The Sun.
London, England, 1851-10-02 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY

goners will see the propriety of rewarding by a pe-
cuniary present, out of their large surplus, the highly-
deserving but very ill-paid services of those who have
been employed in an inferior capacity. It is not
improbable that on some of those members of the Com-
mission whose position in life Li such as to preclude
the acceptance, on their part, of any office, sonic
honorary distinction may be conferred ; we would
most respectfully suggest that the ceremony of con-
ferring such distinction should take place in the
Crystal Palace itself. In days of yore the knight who
had distinguished himself in battle was dubbed
knight-banneret upon the field; let Peace also have
her knights bannerets.

The question at issue between the Government and
sundry boards of guardians in Ireland is creating in-
tense sensation in that country, and in truth it is one
more worthy of notice than the fantastic tricks of
the Defence Association, or the ground and lofty
tumblings of " PAUL, Archbishop of Armagh, and Pri-
mate of all Ireland," or of his worthy colleague, " the
Lion of the tribe of Judah," who rejoices in affixing
his signature to sundry documents under the name,
style, and denomination of " JonN, Archbishop of
Tuam." A large sum of money—no less than
4,000,0001. sterling—is involved in the decision that
may be arrived at, and there is at stake something
even more important than mere pecuniary considera-
tions, viz., the integrity and good faith of a portion of
the inhabitants of the United Kingdom. We
would not see any of our Irish brethren classed
among the repudiators whose names are held up
as scandals and reproaches, which stink in the nostrils
of every civilised nation. We would not see them
associated with the drab coats and broad brims of
Pennsylvania, or the cloaks and sombreros of the Spa-
nish hidalgos; and yet a further exhibition of wrong-
headedness on their part may array them with the
very worst of those who have already acquired an
infamous notoriety.

Every allowance is to be made for those who, with
the inclination, are yet utterly unable to satisfy the
liabilities for which they are responsible. No reason-
able indulgence that can be demanded should be re-
fused to such persons ; but there are sturdy debtors
who set their creditore at defiance—who dare them to
do their very utmost, who must be dealt with in a
very different manner. The man " who can pay and
wont pay, must be made to pay ;" and there
could not be a more injurious precedent to
establish, or one fraught with more dangerous
consequences to the community, than that of per-
mitting an audacious defiance of the law—a clearly
expressed resolution to resist its enforcemont in every
possible manner—to have any effect on the minds of
those charged with the duty of seeing it carried into
execution, at least any effect beneficial to those as-
suming a position in every respect so improper and
indefensible. The QUEEN'S General could not treat
with armed rebels. The show of resistance should be
abolished before any negotiations could be entered
into. in like manner, the QUEEN'S Minister cannot
listen to the remonstrances of those who, while hold-
ing official rank and station, refuse obedience to the
existing law of the lend.

