The Sun.
London, England, 1869-05-06 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 6, F 69.

the person in whom the Constitution of the country

vests the duty of both acting himself and advising
the Government of the QUEEN to act in cases of
offences against the State. The holder of such an
office, by virt%ie of his office, does not deserve to be
treated wit contempt; and, Sir, if the holder of
such an ofT,ce, by virtue: of his office, does not de-
serve toe e treated with contempt, I say here, in the
pence of this House, that the present holder of
this office has sustained its dignity and its credit in a
way that still less perhaps than any of its predeces-
sors—worthy as they have been, and I don't
question that —leaves him open to sneer or sar-
casm on grounds such as those alleged by the
right hon. gentleman." Waving that point, how-
ever, as a matter personal to the particular func-
tionary thus invidiously referred to, and not in any
way seriously affecting the legislative question actu-
ally in dispute, we cannot help saying that Mr.
BERESFORD HOPE, more pointedly perhaps than any-
one else who took part in the discussion yesterday in
the House of Commons, uttered the sentiments of its
members, when be said—" What they desired to
do was to strengthen the hands of the natural pro-
tectors cf order—the Executive Government. And
they were glad to hear the ipse dixit of an Irish At-
torney-General raised in favour of order and against
sedition. They looked upon the chief law officer of
the Crown as the right authority for invok-
ing the sense of Parliament in a matter like this.''
Precisely. That is really, and seriously, and delibe-
rately the view taken by the House upon the matter
now before it in regard to the late monstrous proceed-
ings of the Mayor of Cork—very soon, now, happily,
to be Mayor of Cork no longer. It is all very well
to talk of the Bill being introduced to the House
upon the ipse dixit of an Irish Attorney-General, upon
a mere ex parte statement, in a manner unprecedented,
in a manner almost unconstitutional. If allusion is
made through phrases like those to the absence—at
the very first stage of the Bill, at the first moment of
introducing it—of anything like evidence upon oath,
the time for the production of that evidence will have
arrived, in the ordinary course, at the date of the
motion for the second reading. Granted that it all,
in a manner, emanates from the ipse dixit of the
Attorney-General for Ireland. Why, in the natural
course of things, it does so. He is the responsible law
officer of the Crown in this matter, and he therefore,
in the name of the Government, is the one to assume
the responsibility. But, in what way does he adven-
ture upon this course? Does he do so unconstitu-
tionally ? Hardly can that be said, after his dis-
tinctly saying, as he did at the end of the discussion yes_
terday in the House of Commons, " I hold in my hand
at this moment a resolution which I intend to move
if leave be given to bring in the bill, and a copy of
that resolution is to be served on the Mayor of Cork,
apprising him that leave was given to bring in the
bill, that a copy of the bill is furnished to him, that

it is to be read a second time on Tuesday, and that
he is at liberty to appear at the bar of the House and
to be heard by counsel." Where, after that, is
there any plea whatever for charging the Attorney-
General for Irel Ind with having asked the House of
Commons to act upon his own mere ipse dixit ?
Where is there any shadow of excuse for asserting
that, in the name of her MAJESTY'§ Government, he
is asking the Legislature to deal with the case of the
Mayor of Cork in any way unconstitutionally ?

THE discussions on the details of the Irish Church
Bill are such dull work that we suppose we must not
grudge the House of Commons a little amusement.
Yet it was unfortunate that when Mr. GLADSTONE,

in his earnest endeavour to carry his great measure
through the House in good time, resorted to the
unprecedented expedient of a morning sitting during
the first week of May, the very first of such sittings
should have been rendered useless by the
tedious, though farcical, quarrel between the
rival champions of Protestantism. That Mr.
WHA L LEY and Mr. NEWDEGATE, Arcades anibo,
should fall out might be extremely amus-
ing as an interlude, but that their dispute should
occupy a large portion of a sitting intended for
serious business, is beyond a joke. At this rate it
will be impossible to get the measure through com-
mittee before the Whitsun holidays ; and as these
are to be of a fortnight's duration, in obedience to the
wish of the House of Commons, it is manifest that
the month of June will have well advanced before
the chief measure of the session is before the
Lords. They will have a great deal to say to it,
even if they should think it prudent to do very little
with it. So we must not expect to be delivered from
the necessary but dreary talk about permanent curates,
glebes, and curtilages until the "raging Dog star" ap-
pears to aggravate and intensify whatever symptoms of
insanity may have been induced by incessant repeti-
tion of the words "Irish Church."

