The Sun.
London, England, 1848-01-08 00:00:00

fr timing

LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1848.

Sir ROBERT PEEL was not more earnestly or more
unanimously sustained by public opinion, in proposing
the abolition of all restrictive duties and the perma-
nent establishment of free trade, than is Lord
Joni RUSSELL in advocating the political emanci-
pation of the Jews and the removal of those civil
disabilities which have hitherto prevented their en-
trance into Parliament. What the minority of Pro-
tectionists was to the last great question of the Peel
Cabinet, the minority of Exeter Hall enthusiasts is
to the first great question of the Russell Adminis
tration. Petitions have poured into the Commons,
eloquent appeals have resounded in the reporters'
gallery, raeetings have been convened in the metro
polls for the purpose of testifying the coincidence of
the public in the religious sympathies of our states-
men. Without proceeding to such an extreme verge
in the line of liberality as the Hon. Gentleman the
Member for Buckinghamshire ; without taking the
sentiments embodied in his Parliamentary speeches,
or in his theocratic romance of " Tancred," as the
maxims of our social morality ; without agreeing
with him that Christianity is little else than identical
with Judaism, and that a worshipper of EMMANUEL i
virtually the same as a believer in MOSES and the
Prophets—the people of England have nevertheless
pronounced through their different channels their
cordial agreement with the views entertained upon
tors particular by the First Lord of the
Treasury and his colleagues. Through the press,
through the voices of their most distinguished
representatives, through parochial authorities and
municipal institutions, through verbal appeals and
writ written entreaties, they have proclaimed their satis-
factionat the brilliant course upon which the
Premier has adventured. They have exulted
in this renewed token that the Lord JOAN of
1848
is the same as the Lord JOHN of 1832 ;
that he who carried the Test and Corporation
Acts, when in opposition, is ready to carry the
final measure of Religious Toleration as Prime
Minister. If the present Government be in a doubt-
ful position, as regards the community, upon every
other point in its schemes of innovation, it is in a
position of complete security upon the revision of the
Oath of Abjuration.
After the numerous testimonies of approval which
have been accorded by the population of England to
this interesting project in behalf of the Israelites, an
additional mark of satisfaction has been awarded to
the Administration by a numerous
Undera
and intelligent
assemblage assemblage of provincial electors.
e chair-
rnanship of the Mayer of Bolton the liberalt
tants of that borough town gave evidence o Wed-
nesday evening of their devotion to the cause of re-
ligious as well as of political tolerance, by carrying a
number of resolutions expressive of their abhorrence
of the obnoxious disabilities, and carrying these re-
solutions, moreover, with acclamations. Among the
speakers on this occasion the foremost was the un-
successful candidate at the recent election, DAVID
WILLIAMS WIRE, Esq., an eminent solicitor, and a
distinguished member of the London Corpora-
tion. Alluding to the indignities and cruelties
which had been inflicted upon the unfortunate
Jews
in the countries of Continental Europe, Mr. WIRE
commented upon the generous principles enforced by
La Charte of 1830, which permitted the entrance of
Hebrew Deputies into the Representative Chambers
of France. He might have adduced another instance
of statesmanlike sagacity worthy of being emulated
by the legislator. of Great Britain. He might have
reulindeu t,is auoito, s that o herti,s the condition of
the poor Jews of Rome had been most deplorable
under every preceding Pontificate, it had been sin- 1

gularly ameliorated and improved through the benefi-
cent interference of Plus IX., of that great reformer
whose latest act of clemency is not his least—namely,
his re-organization of the Council of Ministers. While
France and even Papal Rome are striving thus ear-
nestly to place the descendants of ABRAHAM socially
and politically on an equality with their Christian
fellow-men, England should not assuredly present
that spectacle of cruel and invidious repression
which would be inevitable were the suggestions of
the Hon. and Learned Member for the University of
Oxford complied with. By the arguments ennun-
ciated by Mr. WIRE, and by the representative of
the Tower Hamlets, as well as by the greeting awarded
to those arguments by the constituents of Boston,
a new evidence of British liberality has been afforded
in the provinces, and an additional incitement has
been given to that great struggle of democracy,
which, if conducted with rashness, would end in
anarchy, and if guided by prudence, will terminate
in the perfect realisation of the sublime principles of
civil and religious liberty.
Before the House of Commons shall have finally
concluded its exertions for the release of the Jews from
the onerous disabilities, under the weight of which
they experience such an extraordinary depression,
we do earnestly hope that her MAJESTY'S Govern-
ment will not remained contented with the destruc-
tion of merely one of the numerous ill effects of a
pernicious system, but that they will boldly annihi-
late that system itself, and dedicate its very frag-
ments to oblivion. A simple erasion in the Oath
of Abjuration is not enough, the oath itself should
be abolished; and not only the Oath of Abjura-
tion, but the Oath of Supremacy in like manner.
If the Christian representatives cannot coincide
in the views of the Society of Friends, or listen
in obedience to the Divine voice which said
" Swear not at all !" they can, at the least, consent
to obliterate those oaths which are notoriously super-
fluous, and preserve the House of the Nation from
being violated with the presence of a traitor, by the
retention of one oath—the Oath of Allegiance.

