The Sun.
London, England, 1868-10-09 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 9, 1868.

But in their anxiety to retain the four seats for
their own side, the Liberals of London are putting
the question of party before every other, and call
upon the electors to vote blindfold. Mr. SAMUEL
MORLEY, who moved the first resolution yesterday,
said that for his own part he should obey orders how
to vote. "At Birmingham they had established a
" Vote-as-you-Like Committee," that was, an
elector would go up and say, " I will vote as you
like." He " did not like to give up his power to
choose, but he would do it to meet a great emer-
gency." The same course was advocated by other
speakers, Mr. GASSIOT among them, who said that
on this occasion they must throw over their f eel-
ings in favour of individual candidates. Baron
ROTIISCIIILD himself declared that the one senti-
ment which ought to prevail amongst them now
was union. He thought, indeed, that the electors
ought to have the opportunity of voting for their
favourite candidates; but both candidates and
electors met that day under .peculiar circum-
stances, both were in the hands of thofe
who would manage the forthcoming elections,
and would act as they were told. So, then, an
irresponsible body is to be :elevated into an organ-
ised despotism, and candidates and constituents
alike quietly abandon their rights and their obliga-
tions to it. The representation of the City of
London is a grand thing to fight for. It has been
hitherto held as an honour to be hardly won, and
prized when won ; but, according to this new read-
ing of the representation of minorities, it is hence-
forth to be something very like the tradition of Old
Sarum. No ballot is needed to protect the elector
whom ignorance protects. He can hardly do himself
much mischief by declaring his intention, since he
does not know himself how he jet° vote until he is
told! "The Conservatives," says Mr. GOSCIIEN,
" felt that the nomination boroughs were in danger,
and in order to counterbalance that they got the
representation of minorities." In their proverbial
political shortsightedness they did not foresee that
by so doing they would turn the great cities into
nomination boroughs on the other side ! That
astounding fact will be now revealed to them ; at
the same time that Mr. MILL, the great champion
of the Liberals, learns that it was the Conserva-
tives who carried his favourite measure.

Seriously speaking, we regret very much to find
the Liberals of the City of London setting so b.td
an example to the community at large. The
watchword of their battle is, it seems, to be party
before principle, men before measures. The name
of a particular school of politics is to outweigh
every consideration of personal fitness of character,
of reputation, of ability. The four gentlemen
who now represent the City have no doubt dis-
charged their duties with credit to themselves and
with satisfaction to their constituents; but that is
no reason why they should not go fearlessly to
the poll, and let every man have a fair and
equal chance. It matters very little in reality
whether one or two Liberals, more or less, are re-
turned for the City. There is no fear in these days
of retrograde legislation, and the liberties of the
people are no longer in peril. But it matters very
much at a time of change and experiment when
fresh classes are being admitted to a voice in the
government, when eager and aspiring men are push-
ing forward from the ranks to learn from those
above them how best to discharge their new trust ;
it matters very much that a high tone of political
morality and public feeling should be preserved, that
our Parliamentary system should be something more
than a mere struggle of rival interests, of plotters
and counter plotters, a mass of automata moved by
a few crafty master hands. If the representation
of the people is to be anything more than a farce,
we must have no more of Vote-as-you-like Com-
mittees.

