The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-17 00:00:00

THE INSURRECTION IN POLAND.

A letter from Warsaw, dated April 10, says—An
infatuation has taken possession of the rulers of this
people. One cannot help recalling those words, so
often verified by the result—". Quem Deus vult
perdere pries dementat:' No sooner do they take
a step in the right direction,—no sooner is the public
mind a little traquillised by conciliatory measures,
than there is immediately some withdrawal of some-
thing dear to the nation's heart—some open vio-
lence done to the national wishes.

I closed my last with a few words on the bad effect
produced by the order for the dissolution of the
force of special constables. I mentioned that fresh
demonstrations were likely to be the result. I had
hardly sent off my letter when they began. In the
course of Thursday evening last and Friday there
were several. They were very peaceable in their
character, consisting of the assemblage of two or
three thousand persons around some figure of the
Virgin, and the singing of some religious hymns.
There was no violation of the peace, and no
interference on the part of the authorities,
so that they died a natural death, being

openly discouraged by the majority of the popu-
lation. But on Saturday an event occurred which
has roused up once more all the strongest national
passions, and liras resulted in fresh scenes of mas-
sacre and bloodshed. This was an order from the
Council of Administration, signed by Prince Gort-
schakoff, to dissolve the Agricultural Society. No-
thing could have been more ill-timed ; nothing
more unwise. The Marquis Wielopolski is believed
to have been the author of this measure, and there
is no doubt that it had his sanction in the Council.
He is a man of a most despotic temperament, and
cares nothing for popular opinion, always carrying
an idea into execution in spite of friends and foes.
Last week, as I told you, the popular feeling had
rather turned in his favour, in consequence of his
more liberal management of the press, and several
other matters which gratified the national preju-
dices ; but towards the end of the week he sent for
the several religious consistories, and spoke to them
in terms which produced a very unfavourable im-
pression. Especially he declared he would allow
,‘ no Government within the Government," a phrase
which, though variously interpreted, was generally
believed to have reference to the Agricultural
Society, and the part that had been taking in public
affairs. These surmises were but too well founded,
as was seen by the order of Saturday decreeing its
dissolution. The decree consists of three para-
graphs—the first declaring that, in consequence of
the Agricultural Society's interference in things
beyond its province, it was dissolved by the will of
the Emperor and King; the next promising that
committees for agricultural purposes should be esta-
blished throughout the kingdom in its place ; and
the third ordering the transfer of its existing funds
to the Bank of Poland, as a deposit for the benefit
of those to whom they belonged. As might have
been expected, the people regarded the whole thing
as an attack on Count Andre Zamoyski, the presi-
dent; and they were proportionably exasperated at
seeing such an affront directed against one who
possessed their love and confidence. Moreover,
though it was true in fact that the committee of
the society had, perhaps, exceeded the powers
granted by the ukase which authorised its forma-
tion, it had done so by permission or by
express invitation. If the expression in the
decree had reference to the discussion of the
present question, the president had received ex-
press :permission in writing from the Prince him-
self to discuss this matter ; if it referred to the
part it had taken since the commencement of the
present disturbances, the president and vice-presi-
dent had been specially summoned by the Prince to
give him the benefit of their advice and assistance.
From every point of view, therefore, the society's
dissolution was most impolitic. On Sunday, the
day after the publication of the decree, public feel-
ing gave itself expression in three monster demon-
stratione. - After morning service there was an
immense gathering at the cemetery of Powonski,:at
the grave of the victims of the 27th of February.
In the afternoon many thousands assembled in
front of the building in which the Agricultural
Society's business is transacted, and after decorating
it with garlands went to the palace of Count Andre
Zamoyski to present him with the two wreaths—
one "in the name of a grateful country to the
President of the Agricultural Society," the other
"To the Count Andre Zamoyski as a testimonial of
the confidence and respect of his fellow-countrymen."
It was a perfect ovation. The order was wonderful.
The special constables, though disbanded, were
there keeping the peace, only showing their cards of
authority, which they carried in their pockets in-
stead of on their hats as before, to be instantly
obeyed. And then, after the Count, in compliance
with the demands of the crowd, had appeared on a
balcony and said a few words to the assembled
thousands, they dispersed as quietly as they had
collected. In the evening, for the third time during
the day, the inhabitants of the town collected
in immense numbers—this time not to testify their

