The Sun.
London, England, 1869-03-18 00:00:00

'rim SUN, LONDON, TB URSDAY EVENING, MARCH 18, 1869.

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ir
, ,
- 11114

said one of the leading unionists, "are made for
men, not for masters. We do not take masters
into account at all. We merely look upon them
as men who step in with their capital, and who want
to get the greatest profit they can out of their capi-
tal while we want to get the greatest profit we can
out of our labour." The commissioners assume that
this is a right statement of the position, and they
have to frame their resolutions accordingly. They
do not disguise their desire that a better feeling pre-
vailed ; they strongly recommend councils of con-
ciliation ; they hope that partnerships of industry
may spread, though they evidently have not much
faith in a principle which makes no arrangement for
a due participation in losses on the part of the workmen.
Whether that objection proves fatal to the system or
not, it is one which will spread very slowly. In the
meanwhile the need of immediate action is urgent.

The measures which are recommended assume that
trades unions will continue, and are intended to
make those bodies less offensive in their operation,
without impairing their efficiency. The commis-
sioners admit the right of working men to combine
as much as that of masters ; nay, it is even more
right for the first to combine, because the working
man singly is much weaker than the master singly.
They would, therefore, repeal those laws which make
combination unlawful, except in so far as it is
intended to promote unlawful acts. Mr. HuGnEs
and Mr. ITARrirsoN would make no reser-
vation, and trust to the criminal law for
dealing with such acts. All the commissioners
are for giving legal protection to the funds of trades
unions. But in doing this they would protect the
members, not only against fraudulent officials, but
also against what may be called an honest misappro-
priation of funds. The objects of unions are two-fold :
the provision of sick relief and the other benefits of
a friendly society, and the furnishing of funds for
carrying on strikes. The amount of money necessary
for the first object is easily determined by the ordi-
nary tables ; but the second object is necessarily an
uncertain one ; and if the two be mixed up together,
both must be uncertain. As a matter of fact, two of
the largest and most important trade societies in the
kingdom, generally looked upon as models in con-
stitution and management—the Amalgamated Society
of Carpenters and Joiners and the Amalgamated
Society of Engineers are, as regards their engage-
ments as benefit and friendly societies, already in a
state of insolvency. The remedy for this is a com-
plete separation of the two accounts, and the regis-
tration of unions under the Friendly Societies' Act,
together with the publication of their balance-
sheets.

These recommendations refer to the relations
between the unions and their members ; far more
important are those between the unions and non-
members. These may be either employers or
employed. As regards the second, the commissioners
say that " the workmen who think it for their
advantage to combine together in a disposal of their
labour are no more justified in constraining
any other -workman, who does not desire
such an association, to combine with them—
to bring his labour into common stock with
theirs—than an association of capitalists is in constrain-
ing an individual capitalist to bring his capital into
common stock with theirs; and it is the more impor-
tant that the law should protect the non-unionist
workman in his right freely to dispose of his labour
as he thinks fit, because, standing alone, he is the
less able to protect himself." Knob-stick is
ill-treated because he is supposed to be a traitor
to his class ; but that is merely a private
opinion on the part of the members of that
class, and cannot be recognised by the law.
We need scarcely add that the commissioners there-
fore disapprove of pickets ; while as for rattening and
murder, they are criminal acts punishable by the
common law, and, a fortiori; more atrocious. But
the master has to be protected as well as his work-
men. Therefore any attempt to make him
discharge an unpopular foreman, who may,
perhaps, have become unpopular by reason
of his devotion to his master's interests,
ought to be considered illegal. In a word, there are
four objects to which unions at present devote them-
selves which the commissioners disapprove—pre-
venting the employment, or limiting the number, of
apprentices in a trade ; (2) preventing or limiting
the use of
from taking a
u
b- contract, or working by the
common with non-union
the
men piece,
or
r 4) wothrtingin
interference of one union in
a dispute between an employer and the members of
another union. There will be no doubt in the public
mind that the three first of these objections are well
sustained. The fourth is, perhaps, more open to
question. But the general tendency of the report is
eminently fair and conciliatory. There is abundant
reason, though, we are afraid, less hope, that the re-
port will be accepted by the employed as a just
settlement of the present dispute between them and
their employers.

711 E BENEVOLENT SOCIETY OF ST.
PA7 RICK.

arloa held in Willis's-
Cork and Orrery,
Yesterday being St. Patrick's Day, the anniver-
s
rseaerymds,insnte.r
jaomf
esth,sis;
tsoheeieEty w
K.P., in the chair.

Tne society was founded in the year 1784, and
has for its object the improvement of the condition
of the children of poor deserving Irish parents re-
sident in London. Amongst the company present
were the Marquis of Clanricarde, K.P. ; the Earl
of Darnley, the E:irl of Erne, the Hon. E. O'Neill,
M.P. ; the Right lion. Colonel Wilson-Patten,
M.P. ; Sir H. Howard (treasurer), Sir Leopold
M'Clintuck, Mr. T. Meyrick, M.P. ; Mr. F.
111‘Clure, M.P. ; Mr. E. Haviland Burke, M.P. ;
Mr. Charley, M.P ; Mr. Sergeant Sleigh, Colonel
Hogg, the Hun. W. Massey, and Capt. Corscadden,
Queen's Westminster Rifles. The Knights of St.
Patrick wore the insignia of their order.