Mr. COOPE, the Conservative candidate, met a
large number of constituents last night in the Bow-
road, at the Riding School. lle was well received,
and made some impressive remarks. He stated
that he had taken every opportunity of " eliciting
the feelings of the electors," and the result of his
canvass, especially among the working class, was
more satisfactory than he had anticipated at the
outset. In that borough, as in many others,
they could see that the Liberal party was divided
against itself, whereas in the camp of the Conser-
vatives there were no waverers or defaulters. This
account of Mr. COOPE'S is an accurate one, and it
would be well if the Liberals would take it to heart.
Fas est ab hoste doceri is well known, and in this
instance of dividing votes and losing interest the
party may well apply it. It is a disgrace, in a
national sense, as well as a loss in a party one,
that so much selfishness should be displayed in
the matter of getting seats, quite putting aside the
interests of the cause they profess to have at heart
in the prosecution of one-sided objects. In enume-
rating the various claims of the present Adminis-
tration to the confidence of the country, Mr. COOPE
mentioned the suffrage which had been given to the
working classes, and the efficiency of the national
defences, the Abyssinian Expedition, and now the
adjustment of our differences with America. The
vacancies to appointments in the Church and law
have been most ably filled up, and the last nomina-
tion, that of the Bishopric of Peterborough, he truly
styled as in a " special degree creditable to the
Administration and acceptable to the country." In
the course of his speech Mr. COOPE very properly
denounced the system of bribery and
intimidation, and declared his intention always
to be plain and straightforward when he
spoke to the working classes. To tell them
the truth is certainly better than to flatter and be-
wilder them with promises of what they can do
never to be realised, or diatribes against their supe-
riors in rank, which contain more abuse than argu-
ment, and will not bear a close investigation. In
passing a comment upon some strictures of Mr.
AMON'S, Mr. COOPE appropriately put in an ex-
planation of that gentleman's first appearance
among them. Some years ago, when the present
candidate was presiding over a meeting of Germans
for charitable purposes, an: unknown gentleman
came up and asked his permission to address the
meeting for a "few minutes." These lengthened
into three-quarters of an hour, and the Germans,
not understanding a word, cheered him most lustily.
Mr. CooPE'S recollection of the maiden speech will
amuse those who are now well acquainted with the
style in Parliament. "Never in his life did he listen
to such a flow of mere words, such a marvellous
volubility—he was almost going to say such an un.
interrupted torrent of expressions."

SALE OF WAR DEPARTMENT LAND AT SIIEER-
NESS. —The freehold piece of land situate near the sea, at
Sheerness, on the road to Chesney-road and adjoining
Alms and Trinity roads, having been put up to tender by
the Secretary of State for the War Department, has been
bought by the United Land Company (Limited), co-oper-
ating with the Conset vative Land Society. The land will
be at once converted into streets, the demand for houses
at Sheerness being on the increase every year, the Ipcality
finding favour with the public as a watering-place.
IRISH TENANT RlGHT.—'rho Government Com-
mission appointed to investigate the relations between
landlord and tenant in Ireland will commence its sittings
in a few days. It is intended that the report shall be an
exhaustive one, and that all details respecting the tenure
of land in Ireland shall be set forth. The Commissioners
will be able to place their report before the new Parlia
meat very early is the first Session,—/riA Mei/.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

THE REVOLUTION IN SPAIN.

MADRID, Oct. 8 (Evening).
The Ministry has been formed, and the following
are the names of the members of the Cabinet :--
Marshall Serrano President.
General Prim
Admiral Topete
Senor Figuerola
„ Lorenzano Foreign Affairs.
Ulloa
„ Sagosta
„ Ayala Colonies.
„ Ruiz Gorilla.. Public Works.

Senor Moreno Benitz has been raised to the Go-
vernorship of the capital.

MADRID, Ocb. 8 (Evening).

It is asserted that the Junta have authorisA the
Duke and Duchess of Montpensier to return to
Seville. Much excitement prevails in Catalonia in
consequence of the contemplated changes in the
commercial policy of the country, the province of
Catalonia being opposed to Free-trade and the re-
form of the Customs tariff.

A declaration of the Central Junta has been
published to-day, pronouncing in favour of com-
plete civil, political, and religious liberty,

HUNGARY.

PESTI', Oct. 8.

Prince Kazageorgievich and his alleged accom-
plices have been to-day removed on board the
steamer Ferdinand Max, en route for Semlin.

The Emperor will leave on the 16th instant for
a short stay at Vienna.