and Monday brought with it that uneasy, restless,
insecure feeling which usually forbodes a storm.
It was a Roman Catholic holiday. As is customary,
all the shops were closed, all workshops empty, and
the population of the town for the most part in the
streets. The early part of the .day ;fra.ssed without
disturbance ; but towards 5 o'clock it was evident
something was about to occur. Streams of people
—men, women, and even children—were seen tend-
ing in one direction, and that towards the Viceregal
Ctistle. At about 7 o'clock up went three signal
rockets, and then three guns sent their booming sig-
nals over the town. We all knew too well that the
work of bloodshed had begun. In a few minutes
squadrons and detachments of cavalry and Cossacks
were rushing through the principal streets to take
up their pre-arranged positions. Every open space
was occupied, every commanding position secured.
And then was heard the fire of the infantry in the
distance. It -was a terrible moment. Citizens,
grant them misguided if you will—grant them
assembled on purpose to make demonstrations
against the Government—but still citizens, un-
armed, unresisting, to be shot down like dogs !
Surely this is not work for the 19th century and
for civilised Europe. The crowd had collected in
very large numbers ; and a drummer was sent
among them to bid them by beat of the drum to
disperse. This was repeated three times, but
without effect. Indeed, how should it have
been otherwise, for many had that morning re-
ceived the last sacrament, and were prepared to
die? The Marquis Wielopolski's carriage appeared
amid the crowd at this point, on its way to the
Castle. It was instantly assailed with stones, and
those within it—the son of the Marquis, M. Enoch,
and a doctor, named Chalubinski—were more or
less hurt. The order was then given to some squad-
rons of mounted Gendarmes and Cossacks to charge
with drawn sabres. This they did, wounding many,
but still the crowd would not move. Then went
forth the word of command to the infantry to fire.
The scene, I am told, had something of the sublime
in it. Men and women stood up before the
levelled muskets and repeated the order, " Fire ! "
Mothers held up their babes and re-echoed the cry,
" Fire !" The disregard of death was something
awful. Then came three crashing Volleys in quiek
succession. The accurate number of the killed and
wounded, perhaps, never will be known. The Vice-
roy, in an official statement published in some of
the papers next day, acknowledges that 10 were
killed and 108 wounded ; but the number was
much greater. The corpses were at once seized, and
many wounded also, and dragged within the court
of the Castle. The crowd, running for shelter into
the nearest streets, was met by other bodies of
troops and attacked. At one point they were
hemmed in between two masses, and, falling on their
knees, commenced singing a hymn. Even in this
posture shots were fired among them. In the ex-
asperation of the moment two soldiers were killed
and several seriously wounded. Two young stu-
dents, intimate friends, were there together in the
front rank. One fell dead, shot by the soldier oppo-
site ; his friend seized the soldier's bayonet and
killed him on the spot. Little by little the crowd
dispersed, and the streets were cleared by mounted
patrols of Cossacks, with their. lances all in rest.
Meanwhile, in answer to the signals, regiment after
regiment of infantry had been marched into the
town, and now occupied all the squares and open
spaces under arms. Night closed in upon a city
held by a hostile army, not protected by its own
peaceful civil Government.
Such were the events of Monday, April 8. During
the night bodies of police, supported by troops, went
through the town to all houses where it was sup-
posed there were any dead or wounded, and re-
moved them to the Citadel. eeping women were
thus deprived of the only solace left them—that of
tending their sick, or bearing their dead to the
burial. I say nothing of the dead, but that the
wounded should have thus been removed from the
custody and care of their relatives I say was in-
human. The troops bivouacked on the spots they
had occupied during the evening, and next morn-
ing the town presented the appearance of a vast
camp—infantry, cavalry, artillery, and Cossacks
filled every open space. Patrols constantly passed
along the street, and commissariat waggons, with
food for the troops, accompanied by armed escorts,
were seen at intervals on their way to their several
positions. During the day excitement ran very
high ; but, happily, there was no very serious dis-
turbance.. Whenever crowds collected they were
dispersed. Individual acts of violence occurred.
Soldiers tore the national mourning from thosb
who continued to wear it, and collisions took place
in consequence, in which wounds were received,
and, lam told, life was lost. Crowds of men and
women went to the churches to receive the sacra-
ment, not knowing when death might overtake
them. The prevalent feeling all day (as it has been
up to the moment at which I am writing) was one
of uncertainty and insecurity. But there is no
change whatever in the popular mind. They are
ready to be shot down again to-night, or to-mor-
row, or whenever the time comes, unarmed, unre-
sisting, as they were on Monday night. I have
'talked with members of workmen's families, and in

