The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-16 00:00:00

.T,ONDON, MOADAY, DEC. 16, 1861 •

Seldom has there been a stronger or more un.lni-
mous feeling evoked throughout the Ivhole of
London than the sentiment of pity and indi,gnatioo

called forth from all classes by the catastrophe at
Clerkenwell. As the hours go on, and the misery
and suffering so wantonly inflicted on unoffending
women and children becomes more widely under-
stood and more fully realsed, the universal execra-
tion of the reckless and cowardly ruffians whose
work we are all deploring grows loader and more
intense. The mournful pictures of the quiet little
homes so suddenly and so terribly desolated, the
heartrending accounts of the sufferings of poor
little children, and the total ruin and overthrow of
so many industrious families just on the eve of social
and cheerful Christmas, all combine to render the
story one of the most painful and melancholy which
it has been our duty to record. No doubt every-
thing that public effort and private charity can do
to relieve the victims of the outrage will be done,
and the spontaneous sympathy of all classes has
been shown with a promptitude and heartiness which
does honour to English hearts and hands. Within
a few moments of the first terrific shock
brave men were risking their lives in extricating
those embedded in the ruins. No sooner
were they all rescued, and the alarming nature of
their Injuries perceived, than every vehicle within
reach was at once offered for their service, regard-
less of consequent damage. The hospital authori-
ties having heard the explosion were on the alert,
and ereryting thing skill and kindness could do was
done to alleviate the sufferings, which at the best
were harrowing to witness. Meanwhile those who
had happily escaped from the ruins with slighter
injury to life and limb, but with the total loss of
their belongings, were not uncared for. Early on
Saturday morning the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
with commendable promptitude, despatched his
Private Secretary in concert with Mr. LAMBERT, of
the Poor-law Board, for the purpose of distributing
immediate pecuniary assistance to those left desti-
tute by the catastrophe. This kindly forethought
was doubly welcome, as many of the homeless
families belonged to the class of respectable me-
chanics who would have shrunk from applying for
parish relief. Mr. HARDY, the Home Secretary,
was also on the spot on Saturday morning, and soon
after the Government proclamation of reward was
offered. Unhappily, notwithstanding all these
efforts, there_will be much distress and loss, in-
dependently of the personal injuries, and
a public meeting is convened for this evening to
consider the beat means to be taken to relieve the
distress. Had the Fenians endeavoured to devise
the most efficacious means of destroying all sympathy
with their proceedings, and of changing their
position from that of political offenders—misguided,
indeed, but sincere and enthusiastic—into reckless
and determined criminals, whose hands are against
every man alike, and who are callously indifferent
to the torture and suffering of those who have
never injured theth,provided they have even a chance
of gaining their object, certainly they could not have
done so more effectually than by causing the fearful
catastrophe of Friday. The offence of forcibly
rescuing prisoners from the custody of the law is in
itself a very serious and unpardonable ono, but this
falls into the shade compared with the means
Adopted to effect i;. The feeling; of the working
classes are now thoroughly aroused against Fenian-
is n, and the Government will meet with the ready
and unquestioning support of all ranks of her
MAJESTY'S subjects in the firm and consistent re-
pression of it in all its aspects.
The great catastrophe of Friday has been the
one engrossing topic of the last few days. ,
Happily the proclamation of the Govern-
ment and the effects of the authorities in the
several cities in which the funeral demonstrations
were to be held have proved effectual, and the lire-
cessions were not attempted. The news from
Ireland reports that everything was tranquil in Cork
and the adjoining counties. It is understood that
11r. JOIIN MARTIN hts left the country in conse-
quence of the summons served on him for having
taken part in last week's demonstration. No doubt,
in common with other worthies of his class
lie thought discretion the better part of
valour so soon as personal danger threatened him-
self. The mock funerals were altogether abandoned,
and at Killarney the originators of the movement
posted a placard counselling the people to obey the
law. At Leeds the streets were paraded by artillery,
infantry, and yeomanry, but not the slightest mani-
festation of Fenian feeling showed itself, and the
military dispersed about four o'clock. At Liverpool,
where the scene of action had been changed from the
town to the suburbs, some anxiety was felt, and to
judge from the quantity of crape and green ribbon
provided during the week a grand display was in-
tended. But the vigorous preparations made, and
die resolute attitude of the authorities proved to be
amply sufficient to prevent any attempt at the ab-
surd and mischievous display. The fact is, that the
crowd of neutrals, and idlers, and sight• seers whom
mere curiosity and love of excitement usually draw
to the scene of such affairs, are now thoroughly dis-
gusted, and will not countenance by their presence
any more Fenian celebrations. We have no doubt
that the explosion of Friday haq been fatal to the
interests of the conspirators themselves, but even
that gain is dearly purchased by so much needlessly
inflicted suffering.

Tho Cuba, from New York on the 3d of Decem-
ber, brings a further account of the PRESIDENT'S
Message lublished on that day in advance of de-
livery. We have been already put in posseesion of
the substance by means of the Atlantic Cable, but
some additional passageS of considerable interest
are now given. The points upon which Le prin-
cipally dwells are the Reconstruction of the South
and Negro Suffrage, and these are indeed the all-
engrossing topics of the day. The Negro ques-
tion more especially is gaining daily in im-
portance and interest, for the white men
of the North are not slow to perceive
the results with which they are threatened. It is
one thing to keep the Southern States at bay, to
refuse them representation, and to Illy the petty
tyrant without damage to themselves ; but it is
quite another to allow negroes to be elected, and
thus to put a considerable share of the legislative
powers of the country into their hands. On this
subject the PRESIDENT says, with sound common
sense and justice, " Four millions of slaves yes-
terday cannot be made intelligent freemen to-
day." The PRESIDENT is desirous to " better
their condition in all their rights, save
transferring to them our political inheri-
tance." The dangers of such a course must
be apparent to every impartial observer, and there
can be no doubt but that this perception has had a
considerable share in altering the constitution of
Congress. Whatever professions of equality the