The Sun.
London, England, 1857-06-02 00:00:00

CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.—
OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow-
.ng company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of
elections from all the popular Operas, Madrigals, Choruses,
Glees, Duets, drc., viz.: Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. J. Caulfield,
Miss Brunell, Miss Summers, and Madame Marietta ; Mr. J. ;
Caulfield, Herr F. Jonghmans, R. Grover, T. Farrant, S.
Jules, J. Barker, W. Melling, P. Corti, Senor Antonio M.
do Solla, and E. L. Hime ; Masters Bennett and Corri
Messrs. Sam Cowell, Sam Collins, and E. Mackney.
Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks; harmonium, J. Caulfield, jun.;
director, Mr. J. Caulfield. Commence at Seven o'clock pre•
1 cisely. Suppers, 4kc., until twelve o'clock.

EMPEROR can speak to more than nine millions
and a half registered electors, tell bhem his can-

didates, descant on their merits and his own,
and profess confidence that France will so know
her duty as patriotically to return the men of his
choice. The document we published yesterday
is indeed a singular one-" There, my lads—
says our pater patrice—you are ; free to
nominate and vote for whom you like,
but you will vote for the gentlemen
whom I send you." It is a conge d'elire ; the
electors are to do what our cathedral chapters do
when the Premier nominates a bishop. Mr.

DISRAELI and Lord DERBY would have liked

nothing better than a circular like this on behalf
of Government supporters at the late election, the
majority would have been much more than re-
versed—the Tories would have been politically

omnipotent.
The circular is ostentatious, be it observed, in
its professions of honest regard for the liberty of
the voter. "As for the elections, what the Em-

PERDR desires, is the free and sincere practice of
universe/ suffrage." " Every one has the right
of getting himself admitted on the electoral lists."
" On the day of election the vote will be secret,
and the ballot boxes will be opened in the sight of
all." Surely both Mr. E. JONES and Mr. BERKE-
LEY will look longingly across the channel, and
sigh for Gallic privileges on behalf of oppressed
Britons. Universal Suffrage and secret voting !
Nothing like that to be hoped for from
Lord PALMERSTON. There is to be sure the
set-off we have mentioned, that such a
circular as this could not be issued by Lord
PALMERSTON to the electors of England.. Not
only is the voting to be free, and the suffrage
universal, bet the EMPEROR adverts to the calumny
respecting prohibiting the distribution of voting
tickets. He declares that it is only required that
twenty days before the election the candidate
should ideposit " a copy, signed by himself, of
his circulars, profession of faith or voting ticket,
and he will be able, vlithout further authorisation,
to have them advertised and distributed in per-
fect liberty." Surely French electors are the
freest of the free !
What Frenchmen think on that point will soon
be seen. For one thing the Government nomina-
tion is most explicit. Having given such liberty
the EMPEROR argues, I cannot be silent, " when
candidates and electors can all proclaim their pre-
ference, the Government cannot alone remain
mute and indifferent ; as it proposes the laws to
the deputies, it will propose candidates to the
electors, and these will make their choice." In-
deed, with the existing restraints on discussion, and
on the freedom of the press, it would be almost
impossible for the electors to know the merits of
the Government and its faithful " Legislative
Corps," unless the Government took some means
like this to proclaim them. The grand merit of
the deputies now sent back is that, like a board of
directors under a permanent chairman or ma-
nager, they have served the manager well. Indeed
he republishes in this manifesto the commenda-
tory speech which ho was able to make to the
deputies at the opening of the late session ; he had
been able to thank them for six years of "devoted
and active assistance since 1852—especially for
enabling him to suppress the " license of the
Tribune,' " for Liberty has no enemies more for-
midable than the excesses of passion and violence
of speech." He overlooked the dangers arising
from a bribed standing army in the hands of am-
bitious cunning. Such faithful servants the Go-
vernment, with some necessary exceptions,
" deems it just and politic" to present to the
country for re-election.
But what is the meaning of one paragraph ?
Does it mean if yeu do not,. with unimportant
exceptions, perhaps, return my candidates, I shall
know what to do ? Having insisted on the entire
freedom guaranteed to the electors, it adds, —" If,
nevertheless, the enemies to the public peace
should think to find in this latitude an opportu-
nity of making a seditious protest against our
institutions—if they should attempt to convert
into an object of disorder or scandal, you know
your duties, Monsieur le Prefet, and justice would
also know how not less severely to perform hers."
This certainly reads very much like a threat, from
the pen of the master of more than half a million
of soldiers, and the head of the entire police and
gend'armerie of France. Ara the electors to
understand that] M. le Prefet and severe justice
will be more than a match for them if they do not
return the right man, to the right EMPEROR ?
One fact is plain in the circular, that the Ear-
PERCR knows that his strength lies in the
peasantry and the workmen as compared with the
middle classes. " The loyal labourers of our,
fields, and the intelligent workmen of our towns,
are the section of the population in which he con-
fides electorally. That is, his reliance is on num-
bers and ignorance. They form, he observes, the
great basis of universal suffrage, and "have a
profound conviction both of the incessant care of
the EMPEROR for them, and of the great things
which he is doing for the country." He only
fears that, confiding too fully "in the man of
their choice," they may abstain from voting ; and
he bids the Prefet " to call them to the Ballot-
box, for they made the Empire and know how to
defend it." No one can deny to the EMPEROR
the merit of cleverness—master of the army and
of the populace, he will be secure so long as he
can keep them contented ; and he knows how to
do it. His loans, his public works, his inter-
ference with the pace of provisions, his commence-
ment and his termination of thewar equally, his
performances at inundations, and his giving up
free trade, all mean that the mob must beseoured
at any price. Nevertheless, Imperial France de-
clines in population, and the great fortunes are all
made on the Bourse.