Already the good effects of the energetic and de-
cisive measures adopted by the Irish Government
are becoming apparent. There has at length been
some cessation of those fearful outrages by which
the public mind was disturbed and the Isle " fright-
ened from its propriety." The sanguinary miscreants
who had intimidated the districts in which they were
temporary sojourners, and brought discredit upon
their country from the reckless brutality of their
proceedings, are at length beginning to discover that
the law is too powerful for their machinations, and
that sooner or later it will be fully vindicated, and
the g uilty consigned to the well merited punishment.
l'he promptitude with which the Crime and Outrage
Act has been brought into operation, together with
he effect produced by the Special Commission
that has been issued, and the proceedings under
which are now going on, have struck terror
into the souls of evildoers. A Limerick jury
has justified the confidence entertained by the
Legislature, and proved how unnecessary it would
have been to have constituted new tribunals, or to
have transferred to Courts-martial the functions
which can alone be constitutionally exercised by the
ordinary judicial authorities, assisted by a fairly-
selected panel of upright and independent jurymen.
The first prisoner placed on his trial, WILLIAM
RYAN, otherwise PUCK, probably the most reckless
and desperate of those called on to answer for their
crimes, has been convicted, and the jury, twelve
gentleman, having been peremptorily challenged
before the required number was completed, returned
the verdict without retiring from their box. The cir-
cumstances of the case afford a fearful illustration of
the state of society in the disturbed districts, and of
the system of terror and intimidation that has been
exercised. Like the great majority of Irish outrages, it
sprung from an agrarian source. It appeared that
WILLIAM RYAN and his father formerly held about
three acres of land on the borders of Limerick and
Tipperary, but that having neglected to pay the rent
thereof, they were turned out of possession, and the
holding was given to their next neighbour, a steady
and industrious man, named MICHAEL KELLY, who
had previously held nine acres under the same land-
lord. This was about two years ago, and since that
period a deep feeling of animosity was entertained by
the ll,v,ssis against the incoming tenant and all the
members of his family. In place of friendly salute
when the parties happened to meet, a scowl of deadly
hatred took place. But this indication was exchanged
for more active measures of revenge in the course of the
past year; on the 17th of September last, the prisoner,
a young man about twenty-five years of age,
attempted the murder of MICHAEL KELLY by firing at
him with a pistol, although severely wounded, the life of
the intended victim was providentially preserved.
It might have been supposed that this would have
assuaged the anger of the prisoner—that his thirst
for blood would have been thereby satiated. But
such was not the case ; the feeling of revenge was
too deeply seated to be satisfied with anything less
than the life of the party who had offended against
the laws of the secret tribunals, or at least of one of his
family—that atrocious code recognising the propriety
of a vicarious sacrifice. Five days after that failure,
the prisoner, who had been seen proceeding in the
direction, accompanied by another man, who has
hitherto escaped from justice, entered the house of
JOHN KELLY—the brother of MICHAEL—who had
himself comtnitted no offence against the dictates of
midnight assassins, whose only crime was that re-
lationship, and without a single word shot him while
seated in the centre of his family. The murdered
man, pierced by eleven bullets, fell dead at the feet of
his assassins, while some of the bullets, after passing
through his body, wounded his nephew, a boy of 12
years of age. Such was the terror that prevailed in
that locality with respect to affording any information
against the violators of the law, that the niece and ser-
vant of the murdered man, who had witnessed the entire
transaction, and fully recognised the murderer, with
whom they were well acquainted, were afraid to
speak the truth at the inquest which was held on the
body—the girl only stating she believed it was BILLY
RYAN who shot her uncle, because, as she subse-
quently explained, " she was afraid that she would
herself be killed, if she told what she knew ; while the
servant said " he did not know the murderer, being
afraid that he or his friend would shoot him (the
witness)." There was other evidence which made
the case perfectly clear against the murderer, and
could leave no hesitation in the minds of the jurors,
and the result has been the verdict which consigns the
guilty man to an ignominious death.
It is this feeling of apathy, or we should rather say
of intimidation which has hitherto prevented parties
from coming forward and giving their testimony
against the violators of the law that must be got rid of.
Full and ample protection must be afforded
to every person who has forwarded the ends of jus-
tice by taking any, part in the proceedings. We
doubt not that this essential duty will be efficiently
discharged by the Executive, and that, while they
punish the offenders, who are inflicting the deepest
injury on their unhappy land, they will guard against
any person being made a sufferer for acting in a
praiseworthy manner, and despising the threats of the
conspirators. The mode of conducting the present
Commission entitles the Irish authorities to the
greatest praise. Not only were the usual Crown
prosecutors of the Circuit, whose experience and
talent would have insured everything that legal skill
Could effect, in attendance, but the highest
law officers of the Crown, the Attorney and
the Solicitor-General, went down special to conduct the
several cases—and the highest legal func-
tionaries--the Lord Chief Justice of the Queen's
Bench, and the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer,
were selected as
the presiding judges. But while
every care was devoted to the efficient carrying on of
the prosecutions, the interests of the parties accused
were not overlooked. It would have been
difficult, if not impossible, for them to have pro-
cured the attendance of counsel for their defence,
save at an expense that would probably have been
beyond their ability, or that of their friends, to en-
counter. The Government therefore sent down Mr.
JAMES O'HEA, a gentleman of considerable abilities,
who has attained a leading position as a criminal
lawyer on the circuit, as well as in the metropolis, to
conduct the defences of all the prisoners. This cod-
duct requires no comment.

