:00:00

tr ram

LONDON, WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 12, 1846.

The intelligence received from India and China, in
anticipation of the Overland Mail, is of very trifling
political importance. Notwithstanding the sullen
lethargy which has been evidenced by the population
of Lahore, and the insubordinate conduct of the
Seikh warriors at Peshawur, in consequence of a
defalcation among their paymasters, there appears to
be every prospect of the maintenance of tranquillity
under the new Government. Indeed, the only chance
of any revival of disturbance in the Punjaub is offered
by the duplicity of the Raja of MOOLTAN. The
armaments which had been dispatched from the
capital with the intention of compelling that cheiftain
to liquidate a very considerable amount still re-
maining due, appear to have been recalled, from the
circumstance of 50,0001. being offered in compensation
for the delay of payment. As the NAwAB, however,
merely availed himself of the truce consequent upon
these negotiations to prepare himself for any emer-
gency, there seems to be every probability of
a collision between his forces and the Anglo-Indian
soldiery. Whether any serious consequences might
not result from the development of such feelings of
hostility so soon after the new organization of these
territories, unless those sentiments were immediately
and decisively suppressed, is a consideration of ex-
treme interest. Nerve and determination must be
displayed on the inauguration of the new system,
otherwise matters may rapidly fall into disorder, and
the Government in its very youth evince signs of
premature decrepitude. The Nawab of MOOLTAN is a
wily and active prince, requiring alertness and reso-
lution on the part of his antagonist. His intellect is
one of that supple character which, unless observed
with the utmost vigilance, and thwarted with the utmost
decision, might obtain an opportunity of re-asserting
his domination out of the very circumstances of his
vassalage. In the East, as everywhere else, it must
be—diamond cut diamond.
Our readers will remember the terrible catas-
trophe of the 20th of May at Loodianah, when
the temporary barracks of her MAJESTY'S 50th
and the sepoy guard from the 73d Native
Infantiy, were destroyed by a hurricane. It
cannot assuredly be forgotten that eighty-eight
human beings perished on that occasion from the
wilful negligence of those who had been deputed to
superintend the safety and comfort of the different
regiments, and that one hundred and fifty of the
unfortunate men quartered in those ricketty buildings
had been seriously mutilated by an accident which,
with proper precaution, would never have occurred.
We are deeply grieved to observe that another
specimen of the pernicious consequence of this negli-
gence of those in whom negligence is least excusable,
has caused another calamity of a different nature,
and of less serious results numerically, though
equally deplorable with the one already
mentioned. According to the information con-
tained in the Bombay Times, the victims of care-
lessness in this instance appear to have been the
wives and children of her MAJESTY'S 17th and 60th
Regiments. On the departure of these troops from
Sinde their families were left at Poonah, but hav-
ing subsequently received permission to join their
husbands and fathers at Kurrachee, the latter imme-
diately hastened thither. During their journey
these unhappy creatures were attacked with cholera,
and this, be it particularly observe 3, in consequence
of the execrable arrangements for their shelter and
provision. Fifteen children and fifteen women
perished out of a company of three h'undred and
forty-eight. These occurrences should be submitted
to a rigid investigation by those authorised to
prevent their recurrence. Sepoys have already a
sufficiently precarious tenure of existence to
render it indifferent whether they may not
be crushed to a mummy at every high wind ; and the
miseries of a soldier's wife on active service are in
themselves punishment enough for the " perpetration
of matrimony" to require any additional misfortunes
from bad lodging, bad food, bad drink, or bad attend-
ance.

Perhaps the most interesting intelligence received
by this packet is that of the unconditional surrender
of Kote Kangra, a fortress hitherto considered
to be impregnable. Nothing could more strikingly
have evinced the happy result of promptitude in
warfare than the capitulation of this garrison. While
it was vaunting its security, and treating the threats
of the Government with derision, it was suddenly
panic-stricken by the tlyexpected arrival of the

A nglo-Indian troop:- before it?, embattlements IN ith
a formidable urrtiy of heavy artillery. The
manoeuvre not merely awed the garrison into instant
submission, but has aroused the astonishment of the
northern inhabitants generally. The impression is, if
possible, confirmed that English arms are invincible.
KoteKangra has re evidenced the puissance displayed
at Sobraon.

Gratified, however, as we must undoubtedly be at
such signal assurances of the awe—the wholesome
awe—inspired into our Asiatic subjects and the
people of the neighbouring states by the valour of our
brave soldiers, we cannot but be the more fully im-
pressed with the necessity that exists for consulting
in every possible particular the happiness, the
social comfort, the health and the moral welfare
of those same instruments of our Eastern dominion.
It should never be forgotten that our prosperity in
that wonderful empire, which is surrounded byAaiatic
Russia, Hindostan, China, and the Indian Ocean, is
dependent solely upon the loyalty and subordination
and courage of our armies. Considering this, and
remembering the deeds they have achieved
from Seringapatam to Jellalabad, that their
heart's blood has flowed freely on the battle-plains,
and that their constitutions have been wasted in our
service, let us, in the name of justice, in the name of
gratitude, and in the name of policy, shield them
from any unnecessary suffering, and preserve them
from any superfluous dangers ! Hurricanes and con-
tagious
diseases are unquestionably casualties which no
human foresight can prevent. We grant that; but
we do not grant that barracks must by necessity be
built of cardboard, or of gingerbread, or of such
flimsy materials as are subverted at the first change
in the atmosphere ; nor can we perceive the
obligation that exists of treating the wives and
children of soldiers with little more tenderness
than that evinced by GoNERIL and REGAN.
Better abolish all the trumpery of ribbons and
medals, and build good barracks and resting-places of
substantial brick.

