The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-05 00:00:00

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LONDON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1848.

After a contest of unusual earnestness :General
ZACHARY TAYLOR, the Conqueror of Mexico, has
been elected President of the United States. There
is deep cause for congratulation on this result of the
struggle between the partizans of the Whig candi-
date and the Locofoco candidate. The discomfiture
of HENRY CAss is an omen of prosperity and a
guarantee of quietude for four years, at least, to the
North American Republic. Had the consequence of
the election been otherwise the New World would
have been doomed to a career of agitation, the whole-
some policy of WASIINOTON abandoned, the egres-
sion of Pome surpassed, another Texas would have
been monopolised, another Oregon carved by the
keenness of diplomacy, another California occupied
by an army of predatory democrats—the
vast territories of the western continent
would have been ravaged by the supporters
of a system of wholesale annexation. Fortunately,
however, for the United States themselves, and for
their more immediate neighbours, these pernicious
dreams of spoliation have been dissipated by the re-
velations of the ballot-box. Votes beyond the num-
bers required to ccnstitute the absolute majority were
marked with the name of old " Rough and Ready,"
attesting the regard of the American citizens for
those principles of constitutional probity and pacific
administration with which the career of Zacuaar
TAYLOR had gradually become identified. The Pre-
sidential contest among the Anglo-Saxon democrats
having terminated, therefore, in this satisfactory re-
sult, the turmoils, and the jealousies, and the rancours
of party warfare have abruptly subsided, and
the population of the United States are
looking forward with calmness into the perspective
of their future government.
For the indulgence of those anticipations there re-
mains ample leisure and opportunity. Until the
fourth of the ensuing March the administration of
the newly-elected President, ZACHARY TAYLOR, and
of the newly-elected Vice-President, MILLARD FILI,
MORB) will not commence. Beyond this, the next
House of Representatives will not assemble before
the December of 1849—notwithstanding the remote-
ness of which date, it is already calculated that the
majority of the Whig members will prove very con-
considerable.
likely toSome estimates of the proportion
exist between the supporters of the
Government
are, in fact,
ranks of the Oppo-
sitioncharacter, that of such a microscopic
Whig representatives
extent of the
superiority of the
resntatives is stated at
twenty-three. From these
circumstances it is mani-
fest that full time is afforded to th
antagonistsa of
dto perfect
beforel.reeidtehnet
the Locofocos to mature their tactics,
the scheme of their legislative c •
gn
expected Congress is inaugurated, and before
TAYLOR is installed in his official residence at vitah_
ington. That the interval which must elapse before
the arrival, first, of March, and secondly, of December,
will not be filled up by the active preparations of the
• Whig statesmen and their supporters, we do not in
any respect dread, seeing that the chief characteristic
of this powerful class of politicians in America is
their vigilant and consummate prudence. The pre-
sent generation of Whig-Republicans will not belie
the renown of their ancestors.
While the millions of the United States are
emerging from the brief and bloodless battle for the
Presidency, while they are looking forward with com-
posure to the :advent of a pacific Administrator like
General TAYLOR, it is not surprising that some of the
more reflective citizens of the great Trans-
atlantic Democracy should begin to contrast
the tranquillity of the Western with the turbu-
lence and distraction of the Eastern Hemisphere.
The difference of the condition of the American con-
tinent and the European continent in 1848 is too
striking not to challenge observation, and the deduc-
tion derivable from that difference is too flattering
to the political institutions of the former not to excite
the patriotism of its enthusiastic people. Light and
darkness, crime and virtue, youth and decrepitude,
trance and delirium, are not more opposite to each other,
the whole range of history does not afford a more
vivid antithesis than that which presents itself to us
in the position of affairs in Europe on one hand, and
in North America on another. before, however, a

