The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-30 00:00:00

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE WAR.

A "'remonstrance " has been forwarded to Mr. Glad-
stone, neon his declining to receive a deputation on the
subject of the war between France and Germany.
It expresses surprise and regret that official recogni-
tion continues to be accorded to the deposed Im-
perial dynasty, whilst it is still refused to that Govern-
ment which for three months has been accepted
by the French people. More immediately the
English Government is urged to call upon that of Prussia
to make peace on reasonable terms not involving the
seizure of French territory. Failing this England should,
without further delay, " join France in her resistance,
and declare war against Prussia to aid France in resuming
that posion amongst the Western Powers to which she
is rightly entitled, and which has been recognised by
English statesmen in former settlements of Europe." The
signatures to the " remonstrance " include those of Mr.
Richard Congreve, Mr. Frederic Harrison, Mr. E. S.
Beesly, Mr. H. Dixon Hutton, Mr. George Odger, Mr.
W. Allan, Mr. It. Applegarth, and Mr. George Potter.

FLOGGING GAROTTERS AT
BIRMINGHAM. •

At the last Warwick AsSizes four Birmingham thieves
were convicted of robbery with violence, and sentenced by
13aron Bramwell to eighteen months' imprisonment, with,
in addition, "twenty lashes from an instrument called a
eat." In passing sentence the Judge observed, "I intend
that you, and persons like you, shall know that if you rob
you will be imprisoned, and if, in addition to that
you ill-treat those you rob, you will be whipped.
It is right that, if you inflict pain on others, you
should be made to feel pain yourselves." The follow-
ing details of the flogging on Wednesday will be suffi-
cient, it is hoped, to convince garotters that the " cat"
is a most unpleasant addition to the customary punish-
ment of imprisonment, hard labour, and low diet, The
prisoners—Worrall, Smith, Garret, and Simkins—were
brought from their cells in turn to the place of punish-
ment, and the flogging was administered in the presence -
of Mr. Meaden; thti governor, Dr.. Hill,. the surgeon, and
six of the wardeni. Each prisoner Was fastened to a
wooden framework, his hands being strapped to the upper
part of it, his feet to the lower part, and a strong belt,
also fastened to the frathework, or triangle, being placed
round his waist. The back of the criminal was laid bare,
in order that the strokes of the " cat" might take due
effect. A couple of stout warders then proceeded to ad-
minister the flogging. The "cat" consisted of a thick,
straight; wooden handle, about a foot and a half long, to
which was attached about a dozen thongs or lashes of
strong whipcord, two feet or more in length, each thong
being twisted of considerable thickness, and well knotted.
Altogether, it was a most formidable weapon. The ope-
rator stood about two feet distant from the prisousr, to
get a better purchase. Then, with a long, steady.
"swishing" stroke, the lash of the "cat" came down
upon the bare back of the garotter, taking a slanting
direction, from shoulder to waist, every stroke being
delibetately and firmly given.. Obviously, the
punishment was no child's play.' As the lash fell each
time, it seemed to produde a stunning or deadening
sensation, and then an instant yell of pain told of the'
succeeding smart, and proved that these ruffians, who had
inflicted pain and injury upon their victims, were quite
capable of feeling it themselves, and quite .-owardly
enough to manifest the utmost terror and anguish during
its infliction. So the punishment Went on, until each pri-
soner had his received twenty lashes, and was removed
from be triangle to be taken to his cell there to meditate
on garotting and its consequences. As each was cast off
his naked back presented to view a belt of livid flesh,
about seven or eight inches across, in a slanting direction
1 from shoulders to waist, so that no part of the back
I escaped the blows of the lash. • Each of the prisoners ap-
peared to suffer in much the same degree of intensity, and
gave indidations of the severity of the pain by incessant
tcreams and cries, repeated with every stroke. These
cries continued for some time after the punishment was
over. Indeed, had not the prisoners been powerful,
athletic, strongly-developed men, it is doubtful if they
! Could have borne the infliction'at