that class they are equally ready to be victims, and
equally purposed not to resort to force. Still they
will make their wishes known. " Government must
and shall hear us," they say, " or Eturope shall."
And all this bloodshed might have been easily
avoided if the Government had wished it. But I
fear they wished for a collision. All through the
country the same spirit prevails, and they hoped
this would check it. At Kalisch, at Lublin, at
Plock, at Kielce, at Mlawa, at Siedlec, at Radom,
there have been similar demonstrations. The
Governor of the department of Lublin has
' arrived in Warsaw, and refused to return.
A provisional committee manages the affairs
of the department. The country has never for-
gotten the words of the present Czar, on the occa-
sion of his first visit to Warsaw after his accession
—" All that my father did in Poland was well
done." They are often quoted against him to this
day. And so the people have no faith in promises
of reforms. They ask, and with some show of
reason, " What guarantee have we that the Ukase
of 1861 will be carried out any more than the
Organic Statute of 1832 ?" Then, again, the army
was in danger of losing its tnorale by such futile
displays of force as that of Sunday evening. The
infantry, drawn up face to face with the crowd,
heard their jokes and laughed at them, received
cigars at their hands, were chucked under the chin
by them, and told to hold up their heads in a more
soldierly manner. It is said that Chruloff, the
general who has lately arrived from St. Petersburg
to tag) maratuid v tb tiVer in the town,

The COMMANDANT of the 3d Manchester Volun-
teers thought the time had come when the volunteer
force should he supported to some extent by the
Government as one of the permanent institutions of
the country, and had great pleasure in seconding
the resolution. He thought the amount asked for
was a reasonable one. He could say that the expenses
of some of the corps, particularly of the artisan
corps, one of which he commanded, were so great
that he believed the men CD uld not afford to con-
tinue to belong to them, and if Government wished
to foster the movement they must do something for
those whose pecuniary position did not enable them
to meet all the requirements of such an institution.

