The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-27 00:00:00

LONDON, IRIDAY, DEC. 27, 18G7.

--

An important deputation waited upon the Chan
cellor of the Exchequer yesterday, for the purpose
of ascertaining the views of the... Government as
regards indemnification in the relief of the sufferers
by the recent Fenian outrage. The Rev. Mr. Ma-
guire, the incumbent of Clerkenwell, introduced the
doputation to the right hon. gentleman, in the
absence of Mr. TORRENS, M.P., and explained the
reasons which induced them to come forward just
now. They felt that it was on public grounds that
they brought forward this application. This is
true, since it is not a local cause that has occasioned
so heavy a calamity to fall upon these sufferers,
although, unfortunately, the evil has been localised.
is Mr. MAGUIRE said impressively, "Clerkenwell
has become the vicarious sacrifice for all England ;
the blow that was intended for England had fallen
upon Clerkenwell, and the member of the body that
received the blow was Clerkenwell, therefore he
thought the maxim ought to be, that if one mem-
ber suffers al the members suffer with it, and hence
the deputation." The committee, which was hastily
formed for the purpose of affording relief to the
sufferers, who were so suddenly overtaken by this
heavy affliction, has done its work well and faith-
fully hitherto; but there is a great deal more to do
yet, as any one at all acquainted with the details
of this sad affair must know, and it is quite as well
that some, most likely the public, will be surprised
to find that the loss is so considerable it appears
that from twelve to fifteen thousand pounds will
be required to cover the expenses of re-establishing
things iu their former state. Two hundred houses
have been affected, and these contained some 600
families. lu estimating the whole loss we must consi-
der the dismantled houses, shattered furniture, homes
in utter ruin, tools and working materials lost,
forty persons in hospitals maimed and disfigured,
some of them for life, and for many of whom an-'
unities will have to be provided. After some other
speaker had addressed the Chancellor, the right
hon, gentleman replied in a very proper spirit. He
said that he had listened with great attention to the
various observations addressed to him, and he gave
it as his decided opinion that Clerkenwell bad dis-
played a deal of public spirit in this painful business.
The Government came forward to supply the most
pressing necessities of the moment, "acting under
the great excitement of the time, and the alarming
nature of the outrage." We quite agree with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer that as yet the ques-
tion as to the necessity for funds has never been
fairly put before the country. There is, as he em-
phatically said, " deep sympathy in the minds and
hearts of the people of this great nation,"
and if that sympathy be fully awakened
there is never cause to lament the shortcom-
ings of assistance or of necessary aid. So far as
the Government are concerned, it is gratifying to
meet with the assurance thus conveyed that the
sympathy of the Cabinet is as fresh as ever ; but it
is only reasonable that the Government should like
to know what amount they would be likely to
quire to carry out the aim of the committee before
they come forward with assistance. The advice of
Mr. DISRAELI is good. lie proposes that the com-
mittee should at once take steps to put before
the public all possible information of the
most detailed kind, setting forth, at the same time,
the effect of the calamity on the various classes of
the sufferers, and the several kinds of sufferers. In
order to put the case before the country most com-
pletely and fairly, the right hon. gentleman sug-
gested, in conclusion, that they should call a public
meeting in Clerkenwell. We think that the pro-
posals of the right hon. gentleman are most excel-
lent ones, and we hope -that those im-
mediately concerned will follow them out
as far as possible, for such a course
cannot fail to meet the desired end, and fulfil the
requirements of the case. In reply to a question
subsequently put, Mr. DISRAELI said that he did
not anticipate any deficiency could exist after the
appeal he recommended bad been made ; but in the
event of such a drawback, then it would be
for the Government to address itself to the
case ; but so far as matters were now it was
not advisable for them to do so. On the
whole, then, it must be considered that the
deputation has met with a very fitting reception,
and we earnestly hope that they will in future carry
on their labours with the same public spirit that has
hitherto eletracterieed theai. It is scarcely neees-
sa:y to add the belief that the public will not fail to
do their part, and that this Fenian outrage at
Clerkenwell may afford another opportunity for
the display of that generosity which other calami-
ties have so prsented, and in respect to 'which this
country stands alone.

Whenever it is found necessary on the part of
the Government of this country to appeal to the
loyalty and patriotism of the population generally,
there is never any doubt as to the response. Per-
sons of every rank press forward to offer their
services in the common cause, regardlesi of per-
sonal sacrifice or anuoyanc2. Peers an 1 men of
leisure surrender their ease and luxury with the
same readiness that tradesmen and mechanics coni-