According to the terms of the Federal Fact,
Berne will continue to be the directing canton

during the year 1848, and as the administrative
year does not commence in the canton until the Ist
of June, M. OCHSENBEIN will continue to be head
of the Vorort until the 31st May next.
The Bishop of Friburg, M. MARILLEN, conti-
nues in open hostility with the new Government.
He wishes to mAintain in their appointments those of
the priests who took a direct part in the civil war,
while the Council of State contends, and with justice,
that others should be appointed in their room. The
Friburg prelate threatens the intervention of the
Fora, the Apostolic Nuncio, &c. &c. In consequence
of the hostile attitude assumed by this turbulent priest
the other cantonal governments of the diocese, vii ,
Geneva, Vaud, and Berne, will consult with Friburg
as to the measures to be adopted in common to
resist the encroachments and illegal demands of
the Bishop of FRIBURG, one of the most dangerous
of the partisans of the Jesuits.

Letters from Rohe of the 30th ult. state that the
POPE had that day published a decree organizing the
Council of Ministers. It divides the administration
into nine departments, each independent of the other,
and accountable to the POPE only, but meeting once
every week under the presidence of the Secretary of
State. The Secretary of State has nothing more to
do with the police, home affairs, finances, &c., but is
to be simply Minister of Foreign Affairs. This new
system is considered a great improvement.
A letter from Parma of the 30th ult. says—" The new
Duke has not yet arrived here ; he went from Genoa
to Milan, and from thence to Modena. It was from
Modena that he issued his proclamation. This docu-
ment has caused all the hopes which had been con-
ceived of the new Sovereign to vanish. Far from show-
ing himself disposed to imitate the example of Pius IX.
CHARLES ALBERT, and LzoroLDII., the Duke states
in his proclamation that he has decided on not making
any changes in the institutions established by his
predecessor, and confirms in their places the Minis-
ters and all the civil and military authorities. As
soon as this proclamation was made known, thousands
of persons of all classes assembled to sign an address
to make known to the Duke the dangers to which he
must expose the country, if he did not adopt the re-
forms called for by the people. The Austrian troops
now here only amount to a few hundreds, but
quarters are being prepared for a larger number,
who are shortly to arrive, and who will occupy the
Duchy, and even Pontremoli. Austria, it is said,
wishes to oppose a league Lombardo-Venetian king-
dom, and the Duchies of Parma and Modena to that
of Piedmont, Rome and Tuscany.
A letter from Naples of the 29th ult., in the
Nourelliste of Marseilles, says—" The petition sent
from Palermo to the lima arrived here in due sea-
son, but his MAJESTY refused to receive it. When
the news of this result became known at Palermo,
the population could not restrain their indignation,
and they proceeded in considerable numbers to the
Monte Pellegrino, where the popular leader caused
them to renew their oath to die in arms, if necessary,
for their political rights. These acts were soon
after communicated by telegraphic dispatch to the
Government of Naples. Discontent is said to prevail
among the troops."