Perhaps we have been ungrateful to the members
for Peterborough and North Warwickshire in not
acknowledging more heartily their efforts to relieve
us from the fate we fear by their diverting comedy.
It really was very funny. It appears that when that
highly successful banker, the late Mr. SPOONER,
found it necessary to resign his leadership in
the anti-Maynooth campaign there was a con-
ference among his fellow monomaniacs as to who
should succeed him. We might have expected the
choice to fall upon Mr. NEWDEGATE, who is not only
a gentleman (which Mr. WHALLEY also is), but has
secured the respect and, to a certain extent, the admi-
ration of the House of Commons, which Mr. WHALLEY
certainly has not. However, the second was chosen,
and the first was prepared to follow him loyally.
He soon found that he could not do this. In a very
short time Mr. WHALLEY, by his over-zeal,
by his lugging forward the subject on every unsea-
sonable and irrelevant occasion, brought it into such
disrepute that it was impossible to obtain a hearing
for it. Mr. NEWDEGATE was prepared to do as Mr.

IPOONER had done, and have a Maynooth field-night
once a year. But Mr.WHALLEY wanted to have one
every week. lie could_ not discuss a railway bill, or
foreign politics, or the Budget, without introducing
his favourite topic. The consequence was that
the House very speedily began to treat
him as a lunatic, and the Maynooth Grant as
the delusion by which he was affected. It was then
that Mr. NEWDEGATE warned his leader that he was
rendering both himself and his cause ridiculous.
Mr. WHALLEY resisted the advice of this too candid
friend, resented his tone of superiority, and went on
as before. There was a severer rebuke in store for
him. He was next accused of being a Jes Lit in dis-
guise, and as it is not very easy to disprove this
accusation, it still remains unanswered, and, no
doubt, credited by a large number of Protestants. The
end of it was that Mr. NEWDEGATE gave up Maynooth
avowal
into
n:
o d.
that
hopeless Vp thee hia‘da'altogether, and at last he and his ex-colleague detailed
to a House shaken by tumultuous laughter the history
oftheir feud.
e
.
sy
nr
disrepute.
opo
utwht e f r
It
question N
rEewm nha
n7s: A
on
El
beenl 'ys
broughtown
for Mr. Gr
ADSTONE to get rid of it altogether by
"winding up " Maynooth College simultaneously
with the Irish Church. That done,
we shall have
heard the last of a name which has been famous for
leie
ss m
a quarter of a century, but which will, in
the course of
another generation, be as little remembered
as is now
the once celebrated Braintree.

WE do not share the apprehensions of some of our
contemporaries with regard to the Alabama question.
It is undoubtedly unpleasant that, just as we thought
this matter had been amicably settled—just as we
were beginning to ask if we had not rather compro-
mised our dignity by the eagerness which we had
shewn to arrange this dispute—the agreement
which we had forced ourselves rather reluctantly to
accept should be torn up and the fragments thrown
in our faces; - It is still more unpleasant that ona.of