Capt. BRANDRAN, commandant of the Blackheath
Artillery, supported the resolution, and thought
the question of payment of clothing should be kept,
entirely out of view.
The COMMANDANT of the Ist Lancashire Engi-
neers said his corps met their entire expenses for
13s. per annum, or 3d. per week per man. This was
expended in storehouses, inspectors, and other inci-
dental expenses. His corps was entirely an artisan
corps, and they found that 3d. per week was suffi-
cient to defray all expenses of this character.
Colonel EGERTON thought it was a wise plan to
ask for a grant for the whole expenses instead of
indicating any particular items, and bothering Go-
vernment with details, which might make them look
less favourably upon their proposition. He also
thought it was not desirable to ask for any grant as
to the clothing, but that they might ask to be
allowed to have it at the Government price.
The COMMANDANT of an Edinburgh corps thought
that the expenses of the orderly department ought
to be met by Government aid, and not paid out of
the funds of the corps. He believed that the artisans
could not keep on paying 4d or 4d per week, with
the additional expense of providing for their uni-
form every two or three years. The more they at-
tended to their drill the sooner their clothes would
wear out, and the greater the expense to which they
would be put. The result was that the more a man
strove to render himself efficient in his drill, the
greater the expensa would be to him.
Lord ELcno, who was received with great cheer-
ing, said that the object he had in view in the reso-
lution which had been proposed at the meeting con-
vened by him on the 23d of February last, was to
frame an application that might be made to the Go-
vernment for governmental aid in such a manner
that by its manifesting a reasonable character it
would render it quite unreasonable on the part of
the Government to refuse if: The Government at
present bore the expenses of adjutants and inspec-
tors, They also gave the rifles; and.although at
first they did not give the ammunition, that neces-
sary adjunct to rifle practice was furnished by the
authorities. The reason why the question of cloth-
ing was kept out of his resolution was because it
had been considered upon mature deliberation that
it was better to let the men choose their own cloth-
ing in their own district, as they would not only be
better satisfied with what they had, but it would
tend to encourage trade. He had written to about
200 different corps upon the question of his resolu-
tions, and he had received answers from upwards
of 100 in various parts of the country, and of those
there were only two who in any way dis-
sented from his suggestion of asking Govern-
ment to afford volunteer corps some pecuniary aid,
and of those two, one commanding officer had writ-
ten to say he had defrayed the entire expenses of
his corps himself, and intended to continue to do so
without any Government aid.
After some further discussion the resolution was
put and carried unanimously,
Mr. Sheriff BELL moved the second resolution,
which was to a certain extent confirmatory of the
first.
Sir J. V. SHELLEY, Bart., M.P., commandant of
the London National Rifles, thought it was impor-
tant that Lord Elcho should be able, when he
brought the question before the House of Commons,
to state their reasons for asking for a definitive
amount, and his noble friend would now be able to
lay before the house the expressed opinion of the
commanding officers of so many corps, and he could
not but think that it must have great effect upon
the members.

Lord RANELAGII cordially supported the resolu-
tions, and which was coincident with that which he
had proposed more than twelve months ago, viz.,
that the government should pay £1 per head per
man towards the expenses of the corps.
The resolution having been carried, a vote of
thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.

HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK.

(From 11e Registrar-General's Weekly Return.)

The weekly return of births and deaths in Lon-
don, issued by authority of the Registrar-General,
states that the total deaths in London in the week
that ended last Saturday were 1,209, a number that
differs to a very slight extent from those returned in
the six previous weeks. The average number of
deaths derived from the returns of weeks corre:-
spending with last week in ten years 1851-6 and
correcting for increase of population, is 1,288 0,
and
the result of comparison is that the mortality of
last week was less by 79 deaths than it would have
been if the average rate of mortality had ruled.
as fatal as
The births registered last week exceeded the
deaths in the same period by 795-
Among zymotic diseases whooping-cough still
predominates. It rose from 82 deaths in the-pre.
typhus,
Whooping-cough was fatal in 9 cases in
small
-pox,
last week,
danipdhwthaesria,
and diarrhoea taken in the aggregate.
It
int
is
fromalso
eihn otuhsee . e
anste 0 b . corre-
sponding fatal than is usual at this season, for
sponding weeks of the years 1851-00 it ranged
—. .0 deaths from
scarlatina, Islington,gt ° o 7.- .Whooping-cough
in
Twenty-oner Lr ei
md
children
lington.
correctedtimes
as much as the average
consumption, carried off
mortality. Phthisis, or
average being 172 ; bron-
chitis 115, which is a
176whi which
persons,i
rate of mortality for less. number than its average
this season would have pro-
duced..

Last week the births of 1,012 boys and 992 girls,
in all 2,004 children, were registered in L012(1011.
the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1801-61
the average number was 1,723.

THE GARIBALDIANS.—The Official Gazette of
Turin publishes a decree relative to the reorganisation of
the Garibaldian army. In virtue of this decree the Gan-
baldian officers will form part of the
is new corps which will
be composed of three divisions. It hoped at Turin that
these measures will remove one of the principal CAW4OS of
cutfusmo between v9ligt ciiT9l4Z 4114

THEA TR'S...ROYAL, ,HAYMARKET.
I,eglee, Mr. J. B. Bui.,kgtime.