dirge can be sung over the former, and a pcean
chaunted over the latter ; before unconditional praise
can be bestowed on the one and unmitigated condemna-
tion pronounced upon the other ; before America can be
eulogised (as it has been eulogised across the ocean),
as containing the model nation and the model govern-
ment ; before Europe can be scouted (as it has been
scouted from the same quarter) as an agglomeration
of administrative baseness and popular depravity—
some few facts, bearing rather intimately upon the
question at issue, should be candidly and studiously
borne in recollection. Foremost among these is the
circumstance, that while each of the continental races
of Europe is striving individually to conquer its inde-
pendence without encroaching upon any of their re-
spective dominions, the model Republic has
been availing itself of the shallowest pre-
texts to aggrandize its ewn dominions by
incursions upon the dominions of the contiguous
countries. True it is that the despot of Prussia,
screening himself under a masquerade of liberality,
endeavoured, by force of arms, to rob the crown of
Denmark of its hereditary appenage of Schleswig—
true, again, that tyranny strove to trample out the
germs of freedom sprouting up among the Posenese,
the Lombards, and the Hungarians ; but in each
instance the cries of execration which resounded
from the surrounding nations caused the crowned
aggressors to desist in their unholy efforts at repres-
sion. With the model Republic of the United
States it has been wholly otherwise. There the
wiles of diplomatic chicane and the audacity of mili-
tary expeditions have been sedulously directed to
the acquisition of new provinces, to the subjugation
of unoffending races, to the massacre of the patriots
of Mexico, and to the desecration of the golden halls
of the Montezumas.

While again French democracy has, even in the
agony of her own struggles for existence, decreed
the abolition of slavery in all her possessions,
American democracy clings with the tenacity of
fanaticism to the bloody sway exercised over the
negro population by her free and enlightened citizens I
The Waldo'. proviso is as flagrantly repudiated by
the legislators of the United States as ever were the
local bonds of Illinois:or Pennsylvania. It were well
consequently, if the journalists of North America,
before exulting so vain-gloriously over the virtues
and eminence of the United States, when compared
with the vices and degradation of Europe, would
simply put two and two together and see whether or
not they come to four. Stones of abuse hurled from
glass-houses are liable to provoke reprisals ; and
marvellous, indeed does it appear to us, that,
while our Transatlantic contemporaries are exulting
over the pacific character of their republican institu-
tions, the principal representative of that pacific po-
licy is the very man who overran with his soldiers the
mountains and savannahs of Mexico, and advanced
with fire and sword from Monterey to the capital.
Old ZACHARY is not the least anomaly, amongst all
the huge and multifarious anomalies of the United
States.

The condition of Ireland still constitutes the chief
difficulty of the British Government. It is, however,
no longer the political, but the social condition of that
unhappy land, that awakens the Ministerial anxiety,
and forms the subject for discussion at Cabinet
Councils. The agitation that so long prevailed
throughout the country no longer exists. The fierce
excitement that might have been witnessed in every
district has subsided. The aspect of the political
horizon is no longer, threatening. But a moreformid-
able danger has arisen. The wail of misery
and distress is to be heard from every
quarter. The resident gentry are impoverished,

the occupying tenants pauperised, and the
labouring population reduced to the most melancholy
state of destitution. The entire resources of the
country is scarcely sufficient to feed its poverty.
Little remains either for the use of the proprietors, or
the satisfaction of the charges and incumbrances by
which they are overwhelmed. All classes look to
England as the only quarter from which they can
hope for aid and assistance in their emergency.
There is no possibility of any beneficial change un-
less the iniitative is taken on this side of St. George's
Channel. The ordeal to which Ireland has been
subjected during the last three years has paralyzed the
energies and exhausted the resources of the

nation. It has sunk into a state of exhaustion,

and is unable to arouse itself from the stupor into
which it has fallen. Some slight restoratives, some
trifling temporary assistance judiciously applied, will,
however, awaken it from its lethargy, and restore it
to a state of health and activity. England should
render the required help to her fallen sister. It is
not, however, by the expenditure of large sums in
maintaining the population in unproductive idleness,
but in developing the industry of the country by
directing the enormous mass of labour into beneficial
channels, by providing useful employment for every
person able and willing to work, whether male or female,
juvenile or adult. There are ample means of
affording that employment. No country in the
world possesses so many opportunities, so wide a
field, for industrial employment, and in none have
these resources been so deplorably neglected and
misapplied. This can no longer be the case; for our
own sakes—if for no higher motive than the mere
selfish and personal one—it is essential that Ireland
should be rescued from the melancholy position in
which she is placed, that she should be elevated in the
scale of nations.