he leading American statesmen should make a speech
in which he declared that we ought to make compen-
sation so extravagant that if we were to entertain it
for a single day we should abdicate our position
as a first-class Power, and expose ourselves to
the ridicule and the contempt of the world. The sup-
position that we are responsible for the American War,
and ought to defray the cost of it, or any part of it,
is so monstrous that we cannot believe Mr. SUMNER
represents any large or influential section of his
countrymen. However that may be, we need not
trouble ourselves about the matter. The Americans
have chosen to refuse a friendly settlement in which
we have gone to the extremest limit of concession.
We can do nothing more. We must wait until they
return to a better state of mind, when they will
doubtless make some proposition which we shall be
able to consider.
In the meantime we do not consider that there is
any serious cause for alarm. No one supposes that
the United States have any intention of declaring
war against us. A person in the sulks goes into
the corner, but does not fight. The relations between
England and the States are far too close for any
chronic quarrel like this to lead to a rupture. When
men are thoroughly angry, when their blood is up,
then—though they be the nearest of kindred—they
will come to blows, regardless of consequences. War
was possible in 1862, it was possible again in 1865,
it is all but impossible in 1869. Every year that
removes us from the original cause of the quarrel,
the recognition of the Confederate States as a belli-
gerent Power, diminishes the chances that it will
lead to any serious difference. If our relations stood
the stress put upon them before, they are not going
to break now. Wars eight years after date
are scarcely conceivable in these rapid days,
when ambassadors are withdrawn, hostilities
acularM, n r al, rid a
treaty of peace is signed in the course of a few
weeks. Of course, the evil results of the present
quarrel are not limited to war between the two
countries directly concerned. So long as the
Alabama question is left unsettled, so long are we,
if we go to war with the KING of DAHOMEY, or the
DUKE of MoNAco, exposed to attacks upon our com-
merce by Alabamas fitted out in New York. But
it must be remembered that two can play at this
game, and that of us two—the United States and
ourselves—the first is considerably the more likely
to be at war with some third Power than we are.
When a country casts longing eyes on Mexico in
the south and on Cuba in the east, and strains inter-
national law to the uttermost in expeditions of
sympathy with a rebellion which has no existence, it
is for that country rather than for us to consider if
it would not be well to get the Alabama question I
settled once and for all.

LATEST INTELL MENU

(R EU'^ER'S TELEGRAMS.)

ITALY.

FLORENCE, May 6.

The semi-official Correspondence Italienne of to-
day denies that a special mission to the French and
Italian Courts has been confided by the Spanish
Government to Senor Montemar, relative to a
candidature of the Duke of Aosta to the Throne
of Spain.

The same paper adds that the Duke is not be-
lieved to have any ambition in that direction.

SPAIN.

MADRID, April 5.

A Carlist conspiracy has been discovered at
Barcelona, which has led to 36 persons being ar-
rested. Several superior and commissioned officer;
both on active service and on half-pay, are among
the prisoners. Implicating documents have also
been seized.

CORRESPONDENCE PROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS. WEDNESDAY. May 5.

M. de Forcade la Roquette has greatly disappointed the
public. We were all looking forward to a circular, which
was to be a sort of electoral manifesto, announcing that
the Government would take a moderato and liberal course
during the coming struggle. Instead of this, we are favoured
with nothing more attractive than a long and minute
disquisition on the duties of the prefects to whom it is
addressed. M. de Forcade la Roquette's circular is full
of electoral instructions of no importance, but it contains
none of the recommendations, fondly anticipated, by which
the pressure of the Administration was to be held within
much more restricted limits than on former occasions ;
by which, in fact, the system of official candidates was to
be at least greatly modified. Instead of the much-needed
stipulations that the country elector may give his vote as
he pleases, without incurring the vengeance of the autho-
rities; we find nothing but a general direction to
the prefects to everywhere " ensure the free
manifestation of public opinion." The circular,
in short, is a purely administrative, and in no respect an
official, one. It is just possible that a second manifesto
may be in existence ; indeed it is thought in
some quarters that a document announcing the
long-expected reforms in the conduct of the elections
was read and approved at the Council of Ministers held
last Saturday. But perhaps it is of no great consequence
whether such a manifesto is to be issued or not. It is
quite possible for the Government to promise all sorts
of reforms, and nullify them in practice. This
paltering with us in a double sense is by no means
uncommon under the rule of the astute Rouher. He has
a genius for keeping the word of promise to the ear and
breaking it to the hope, as witness poor Emile 011ivier and
" Le 19 Janvier."

