The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-16 00:00:00

LONDON, SA7URDAY, FEB. 16, 1867.

The arrival of the Cuba with six days later news
from New York brings us intelligence respecting
the new plan of reconstruction now being talked
about. As yet all is uncertain and depends on
rumour, whose assertions are never very reliable,
and cannot certainly be often trusted iu American

An animated discussion took place last night in
the House of Lords, on the subject of the duty of
the Volunteers, which was suggested by the recent
occurrences in Chester. Lord VIVIAN referred to
the answer of the Home Secretary to the applica-
tion made by the Mayor of that town on the occa-
sion of the disturbances that took place, and the re-
quest to learn if the Volunteer Corps could act in
their military capacity under the direction of the
civil authorities; and the noble lord remarked, with
great justice, that it might be the law that Volun-
teers, if called out to assist in the preservation of
the public peace, should only act as special con-
stables ; but he thought that such a state of the
law was very much to be deprecated. He asked
if Government had any proposal to amend the law,
so that the Volunteers might act like the yeomanry
if called upon. He suggested that the Volunters
should be " placed in precisely the same position as
the yeomanry, who were liable to be called upon to
suppress an outbreak such as that which had
recently occurred at Chester." We think that this
is a very wise proposition, for it is evident that they
would be of much greater efficiency if they were
thus empowered to act in cases of emergency, and
a far more powerful influence would be exercised
upon the minds of the lawless in time of need.
Lord BELMORE explained that the only occasion in
which the Volunteer corps can be called out for
military service by law is in case of actual and
apprehended invasion of the United Kingdom.
Lord DE GREY AND RIPON said that the state of
the law in respect to the duty of Volunteers was in
a very unsatisfactory condition.
The Volunteer Act contained a clause at first
which gave civil authorities the same power over
the Volunteers as over the yeomanry, but unfortu-
nately the House of Commons struck this out, and
hence there is now no power to call them out in the
event of tumult at home. The Duke of CAMBRIDGE
said that it was of the greatest possible consequence
to the railroads of the country that this subject
should be properly understood. The military autho-
rities themselves are in difficulty from the matter
not being clearly defined and distinctly understood.
The situation of the officer stationed at Chester the
other day described by the illustrious Duke was one
of great perplexity and awkwardness. While he
would have been glad to receive what assistance the
Volunteers could have afforded him, he might by
si doing have committed an illegal act, " have made
himself amenable to the laws of his country, and
might possibly have been tried for his life." We
entirely concur in the opinion of the Duke of CAM-
BRIDGE that the present state is one of perplexity,
and that this question ought to be cleared from
" every shadow of ambiguity, and that the authori-
ties should distinctly understand how they are to act
should occasion require." Lord MALMESBURY said
that healso thought some clear understanding should
be come to on this point, and so far as the Govern-
ment could deal with it he should see that this
should be done. We hope that before long a defi-
nite notion will be come to, but at the same time we
cannot see any harm could arise from the Volun-
teers being called out in their military capacity,

provided due discretion were used in so doing. It
is a pity that so numerous and so efficient a body
should be reduced in times of emergency to the
level of ordinary civilians, and a change might
easily be introduced for the better. The confusion
that arose the other day in the minds of the authori-
ties at Chester is sufficient proof of the present un-
satisfactory condition of things in respect to this
important particular.

We are not surprised that questions should have
been asked in both Houses as to the state of things
in Ireland, but the replies of Lord DERBY and of
Mr. WALPOLE were as satisfactory as they could be
under the circumstances, and from intelligence at a
later period received from Ireland it seems that the
Fenian raid in the neighbourhood of Killarney has
been stopped. While it is, undoubtedly, a great
disappointment to all parties that this mischievous
spirit is again rife among us, it is a source of grati-
fication to know that the prompt and timely measures
which have been taken by Government and its
subordinates have proved effectual. From accounts
received of the details of the affair it seems that
the number of insurgents at Kilkenny was at first
exaggerated, but no doubt more would have speedily
appeared on the scene had not the originators and
promoters been speedily confronted. It is said
that STEPIIENS is believed to be in Kerry direct-
ing the movement ; and, at any rate, the com-
mission of Captain MoRIARTY was in the latter's
handwriting. That the arrest of this captain led
to the outbreak is the opinion of some,
and the gathering that had taken place was to effect
his liberation. The most serious part of the affair

was the attempt made upon the constable who was
taking despatches to the police-station, but he is
recovering from the shots he received. Under the
circumstances it would have been more prudent
not to have let one man go upon so dangerous a
mission. The excitement which the news of the
outrages has spread over the country is, of course,
great, but there is every probability of the
whole matter passing off quietly without any very
great losses or injury to life and property. It shows
at any rate that we must not feel too secure in a
hurry again, but that a vigilant watch must be kept
up wherever suspicions are entertained of the good
faith or loyalty of certain parties. Leniency and
toleration are thrown away in this instance, and
only the most rigorous treatment can avail with
such misguided individuals. As for the leaders in
this movement no words can be too strong to con-
demn their conduct, and for all the misery and
suffering that may ensue, they are and will be directly
responsible, since they disregard all warning.

