The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-25 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PRESS

The Times is somewhat sceptical about the strength of
the agitation for the disestablishment of the Welsh
Church, and satirises Mr. Watkin Williams for
the recondite character of his last night's speech.
Mr. Williams must have known one would think
that he was only giving Mr. Gladstone an oppor-
tunity for displaying his superior knowledge on
such subjects, but the Premier did something more than
dilate on Welsh' ecclesiastical history. The ques-
tion raised by Mr. Williams cannot be considered alone,
for England and Wales are one, and cannot in such
matters be legislated for separately. The English people
are proud of their Church, though they may desire
reforms, while the Welsh are, as Mr. Williams himself
confessed, apathetic in the matter. The advocates of dis-
establishment had better be cautious, for premature
action on their part will only entail defeat, and lead to
vigorous preparations for defence.
The Standard says that the House ,of Commons was
determined to get through the Irish Land Bill at
any cost on Monday night, and perhaps it was as
well, for the public will be glad to think that the
measure may be laid before the House of !Lords without
much loss of time. The Conservatives have had a great
deal to do with this successful issue, for had they adopted
an obstructive course the bill could never have been pushed
through committee in time to pass the Upper House
before the close of the session. The Opposition do
not seek to gain a partial or temporary advantage
through the failure of the chief measure, and the dis-
grace of their opponents. Even as it is so much time has
been wasted by mistakes and mismanagement that Par-
liament will not have much to show for its months of
labour and never-ending discussions.
The Telegraph asks what .has befallen us that murder
is so rife among us. Scarcely had the Chelsea murder
been fully comprehended before a new horror of a more
appalling character frighted and perplexed the public mind.
The story of the Uxbridge catastrophe revives the story of
the Tropmann massacre, and it is a painful thought that
the perpetrators of such crimes are permitted to wander
among us. The murder does not seem to have
been prompted by motives of plunder, and
revenge is spoken of as the primary cause.
We must trust that the usual infatuation of crime will
lead the guilty man to the commission of some act which
may insure detection, and that society may be spared
the scandal which would ensue from his escape.

The Daily News says that the Fenians have begun
their march upon Canada, so at least we are informed by
telegrams ; but it is certain if they carry out their inten-
tions that they will find themselves in a different position
for that which they looked for. We must expect the
United States Government to perform its part in the
event of a collision between the Colonists and
the Fenians, and there is no reason for misgivings
on that score. The Canadians are evidently
anxious to dispose of their troublesome visitors in the
most summary way possible, and we may therefore look
for a speedy termination of the affair should this last
account prove a correct one, and the Fenian raid an
established fact.

The Post says that a most extraordinary event took
place last night in the enforced xithdrawal of strangers
from the House on the motion of Mr. Craufurd. The
public may not care to know the 'particulars of any one
debate, but the principle invoked in the matter is an im-
portant one, for they have an undoubted right to know
what takes place in the House. It is idle to talk of the
freedom of the press if such an occurrence is sanctioned
by authority and precedent. The French will naturally
ask what advantages we enjoy over their own when a
scene of this character can take place.

ST. GILES'S AND THE GREEN FIELDS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sin,—Permit me to return my grateful thanks for the
kind insertion of my appeal for assistance to enable 500 poor
little Arab children of St. Giles's to enjoy the luxury of a few
hours' fresh air in the green fields, and also to acknowledge
the receipt of the following sums already received: —Lady
Cotterell, £3 ; Mrs. Johnston, ss. ; the Bight Hon. the Earl
of Annan, £l. Further aid entreated.
I am, dear Sir, yours sincerely,
GEO. HATTON,
Minister of King-street Baptist Church, St. Giles's.

rHF NAWAB NAZIM AND THE AFFAIRS
OF THE NIZAMUT.

Our magnificent Indian Empire, the arena of so many
sanguinary conflicts and such grand military triumphs, the
history of which has all the interest of romance, is con-
tinually furnishing us with some lesson; past experi-
ence has illustrated, not only native character, but
that of the conquering race. It is impossible not
to recognise the distinctive marks of each, impossible
not to see that while all the untold wealth, the gor-
geous splendour, the unbounded influence which the East
has poured into the lap of Britain, there are also, with all
these rights of conquests, the rights of nations and indi-
viduals. It is of the utmost importance that our national
honour should be unsullied in every transaction, especially
should we maintain inviolably treaties made with those who
have been our firm friends and allies. No blot should be
allowed to rest on the chronicles of the past, their pages
should be free from every stain of dishonour, every mark
of impolitic and unjust prejudice; justice, impartial and un-
erring, should be meted out with the most careful yet wi 11
ing hand, while all that statesmanship can secure, all that
honourable diplomacy obtain, all that truth can effect
and power bestow, should, with generous and unsparing
liberality, be granted. Justice, in the truest, noblest
sense of the word, is not only the debt we owe, but
that which we canrot, dare not, withhold without losing our
prestige as a people, and our self-esteem as a nation. When
his Highness, the Synd Munsoor Ullee, Nawab Nazim of
Bengal, Behar and Orissa, one of India's princes, illustrious
in descent, still ranking high among the Eastern represen-
tatives of Royalty and loyalty, comes to lay his claim be-
fore the people of England, we may be sure that he will re-
ceive, as he deserves, a patient and fair hearing. It is not
the custom of England to ignore " numerous and valued
services rendered ;" it is not the rule to strangle all hope of
justice to those who seek it at her hands, and if the meanest
subject of the realm feel this, how much more, when those
whose position and wealth demand a hearing, should there
be prompt and careful handling of the balance of justice?
The claim which the Nawab presents against the Govern-
ment is entitled to, and should without doubt receive, im-
mediate consideration.

It is not becoming our dignity as a nation, neither is it
consistent with our national honcur, to delay a decision
fraught with so much importance. Whatever the traditions
of the past may have taught us, and whatever the require-
ments of the present may demand, ought, undoubtedly, to
have due weight, and great responsibility rests upon those
in authority to see that strict and impartial justice should
go band in hand with generous recognition of past service■
rendered.

That we should be without fear and without reproach in
dealing with every question relating to India is a fact which
ought to be fully recognised in all our dealings with that
magniScent empire, and no circumstance whatever should
be allowed to tarnish the fair fame of England or lessen the
renown of English justice, as well as English generosity.