The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-15 00:00:00

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LONDON, MONDAY, JAIV. 15, 1866.

The arrival of the Tasmania has furnished us with
further news from Jamaica, which will be looked
to with interest by the public. We meet with
further particulars of the late disastrous out-
break in the island, which tend to confirm the im-
pression already prevalent in the minds of some that
the rigorous measures adopted were rendered neces-
sary by the peculiar circumstances of the case. The
Colonial Standard, in its packet summary, publishes
a defence of the policy of the Governor and the
colonial authorities. It states, in reply to some re-
marks made in English journals, that the great
emergency which arose was a sufficient reason for
the plans adopted, and further adds that the idea of
the affair being a " local riot" is quite untenable,
and that the declarations of the rebels themselves,
and their subsequent course upon leaving Morant
Bay, quite negative the notion. All the details of
the case, which are gradually coming out in the
course of these communications, sufficiently attest
the danger of the " situation," and the necessity
that existed for the adoption of prompt and vigour-
ous measures. Before going down to Morant Bay
the rebels assembled at Stony Gap, where they took
a fearful oath to stand by one another, and to ac-
complish a certain purpose, and all their subsequent
conduct proyesl how firm was their resolve, and how
deep rooted their determination. It
was no
temporary ebullition of passion, no hasty
movement, prompted by the occurrence of an ini-
tiating circumstance, but the carrying out of a
settled purpose, the execution of a cherished scheme
and a well-considered design. Thus their fighting
at Morant Bay was carried on according to rule,
and in strict conformity with preconceived notions.
After this partial accomplishment of their designs
they retired to pray, and thanked HEAVEN for their
success. Then they divided into different bodies,
and went in several directions about the country,
raising recruits on their journey ; and the various
bodies, although separated from each other, still

held firm to the original plan sketched out and

carried on at Morant Bay. As the parties thus
proceeded they showed that they meant to push
their advantages to the uttermost, and to spread
their rebellion in other parishes. Although at the
approach of the troops they fled, still it was not
till thou ; and the manner in which the ravages were
carried on, and the perseverance with which they
were pursued, until stopped by the presence of the
military, prove how completely fixed was the pur-
pose, and how unabated the ardour with which it

was carried out.
Some of the minor stratagems of the affair were
well planned, and displayed a dexterity worthy
of a better cause, and of emanating from
men engaged in an honourable undertaking,
instead of proceeding from those who were banded
together to kill and plunder. An address was found
which had been issued by PAUL BOGLE and other
of the chiefs of the movement, after the arrival of
the troops at Morant Bay, and in this the leaders
call upon their followers to rise. In consequence of
the sudden and awe, unlooked-for arrival of troops/

and of the prompt steps taken by them, the rebels
were at fault, but they nevertheless made strenuous
efforts to keep up the semblance of fighting, if not
the reality, in order to encourage and stimulate the
co-operation which they hoped for and expected in
other parts of the island. In fact, all through the
course of these strange and startling events, if one
thing was more apparent than another, it was the
persistency with which these misguided men went
on their deadly course, and the zeal and ingenuity
which they brought to bear upon their undertaking
seem almost incredible to the uninitiated. However,
these are significant symptoms, which sufficiently
prove the great danger that existed, and also the
necessity there was for stern and decisive move-
ment on the part of the greatly outnumbered
whites.