We have long dwelt on the means by which this
desideratum might be attained without any ultimate
loss to this country. The reclamation of the waste
lands is one of the most obvious that suggests itself
to every mind the moment the question is started.
Six millions and a half of acres remain wholly waste
and uncultivated, of which, according to the most
unquestionable authority, nearly four millions could
be reclaimed, so as to return fully ten per cent. on the
amount expended, and the whole of that outlay would
be applied in payment of wages for labour that now
remains utterly useless and unproductive. Nay, the
very able-bodied paupers, who now crowd the several
workhouses, or clamor for out-door relief, could,
without the outlay of an additional shilling,
bring thousands of acres into cultivation,
and materially increase the food of the coun-
try. The Government fully recognised the
national advantages derivable from this source, and in
the programme put forward by the Premier in the
commencement of the session of 1847, it was stated
that 1,500,0001. sterling was to be applied in that
manner, and that a Bill for the purpose would be
introduced in the course of the then session of Par-
liament. These favourable intentions were, however,
unhappily not carried out, difficulties were said to
have arisen that prevented the realization of the hopes
then excited. The impolicy of interfering with " pri-
vate enterprise" and " private property" was the ar-
gument put forward to justify the disappointment of
the fondly-cherished expectations of the country.
The fallacy of that principle has been well
exposed in a letter which will be found in another
part of our impression this day. Mr. RIGBY WASON,
many of whose valued communications have already
appeared in our columns, has again directed his at-
tention to the subject, and purposes to address a
series of Letters to Lord J. RUSSELL, for the purpose
of showing
one
of the g " that the reclamation of the waste lands
beet,means of alleviating the social
condition of Ireland:
We gladly hail so able and
energetic a collaboraetxepuerrim
,whose practical expe-
rience and successful
experiments in reclaiming vast
tracts of land in another
Part of
entitle his opinions to the country
peculiar
weight. pri_
vate enterprise is now paralyzed—the condition
of the country is such that it cannot be brought into
operation save by some other agency ; and it 1s the
That
State alone that can supply the motive power. Tha
property has its duties as well as its rights is now
an
admitted axiom, and it cannot for a moment be ar-
gued that the possersor of thousands of barren acres
is justified in permitting them to lie waste and un-
productive, while the country languishes for want of
employment, and the neighbouring proprietors are
suffering from his neglect and apathy, by being
compelled to support many families that might be
provided for if he discharged his duties to society—.
the essential conditions on which he was permitted

to. hold that very property. :The rules that may be
very properly acted on under ordinary circumstances,
must be altered when a pressing emergency arises.
The diet suited for a healthy man will not be good
for a patient suffering under a severe disease. The
present condition o 1 Ireland, is bad indeed, And gi

powerful remedy must be applied, if we desire to
restore her to a sound and healthy state.