Madrid journals of the Ist inst. have arrived.
The Bureau of the Sinking Fund, on the night of
the 30th, was robbed of a sum of money, equal in
amount to 25,000/. sterling. The Bourse list an-
nounces, that notwithstanding this robbery, the pay-
ment of the:half-year's interest on the Three per Cents.
will take place on the 3d January.
On the 31st the report of the Committee appointed
to consider the conduct of the last Ministry was pre-
sented to the Chamber. The Committee recommend
the impeachment of SALAMANCA only. The charges
are :-1. His conduct with respect to the Aranjuez
Railway shares. 2. The negotiations with ARDOM'S
house. 3. The capitalization of the Palace arrears.
And 4. The Alicant Custom-house business. NAR-
VAEZ is strongly opposed to the impeachment.
The Clamor Publico says that a proposition will be
made to the Cortes by seven Deputies of the Afran-
cesado majority, to petition the QUEEN to recal the
Duchess of MONTPENSIER to Madrid, and require her
residence in Spain so long as she shall continue
heiress presumptive of the Crown.

General AmErrLBR has been banished from
Madrid to Badajos.
According to the Clamor Publico, a serious quarrel
has taken place between the Duke DR RIANZARES
(Muzioz) and General CoaDovA. The Duke did not
come out of the affair with a good grace; it would
appear that the husband of Queen CHRISTINA is by
no means a fire-eater.
There was no Bolsa on the Ist inst.

We have received the Paris papers of yesterday.
The fate of ABD-EL-KADER is still untheded. He
has expressed a desire, it is said, to be permitted to
proceed to Mecca. +r

The Duke DE BEOGLIE has returned from Eng-
land in exceeding ill humour. He has had a long
conference with the KING. His MAJESTY has, it is
said, been much affected by the loss of his sister, and
his health has suffered in consequence.
A fresh scandal is now the great topic of conversa-
tion in the political circles of Paris. It appears
that, some time since, a M. PETIT sued for a divorce
from his wife, whom he charged with having
intrigued with a Peer of France. He failed to prove
his case, and was unsuccessful. The lady then
brought a suit against her husband for a seperation.
In the course of the proceedings it was more than in-
sinuated that M. PETIT was indebted for a Govern-
ment situation which he holds as a receiver of finance
to the interest of the Peer in question. This M.
PETIT denies boldly, declaring that he was indebted
to no interest whatever for the place, inasmuch as he
purchased it of the officials connected with the
Ministry, and purchased it, too, at rather a dear
rate. He has presented a memorial on the
subject to the Chambers, in which he sets forth
the whole history of the transaction, giving
names and dates. In his memorial M. PETIT
says " It will be perceived that if in
1840, in order to obtain admission into the cour des
comptes, if in 1844, in order to obtain the office of
receiver, I took part in the sale and bargain for
places to which the Government devoted itself, and
of which M. -- was one of the negotiators, I
merely understood that as purchaser I was investing
my money, and my money only." In another
portion of his memorial M. PETIT says,—" I had to
pay to enter the sour des comptes, and in order to ob-
tain the office of receiver at Corbeil I had to settle an
annuity of 6,000 francs on a person holding an
official situation, with a reversion of half the annuity
to his wife." M. PETIT mentions the names of the
various parties concerned, and after having related
the various measures adopted up to the time of the
conclusion of the bargain, he adds, " the whole
business was transacted at the Hotel des Capucines,"
the said Hotel des Capucines being the official resi-
dence of M. GulzoT. There are implicated in the
charges of M. PETIT a Peer of France, an Advocate-
General of the Court of Cassation, a Receiver-Gene-
ral of Finances, a Counsellor and two Referendaries
of the Cour des Comptes, and a person high in office
in the Foreign Department, and who enjoys the un-
limited confidence of M. GUIZOT. As might have
been expected, the National quite chuckles over these
scandalous revelations.

M. DE SALVANDT has managed to pick a quarrel
with the Professors of the University ; both parties
intend to appeal to the Chambers, and the inflated
self-importance of the peppery Minister will, it is
expected, afford much " food for laughter" during the
course of the discussion. His attempt to silence M.
MICHELET has proved abortive. The Professor now
Publishes the lectures which he is forbidden to deliver
orally, and thus addresses weekly millions instead of
hundreds; the whole of civilised Europe instead of
the students attending the historical classes of the
University of Paris. Truly M. GuizoT is unfortu-
nate in his endeavours to serve the Jesuits.

A Cabinet Council was held on Thursday, over
which the KING presided in person.
M. VATOUT has been elected a Nember of the
Academie.

In commenting on Swiss papers presented to the
Chamber, the National, speaking of M. GIIIZOT
Says :-_.

" What explains his conduct in Switzerland is the
Spanish marriages; his dispatches prove, it. without
IL,Lviug the slightest doubts on tile subject. The
first which we read is contemporaneous with the
famous notes exchanged' between M. Guizot and

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