The Sun.
London, England, 1851-08-28 00:00:00

THE SIIN,

THE CATHOLIC DEFENCE
ASSOCIATION.

We hope the attention of the public will be given
more carefully than perhaps is usual to the intel-
ligence now reported each morning from Ire-
land. There is nothing, indeed, in the proceedings
referred to which imparts any new character to the
actors, or entitles them to any respectful considera-
tion ; but, as an issue has been raised which must
presently come on for trial, and as Englishmen,
until fairly roused, are apt to be wearied by impor-
tunity or deluded by clamour, it becomga especially
desirable that no misconcepions should prevail
respecting the principles actually at stake. We
indicated yesterday the deliberate violation of the Ec-
clesiastical Titles Act by Popish priests and congre-
gations in public meeting assembled ; but our descrip-
tion of the offence has been immensely heightened by
the reports emanating from the offenders themselves.
An Irishman is not content with a simple transgression
of the law. He leaps on it, tramples it, defiles it, and
curses it, as he would the body of a man whom he had
murdered. As lung as the officers of justice are out
of actual sight, he screams with delight at his
misdemeanour, shrieks out his crime in the street,
expatiates upon every detail of the atrocity, registers
a frantic vow of perpetual sin, and challenges all the
powers that be to correct him if they dare. We were
content to remark that, in our judgment, an action
under the new statute would undoubtedly lie against
certain priestly promoters of the Catholic Defence
Association ; but the organs of the " Defenders"
have far outstripped our conclusions by ex
aggerating in strains of triumphant hyperbole the
penal character of their doings. They " broke
the law"—we transcribe their announcement liter-
ally,—" broke it unquestionably, broke it in the most
public manner, broke it on the most signal occasion,
broke it in a way most calculated to excite the public
animadversion of its authors, and so as to intimate an
intention to break it hereafter, whenever they please,
for all time to come."
This is the style of antagonism for which we are to
prepare ourselves. It does not really mean all that it
proclaims, for to say that it is extravagant is nothing
more than saying that it is Irish. If an Irishman stole
a sheep, and believed himself beyond reach of the thief-
taker, he would sprinkle the blood on his doorposts,
stick a piece of the wool in his hat, and announce
himself ready to steal sheep either for hire or for
practice for the term of his natural life. The
whole race is hyperbolically audacious, not from
want of fear, but from want of foresight. They run
into danger as they run into debt, and have no
thought of either the constable or the creditor till
he knocks at their door. If an Englishman or a
Scotchman so comported himself, we should know
that he had steadily resolved to defy the worst, but
with Irishmen all this vapouring would not stand
in the way of recantation or denial the very next
day. These same men, who follow their priests to
public offence as devoutly as to public worship, who
gesticulate in ecstacy over the idea of systematic
crime, and who invoke all the powers of Heaven to
witness the sincerity of their rebellion, will unhesi-
tatingly descend, when overtaken by justice, to the
demeanour of whining pickpockets. They will first,
in the teeth of their own acts and their own assevera-
tions, protest that they have not broken the law, but
have exerted, on the contrary, their moat strenuous
endeavours to keep within it; and this plea they will
support by every known expedient of juggling, chi-
canery, and falsehood. If acquitted, they wi
th
the fall
the foulest abuse on the law by which they havejust
benefited, and will recommence operations
with redoubled assurance. If convicted, they
will howl out the lamentations of artyr-
dom ; and, if accident ever brings them within
reach of the sword, they will indite long homilies on
the exercise of brutal force against a helpless and un-
offending people.