A sharp contest has for some time been waged
in Belgium between the Ulramontani3ta and the
great body of the people. The former are desi-
rous of increasing the sacerdotal influence, and
bringing all matters under priestly domination.
The latter are resolved stedfastly to resist the
change. They are too well aware of the probable
consequences, to submit patientlj to an evil of
such fearful magnitude. Unfortunately, how-
ever, the parti pretre have succeeded in obtaining
what may be termed " a good working majority"
in the Legislative Assembly, and they determined
to avail themselves thereof to strengthen their
position, by removing the various securities that
had been obtained-against undue interference in
private affairs, by the spiritual advisers of families.
The first step was to got rid of the Liberal
Ministry, wb.ose views and opinions were identi-
cal
aswith
of e
o tpl,rr
)se of the community at large. That
w
se easily accomplished by the majority,
i
and an Administration substituted prepared to

"go tl.ie entire animal" on their behalf. It was
by no means difficult to predict the next proceed-
ing. The sacerdotal party, once established in
power, were not disposed to zest on their laurels.
The groat object was to provide the sinews of war,
by enabling " religious congregations" to receive
bequests from dying sinners, who might so far
be operated on by spiritual denunciations as to
di inherit their families, and leave all their wealth

w

THE SUN, LONBON, TUESDAY EVEN

under the control and direction of those who
exercised the power of bestowing absolution for
all past transgressions, or of dismissing the dying
man to his last account " uuanointed, unanealed,"
without being reconciled to the Church, and with
1

most uncomfortable prospects for the future;

The Belgian law bad previously provided against

such undue influence at the dark hour when all
was passing from the feeble grasp of the victim.
It is true that it sanctioned charitable bequests,

but it wisely placed the :Administration thereof
out of the hands of those who had the power of
enforcing them. It was provided that all legacies
to religious congregations should- be null and

void, and that donations in favour of the poor
should be remitted to two public institutions
specially appointed for the purpose. This inter-
posed an insurmountable obstacle to the efforts of
the holy fathers, for not to get the administration of
the funds, was equivalent to not getting them at all.

They participated in the feeling of the youthful
attorney, who requested his father to leave all the
property to his brothers and sisters, but to
appoint him executor. The religious congrega-
tions were debarred from being executors, and
that disability was to be removed at any cost per
fas aut nefas.
It was on these salutary laws that the conflict
took place. The Minister introduced a bill virtu-
ally repealing them, by enabling the KING to be-
stow on religious congregations civil rights,
including the power of pissessing, inheriting, and
receiving all donations and legacies given or be-
queathed to them, and also authorising those who
desired to make charitable donations or bequests,
to nominate special administrators. thereof. This
insidious measure has excited the popular indig-
nation in no ordinary degree. The people in
Belgium are well aware of the probable results,
and since the principle of tie Ministerial bill was
affirmed by a majority of 16, there have been
a series of riots in tht chief towns, and
districts throughout the Entire country—riots
which at one time threatend the dynasty, and
which were only terminated by a Royal Procla-
mation proroguing the Cham)er sine die.
We cannot help thinking hat the ULYSSES of
the House of Coburg has onl: his own weakness
to blame for these untoward demonstrations. He
had, at least, power sufficient ,o prevent his Go.
vernment from introducing ;nd forcing on a
measure so unpopular ant so dangerous.
tared to do so,
,
No Minister would have i
in opposition to the clearly ex)ressed will of his
Sovereign. At the eleventh hcir he has seen his
danger, and acted as he ough to have done in
the first instance. Meanwhile. th© quarrel is a
pretty one as it stands, and miy eventually lead
to results not very favourable to the Ultramon-
tauists or their Royal supporer. A. spirit of
resistance has been roused thatcannot easily be
quenched. They will resist wits all their power
and all their strength, the co'eted privilege of
robbing the widow and orphan. The opposition
Ide puties are the heroes of the wur. They are
received with rapturous and enhusiastic cheer-
ing wherever they appear in ptblic, while the
Alinisterialists are greeted with demonstrations of
a very different description. laeir reverences
have received a painful but salutary lesson. But
will they profit by it ? Will till listen to the
voice of public opinion, so uNuivocally ex-
pressed ? We fear not. They wii not so easily
relinquish a cherished scheme, As well might
"Itonts" be asked to give up his de-
signs on the Rennepont inhertance. Their
guiding passions, " power" and "cnpidity,"
are engaged ; and when the covetel prize has ap-
parently been within their grasin they will not
yield without a fierce struggle, in which all their
energies will be strained to the utmost. They
should be warned while there is Jet time. They
may not be enabled easily to exorcise the demon they
have so wantonly evoked. King LECPOLD, too, should
learn caution. He has for the hue being saved
himself by his tardy movement. But he may not
be equally fortunate another title. Should the
obnoxious bill again be brought forward, its op-
ponents may proceed a littb farther than
he has any notion of. Tie independence
of Belgium will be maintained at any cost,
and that which has apparently threatened
it the most, may, possibly, prole its safety 1 The
people know their own power. They feel the im-
perative necessity of using iz, should matters
occur to justify so extreme a measure. The pre-
sent dynasty is not so ancient; or so esteemed, as
to enable it to try such dangerous experiments on
the extent of popular forbearance. The Austrian
wife of the heir apparent is he promoter of the
scheme 1