The Spanish General, the Marquis DE lIIJOSA DE
ALAVA, left London on Sunday for Paris en rcute to
Madrid. The Noble Marquis was sent to this
country some months ago by the Spanish Govern-
ment, as chief of a military scientific commission for
the corps of artillery and engineers, with
the view of examining our naval and mili-
tary establishments, and collecting information on the
progress of our national institutions. Our Govern-
ment, with that enlarged liberality which constantly
characterises its policy, whatsoever may be its rela-
tions with foreign countries, has readily afforded to
the gallant General all necessary facility for the
fulfilment of his object. This distinguished noble-
man is one of the most eminent mathematicians Spain
can boast of. We are informed that whilst he re-
sided in London he has commanded unanimous
respect and admiration by his high scientific attain-
ments. The Royal Society, the Astronomical, the
Geographical, the Geological, and the Antiquarian
Societies, which the Marquis DE IchrosA
constantly visited since their re-opening, have
vied with one another by inviting him to their
evening meetings, and many of their more distin-
guished members were greatly gratified to make his
personal acquaintance. In the last meeting of the
Society of Arts, a beautiful mathematical instrument,
invented by the enlightened General, and which
bears his name—" Hijosa's Angle Trisector," was ex-
hibited in the saloon of the society, and was
much admired by our renowned engineers, Mr.
BEUNEL and Mr. FARE; for its simplicity and
useful application. We regret that the termination
of this scientific Spanish mission will deprive us so
soon of the presence of a gentleman who is so able to
enrich the scientific world with the results of his
valuable discoveries. We are, however, glad to
understand that he has entered into correspondence
with several of our scientific institutions, and that he
win It,i waltz Go &new, uu LIL 3 return to pain, tne pub-
lications containing the results of his mathematical
labours.

We are rejoiced to find that although our diplo-
matic relations may be suspended with Spain our
scientific relations are as intimate as ever. Visits
such as this of the Marquis DE HIJOSA cannot but be
of advantage to the people of both countries as they
dispel those prejudices which rulers are but too
apt to exploiter to their own advantage.

We this day publish an important document on a
subject of national justice, in which the public cha-
racter of England is concerned—being a letter to Sir
Jonx CAM HORHOUSR, Bart., President of the Board
of Commissioners for the Affairs of India, by RUNGO
BAPOGEE, the representative in this country of the
Raja of SATTARA. Much as this question has been
hitherto discussed, both in Parliament and at the
India House, still we think that the arguments and
facts adduced by RUNGO BAPOJEE are so forcible, so
clear, and so convincing, that the reader can come to
no other conclusion than that the late RAJA has been
most shamefully treated by the officers of the East
India Company. Let us,
,however, hope that justice,
so long denied to the RAJA, may yet be done to his
legal and natural representative.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris papers of yesterday.

No authentic intelligence had been received as to
the whereabout of the POPE. The Bien Public says
he has arrived at Marseilles, another rumour was that
the Government had received a telegraphic dispatch
announcing his arrival at Malta, while some persons
affirmed that he had not quitted Rome at all. The
fact however of his flight appears to be beyond doubt.
The _Lyons Gazette publishes the following extract
from the Marseilles Courier, of the 29th :
" The Mentor steamer, commanded by Captain Le-
veque, which entered this port yesterday, having left
Naples on the 25th, and Civita Vecchia on the 26th,
has brought the important news that on Sunday, the
26th instant, Pope Pius IX. has quitted the Roman
States on board the Tenare steamer, to come to Mar-
seilles or to Toulon."

The Lyons Gazette also states that several travel-
lers had arrived in that place, who had left Rome on
the 24th, before the departure of his HOLINESS was
known. At that time the citizens were in a state of
great agitation.
The Univers publishes the following letter :
" Paris, Dec. 2, 1848.

" Mr. Editor,—Having learnt that people have re-
marked on my having abstained in the vote relative to the
expedition to Civita Vecchia, I believe it to be my duty
to declare that, at the same time that I am determined
to support all the measures which may be required to
guarantee efficaciously the liberty and authority of the
Sovereign Pontiff, I was not able to support with my
vote a military demonstration which appeared to me to
be dangerous oven to the sacred rights which it was in-
tended to protect, and of a nature to compromise the
peace of Europe.—Receive, sir, the assurance, &c.,

" LOUIS NAPOLEON BONAPARTE."

On this letter the Universe thus comments :

" The Government, according to the language of
General Cavaignac and M. I)ufaure, only thought of
protecting the person of the Holy Father, and guaran-
teeing his individual liberty. In this letter, M. Louis
Napoleon Bonaparte speaks of the liberty and the autho-
rity of the Sovereign Pontiff. We hope that he inserted
this last word designedly, and that, in case of need, ho
will not forget it."