After a dinner that gave the utmost satisfaction
—and most deservedly so—the customary loyal and
professional toasts were given, Colonel Hogg re-
sponding for the army, Sir L. M'Clintock fur the
navy, and Mr. Charley, M.P., for the Volunteers.
In proposing the toast of the evening, «The Bene-
volent Society of St. Patrick," the noble chairman
pleaded forcibly in behalf of the charity. He re-
minded the guests that the society was founded in
1784 for the purpose of improving the condition of
the children of poor but deserving Irish parents re-
sident in London. Four hundred children of either
sex were now in the schools of the society,where, in
addition to a plain but useful education they have the
advantage of good clothing and a substantial daily
meal during the winter months. The care of these
children does not cease when they leave school, but
after being fitted for respectable employment they
are watched over during several subsequent years
and annually commended and awarded it their em-
ployers report favourably of their conduct. The
past year, in the opinion of the sub-committee, had
been a prosperous one for the society, partly in
consequence of the presence of the Prince of
Wales at the last anniversary dinner. The toast
was warmly welcomed, and, as usual, it was fol-
lowed by the usual collection of subscriptions.
" The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland" was next pro-
posed, the Chairman observing that though he
thought iu these days of telegraphy the office was
little more than a sinecure, he must say that the late
Government had a singularly excellent choice in the
selection of the Duke of Abercoin—(loud applause)
—and he also thought that the present Lord Lieu-
tenant would carry on the Government of Ireland
in a fair and impartial spirit, a'id with a determi-
nation to do justice between the various views and
creeds. (Hear, hear.)
The list of subscriptions
and donations amounted to £572. One or two
other toasts followed, and the company dispersed.
Mr. C. Coote's band performed a charming selec-
tion of national airs during dinner and afterwards.
The speeches were interspersed with songs by Miss
Banks, Miss Eyles, Mr. W. Coates, Mr. J. W.
Fielding, &c.

The French are now importing large quantities
of DU/Willed old Irish whisky.

THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY ON
FOREIGN MISSIONS'

-- ~____

On Wednesday night the Archbishop of Canterbury
presided at a crowded meeting of the supporters of the
Church Missionary Society. The most rev, chairman
spoke at some length of the representations of those who
argued that missions should be promoted at home rather
than abroad. Satirists might represent that because
foreign missions were advocated, home duties were
neglected, but experience had proved that those who
were most anxious to extend the spiritual agencies at
home were equally zealous in their desires to increase their
influence abroad. He reminded those present of Christ's
command to preach the Gospel in every land, and urged
that extending Christian sympathy to other lands did not
deprive the people of our own country of the advantage of
Christian instruction. If they felt interested in those
who had but few opportunities of grace, how much more
should they feel sympathy with those who had none
lle denied the frequently reiterated statement that
the pr, ~,ss of foreign missions was not commensurate
with t, expenditure they involved. Even if such
were the case they should not relax in their efforts,
for the seed lying in the ground for a time might
at length burst. forth. Light might come when it was

least expected. The testimony of residents in India had
been adduced to prove the case to which he had referred.
As well might the testimony of some members of West-
nid clubs be taken to prove that no distress prevailed in
Bethnal Green. He had himself received a letter from
Madras very recently, in which it was stated that 19
natives had been ordained deacons within a short time,
the addition of which to the number already existing
making a total of 50 native clergy in the province. Not
only were the poor of India becoming converts, but also
some persons of family and " caste." He exhorted them,
instead of relinquishing the enterprise they had under-
taken, to renew their exertions to promote its ultimate
success.

-HE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK ON THE
RITUAL JUDGMENT.

The Eastern Morning News publishes a letter of the
Archbishop of York upon the recent Ritual judgment.
It ie sent in answer to inquiries on the subject from Canon
Brooke. "W. Ebor '' writes: "I had hoped that the
bishops might have agreed upon some general advice to
address to the clergy, as to the results which seem to many
to follow from the cause of Mr. Mackonochie. But it has
been thought desirable that each bishop should address
his own diocese. This I hope soon to have an opportunity
of doing in a more formal manner, in my charge ; but in
the meantime I send you the following suggestions:—
The judgment decided only the two points before the
court—that lights were not to be used on the communion
table in the day time, and that the minister was not at
liberty to kneel or prostrate himself at the communion
table during the use of the Prayer of Consecration. A
great deal more has been inferred from it, but it must he
remembered that a judgment should always he construed
exactly, and should not be made the premises of every
possible inference that may seem deducible from it.
For example, some have found in this judgment a
justification for turning the back upon the people during
the Prayer of Consecration. But this was never argued
before the court, which would have had, before
deciding it, to consider on which side is before
the table,' since that another rubric leaves the precise
position of the table undefined ; also, whether, ' before the
table' means more than at the table,' an interpretation
made very probable by the Welsh translation of our
Prayer - book ; also, how the priest, so standing,
can consecrate the elements ' before the people,' if that
means in the sight of the people, as most people think
it does. T arnestly advise all the clergy oo have
hitherto consecrated at the north side of the table to
continue that practice, which I believe to be the right
one, and which in this diocese has had till just lately
the witness of universal custom in its favour. And, gene-
rally, I venture to advise the clergy to abstain from
making sudden changes in the mode of celebrating the
services, in view of the coming report of the Ritual
Commission, and the possibility of legislation founded
thereupon. If any of my brethren feel himself
in any doubt or difficulty, I shall he glad to advise
him privately upon any question he may submit to me.—
Earnestly praying God to guide and bless you in all your
labours."