The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-11 00:00:00

ment of those who have distinguished themselves
in this affair that they will not take the opinion of
those who are the best informed on the subject

which is the theme of controversy. Instead of
being guided and influenced by those who are well
acquainted with negro life and character, they start

leories of their own at home, and then insist upon

•ery one conforming to their behests, and they

even seek to change the aspect of things and the
effect of circumstances in order that they may be
right throughout everything. Here, for instance,
we have Mr. FoRsTER giving it as his opiuion
that if the police of the island bad been vigi-

,ant there would have been no outbreak at all.
How absurd such a statement is in the face of all

the evidence that has been collected as to the prior
determination of the negroes to revolt, and all the
plans and projects which they Ltd formed for some
time previous to the disturbances in Morant Bay.

Mr. FORSTER is not so extreme as some, for he does
not altogether approve of the desire experienced by
some of his friends as to the prosecution of Gover-
nor EYnE, although he cannot blame them, and
they must all feel that the time had gone by for
public opinion to be expressed until the verdict of

the court of law was taken. All we can
say is, that this was not the principle
acted upon by the devotees at Exeter Hall,
or by any other members of the faction, in

all its ramifications. No time was allowed for a

'ull and particular account to come from the scene

of action, but conclusions were jumped at, and
assertions recklessly made, which produced an effect
on weak and prejudiced minds that no subsequent
refutation could possibly efface. This is the great
evil of people setting out with such extravagant
and exaggerated ideas, because the " hand that
kindles cannot quench the flame ;" and those who
hear the false charges made away never hear or see
the denial of them.
Mr. FORSTER thinks that a lesson may be learned
from the recent events in January as to the
state of the statute-book, there being a great diffe-
rence as to the law in England and Jamaica, but
he forgets the very different state of society in the
two places. The negroes must show themselves a
little more worthy of all the privileges and immu-
nities of Englishmen before they demand equal
rights, and their friends claim them for them
with so much vehemence and energy. We should
say that a very different lessen might be learned
from what took place in Jamaica than any which
these mistaken advocates of the negro can draw
from them. Surely the tragical occurrences
that then and there took place should show the ne-
cessity for firm, prompt, and vigorous action, and
exemplify most fully and unmistakeably the danger
that might ensue if the blacks were trusted too im-
plicitly, without some proofs of their sincerity and
loyalty were afforded to the authorities. Here in
these remarks of Mr. FORSTER, however, is an in-
consistent passage ; he says that "martial law should
not be used as an acknowledged form of Govern-
ment, but only in• extreme cases, and in absolute
necessity." Now what could constitute such a case
as that he describes if it were not the position in
which Governor EYRE found himself placed when
the outbreak occurred?
It puts one quite out of patience to notice the
cool manner in which people speak of things which
they do not understand, and the reckless manner in
which they decide as to the right and wrong of
acts which they do not fathom because they will
not take the broad and comprehensive view which
the case demands. Because from one-sided state-
ments and exaggerated reports a false sympathy was
got up in this country for the perpetrators of the
criinesiu Jamaica, those who support this view of the
question persi,t in declaring that there was no need
to have used any severity at all. We never hear
anything said by these gentlemen about the danger
incurred by the white inhabitants, and we never
hear a word of regret expressed as to the sad fate
of those who fell the sacrifice of the misguided fury
of the revolutionists. We feel tolerably sure of one
thing, and that is, that if Mr. FORSTER had been able
to put his precept into practice in Jamaica at the
time he refers to, he would have allowed the
rebellion to get such a head of him that all
the white inhabitants of the island would have been
massacred. One thing is satisfactory in this speech,
and that is the temperate manner in which Mr.
FORSTER speaks of Mr. EYRE himself. We find none
of that rancour and bitterness which prevails so
largely in the discourses of others on this matter ;
and, on the contrary, he allows that he " does not
blame Governor EYRE, and he was forced to declare
martial law, and perhaps not one in a hundred
would have declined to do so." This is to the hon.
gentleman's credit, for it is quite outrageous that
public men should be so prejudiced in their views
and so unguarded in their remarks as some are who
profess to lead public opinion, and to be the ex-
ponents of right and justice.
We are glad to find that all address has been
forwarded to the EYRE Defence Fund, signed by
the representatives of the principal mercantile firms
of Ceylon (native and European), members of the
Legislative Council, and all the respectable native
and European residents in the island. It is said in
this address that the undersigned, in handing
their subscriptions to the ETRE Defence and
Aid Fund, cannot refrain from express-
ing their deep regret that there should "be
found among their fellow-countrymen any who,
from complete ignorance of our East and West
India colonies, or from party motives, can allow
themselves vindictively to prosecute one who, when
surrounded by danger and difficulty, loyally and
manfully performed kis duty as Governor to the best
of his abilities, and, in all probability, saved
by his decision and promptitude one of our
finest colonies from destruction." We have
copied this passage at length, as it affords a very
good illustration of the opinion of those who ought
to know best as to the exact state of these things.
We may state, in all truth, that the condemnation
of the course pursued by Mr. EYRE has never come
from those who knew the most of the matter, and
all those who have had experience of life in colonies
never hesitate to approve his policy and admire his
promptitude. A very fitting rebuke is administered
in this address to the conduct of those who have
taken up the prosecution so vehemently and unfairly,
" We cannot depreciate too strongly the attempt
made by private individuals to overrule the calm
and deliberate judgment of the impartial tribunal
appointed by the Government for the special pur-
pose of inquiring into the late distressing occur-
rences in Jamaica." Most intrusive and imperti-
nent must all such interference appear to those
who understand anything of the matter, and can
appreciate in its full force the great service which
Mr. EYRE rendered to the Crown he served under
and the people he was called upon to protect.

The banquet given on Wednesday evening by
the members cf the Canada Club was a brilliant
and interesting festivity. The affairs of our North-
American colonies have lately attracted a good deal
of attention. At one time they did not occupy their
proper position in the estimation of Englishmen,
less from wilful disparagement of their claims than
of general ignorance of their extent and importance
of their resources. During the last few years the
provinces have made steady progress ; and the