Marshal l3cGEAup has at length made up his mind
to vote for Louis NAPOLEON. He has written a letter
to the Constitutionnel, in which he says, "I join in
opinion with the mass of the men of order, and I de-
clare that I shall vote for Louis NAPOLEON BONA-
PAP.TE. The false interpretation put on the words in
my former letter oblige me to make this declaration."
M. BERRYER, M. MONTALEMBERT, and M. MOLE,
also, it is said, intend to vote for Louis NAPOLEON, as
does M. CREMIEUX.

An electoral committee, appointed by the inha-
bitants of the quarter St. Justache (Paris), held a
meeting on Friday night to elect their president and
secretary. 19 members were present, of whom 16
declared themselves in favour of General EUGENE
CAVAIGNAC, and 3 for M. LEDRU ROLLIN.
A general assembly of the delegates of the sections
of the city of Lyons, and of the rural cantons, was
held in that city on Friday last, when it appeared
that the sections of Lyons gave 81 votes to General
CAVAIGNAC, and but 6 to Prince Louis NAPOLEON.
Six out of ten of the cantons outside the walls gave
143 votes to General CAVAIGNAC, and but 70 to
Prince Louis. Two of the four cantons, which had
not elected delegates, had written to declare that they
would vote unanimously in favour of General CA-
VAIGNAC. It is stated, further, that General
CAVAIGNAC'S intervention for the protection of the
POPE has created an immense feeling in favour of
the General amongst the clergy and the religious
portion of the inhabitants of Lyons.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK-EXCHANGE, DEC. 4.
Luxembourg (101.), 13/—Northern of France, s%—Or-
leans and Bordeaux, 15i.

SPAIN.

Madrid journals of the 27th ult. have arrived.

The Gaieta publishes the following decrees :
.‘ WAR OFFICE-ROYAL DECREES.

"In attention to the reasons which Lieutenant-Gene-
ral Don Fernando Fernandez de Cordova has exposed to
me, I hereby relieve him from the charge of Captain-
General of Catalonia, in order that he may fulfil that of
Director General of Infantry, which he also holds.
" Given atthe Palace, the 23d Nor., 1848. Is signed
by the Royal Hand. The Minister of War,

"FRANCISCO DE PAULA FIGUERAS."

" Taking into consideration the excellent circum-
stances that concur in the Lieutenant-General Don
Manuel de la Concha, Marquis del Duero, I hereby name
him Captain-General of Catalonia." (Signed as above.)
The Barcelona papers of the 23d mention that
Pozes and MONSERRAT entered the town of Sabadell
on the afternoon of the 21st, having burnt the town
reddertot o t
hgeeitr
theres irne t
re-
mained blazing away in henever any of the Carlists
isat,ronighheouse, soldiers
wh eirne gthaerryisoncame within sight, but the latter, after spending the
night in the town, went away at six the next morning.
They had arrested several of the inhabitants, both
male and female, in consequence of the money they
demanded not being forthcoming at first ; but as they
set them all at liberty again, the money had probably
been paid.
A letter from Reus, of the 20th, says that the
corporation had received a dispatch from the Carlist
chief MASGORET, the previous day, in which he
equalsvvuuni mtdhemrao
tturnhoeeodts
oi
rdht
re
,egsl
quartersrs to Oeumsp boy of taxation, thimkaoxaf
blockade
tetaihoicefnoi
,rint tafi‘r
vnixbederudemt i
noe nno tai
eeneodmm tophnl
ei
contributioneemyd
with.
sellers; and
Cents.
i MADRID BOLSA, Nov. 27.—The Three per Cents.
Fivel94
ajtebruytehres,i close,sell9er-s ;
Cl6toouipobnusyesrsi.
buyers ; Passive Debt, 34 9.16 buyers, sellers ;
Bank Shares, 44 buyers, 46 sellers. Discount on ,
notes Exchange on London, 48 35.

Dispatches were received yester_ day at the Colonial-
office from the Governors of the West India Colonies.