THIS EYENIN(4, the rerinrrr.nn,s ~,:rrv7rte :rfth
.A - DITTcF, TN 1)IITIri;1;11.k:S. Airs: Stirling, Miss F,
11,41u0n, Mrs. Wilkins, Miss Fanny Stirling, Mr. Backstone,
Mr. Compton, Mr. Howe, Aro.
After which, will be revived, with entirely new scenery
and effects, and all the original music by the late Sir Henry
Bishop, the melodrama of , MILLER AND HIS MEN.
Commence at 7.

THEATRE-ROYAL LYCEUM.
Sole Lessee and Directress, Madame CELESTE.
Last Week of the Season.
Tills EVENLNG, THE SECRET.
Atter which, a new original Comic drama, written by Sarni.
Lover, Esq., entitled MAC CARTHY MORE ; or, Possession
Points of the Law. John Drew, J. Johnston, Forrester,
Rouse, Medlin; Misses Rawlings, Hudspeth, Sm.
To conclude with HANDY ANDY. Handy Andy, Mr.
John Drew.

YAL PR INCE S S'S THEATRE.-
Lessee and Manazer, Mr. A. Harris.

THIS EVENING, THRICE MARRIED. Messrs. Shore,
Meadows, Garden, and Mess C. Leclercq.
Followed by HAMLET. Hamlet, Mr. Fechtet Sup-
ported by Hermann Vezin, Ryder, Meadows, &c. Mans
Heath, klsworthy, and R. Leelercq.

NEW TH7ATRE-ROYAL, A DELPHI.—
Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr, B. Webster.
THIS EVENING, the new drama, MAGLIORE, THE
PRESTIDIGITAri Olt. Messrs. B. Webster, J. L. Toole,
D. Fisher, ,tc.; Miss K. Kelly, Miss J. Simms, Acc.
To be followed by a new apropos Sketch, THE CENSUS.
Messrs. J. 1,. Toole, Ebunae, Romer, C. J. Smith ; Miss
gate Kelly, Miss E. ,'horne, and Mrs. Chatterley.
After which, THE FOOL OF TEE FAUILY. Mr. Paul
Bedford, C. J. Smith, Eburne, Miss Laidlaw, and Miss Julia
Daly.

Doors open at half past 6—Commence at 7.

CANTERBURY-HALL CONCERTS!!
Westminster-road.
Proprtetor .. • • ....C. Morton.
A Grand Selection from Verdi's new Opera,
I C,
(This opera has never been produced in this or any other
country, except at these Concerts), having met with that de-
rided success which charactise the most popular works of
this great Master, will be performed EVERY EVENING ;
together with a Selection from LA FIGLIA DEL REGGI-
MENTO, by Donizetti,
Principal Artistes—Miss Russell, Madame Maria, Miss
Tyrrell, Mn IL Herbert, Signor Tivoli, 11. Drummond, and
C, W. Bernard. Director, Mr. F. Jonghmans.
The Comic Department comprises Messrs. E. Marshall, A.
B. Hollingsworth, J. Blanchard, F. Bell, W. H. Welland, and
the Brothers Conrad.
John Martin's Three celebrated Pictures will remain on
view a short time longer in the Fine Arts Gallery of the
Establishment.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
This DAY.—Morning, sh. 54m.—Afternoon, 6h. 20m.
To-MORROW.-Morning, Gh. 48m.—Afternoon, ih. 2 tra.

TILE WEATHER. -SUN OFFICE, APRIL 17, 1561.

THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADS.
58—highest since noon yesterday.
39 —lowest this morning and during the night.
53—this day at noon.

BARomETER-30.36, falling.

WlND—South-Easterly—light ; with fine weather.

S2J' 11?
-4
,

INII.I
,
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:L Wei T 7

THE SUN.
LONDON, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1881.

