The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-18 00:00:00

their leading-strings, and assert their real posi-
tion. And so it will be in the present instance.
The Council will be armed with a quasi•judicial
jurisdiction. Its function will be to advise the
Minister who may or may not act in accordance
with that advice, but his responsibility will be
largely increased, if he thinks proper to disregard
the deliberate judgment of a majority of his col-

leagues.
. Of course there will be opposition —factious
opposition. The Palmeistonians are too anxious
for their own restoration to the Political
Paradise from which they have been ex-
cluded to let any opportunity pass. They sigh
for place and power. Every appointment is looked
on as if it were an invasion of their privileges, a
"looting" of that which was regarded as a species
of property. They seemed to think that India
formed a legitimate battle-ground on which the
contest could be decided, and were bitterly disap-
pointed when the coveted cup was removed from
their grasp at the moment that it was approaching
their eager lips.

It is manifest, however, that Ministers do not
shun the contest. If they desired to do so, they
might have spent some additional weeks on the re-
solutions, and ascertained the opinions of the
independent Liberals on every point so as to pre-
vent the possibility of any failure. They have,
however, boldly flung down the gage, and we
shall speedily witness the result. Next Thursday
the question will be resumed, and we earnestly
hope that the course which may be most beneficial
both for India and for England may be adopted.

It is impossible to deny that England stands I
almost single-handed in its generous and humane
efforts to put down the Slave-trade. Other
nations, although they have entered into treaties
and solemn obligations to discountenance the
nefarious traffic, virtually connive at it by refus-
ing to sanction the only means by which it can
really be abolished. Nc•t only is the right of
search refused, but even the power of verifying ;
the right of the suspected vessel to the flag under
which it sails. If the star-spangled banner be
erected at the maintop, the " stripes" may be
inflicted to any extent in the hold. It may be
that the party using it had not the slightest righ t
to the distinction, that he may be merely " the
jay clad in peacock's feathers ;" but, however
palpable the disguise, it must be respected.
The miscreant who, according to the law of the
United States, is guilty of piracy, must be per-
mitted to go on, if he can only sport the Ameri-
can " bunting," and his punishment must devolve
on American authorities. Surely, if our Trans-
atlantic friends were in earnest, they would wil-
lingly consent to a very trifling inconvenience to
achieve a great good, and should be grateful to
those who would bring to justice the robbers and
pirates who degrade and prostitute their banner,
by making it the cover for the most heartrending
abominations and fiendish atrocities I
Nor is the French Government so earnest as
could be desired. It has also refused to renew
the Treaty that previously existed in reference to
this interesting subject, although it has not gone
the full length of the American one in refusing
every means of ascertaining that the ship is en-
titled to display the flag it has assumed. It has,
however, practically sanctioned the infamous sys-
tem, by reviving the trade under a different name
—giving it the specious designation of Voluntary
Emigrlxtion(l) Where the unfortunate Emigrants
are brought bound hand and foot to the port,
sold to the supercargo for a stipulated
price, and kept in shackles during the
voyage on which they so willingly embarked.
The recent case in Liberia, where the emigrants
rose against their oppressors, and rightfully and
properly killed the men who were trying to rob
them of their liberty, shows the real character of
the new trade to which France has given its

sanction.
But as the receiver is worse than the thief, Spain
occupies the worst position of any, and more
especially because there is a still subsisting treaty
with Great Britain on the subject. If she were
in earnest, it is notorious that the trade could be
suppressed. But Cuba is the convenient point
where the dealers in "sable commodities" can
' always find safety, shelter, and customers. The
authorities are enriched by the unhallowed bribes
which they receive, and yet she expects England
to protect her possession of that very Cuba, which
she allows to be made the receiving-shop, the
" fence," where the plunder is disposed of. Lord
MALXESBURY spoke out boldly and plainly, and
we trust that the truths which he enunciated will
have the effect of inducing Spain to adopt a more
equitable and judicious course. She may other-
wise, when too late, find that " honesty is indocd
the best policy," for nations as well as for indi-
, viduds.

Commemoration week at Oxford illustrates, iu
a rather amusing way, the absolutely unrestricted
freedom of speech enjoyed under our constitution.
Perhaps, too, we have no more reliable signs of
the Times than those furnished by the cries raised
at the enecenia or commemoration of Founders
and Benefactors, in the Sheldonian Theatre—by
the choral voices of those very outspoken alumni,
the undergraduates. It is not merely that those
assembled in the amphitheatre, and upon the
stage of that classic edifice, to witness the admis-
sion to the honorary degree of D.C.L. of the
chosen celebrities of the Law—among whom,
upon this occasion, were cordially greeted Viscount
STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE, the eminent and
veteran diplomatist, together with Viscount
ETERSLEY, the late distinguished and popular
Speaker of the House of Commons ; besides the
gallant Major-General "wows, and that witty wag
(" Sam Slick"), the Hon. Mr. Justice
thosestice H AaLslsßel:TmltbTloeNd
-it is not merely, we say, that
to witness these and other interesting ceremonials,
groans and biases
j learn by dissonant volleys of

(whenever his name is mentioned) how unpopular
the Senior Proctor is, or by contrasting cheers
how sunny and genial is the respect for the Vice-
Chancellor. The discriminating cries of the col-
legians extend even beyond the varied charms of
the ladies present—beyond the welcome accorded
to the pink bonnets and the affluent crinoline—to
an indulgence in the nicest distinctions among the
Party Cries of the day—to the ovation of some of
the great politicians by shouts of approval, and to the
taboo of others by sibilation the most derisive. It is
not in any way, then, surprising to note in regard
to the last encomia on Wednesday, that the de-
mand of those groans for the Cabal was heartily
responded to : any more than that mingled cheers
and hissing should have greeted the mention of

the name of Lord PALMERSTON. It is significant
to remark the general cheering accorded to the
Bishop of OXFORD and Dr. PIISEY—and one is
almost tempted to wonder whether the former
might not have claimed to himself some of the
eulogistic shouts for SAM SLICK greeting the name
and the person of the Hon. Justice HALIBURTON.
Discordant hisses and cheers, blened together in
most admired confusion, followed the mention of
Mr. GLADSTONZ
, member for and pride of the
University though
he is—doubtless the hisses
having
reference to the hair-splitting politician,