Had the genius of Exeter-hall presided at Morant
Bay and ruled in Kingston, another sight had been
seen that morn, and the accounts which reached
England would have been details of a frightful
massacre, and contained news too awful to bear
contemplation or reflection. All possible examples
are given to show the state of the case, and unmis-
takeable circumstances show the character of the
outbreak, with its meaning and its mischief. Per-
sons who had made themselves obnoxious received
threatening letters in great numbers, and the spirit
of disaffection which prevailed could not possibly
be ignored. It is said that the forbearance which
was shown by the rebels to the women and children,
and the exemption of the doctors from the common
slaughter, were part of a deep-laid scheme, and
emanated from no scruples of conscience or humane
promptings towards them.
As for the case of GORDON, it is stated that when
the evidence concerning him is all published it will
be seen that he would have been convicted before a
civil tribunal had he been tried before
one. Those who can realise the state of the
case will readily perceive the necessity that
exists for the promptest measures being
adopted, and they will conceive how dangerous
it would have been to wait for the slow process of
a civil tribunal in this matter. llad this offender
not met his doom without delay, it is quite impos-
sible to over-estimate the serious results that would
have followed. Every day's delay would have added
to the risk, and increased the probability of a re-
newed attack. The temptation would have been
great for the rebels to attempt a rescue, more espe-
cially as it must be borne in mind that it was the
excitement of taking a prisoner out of the clutches
of the police that led to the premature commence-
ment of a scheme of revolt long devised and ma-
tured among the natives. As for resorting to the
rules which regulate the administration of justice
in ordinary life, it was quite out of character in
this instance to do so, because it was a crisis such
as seldom occurs in the existence of any one in these
comparatively quiet times, and the conduct adapted
to such occasions is not the course advisable to pur-
sue in a mere local riot or temporary ebullition of
ill-feeling and malice. If the cut-throats in Jamaica
did not justify the expediency of martial law being
resorted to, and the adoption of all measures in
conformity with that practice, there never can arise
a case which calls for that protection ; and if
GORDON did not come under the class of those
dangerous offenders who ought to be summarily
dealt with, we know not where people will look for
one. Had the authorities handed GORDON over to
a civil tribunal they would inevitably have given
the signal for another and a more desperate rising
than the first, and it would have been better to let
the offender alone altogether than to have precipi-
tated matters so fatally and perversely.
The more we dwell upon this affair, and the more
its items of intelligence accumulate, the public must
hettor understand the treat services rendered by
the colonial authorities in pintail- kw Iry
bellion in Jamaica in an effectual manner. They

must also see and recognise the contemptible course

which has been pursued by the faction over here in
decrying the merits of a man whose only fault has
been that he served the interests of the Crown
and protected the lives of its subjects in a period
of great difficulty and danger. Another thing
which the community will not be slow to perceive is
the mistaken policy taken by Government in
this country and the unworthy part which they
have played in deserting an officer who deserved
trust and confidence. We have not yet heard what
was the effect produced in Jamaica by the arrival
of Sir HENRY STORKS and by the news that Gover-
nor EYRE is suspended during an official inquiry
into his conduct. It needs no very great powers of
prophecy, however, to foretell that the general
sentiment prevailing in the colony will be one ini-
mical to the decision of Earl RUSSELL ; and those
who have narrowly escaped a dreadful death will
naturally feel indignant that their danger is entirely
ignored by the Premier, while he bends to the sway
of a faction that sets reason and justice at defiance.

It is very evident that the supporters of the Malt
Tax will have a hard fight this session, for the
attack upon that long-continued and cherished im-
post is being prepared with a unanimity and a per-
severance that cannot be disregarded. Sir FITZROY
KELLY has distinguished himself as the champion of
the abolitionists, and several other politicians have
busied themselves in collecting facts and figures, al
tending to prove the great hardship and in-
justice of the duty. Perhaps the strongest case
which has yet been made out in favour of the
removal of the malt duty has been stated by Mr.
SmEE ite in a pamphlet which has already
reached a second edition. Sir FITZROY KELLY and
other gentlemen urged the abolition on behalf of
the agricultural interest ; Mr. SMEE takes quite
another ground, and argues for the consumer.
Now, although the farmers and agriculturists
generally have certainly quite as good a right to
consideration and fair legislation as any other class,
still it
is indisputable that the general interest of
the 'whole body politic has a stronger claim upon
the Government than that of any particular sec-
tion. The Consumers of malt liquor may be con-
sidered
(in spite of the United Kingdom Alliance)
to include the vast majority of the community,
of which the
t
producers of malt form only a
small proportion,alteration in the and thus since a considerable
revenue affects the whole, and not a
part, of the population, thereit it presses
sgreater r reasond lyon
for
removing the malt ax
all
alike than if it were only specially burdensome to a
few.

Mr. SMEE puts on his title-page a sentence which
may be called the key to his whole argument.
" The ale at 6d. when untaxed will bo 2d." Cer-
tainly this looks inviting enough, but the attraction
is still more enhanced by the reflection that this
twopenny ale is to be pure malt liquor, which very
certainly the present sixpenny retail beer is not.
It is, in fact, one of the greatest evils of the present
system, since the beer sold to the working
man is so bad, that, instead of being as it
ought to be, a pure and nourishing drink, it in-
creases his thirst, speedily intoxicates him, and
altogether does him often more harm than good.
Mr. SMEE urges the abolition very strongly upon
Pure malt liquor is, he
temperance grounds.
declares, quenching to the thirst, and does

" Tho Malt Tax." By W. Ray Sinop, F.S.A. Mann,
Nephewo, Cm:1i11. Pectnaci LUitivn. klice Twopence.