President LINCOLN is not all concession. Sur-
rounded by hundreds, we may say thousands of
place-hunters, he can dare to remind Americans of
one of their favourite Presidents, the determined
JACKSON. He has just shown them, on an other-
wise small matter, how he would probably have
dealt with the Secession gentry had he been in
BUCHANAN'S place ; and we have no doubt the
same style of thing would, then, have been as suc-
cessful as Jacksonism was with Carolina in the
days of nullification. The story, and it is
attested by many witnesses, is, that a dele-
gation from California, a State which re-
mains with decision in the Union, came
to him to complain that he was so
much influenced in his appointments for that State
by Senator BAKER. A paper was read reflecting
severely on Mr. BAKER, and on his motives in his
recommendations. The PRESIDENT heard all ; he
then informed the delegation that he did not enter
into personal controversies ; that he did not credit
the aspersions on Mr. BAKER, whom he had known
for five-and-twenty years ; and, to conclude the
matter, he calmly destroyed the document and threw
the scraps into the fire, with an admonition on some
neglected proprieties, which caused the delegation
to withdraw with no intention of renewing the in-

terview.
Mr. SEWARD'S policy seems, however, to be that
which inspires the measures of the Administration,
and his is the very reverse of the JACKSON policy.
It will probably prevail, as it would be long ere the
North could collect its strength for war, and there
is a great part of the States considerable repug-
nance to civil bloodshed. On the other hand, there
is some danger of the inaction of the Government
alienating its more energetic supporters ; Connec-
ticut, which last time threw its whole strength
into the Republican cause, has at a recent elec-
tion lost at least two, to the Democrats, out
of four, which is attributed entirely to
dissatisfaction at the want of firmness, as
they term it, of the Government. The PRESI-
DENT, for instance, is 'willing to support an equit-
able Fugitive Slave Law—hut the North asks, if
'we are to be made to respect the laws, why is the
South to go on openly defying them ? If we of
the North," they say, " can be constitutionally
coerced into the catching of runaway negroes, why
should not the Secessionists be constitutionally
coerced into the minding of the laws ? That's the
question to which we are not likely to receive any
answer."

The North is becoming less and less disposed to
ow to Southern terms—it sees that the South
prefers separation. " What can be done," asks the
Boston correspondent of the Morning Post," with
men who have no desire for peace ? The Seces-
sionists daily proclaim their intention never to
consent to a re-construction, while in the North
public sentiment is becoming less and less inclined
to submit to any terms that would be accept-
able even to the border States. What
would be the use of making an arrangement, men
ask of themselves and of one another, when any
dissatisfied or defeated party would only have to
say it would not submit to this or that law, for the
Government to come to an end. At this moment
the ls.ws of the nation are of no more consequence
in 12 or 15 States, including the seceded States,
than they are in the Fejee group. Any attempt to
enforce those laws in Virginia would be as unsuc-
cessful as it would be if made in Georgia."
I ,
The writer is ashamed of the position of the
North ; lays the fault of the existing state of things
on the timidity of the Administration, and thinks
the people will cease to respect it through suspi-
cion of cowardice. "Just so long (he says) as there
bhall be no attempt made to enforce the laws in the
Southern States that have not formally seceded,
just so long will peace be there maintained, but no
lon ge,..
Our Position is a singularly disgraceful
one,=
g e .
being a sort of Lower Empire, which has
"e down
the all
at once, and without having known
Prc'ee" of decay. We are not to have what-
ever of sati.„ e 0
While Italy
b'e'o°oti n there is in biting as we die.
roes a nation, and the Poles show
that they are still a p , and Hungary is pre-
as much bound for peo le
paring for a grand struggle, we are, to all seeming,
destruction
as
•
would be a man
who should get into the current of Ni
feet from the Falls. If we at agara not 50
° to know reclemr-
tion, it must be as sudden and as unaccountable in
its origin as our humiliation."
It turns out, as we expected, that the Govern
at Washington does deeply feel the conduct of
Spain in relying on its weakness for impunity, is
its filibustering attack on St. Domingo, and is
likely to get into a vigorous diplomatic war at least,
with Spain, over the business. The merchants, too,