No time has been lost in appointing the Royal
Commission to report on the organisation and rules
of trades unions and kindred associations, and we
trust they will enter upon their labours in an ear-
nest and unprejudiced spirit. The names of the
Commissioners are calculated to inspire confidence,
as those of practical and able men, who take a warm
interest in the relations between labour and capital
without being personally or directly concerned.
When the deputation of working men waited upon
the Home Secretary in reference to this matter, and
asked for the addition of one or two members of
their own class, Mr. WALPOLE told thou that
the Government had contemplated such an
addition, but that as in that case they must
also have added one or two employers, they had
thought it better for the constitution of the Com-
mission to be entirely impartial. In this decision
they were probably right, since the matters to be
examined into are not technicalities of trade, nor
are they called upon to fix the rate of wages. They
are simply to inquire into the general principles of
action among trades' unions, with power to in-
vestigate any recent acts of intimidation or outrage
alleged to have been promoted or connived
at by such associations, and also to inquire
into the relations between workmen and their
employers for the mutual benefit of both
parties. Men like Lord ELCIIO and Mr. ROEBUCK,
who have always taken a warm interest in the
working classes ; men like Sir DANIEL GOOCH, who
have risen from the ranks by their own ability and
character ; men like Mr. HuGHEs, who have been
chosen to represent the interests of many thousands
of working men in Parliament, can surely be
trusted to have a due regard to the interests of both
sides. Added to these we are glad to find the name
of Mr. HAnnisorr, which has been added in com-
pliance with the wishes of the deputation referred
to ; while the appointment of Sir WILLIAM ERLE
as President has given general satisfaction. It
is very probable that in the relations between
employers and employed much of the prevailing
misunderstandings arise from mutual ignorance.
If either side better understood the difficulties and
trials of the other there would be more sympathy
and more toleration, though each would still natu-
rally seek his own interests. As things at present
stand much mischief is done by agitators of all
classes, who are glad to gain a little temporary popu-
larity and influence at the expence of their fellows,
and the prejudices of both masters and men prevent
anything like mutual confidence or concession.
The long-continued depressionof trade which, if not
occasioned, has certainly been aggravated by the
frequent recurrence of strikes, has prepared the
way for the introduction of a new and a better
system, and we hope the labours of the Commission
will tend to a practical result, which, if it really
and permanently benefit either side, must ultimately
benefit both.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Friday Evening.
'The Legislative Session has seldom been opened
with greater éclat than yesterday. The splendid
weather gave great effect to it out of doors, and
there has never been a more 'numerous attendance
of great personages within the Louvre. There was
an unusual proportion of magnificently attired
ladies. The Empress was received on her entrance
by the Princess Clotilde, the Princess Matilda, and
the Princess Lucien Murat, who were afterwards
seated near her. Her Majesty's dress as usual was
in the best taste. On entering the hall the Empress
was received with hearty and reiterated cheers. The
Prince Imperial came with the Emperor.
It is certain that the Emperor's Speech has cre-
ated intense and universal satisfaction. I have had
opportunities of gathering this opinion from vari-
ous sources. The Constitutionnel gives an apt and
accurate appreciation of its character. It says :--
"The Emperor's Speech, so impatiently expected
by France and by Europe, forms a complete pro-
gramme of internal and foreign policy. It is calm,
clear, and elevated. France is inspired by a senti-
ment of conciliation and justice in all its acts abroad.
At home all the acts of the Imperial Government
are prompted by feelings of civilisation and pro-
gress. Peace and Liberty, these are the two words
which indicate our policy. What will equally in-
spire universal satisfaction is the initiative of
liberal reforms—meaning liberty within—and at the
same time the augmentation, rendered necessary, of
our defensive forces—that is to say, the security of
the country and its greatness in the world. All
France will receive with satisfaction this new mani-
festo of a great Sovereign and the inspirations of a
profound policy."
The Piedniontese Gazette publishes a letter from
Mazzini, dated from London, in which he expresses
thanks for having been elected a deputy for Messina,