_ .
We have no new opponents to deal with. We can
tell exactly what we shall encounter and what
we need never apprehend. We shall have up-
roar, gasconade, and menace in every possible ex
cess, but we shall have no fighting. Magistrates
may be shot from behind a hedge, or single police-
men stoned to death by a concourse of villagers, but
there will be no resistance rising above the dimen•
sions of murder. There is not the stuff in a whole
Popish county to stand against a company of Ma-
rines. Were we dealing with any but Irishmen, we
might ask them to recollect that their very best " re-
bellion" began and ended in a cabbage bed ; but
they are already bouncing and bellowing as if the
measure of their manliness hid not been taken to an
inch three short years ago. What we shall experience
is, first, the utmost annoyance which legal "defences"
can create under monster indictments in the hands
of the most spbtle practitioners in the world, and
next a revival throughout two-thirds of Ire-
land of that general agitation and disturb-
ance before which our legislators succumbed
twenty years ago. That this is no agreeable
prospect is certainly true, but it is one which we have
no alternative but to face without weakness or delay,
and it is in illustration of this manifest duty that we
recommend to a careful perusal our daily reports from
Dublin.
When the reader bas been amused or astounded
at the cool audacity of the declarations in question,
let him remember that the issue lies between the ab-
solutism of these men and the authority of the British
Government. It is the safeguard of such political
instruments in ordinary countries that popular opi-
nion can never be enlisted in behalf of a fallacy long
enough or steadily enough to work much evil ; but
this security is wholly wanting in a country where
the inhabitants are led blindfolded by their priests,
and sedulously kept from all such instruction as might
lead them to distrust their guides. When the ascen-
dancy of popular agitation has been established in
Ireland there is literally no security for its
operation but in the modesty of Irish de-
magogues—a limit which present reports will
enable us readily to appreciate. We are told
by these petitioners for " toleration" that the
dispute between Queen Victoria and the Pope is " a
question between bell and Heaven ;" and that it is
" as certain as that there is a God in Heaven that Dr.
Wiseman is Archbishop of Westminster," but that
the Archbishop of Canterbury can only be termed a
Christian by courtesy, and " has no more claim to
the titles of priest, bishop, or doctor than
1a
poodle des. or pet spaniel of King Charles'
breed," while all our legislative efforts will only
!suffice " to register a great and signal triumph of
truth, the Pope and the Almighty over our own be-
sotted fansqicism." These are the written comments
of the Popish agitators upon that law which, for six
months, they deprecated as injurious to a mild and
holy community of oppressed religionists, and which
they now profess to oppose by " constitutional means,'
at the very moment that they purposely break it in
the manner they themselves describe. Let it be re-
membered that these men are now organized under
their priests, with the avowed design of dictating to
the Imperial Government. From their mere words
little can be learned. Their cry may be "toleration"
to-day, "blood" to-morrow, and "mercy" the day
after. They have no:: the solidity of mind or con-
victions required for any definite resolve, but they
have cunning enough to discern when they have in-
timidated their adversary, and to push to the utmost
so favourable a chance. For ourselves we saw and
stated reasons for conniving at the titular pretensions
of Popish bishops in Popish provinces, but that dis-
cussion has now been superseded by statute, and the
only question is of law or rebellion. Tne la w says
one thing the " Catholic Defence Association" says
another; it is for Englishmen to determine in which
of these hands they desire the supreme authority to
be lodged.—Times.

LIVERPOOL COUNTY COURT.
Mr. Ramshay presided at the sitting on Monday
for the first time since the decision of the Earl of
Carlisle in favour of his fitness for the office. Busi-
ness was appointed to commence at nine o'clock, and
as 150 cases were fixed for hearing a large number of
persons were then in attendance, and as the time ad-
vanced the number of persons in waiting increased.
Mr. Ramshay, however, did not make his appearance
till a little before one o'clock.

The Judge, on taking his seat said, before com-
mencing the business he would make a few observa-
tions on circumstances which had occurred since he
last sat there; but he made these remarks often in so
utterly inaudible a tone, that it was quite impossible
at times to hear one-half of his sentences. He was
understood to say, in commencement, that attempts
had been made to remove him from his office whilst
labouring under the distressing and dangerous illness
by which he had been so long afflicted, He had,
however, been able to defeat the machinations of
certain ill-disposed and unscrupulous persons, who
bad endeavoured to cover him with disgrace and
dishonour. Those accusations, however, had 're-
coiled upon themselves, and
they now stood
convicted before the world of having at-
tempted to defame, to disgrace, and to ruin
an honourable and
independent man--one who had
never irj tired any one, and had cared only for the
faithful and
Ind-pendent discharge of the onerous
rom the Tootnent of his
duties imposed upon hiw. ,
appointment he bad been the object of their unceasing
calumny end misrepresentations. He had not thought
it con.)sti,nt with hi 4 position there to notice this
inattcr until now ; but his forbearance had bean mis-
construed, sod they had at length had the audacity
to carry their slanders elsewhere.. Their want of
success there was not owing to any want of exertion
on their part, or to the want of bitter m
a `erials' or the
assistance of dishonest servants and fraudulent agents.
Such conduct could be no longer tolerated ; and those
men must be brought before another tribunal,
they
theand
there taught to respect its judgment, and that M
were not to lay their ill and treacherous hands on
administration of justice. It might be that this con-
duct had arisen from his not being the nominee or
creature of their own, and that be was unwilling