VORBEOPONDYNCE'FROISUPAILW
(FROM OUR 017/4- CORRESPONDENT,)
PARIS. THURSDAY, October EC
Very decisive article in the Patrie, encouraging Den.
mark to "persevere in its just demands for the fulfilment
of the Treaty of Prague," has again excited the old war
agitation. The Patric has, in fact, aided the injudicious
North German Gazette to rekindle a flame of public excite-
ment which may prove very troublesome to Prussia. The
Treaty of Prague is one of the few questions on which the
Emperor, his Ministers, and a great portion, at least, of
his people are agreed. The doings of Prussia in
1866 were too painful to French pride to be again repeated
with impunity. There can be little doubt—not to say there
is a desire to go to war on behalf of the treaty—that the
claims of Denmark are strongly supported here. As
Prussia can have no interest in stirring up excitement in
France, it is difficult to see why the speech of King Christian
was allowed to provoke comments. The policy of Prussia
of late has evidently been to gain time and protract the
settlement of the Danish claims: Why, then, attract
attention to the matter, unless there is anythingto be gained
by it ? The speech of King Christian might have passed
muster but for the comments of the North German Gazette.
The result of the interference has been that the Patrie,
a semi-official paper, openly states that Denmark need not
fear for want of support in this dispute. "Decided, on
our part, to maintain the Treaty of Prague, we are deter-
mined not to see it violated to our detriment." This sen-
timent is pretty generally echoed by the press. Some
journals also significantly reproduce the suggestion of the
Times, that the King's speech was a measure previously
concerted between the French and Danish Governments.
A fact which shews the influence wielded by Prussia
amongst the South German States is related by one of
the western papers. Last year, when France invited the
European Governments to take part in the Congress to
settle the Roman question, the Grand Duke of Hesse
Darmstadt made haste to accept the proposal without
consulting Prussia. This step greatly offended the
Government of Berlin; so much so, that Hesse Darmstadt
has been " put down." This year, when Switzerland his
issued an invitation to an International Health Congress,
the Grand Duke meekly responds that he shall follow
the decision of the North German
_Confederation as a
whole.

The Temps has received a communipe denying that the
French Government wishes to forbid the sale of news-
papers in France. Since the first news of the revolution
but one paper has been seized.
It is stated that a cousin of Garibaldi, Antonio Gari-
baldi by name, will contest the department of the Alpes-
Maritimes at the next election fcr the Corps L6gislatif.
It is known that Garibaldi has great influence in that
district.

The news of the revolution was welcomed with extraor-
dinary manifestations of joy in Italy. In no other
country has the intelligence been received with such
satisfaction.

The Constitutionnel has published an article which is gene-
rally accepted as a species of feeler. It says that France has
no intention of interfering in the affairs of Spain, but that
the events now passing in that country cannot be viewed
with indifference. Passing in review all the leaders of
the revolution, the Constitutionnel concludes that they
are all too radical. It protests against the suppression of
the permanent army and of the connection between
Church and State—both of which figure in the revolu-
tionary programme.

The Paris correspondent of the Standard tells a curious
story, in which he is inclined to put some faith. From a
"well-informed quarter" he learns that when death
cut him off so suddenly in the midst of his career,
Count Walewski was hastening back to Paris in
order to assume the post of Foreign Secretary
in the place of the Marquis de Moustier. Such
a course, says the writer, would be by no
means without precedent. " The Emperor does not
allow the prospect of removal to hang long over his
Ministers, and a successor has generally had his commis.
sion in his pocket before the occupant of office is informed
that his resignation is accepted.' I repeat that this story
is vouched for on authority which I cannot but respect,
improbable as it must seem to English readers, who don't
know the way in which they manage these things in
France."

The reports that the Marquis de Moustier will not
remain long at the head of the Foreign Department are
numerous, though there is little agreement as to
his successor. General Fleury is mentioned, but
M. Drouyn de Lhuys receives more support. M.
Pinard is to be removed, says speculation, from
the Ministry of the Interior to the department of Justice,
whilst M. Ernest Leroy, the Prefect of the Loire Infe-
rieur, a man of great abilities, is to take the Home
portfolio. This arrangement is not a new one.
The correspondent of the Post says the Emperor
is in great difficulties. Both domestic and foreign events
are said to have lately made a great impression on his
mind, and he is represented as feeling the necessity of
what is called "doing something." His embarrassment
does not appear to be lessened by his advisers. M. Rouher
knows not what advice to give his Majesty, and Marshal
Niel believes in nothing but military government. The
correspondent is inclined to think that the solution of the
problem must be the granting of Ministerial responsibility
and real constitutional freedom.

