The Sun.
London, England, 1869-04-28 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 23, 1869

CONGRESS.

THE SENATE.

, On the 2d April Mr. Sherman introduced a bill
establishing a new standard for American coinage,
so as to promote a uniformity of currency among
the nations. The Indian Appropriation Bill was
passed, with an amendment, providing for ten com-
missioners, to be selected for their intelligence and
philanthropy, who shall, in conjunction with the
Indian Bureau, under the direction of the Presi-
dent, supervise the disbursement of the Indian Ap-
propriations.—On the 3d Mr. Sumner introduced a
bill repealing the act prohibiting importation of
slaves, it being designed to take from the statutes
the only remaining law relating to slavery. Mr.
Davis objecting to its consideration, it was tabled.
The House resolution of adjournment was con-
curred in, after being amended so as to adjourn on
the 10th inst. The resolution to protect the inte-
rests of the United States in the Union Pacific
Railroad was considered.—On the sth the bill
providing an oath of office for persons who par-
ticipated in the rebellion was reported. Mr. Sum-
ner introduced a bill to prevent the United
States Courts from enforcing contracts concern-
ing slaves. The joint resolution "to protect the
interests of the United States in the Union Pacific
Railroad" was discussed.—On the Gth the Defi-
ciency Appropriation Bill was reported ; also a bill
reorganizing the clerical force of the Departments.
Mr. Morton introduced a resolution directing that
the Senators from the reconstructed States be paid
from the beginning of the second session of the last
Congress. The re-olution was tabled. The Union
Pacific Railroad resolution was considered, but not
acted upon.—On the 7th the Chaplain opened with
a prayer for Cuban independence. Mr. Sumner,
from the Foreign Committee, reported a bill to
prevent counterfeiting of foreign trade marks. Mr.
Wilson, from the Military Committee, reported a
bill to protect soldiers and their heirs in the matter
of bounties. The bill amendatory of the judicial
system was passed with amendments, and sent to
the House for concurrence. The Pacific Railroad
resolution was postponed, and the Deficiency Bill
was considered and passed with amendments. A
message was receivel from the President, recom-
mending that Congress make provision for the hold-
ing of elections in Virginia and Mississippi some
time during May or June. After an executive ses-
sion, the Senate adjourned.—On the Bch the Judi-
ciary Committee made a report, recommending
that the consideration of the President's message be
postponed until December. The Whisky and To-
bacco Bill was considered, and several amendments
were agreed to. The House bill for elections in
Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas was tabled. The
conference report on the Indian appropriations and
House amendment to the bill reorganising the judi-
cial system were agreed to. The House amendment
to the Judicial Bill provides for retiring justices at
the age of seventy, after ten years' service. The
House bill making an appropriation for harbour
improvement was Passed.

lIILS'CELLANEOUS NEWS.

THE ACT OF UNIFORMITY.

It seems as if all parties in the Church were
beginning to admit that the Act of Uniformity is an
intolerable burden. The Broad Church party were
the first to protest against it, and the one achieve-
ment, of the Canterbury Convocation has been to
relax the terms of clerical subscription. The recent
Ritual judgment has made the High Church party
cry out against the measure of two hundred years
ago. But the strongest condemnation of all comes
from a leading Low Churchman. Mr. Ryle, writing
to the Record, says :

"The Act of Uniformity was a wretched Act—wretched
because it was a fiat contradiction to the King's own pro-
mise at Breda before he returned to England—wretched
because it turned out of the Church hundreds of excellent
ministers who might have been retained by a few mode-
rate concessions—wretched because it laid the foundation
of an immcnse mass of nonconformity, and inflicted
wounds on our Church which will never be healed.
Against this miserable Act—miserable as a gross breach
of faith—miserable for its vindictive spitefulness—.
miserable for its em,rmous impolicy—miserable in its con-
ception, and miserable in its consequences (he continued),
I always have protested and shall protest. An Act which
needlessly drove out of our pale hundreds of the best
Protestant and Evangelical divines of the seventeenth
century is an Act which deserves the reprobation of all
faithful Churchmen. We are reaping the fruits of it in
the sad heresies and divisions of the present day. The
Church of England lost some of her best blood two
hundred years ago, and that blood has never been
replaced."

Of course each party has its own object in view
when raising its voice against the Caroline Statute.
We need hardly say that it is not with any view of
admitting the Nonconformists into communion that
the Ritualists desire the repeal of the law.