to prostitute the administration of justice to their !
interests. He was not the first judge who
had been thus assailed ; but his predecessor
also had been the subject of the unceasing perse-
cution of those men, and there was but too much
reason to fear that his premature and lamentable
death was the result of their conduct. For that pre-
decessor, for himself, and for the due administration
of justice, he was happy to say those men had been
doomed to defeat, and they must be made an example
of for the future. They had attacked him in the
hour of sickness and infirmity, from a feeling, per-
haps, that he should stand alone in his defence. But
though they might have opposed him on certain
topics, men of discernment and education were not to
be thus blinded ; and to their honour they had
crowded round him to rescue their judge from an at-
tack as unjustifiable as it was disgraceful. To those
gentlemen, and also to the general body of the town,
he begged to return his grrateful thanks for the
general courtesy and kindness which he had received
at their hands, and they might rely upon it he should
continue fearlessly and independently to discharge his
duties to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk hum-
bly before God.
The Judge appeared to be deeply affected while
making the above remarks, and was frequently un-
able to proceed, or only did so in so low a tone that
no person in court could hear distinctly all his obser-
vations.
The trial of cases was then proceeded with as usual.

GERMAN Y.
The Weser Gazette, of the 22d, gives the follow-
taDiet, rela-
tive to
tive to the constitutions of particul
ar States and
follow-
ing as the text of tne propositionsmad Germanic iep common
by Austria and Prussia to the
the liberty of the press :
" The high federal Assembly is invited to testify by
an express resolution its right, based on Art. 2 of the
federal
Act and Art. 1 of the final Act ; and
conformably to the principles of the second Committee
of the Conference of Dresden, to order in case of
need the Governments of the States, whose internal
situation may appear menacing for the general
safety, to put the provisions of their constitutions
and their laws, as well as their conduct on ques-
tions of public order, in harmony with the funda-
mental laws of the Confederation, and with the
federal obligation not to compromise the general safety.
The Assembly is requested to name a particular com-
mittee, which shall, as promptly as possible, make a
report on the particular cases which may require such
an intervention; and, according to circumstances, to
employ the federal means which may appear useful, and
to immediately send commissioners, with powers more
or less extended, in order to secure the execution of the
orders given if they are not immediately attended to.
The two Governments of Prussia and Austria also pro-
pose to the High Assembly, under reserve, some general
provisions concerning the press; to prohibit all journals
which pursue socialist or communist objects, or aim at
the overthrow of monarchy; and also to name a com-
mittee charged to propose the means of securing the
application and the general execution of this principle."

FRENCH RAILWAY TRAFFIC.
The following are the last returns of the gross re-
ceipts of the principal French Railways :
NORTHERN.—From Aug. 13 to Aug. 19: Passengers,
401,8361.; goods, 208,576 f.; total, 610,4121.
ROUEN.—From Aug. 10 to Aug. 16: Passengers,
140,0671.; goods, 83,087 f.; total, 223,1551.
11.tvnr..—From Aug. 10 to Aug. 16 : Passengers,
55,9941.; goods. 37,441 f. ; total 93,435 f.
ORLEANS.—From Aug. 11 to Aug. 17 : Passengers,
118,5431. ; goods, 106,5711.; total, 225,1151.
BORDEAUX.—From Aug. 5 to Aug. 11: Passengers.
73,4641.; goods, 40,4481.; total, 113,912 f.
VIERZON —From Aug. 11 to Aug. 17 : Passengers,
43,2291.; goods, 41,6391.; total, 84,8691.
BOULOGNE.—From Aug. 11 to Aug. 27 : Passengers
50,8591.; goods, 14,6911.; total, 65,550 f.
NANTES.--From Aug. 9 to Aug 15 : Passengers,
30,2461.; goods, 11,3461.; total, 41,592 f.
:-,TRASBURG —From Aug. 13 to Aug. 19: Passengers.
113.8921.; goods, 66,2891.; total, 180,181 f.
BALE.—From July 28 to Aug. 3: Passengers,
31,6881.; goods, 28,2311.; total, 59,919 f.
MONTEREAU.—From Aug. 6 to Aug. 12: Passengers
13.135 f ; goods, 10,926 f.; total, 24,061 f.
MARSEILLES.—From Aug. 6 to Aug. 12: Passengers,
45,7151.; goods, 29,896 f.; total, 75,612 f.
CHARTRES.—From July 27 to Aug. 3: Passenger,
30,7791.; goods. 12,0061.; total, 42,785 f.

THE AMERICAN •' CLIPPER" AND TIM
ENGLISH ROYAL YACHT SQUADRONS.

