The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-20 00:00:00

British Government, which will dispose of that
right in such a manner as may seem fitting. To
those Talookdars, Chiefs, and Landholders, with
their followrra, who shall make immediate submis-
sion to the Chief Commissioners of Oude . • •
the Governor-General promises that their lives and
honours shall be safe. . . But as regards any
further indulgence which may be extended to them,
and the condition in which they may hereafter be
placed, they must throw themselves upon the mercy
and justice of the British Government."
Assuredly this is plain speaking. "The proprie-
tary right in the soil is confiscated." The British
Government " will dispose of that right in suoh
manner as may seem fitting." All inhabitants of
Oude who "make immediate submission" are to
have the promise of the Governor-General—not
that their proprietary right in the soil shall be re-
stored=--but that " their lives and honours shall be
safe." Beyond the bare promise of safety of:life
and security from dishonour (that is, from impri-
sonment and transportation beyond sea) nothing is
promised them. "Any further indulgence that Is
extended to them"—that is, the restoration of.their
proprietary right depends upon the " mere,'
and justice " which, being interpreted, means
the arbitrary will "—of the British Government.
This is Confiscation ; no verbal quibble (al strip it
of that odious character. The "proprietary right
in the soil" of Oude may be an equitable right or
a legal right (to use our own law jargon), but a
substantial right of some kind it must bo, or it
could not be confiscated. And this right is to be
wrested from—not only those who are actually in
arms against us—not only from chief and talook-
dars—but from every one of the five millions of
inhabitants of Oude who has any "proprietary
right in the soil." Even those who "come in"
and make submission are only promised "life and
honour ;" they are not to have their land again.
The decree of confiscation is sent out against
whole people. Every inhabitant of Oude must
lost his " proprietary right in the soil" if he cannot
prove himself innocent, and may lose it even thetigh
he do. The first principle of English jurisprudence
—of natural eiuity—that the accuser is bound to
prove the guilt of the accused, not the accused to
prove his own innocence, is wantonly and cruelly
reversed. In the whole annals of confiscation and
proscription a more revolting document has not
been recorded. Its own language condemns it.
Its English is unsusceptible of any &her interpre-
tation. And the whole public of India—natives
and European aiike—have understood it in the
sense of unmitigated and wanton spoliation.
Now, we are not going to plead in extenuation
of Lord Ellenborough's unwise reminiscences of
the original annexation of Oude. We are not
going to say one word in favour of the dictatorial
and rhetorical language of his despatch. Neither
question is raised by Mr. Cardweli's resolution.
That resolution merely censures Government be-
cause they have condemned the GOvernor-Genaral
for proposing to confiscate "the proprietary right
in the soil of the province"—the whole proprietary
right—the proprietary right of every landowner.
We say the resolution's censure is levelled against
the Government's condemnation of this proposed
confiscation, for this proposal to confiscate i 3 the
only word or deed of the Governor-General that
has been condemned.
Talk, indeed, as Mr. Cardweli's resolution hypo'
criticaily does, of the Government despatch hay'
iug a tendency to " weaken the authority of the
Governor-General and encourage the further relic'
tance of those in arms against us !" Why, we
have it in evidence that the confiscation clause
of Lord Canning's Proclamation has ahead,'
"weakened the authority" of till British Govern'
meat, and confirmed "those who are in arils
against us" in their determination to resist to the
uttermos'e If a majority of the House of Con'
.
will
adopt Mr. Cardwell's resolutis n they '
sanction—as far as a resolution of onebranch of the
Legislature can—the spoliatory decree of the Go-
vernor-General. They will assuredly take the lirP
step towards the ultimate less of our great Eastern
Dependency. Sir G. C. Lewis declared, on Men"
day night, that "He could not conceive any plan
imagining that Lord Canning meant to oenfiscate
the rights of all the owners and occupiers of the
land. . . . Such a policy was unknown t°
times, and no sane man could suppose Lord Carr
ring to have contemplated it." And upon this ae;
sumption Sir G. C. Lewis declared that he would;
vote for Mr. CardwelPs motion. .But, Sir G. C.
Lewis must now be aware that Lord Canning's Pr();
clamation is unsusceptible of any interpretation /AZ
that which be declared it would be insanity to 9b..
tribute to it, and that in no other sense has it bee':
understood in India. We are, therefore, entitle
c
confidently to expect that Sir G. C. Lewis will at
least abstain from censuring Government for cell
demning a policy which ho thought so aberninahl6
that it would be monstrous to impute it to ant
modern statesman. The same abstinence we am
entitled to expect from Mr. Sergeant Deasy, Col'
Sykes, and other speakers who justified their
tentic'n to support Mr. Card well's resolution, °I
the pin that it was impossible to conceive
Lord Canning could contemplate a policy of spolt*t
tien. And iu general we implore all independ"
Liberal members not to inflict on their party the
disgrace of having support d Mr. Cardwell
I Jesuitical and dangerous resolution.

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS —The weather h 3,
_l.l.
been wet and stormy during the last few days. 110".,.,
reins have fallen, accompanied by boisterous winds from
the isouth and south-west. Though the temperatur'
has been cold for the time of year, it has certainly-;i0
proved since last week. Still we nave as yet bad litt;
or no genial May weather. No doubt vegetation wit' ;I
everywhere greatly stimulated by the large amou6t,
wet that hat fallen, and should the present weetu
give way to brighter influence?, immense progress will bee
rapidly made. A few sunny days will work wonders. By° to
where the crops are lookiEg well. Ten days ago the 'Also
were beginning to look somewhat yellow, btit the Oa
week has effected a material change in that respects SP4
they are again luxuriating in the most growing %fig
vigorous appearance. Beans and peas are also
great start, and the pastures exhibit strong syn:W°"-re
that we shall have a "grass; year." A "dripping gaY%
so say the elderr, is far from desirable; indeed, tb°P,..
rind has now arrived when dry, warm weather will u;
anxiously looked for. Abundance of wet now will oagL
the grain crops to run too much to straw—nay, it is" 10
some averred that wheat does not require a drop of to
after this date. At present, however, no harm Pt
been done, in fact rain was wanted. It has come verif
opportunely, and there is no roaioa to asticipato
than propitious results from the coming montb.—S633`
Advertiser.