The Duchess of Atholl has •eturned to St. Georges
Hotel from attending on her Mbjesty.

Frances Anne, Marchionest of Londondery, has not
issued cards for a party on the 13th inst., as stated in
error yesterday. Her ladyshp's party is appointed to
take place on the 18th inst.
His Excellency the Russian Minister returned to town
yesterday afternoon from visitng the Queen at Osborne.
His Excellency the Earl Owley arrived in town at a
late hoar last night from Pars.

The Earl of Clarendon arived in London yesterday
afternoon from Osborne, Isle of Wight.
Viscount Palmerston arrired at his residence, Broad-
lands, Hants, on Sunday sight, from Osborne. Vie-
countess Palmerston joined his lordship at Broadlands
yesterday, from London.
The infant daughter of his Excellency the Prussian
Minister and the Coaintest Bernstorff is to be baptised
on Monday next. Her Royal Highness the Princess
Royal has graciously signified her intention to stand
sponsor on the occasion. The Earl of Westmoreland
will be godfather.

Lord Brougham leaves Paris to-day for London, and
will arrive lace to-night or early to-morrow at his resi-
dence in Grafton-strt,et from the French capital.
The Countess Craven gave a grand ball last night at
her reideoeii in Cbarles-Etreet, Berkeley-square.
Last night the Marquis Camden gave a grand ball at
bis residence in Carlton-louse-terrace, at which a large
circle of fashionables muttered.
Miss Burdett Coutts Las arrived in town for the sea-
son.

We have great pleasure in stating that.the health of
Count Charles Alfieri Soitegoo, the well.known political
writer of Turin, and sce.in-law of Count Cavour, is
greatly improved, and ttat be is now out of danger.
DICATII OF VISCOUNT Lieafonz.—We regret to an-
nounce the death of the Right Hon. Viscount Lisrnore,
which took place on the :let nit. at Shanbally Castle, in
the 83d year of his age.
During the month of April last 53 vessels were lost or
damaged, either belonging to or insured in the United
States, or bound to or from a United States port.
During the month of May the number of wrecks was
92. For the month of January the number was 286;
in February, 205 ; in Varela, 209 ; and in April, 163 ;
making a total number during the present year of 960.
Tne following piece of Washington gossip is worthy
of perusal:—lt appears that Lord Napier had an inter-
view with the President respecting the Dallas• Clarendon
treaty, which might, under ordinary circumstances,
appear strange, and even a slight ; but it was not so
intended, nor has it been so received. It is simply a
fulfilment of the fixed determination of Mr. Buchanan
to oversee individually the whole business of the foreign
relations of the Government—a resolution which no
one will condemn, in view of the advanced age of
Mr. Cass. It may be added to what Mr. Harvey has
stated in his letter, that whenever the ratification
of the treaty between Great Britain and Honduras
shall be received the obstaeles to the completion of the
Deltas-Clarendon treaty, including all the amendments
of the Senate, will have been removed, and Lord Napier
will be enabled, in the name of his Government, to re.
open the negociattons. Much ha 3 appeared in some of
the New York papers in relation to a supposed corres-
pondence, in relation to the Senate amendments, be-
tween Mr. Dallas and Lord Clarendon. No such cor-
respondence has ever taken place, nor had a single line
been written, up to the last date, by either of the two
parties on the subject. General Case has given his ler .
sonal views respecting the matter to those who have
approached him, and these have been re hashed in dif.
ferent shapes ; but their value can only be measured by
the degree of confidence which he may be supposed to
repose in ;those with whom he has for the time been
speaking,