The great surprise and consternation which seem t(
prevail in many quarters, on account of the perform-
ances of the American clipper, will, perhaps, subside
in some degree, when it is considered that this yacht
has been built with the especial view of competing it
a race with the English yacht squadrons, whereas the
English yachts of large tonnage have for the most par;
been constructed to combine fast sailing qualities with
the accomodations necessary for the comfort and con
venience for a long voyage of their owners and their
families. The America and the British yachts do
not, therefore, compete on equal terms, and we ma)
just as well expect Lord Wilton's carriage horses to
beat the Flying Dutchman as the Xariffa to have
any chance with the America. The only thing to bt
deplored is, that knowing the Americans were building
a yacht to race with our squadrons, our yachtsmen
and yacht builders had not sufficient national spirit ti
lay down a new vessel to compete with her.
It appears, however, very likely that the America's
triumph will be short-lived, for we understand that
no less than three yacht builders have offered to con
struct vessels to run against her, and one of these
Mr. Charles Mare, of Blackwall, the builder of the
Mystery, Belvedere, and the justly-celebrated Mos-
quito ; this gentleman, it is said, has offered to build,
within 10 weeks, a yacht which will sail against the
America for 500/. We feel assured that if either
Watterman, of Mare and Co.'s firm; Pasco, of Mtller
and Ravenhill's firm ; or White or Ratsey, of Cowes;
or Wanhill, of Poole, were afforded the opportunity 01
building a yacht for racing purposes only the Yankee
would run a great risk of doffing her borrowed plumes
before she re-crossed the Atlantic.—MorningPaper.

STATE OF TRADE.
(From the Manchester Guardian.)
MANCHESTER, TUESDAY.—We learn by the Nia-
gara that the receipt of advices, showing some reco-
very from the late depression in the Liverpool cotton
market, had led to an advance of lc. per lb. at New
York ; while, in the southern markets, which such
advices had not reached, there was great dulness, with
declining prices. Drought is spoken of as unfavourable
to the growing crop in some districts. There is nothing
in these accounts to induce consumers to pay higher
prices; yet .d. to kd. per lb. was reported to have
been gained in middlings yesterday, and maintained
though not carried further, to-day. As the advanci-
in New York has its source, not in any circumstances
affecting the supply, but in the rally which has take,,
place in Liverpool, so the rise in the latter place is
to a considerable extent, the result of those extra
operations whereby the spinners have, for south
weeks, been covering their extensive sales, and which
may soon be expected to fall off. There is no doub,
that prices were unduly depressed four or five weeks
ago by the alarm arising out of monetary difficulties;
and it is perfectly natural that easier circumstance-
should lead to a corresponding reaction. The ap-
prehension in Manchester, however, is, that the reac-
tion itself is being carried too far. At the time re-
ferred to, the quotations for middling American were
11. per lb. lower than they are to-day, and forced
sales were made lid. lower. While, therefore, spin•
ners have added id. toll. per lb. to the current rates
of last week, the buyers, viewing matters in the way
just stated, have held very much aloof from business,
and the day's transactions are but of limited extent.
At last week's prices large sales might be made,
both in warps, cops, and bundles. With
ample orders in hand, however, the spin-
ners are generally disposed to wait rather than
concede anything from their demands, even for
rather distant delivery. These statements refer to
the medium and lower counts (constituting the bulk
of the production however), and. not to the finer
numbers, whose prices remain stationary, and in
the Bradford qualities, are but barely maintained.
Goods are not influenced by cotton in the way that
yarns are. We hear of rather higher prices for some
kinds, as good ith printers; and throughout, there is
a decided firmness ; but it is very difficult to obtain
any advance even upon sueh as are in good demand.
The India houses are doing scarcely anything in goods
any more than in yarns.
ROCHDALE, MONDAY.—There has been very little
change in the flannel market to-day, either in price
or demand. On account of the wakes last week,
rather fewer pieces have been offered for sale. There
is no change in wool; the manufacturers continue to
buy for immediate use only.
MACCLESFIELD,
TUESDAY.—The demand for ma-
nufactured goods remains much the same as reported
last week. The production for the autumn season is
going on but tardily, still we may assume from
general appearances that warps are being given out
rather more freely. The thrown silk market remains
entirely without alteration for the better, and the
business doing at the present time is absolutely in-
significant ; notwithstanding which the mills continue
their production at an average rate, and are, for the
most part, working full time.
HALIFAX, SATURDAY.—The inquiry for worsted
goods continues but moderate. Lastings of low
quality are the principal objects of attention in the
market, and the supply seems to keep pace with the
demand. The sales of yarn are much below the
Power of production, and the prices unremunerative.
Wool changes slowly,hands' Tti zsl
Tba. lateThre rates.
very
little business doing Hiauxa.svxELD,
been
in anyh
allrah
branch of eh
our manufac-
tures to-day.
The cloth-s
hefe been h
attended
by
very few buyers, and the purchases
in the smallest quantities. In the cloth
in
the those
h sowema
home trade,
oubseee sn,
especially in those engaged
there has been very little doing, either to-day
or during the past week; and the wool-