If the corning elections produce any close runs—and I
hear some lively anticipations—that at Marseilles ought
to be one of the closest. M. de Lesseps is one
of the most formidable Imperialists in the field.
He is hardly to be called an official candidate of
fk aenii;n.- time : he is moderate, and at the
same time his Suez achievement commands universal
admiration, and will ensure him large support in com-
mercial circles. On the Liberal side is M. 'Tiers, whom
everybody knows, and M. Gambetta, "the coming man "
of France. This young Republican is a native of Genoa,
the son of a worthy hosier. The father destined the son
to be a hosier too, but he hadsense enough to perceive the
nascent genius of the lad, and he sent him to Montfancon,
and afterwards to the Imperial Lyceum of Cahors. In
1856 he took his degree, and after a short sojourn at
Genoa, started for Paris, where he was called to the bar in
January 1857. He became the sternest of students. For
three years he breakfasted off a halfpenny roll, dined
at five o'clock on tenpence, and supped on another half-
penny. He was a total abstainer. In 1859, young as he
was, his articles were being published in the Opinion
Nationale. In 1860 he passed his these on mortgage, and
entered as a clerk under M. de Jony. A few months
later be took the oaths, and his maiden speech as a barris-
ter was made on August 25, 1861. He carried his
cause, and his first victory was followed by many
others. In 1862 he was selected with Jules Favre,
Picard, and Emile 011ivier, as counsel for the
fifty-four individuals implicated in the secret
society accusation. He is a marvellously-eloquent orator ;
it is doubtful, indeed, even at this early period of his
career, whether any speaker in France can surpass him.
The battle at Marseilles between such competitors as I
have mentioned ought to be the most exciting in the
country.

A. madcap feat has been performed at Bordeaux. The
inhabitants of that city were amazed the other morn-
ing to find floating from the summit of the spire of
St. Michel a coloured flag, said to be a piece of a curtain,
on which was drawn a heart pierced by an arrow, and
underneath were the words, "Libertd, Paix." The spire
is about 375 ft. in height and extremely difficult of ascent.
What interest or fantasy could have induced any man to
perform such a feat at night puzzles every one. Two
workmen have been employed to get down the banner.
The Nord announces that, by permission of the Russian
Government, Schamyl, the famous Circassian hero, is
about to make a pilgrimage to Mecca.

A " family fate " is given this evening at the Tuileries,
to celebrate the anniversary of the Empress's birthday,
lier Majesty is advancing far in the unwelcome region of
middle age. She has completed her 42nd year.
Judging by a communication from the Minister of
Finance to the heads of his department, it would seem
that the Government meant to apply administrative
pressure as tightly as ever on the 23rd and 24th.
M. Magne tells his subordinates that they must give
the Government the assistance which it has a right to
expect; in fine, that they are to hand themselves over to
the prefects, and follow their directions. They must
likewise persuade their assistants to vote for the proper
men, that is, the official men. This does not look like
reform.

THE COMIC PAPERS.

From the Owl.

THOUGHTS SUGGESTED BY TIIE MAYOR OP CORK.
Why are his speeches inflammatory ?—Because Cork 13
light.
Why are they puerile?--Because Cork is buoyant.
Why are they harmless?—Because Cork is all bark.
Why must they soon end ?—Because Cork is a stopper.
Why will the Government have to call in the assistance
of a local miser?—Because they require a Corkscrew.
Whither should we send the Mayor ?—To a Yankee
Caucus!

(From Punch.)
"MOTLEY'S TOUR ONLY WEAR."—Mr. Motley incoming.
America, in the person of Reverdy Johnson, has had
enough of dinners. Mr. Motley comes in for getting her
desserts.

" HAIL ! COLUMBIA" MARKET.—Miss Angela Burdett
Coutts, Lady of the Poor, has given Bethnal Green a
market costing, it is said, £200,000. Thisis the best money
market we ever heard of.
A SCRATCH WITH A SAw.—Artist : "Why is banging
at the Royal Academy Exhibition like kissing Acade-
mician: " I'm sure I don't know." Artist : " Because
hanging goes by favour."
PROTECTION WANTED.—There is a bill now passing
through Parliament entitled the " Sea-birds' Preservation
Bill." This is a very commendable measure ; but would
it not be advisable also to protect another class of creatures
rather too much shot at just now ? Is not a Landlords'
Preservation Bill desirable ?
REAL BENEVOLENCE. Field-Marshal Punch having
learnt, to his great surprise, that there were hundreds of
beautiful pictures, by English artists, excluded this year
from the R.A. Exhibition for want of space, offered to
lend the greater part of the frame of his full-length por-
trait, as the usual curtain, pillar,'inkstand, open letter,
gloves, and cocked-hat could be seen in several other
works in the room.

