The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-03 00:00:00

Spirit of the Public Journals,

(Prom the Morning Herald of this ficy.)
If we are any longer to regard the British House
of Commons as an assemblage of rational men, we
cannot regard the votes of Thursday night as the
deliberate result of a consideration of the facts
known and admittad respecting the fall of Kars ;
for to any clear understanding those facts point but
in one direction. To us it seems to be as absurd,
on the face of the evidence supplied by the blue
book, to vote energy and foresight in the Govern-
ment in the conduct of the campaign in Asia, as to
say that evidence as direct and clear as the sun ill
heaven affords no guidance in human affairs. We
must, therefore, seek to account for this strange
division on other grounds.
It has been urged that Parliament (and it is as-
sumed the country also) is averse now to opening
up the question of the war policy of the Govern-
ments, and is disposed to apply the principle of
bygones being bygones to the military calamities of
the past two years. The motive assigned for this
generous behaviour is not to us intelligible, and it
is obvious that the indulgence of such a motive
would result in the removal of all Ministerial re-
sponsibility. If, because the particular state of
affairs in which a Government has exhibited inca-
pacity, negligence, or treachery has passed away,
Parliament for that reason is to abstain from pro-
nouncing upon such conduct, then we can only say
that Parliament deliberately abnegates one of its
most valuable functions, and inflicts intolerable
mischief on our constitutional system.
While military operations are going forward,
while the war is actually going on, it has ever been
the policy of a wise opposition—although in the late
war the Whigs thought otherwise—to abstain from
embarrassing the Government, reserving the right
to traverse their policy, to examine their conduct
in every particular, when those operations have
closed. But if we are to accept the views of some
people—views, we regret to say, supported by a
vote—we aro to surrender this right ; and having
avoided inquiry during the war from a motive of
patriotism, to give it up when peace is concluded
from a motive of generosity. This course may ap-
pear very satisfactory to some members of the
Lower House ; lout we may remind those gen-
tlemen they will not find their constituencies
so easily persuaded of its wisdom or its propriety.
Englishmen desire, at all events, to know what
has been done with their money, and what equi-
valent they have for the sacrifices they have
made. They wish to know how those who had
the conduct of the war managed it in every par-
ticular—whether faith has been kept with our
allies, and the national honour upheld—whether,
in short, " energy and foresight" characterised the
councils of her Majesty's Ministers. It will not do
for those who represent our constituencies in Par-
liament to say " Certainly there were occurrences
in the war which bore a doubtful aspect, and which
Ministers could not quite account for, but we
thought it better now that the war is over to say
nothing about them, to do unto others as we would
be done by—in short, to let bygones be bygones."
We rather think the constituencies to whom such
language may be addressed will know how to esti-
mate at its proper value the charity of such repre-
sentatives. It was evident, however, on Thurs-
day night, that whatever value Lord Palmerston
might be supposed to place on the excellent motives
to which he and his colleagues owe something,
the Premier thought it necessary to exert himself
to meet the trenchant attacks of the opposition.
The tactics of the noble lord were, indeed, worthy of
his reputation. Lord Stratford de Redcliffe had
been delivered over to satisfy the public demand
for a victim when the news of the disaster of Kars
first reached this country. As the public mind
became better informed a certain reaction took
place in the ambassador's favour. It was, there-
fore, necessary to introduce another scape-goat, and
Omer Pacha was selected. Well, whatever Lord
Stratford is responsible for has been clearly made
out ; the strategical dispositions of the Turkish
commander have had justice done them ; so Lord
Palmerston, who, with a majority in prospect, can.
also afford to be generous, praises Lord Stratford,
lots down Omer easily, and fixes on the unhappy
Pacha of Erzeroum as a victim no one would think

it worth while to defend, but sufficiently important
to load with the ignominy of the fall of Kars.
The Minister may chuckle at his success; but we
can tell him that the acquittal of Government in
the matter of Kars will not convince the nation
that energy and foresight distinguished the con-
duct of the war, and have contributed to the con-
clusion of peace.
The peace is universally regarded with dissatis-
faction in this country. We would commend to
his lordship's attention the speeches delivered yes-
terday at the meeting of the Common Council of
London to consider the propriety of addressing the
Crown on the termination of hostilities. The peace
was welcomed, it is true ; but why ? Because it
" has put an end to a mismanaged war"—this was
the sentiment of almost every speaker who ad-
dressed the meeting, expressed in one shape or an-
other. The terms of peace are eminently unsatis-
factory—the manner in which it has been obtained
every way objectionable. But so manifest has been
the incapacity of the "modern Chatham" and his
colleagues to conduct the war that an ignominious
peace is accepted as the lessor of two evils.