The issue of the Italian Tobacco Loan has brought forth
many complaints respecting the dealings of the Govern-
ment with the Italian Irrigation Bonds. "A Victim," along
with many others, says that, whilst the; Florence Govern-
ment is beginning to pay its guaranteed interest on other
obligations of the Canal Company, in the case of the sep-
tennial bonds it is endeavouring to repudiate its engage-
ments. When the Cavour Canal was projected, the
Government sold to the company its own canals at the
price of £812,000. The company could not, however, raise
the money, and it was obtained only on loan in England by
a decree in virtue of which the Italian Government under-
took to guarantee the interest from the time when the
canal was open to traffic until the period assigned for the
repayment of the loan—seven years. Now, the canal has
been pronounced in exercise, the company cannot pay, and
the British bondholders have claimed their interest from
the Government, which refuses to pay it. "A Victim"
presumes that the cost and annoyance of a lawsuit is the
only remedy.

Other signs, however, do not point to so pacific a result.
The Danish question is notoriously a favourite topic in
France, where the Treaty of Prague is clung to
as the last chance of upholding the influence of
the country abroad. The recent speech of the
King of Denmark is supported by all the Paris
journals; whilst the half angry comments of the North
German Gazette are proportionately vindicated. The
Opinion Publique asserts that the French Ministry fully
support the just demands of Denmark. Further, the
Epoque feels itself competent to state that Denmark is
about to address a memorial to all the Powers who signed
the Treaty of 1852, asking them to bring about the fulfil-
ment of the Treaty of Prague by Prussia. The Treaty of
1852 was signed at London by the Great Powers, and made
over to Prince Christian the succession to the Crown of
Denmark, the country then including Schleswig and
Holstein.

The action instituted by Messrs. Cushing, or ew
York, against Mr. Laird, of Birkenhead, for com-
pensation for the loss of their vessel, is brought
on the ground of " spoliation," not on account
of a breach of the neutrality laws. It is declared
that the Alabama was fitted out in violation of
the laws of Great Britain, and that therefore the owners
and builders are liable for damage sustained by her. On
this point the New York Tnibune remarks : " A precedent
for the claims of our citizens for damages sustained by the
Alabama and other Confederate privateers was esta-
blished subsequent to the war of 1812. Before the com-
mencement of that war, while England and France
were engaged in hostilities against each other and we
were at peace with both nations, French privateers were
fitted out in the port of Baltimoje—then as celebrated for
its fast clippers as the Clyde is now, and was during the
war, for its fast blockade runners—to prey upon British
commerce. British merchants presented claims through
their Government, at the close of the war in 1812, for in-
demnification for their losses from the depredations of
these privateers, and these claims were allowed by our
Government to be just, and were satisfied." Of course,
the settlement of the Alabama claims by the English Go-
vernment will stop the action.

The Liberal party in the City of London have held a
conference in order to counteract the " minority" clause so
far as their constituency is concerned. At present the
City is represented by four Liberals, all of whom offer
themselves for re-election. They are opposed by three
Conservatives. Under the new Reform Bill, by which
electors can vote for only three candidates out of four, it is
pretty certain that one of the four would be a Conservative,
unless a special arrangement were made to prevent that
result. It was to devise such an arrangement that the
meeting referred to was held. It was presided over by Sir
B. Phillips, ex-Lord Mayor, and addressed by Mr.
Samuel Morley, the four members for the City, Mr.
Locke, M.P., and Mr. A yrton, M.P. Mr. Goschen was
especially vehement in denouncing the minority clause,
and declared it must be repealed. Moreover, he
thought City Conservatives had no reason to com-
plain, inasmuch as their most eminent men, Mr.
Baring, Mr. Hubbard, and Mr. Barnett, were in Parlia-
ment, although sitting for other constituencies. Even-
tually it was resolved to adopt the same plan as has already
been adopted at Birmingham, where " vote-as-you-like"
committees have been established, the members whereof
pledge themselves to sink their personal preferences and
vote as they are told. The Birmingham Liberals declare
Ghat the arrangements which they have mad; mslefith9
161" 40 jrO cOsiislateit porlectivalfil