A discussion of considerable interest took place in
the House of Lords last night, on the occasion of the
presentation of a petition by Earl FORTESCUE, for the
abolition of flogging in the army. The declaration
of the Duke of WELLINGTON, who commands an
influence far beyond that of mere official rank, is
highly gratifying—viz., " that in consequence of the
feeling of the Government, of Parliament, and of the
public on it, he had taken upon himself
greatly to diminish its severity, and he hoped that
with that arrangement which may be made in fu-
ture in the alteration of the law it may be still fur-
ther diminished, so as to lead at last to its final dis-
continuance." 'We have here the direct admission of
the universal detestation with which the horrible sys-
tem is regarded by persons of all ranks and condi-
tions throughout the nation. With the Government,
the Parliament, and the public arrayed against
it, their feelings strongly excited on the
point, there would be little prospect of its
being suffered much longer to remain the stigma, the
disgrace of the British nation ; but we have also the
intimation given by the only man who could, even for
a time, resist that feeling, that " he hopes it may be
still further diminished, so as to lead to its
final discontinuance." This is a cheering an-
nouncement for those who are conscientiously
opposed to the practice, but they must not on
that account relax their exertions, or abandon
the agitation they were about to commence. Already
steps have been taken for the formation of a society
to promote the abolition of flogging in the army and
navy. Within one single week a meeting will be
held at Exeter Hall for that purpose, and sincerely
do we hope that on that occasion the friends of huma-
nity will not be wanting—that a demonstration so
powerful will be made as to convince those who
still advocate the necessity of its continuance,
that othei and less objectionable means must be de-
vised for the preservation of military discipline.
Much has of late years been done in mitigation of
the grievance ; the number of lashes which can by
any possibility be ordered, have been diminished
from 1,200 or 1,500 to 200, and since the recent re-
gulation to 50. Has that regulation impaired the
efficiency of the army, or made it more diffi-
cult to maintain the proper and necessary subor-
dination? Far from it; in proportion to the reduction
of lashes, the discipline has been improved, the sol-
diers have been more orderly and better disposed.
His Grace himself has borne his strongest testimony
in that behalf; he says—" I assure you that the
troops are now, at this moment, daily in the per-
formance of services which you would not require—
nay, I go further, and say that you could not have,
from any other troops in the world." And
again—" If any acccident happens, such as ship-
wreck, they act in the most admirable
manner, and I find that they acquire the confidence
of all." This conduct, so justly described by his
Grace, must surely satisfy any unprejudiced and dis-
passionate mind that the persons so eulogised are
capable of being influenced by other and higher
motives than those of fear. They have so distin-
guished themselves, not by reason of, but in despite
of the lash. It is a universally admitted fact,
that wriat are usually styled flogging regiments are
in a worse state of organisation, in every respect
inferior to those in which the cat has been suffered
to fall into disuse. The commanding officers who have
taken the lead in this humane experiment have at-
tained a degree of popularity in their respective re-
giments that has had the effect of inducing the men
to do that from love which could not be produced by
fear alone. In no instance has it been found
that men have become worse in consequence of
their being treated as men, and net degraded
to the condition of brutes. How can you
possibly hope for the maintenance of that high spirit
of honour, the existence of which is so necessary in
the army, essentially an honourable profession, if its
members are subjected to such degradation? We
may be pardoned for again quoting the opinions
of Sir CHARLES NAPIER, as to the improved
state of discipline consequent upon the de-
crease of corporal punishment. That gallant
General says, " When I was a subaltern, the
army was not in a high state of discipline, yet the
punishments were extremely severe. Now the army
is in a high state of discipline, and punishments are
comparatively mild." And, speaking of the present
state of the army he says, "It is difficult to imagine
an army that has not seen services to be in
a more perfect state of discipline, as far as the
private soldiers are considered." This is evidence
that cannot be impeached or underrated,
The Gallant Officer then draws a picture of what
punishment was, contrasted with what it now is :
" That he then frequently saw 600, 700, 800, 900,
and 1,000, sentenced by regimental courts-martial,
and generally every lash inflicted ; the unhappy
victim of such barbarous work brought out
from hospital three or four times to receive
the remainder of his punishment, too severe to
be borne without danger of death, at one flogging,
and sometimes the prolonged torture applied, for
the avowed purpose of adding to its severity." Let
the same witness answer to its effects :—" Yet, with
all the above stated severity (may I not say ferocity ?)
of discipline, I have proved that the army
was then in an inferior state to what it
is now. And if it be asked why, with such
severe punishments to restrain crime, was not
the army in a higher state of discipline ? I answer,
because every soldier who beheld such bloody execu-
tions lost sight of the criminal, and beheld only a
martyr in the flogged man. The cool reason of every
man of sense condemned the cruelty, and crime lost,
its shame, when over-severity of punishment turned
the criminals into heroes." Again, we find the
following :—" A dreadful flogging, disproportioned
to the crime resolutely borne, sends more men away
with their courage whetted, to irritate the culprit,
than struck with fear of being placed in his situation.
The law becomes judged, condemned, and defied as
an enemy. If the poor culprit sends forth screams
of agony, if he faint, he is an object of pity, perhaps
of contempt--a poor devil that it is a sin to cut up ;
and a sin, in such cases as I have stated; no doubt it
is. The man of reflection needs no other proof of
the inefficiency of the excess of punishment as it then
stood than those I have given. It was cruel and it
was not effectual." Again—" When punishments
are slight, their effect is powerfully added to by the
hearty concurrence evinced by the public in their
justice--the culprit finds no c.ommisseration. If pu-