(From Fun.)
A DEFINITION BY A HORRID OLD TORY. —The Cap of
Liberty :—A mob cap.
" ONE TOUCH OF NATURE."—No wonder that veloci-
pedes should become the rage ; they can travel at a mar-
vellous pace—downhill.
BREACH or PRIVILEGE.—Those members of the House
of Commons who took part in the debate on the New
Law Courts before the rising of the Chancellor of
Exchequer declare that he was guilty of great rudeness in
taking a site at them on the sly !

(From Judy.)

THE Tunr.—Latest Scratching.—John Bright, out of
all his Birmingham and Manchester engagements.
CARPE DIEM (Man Threatening his Wife).—Cautious
Person : " You'll see vether I von't do for yer—and before
the 'onle Sekkeritry goes out of hake too."

THAT'S THE QUESTION.—In the recent race for the Two
Thousand Guineas Stakes, at Newmarket, Prince Imperial
was ridden by French. Will the French ever be ridden by
the Prince Imperial.

On Tuesday intelligence was received in Liverpool
from Wexford that the barque Emma, which left the Mersey
for Bahia on the 28th ult., had been diiven ashore on the
Wexford coast. Captain Wreckmeaster and the crew aro
reported to have been saved, but it was expected that the
vessel would become a total wreck, as the weather was very
stormy.

So strong a gale raged off Douglas on fueulay that
his Royal Highness Prince Arthur was unable to land in
the bay, and consequently the disembarkation had
to bo made at Port Erin breakwater. Here, however, a
large number of spectators Lad assembled, and the Prince
was graded with a most enthusiastic reception, His
Royal Highness proceeded immediately to Castictown, and
thence to Douglas, where a grand ball wa.3 given last niu-ht.
The town was also

Under the heading "Another RobLery of Arms at
Cork," the following telegram is published, dated Cork,
May : —At midnight the goods store of Mr. Connelly, for-
warding agent, was entered by seven men, who kept the
people in charge of the concern in custody while they searched
through the property in store, selecting two boxes belong-
ing to Captain Macquay, , which were left for convey-
ance to Carlisle Fort. They broke open ono containing
military uniforms, from which they made selections, ard
carried off the other box without opening, in which wore
arms. The constalmlary were quickly in pursuit, but PO
wad .

THE SALISBURY ELECTION PETITION.

In the Court of Common Pleas, on Wednesday, the case
of "Ryder v. Hamilton" came before the court as a special
case. At the last election for New Saturn the petitioner,
the respondent, and Mr. G. A. Lush were candidates, and
the numbers were at the close of the poll—For Mr. Lush,
748 ; for the respondent, 679 ; and for the appellant, 623.
The appellant subsequently presented apetition against the
return of the respondent, and claimed the seat. By a
local Act of the 11th Geo. IV. the custom was for the
owners of tenements under the annual rating of £lO to
compound for the rates, the owners, and not the occupiers
being rated. The question submitted to the court was,
whether the compound occupiers were entitled to vote.
If they were so entitled, the court was to certify that the
respondent was duly elected ; but if not, then the court
was to certify that the appellant was elected, and ought
to have been returned as member. Mr. Mellish, Q.C.,
appeased for the respondent, and submitted that the
register of voters was clearly intended by the statute to be
conclusive upon such questions as that of rating. The
Lord Chief Justice said he was clearly of opinion that the
VS Section of the Registration Act, 1843, was incorporated
with the representation of the People Act, 1867, and that
the case must be governed by the construction to be put
upon the 98th Section. Rating was a part of the qualifi-
cation, and the questions in reference to it were to be
finally disposed of by the revising barrister. Judgment
for the respondent, with costs.