The poor-law guardians of the county Mayo have
had the rather doubtful honour of " taking the bull
by the horns," and the remonstrance addresned
through the chairman of a meeting of the guardians
of various unions in that county to the First Lord
of the Treasury, has elicited a reply, in which the
arguments put forward are disposed of in a very
summary, and at the same a very masterly manr:er•
We take it for granted that his Lordship intends that
his letter shall be received as a general answer to all
who have made similar communications ; for we find
that the only response given to the resolutions of the
Clare boards was a mere acknowledgment of tYseir
receipt, without any observations thereon. It is, in-
deed, amply sufficient for that purpose, for the prin-
ciples recognised by the Government are clearly mad
distinctly laid down, so that there can be no possibility
of misconception or mistake.
After declaring that " the Government is at
all times ready to consider applications for post-,
ponement of payment, founded upon grounds which
the Treasury can fairly entertain," the PREMIER p ro-
ceeds to show what it is that the Mayo guardians are
really endeavouring to effect, "seeming to consider
that it is for them to decide what Acts of Parliament
should be obeyed and which should be disobeyed—w hat
the Legislature ought to have done, and what it ought
not to have done," and upon such opinions declari-ng
their determination to resist the execution of the is Av.
lie then, without condescending to notice the par ti-
cular mis-statements on which the resolutions were
founded, briefly recapitulates the circumstances
under which the debt was contracted—the natal
failure of the potato crop—the liberal assistance of the
English nation, afforded without any hesitation as to
the causes which, if they did not produce, at least
rendered the effects of the calamity a thousand tivies
more formidable than they would otherwise have beisn.
That assistance was rendered not only by public lossns,
but also by voluntary subscriptions, in which the
enormous sum of BALE A MILLION of EOUN DS
STERLING was raised for the relief of Irish distree s ; '
while 8,000,0001. was advanced by the Imperial
Parliament for the like purpose. At the time when
this latter sum—about one•sixth of the net revenue
of the kingdom—was voted, it was distinctly under-
stood that the entire amount was accepted as a lor.n,
to be subsequently repaid to the Treasury. A more
liberal view of the transaction was subsequently
taken ; one-half the deb;, was remitted. The sponge
was applied to 10s. in the pound, at the suggestion of
the creditor, and for that which was to be satisfied
the utmost indulgence was afforded, as much as for ty
years being given in some instances. The loyal
boards, by whom the debt was contracted, being dis-
solved with the circumstances that led to their
existence, the duty of collecting the necessary funds
for meeting the instalments was transferred to the
poor-law guardians in the various districts. These
gentlemen, in Mayo, Clare, and other localities, have
refused to strike the rates- for the repayment of any
portion of the liability, while Lord JOHN Barssnin
has clearly pointed out the course which the Execu-
tive have determined to pursue. The- Ministerial
policy is clearly indicated in the following paragraph
from his Lordship :
"In particular districts the pressure of poor-law re-
lief is so great that some postponements of istarodinto
payment to Government may he fair and Equitable; but
it is impossible for the Treasury, even in the interest of
Ireland, to sanction the doctrine that every loan maids.
for public purposes is to be subject to repudiation, ac-
cording to the will of the local bodies who may ce
charged with the collection of the mm to be repaid. It is
obvious that among other evil consequences of allownig
such a doctrine to travail, would be this—that in°
lieu4e cf Commons cud never 'sanction another loon
for Irish purposes, however clear the public advantage
to be gaii,ed by such expenditure.
" I request your Lordship to subs it these considera-
tions to the board of guardians over which you preside.
Upon other grounds they may have a case de:crying
attention."
It should be maturely considered by the different
boards, before they decide upon a fruitless and Ins-
availing opposition to the law. By so doing, and
letting their passions be kept under the control of
their reason and judgment, they will save themselves
and their respective constituencies enormous expense,
annoyance, and inconvenience. Let them be well
aware that rebellious boards can be dissolved, and
vice-guardians appointed in their place, who will
strike any and every rate that may fe required, or
that even, if such a step should not be resorted to, a
mandamus from the Court of Queen's Bench would
co:npel obedience; and that when the rate is once
made there are many efficient modes of enforcing
Payment. Let them once see the folly and absurdity
of entering on a hopeless contest. Let them appeal
ad misericordiam, and not in terrorem, and if there
befoundation for their petitions, they will find
any
that
every reasonable indulgence will be freely and
willingly accorded.

QUELN'S COLLEGES that the Queen has been
,iiraeioßuisitlyll.
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THE
artno
this institution a tull.den, plDlieGasileAdM;(7.
her Mnietity, to be
placed in the new Collegeb-halrtlait of
public meeting. will be
presentW e le
held on Alonday, the Gth, in the T ball, which has been
handsomely granted fur the thinu";
3 .the Mayor, to ac-
knowledge in suitable terna special mark of Royal
favour conferred on the town and county.
ROYAL COLLEGE OP PHYsICIANS. At the qar-
terly meeting of the Comitia Majora, held on Tuesd
80, the thl.lowing gentlemen, baying undergone the Tuesday,
Sept.b3
examinations for diploma, were admitted members of the ,
College:—Dr. Habershon, Finsbury-circus; Dr.
Thomas-street, Southwark; Dr. Parker, London Ifor°plP!..Slt:
also Dr. Thornton, Norwich, was admitted an extra-licesntlitaatc'
SURREY Naw COUNTY GAOL.—Yesterday the
newly-erected House of Correction, on Wandsworth-com-
mon, was opened for the reception of prisoners. It is on the
cellular principle, the same as Pentonville, and is calculated
for 750 prisoners.