UNITY JOINT-STOCK BANKING

ASSOCIATION.

A. splendid banquet was given yesterday by the dire°.
tors of this institution, in celebration of the opening of
the bank. The dinner was of the most recherch.4 cka-
racter, and was supplied with that profusion which cha-
racterises the London Tarern. J. J. Mechi, Esq., the
governor, was in the chair, and above 280 gentlemen
sat down to the magnificent repast.

The usual loyal toasts having been proposed and re.
sponded to most enthusiastically,
Colonel Caorr replied to the toast of "The Army
and Navy."

The CHAIRMAN then proposed "The Lord Mayor
and the Corporation of London." He protested against
the Government measure, which was not one for the
reform, but which tended to the utter annihilation of the
great corporation of London.
Mr. Alderman and Sheriff ROBE responded to the
toast, and paid a well-merited passing compliment to the
Lord Mayor as a gentleman and a scholar. (Cheers.)
The Hon. F. CAMPBELL, amidst loud cheering, rose to
propose "Success to the Unity Banking Association,"
and proceeded in an able speech to describe the vast ad-
vantages which banks and other institutions founded on
the mutual principle conferred on the public at large.
In the year 1834 Mr. Gilbart had established the London
and Westminster Bank, and the attempt was at first
viewed with obloquy. In the year 1835 Sir Robt. Peel
declared, in his,place in Parliament, that he considered
the principle otiojoint-stock banks as one of the most
valuable inventions of modern times, and in 1844 be car-
ried through his measure in regard to joint-stock banks.
The Unity Joint-stock Mutual Banking Association
was founded for the purpose of establishing mutual
banking, and thereby securing to customers a personal
benefit hitherto unknown in the operations of a bank.
Commencing with a capital of 300,0001., subscribed by
549 shareholders, and with 150,0001. paid up, the Unity
Bank would give half its profits to its shareholders, and
would dispose of the remaining half in paying to the
customers of the bank additional interest on their ba-
lances, estimated according to such profits. 13y these
means the interest of the proprietary and the custom-
ers of the bank would become indentified, and their
united co-operation in promoting and extending its
business would be permanently secured. This was the
ptoltehienvboelgviendniinngthe Unity Bank. Since the
w
i
of the present year 8 joint-
stockynee IpBr n4c
banks, all based upon the same principle, had
been established. Their success had been uni-
formly great. The commencing paid-up capital of sof
the metroplitan j oint. stock banks established prior to 1835
was as follows :—The London and Westminster,
50,0001.; the London Joint-stock, 60,0001.; the Royal
British Bank, 50,0001 ; the Unity Bank, 150,000/.
The hon. gentleman having entered into a variety of
details, concluded by proposing " Success to ties -Unity
Bank."
The CrIAIRMAN returned thanks, and having referred
to the two institutions of the Unity Banking and Fire
Associations, concluded by proposing the health of tbo
II gentleman who was the master mind in the affair and
its indomitable founder, Mr. Baylis. (Cheers.)
Mr. BAYLIS, in a speech of extraordinary detail and
length, entered most fully into the objects and Intentions
of the promoters of these institutions.
Dr. LLOYD proposed "The Health of the Trustees,
the Hon. W. F. Campbell, Rear-Admiral Sir Watkin
Owen Pell, and Sir W. C. Dalzell, Bart.," and the toast
was acknowledged by Mr. Campbell.
The CHAIRMAN gave " Mr. George Chambers, the
s managing director."
Mr. CHAMBERS, in his reply, recapitulated many of the
statements made by previous speakers, in a very long
address, full of technicalities, which were not, we believe,
very interesting to the
the e
eye so fw
el7ed n rgl yr a :lead-
r gs ebondh
the gallery. Many of p
gave "The Ladies," in a neat speech.
b o
sr tr e
RoBERvs
The musical arrangements Were under the direction of
Mr. 3. H. Pollard and Mr. George Lake, assisted by
Miss Stabbach, Miss Eyles, Mr. Young, Mr. H. Buck-
land, Mr. Wilbye Cooper, and Mr. George Buckland.
The band of the Coldstream Guards, under the direos
tion of Mr. Godfrey, performed several beautiful piece's
during the dinner and in the course of the ere/sing. Mr,
Furkse was the tioaatmaster.