The Sun.
London, England, 1868-06-30 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 30, 1868.

quence of the \liuistry having failed to settle the
Irish question. This is quite a new doctrine to
lay down, because we all know that this year was

not a seasonable one in which to bring forward so
comprehensive a question as the disestablishment
of the Irish Church ; and even if it had been
an approppiate season, it would have been more
suitable to have moved a vote of want of
want of confidence than to have interfered with the
business of the session as they did. Another Libe-
ral dissentient was found in Lord SHAFTESBURY,
but the noble lord refrained from voting, for fear
of prejudicing the country on the eve of the elec-
tions.

The Duke of RICHMOND'S speech was an effective
one, and the quotation he made most applicable.
He took two lines from a poet whose works were
edited by a noble earl, a member of the House of
Lords.

" As bees on flowers alighting cease to hum,
So settling into places Whigs are dumb."
So far as Fenianism being an argument
for disestablishment, the noble Duke showed
that in the year 1848 there was disaffection
in Ireland, and those were in office who
now advocate the change, and yet they did not
propose such a bill. The Lord Chancellor's was
the speech of the evening, and the effect on the
House was surprising. It is long since the
benches of the Upper School witnessed such ex-
citement ; it is long since the walls of the House
of Lords re-echoed to such plaudits as those which
greeted the peroration of the magnificent speech.
It seemed as if for a time party claims and poli-
tical interests were put aside in the universal de-
sire to do homage to talent, and pay respect to
earnestness of conviction, so ably and elo-
quent expressed. The noble arid learned
lord spoke, as others had done , in sup -
port of the prerogative of the lio use of Lords,
and said very forcibly that when people talked of
the question belonging to the new Parliament, and
being out of the jurisdiction of their lordships, they
did not know yet what the new Parliament would be ;
and as for the ll.)use of Lords being compelled to
be of the same opinion as the II )use of Comm yas,
he declared that he valued the harmonious action of
the two branches of the Legislature as much as any
man could do, but the way to promote such action
was for each house to examine fairly what came
before it, and then pronounce a deliberate opinion.
If the day should ever come when a question passed
though the House of Commons should be acceded to
by the other
-House, not because you approve of it,
" but merely because it has been carried by a
majority for the first time in the House of Com-
mons, the influence and independence of your
lordships' House, the respect of the country fur your
lordships, and the respect of yourselves for your-
selves will be for ever at an end." No one can
say that Mr. DISRAELI has not had his battle
fought for him with spirit and energy in that field
which he could not himself enter ; and
whatever may be the future consequences
of the debates in Parliament on the
Irish Church, there can be no doubt that the posi-
tion of the Ministry is greatly improved by the
division of the House of Lords. There will be
ample opportunity afforded of modifying any exist-
ing abuses without proceeding suddenly to the
summary mode put forward by Mr. GLADSTONE
and his friends. One thing we may add, in con-
clusion, not for the sake of tl e stability of the Go-
vernment, not in defence of the House of Lords, but
for the sake of common sense and justice, that those
who have been against Mr. GLADSTONE in both
Houses of Parliament have not upheld the present
system as it is, but have all of them all along de-
clared that some change might be desirable, and
that is a consequence to remember on the eve of an
election when so many contrary statements will be
made to prejudice opinion.

Although the interest of the evening centred last
night in the House of Lords, the Commons trans- '
acted a good deal of business. There was no great
debate or stirring dismssion, no momentous divi-
sion or long-looked-for explanation, but the sub-
jects brought up, though of a minor character, were
not without importance. Many questions referring
to military and other matters connected with the
public service were introduced, and some griev-
ances inquired into. The House wants an evening
of this character now and then, else under the pres-
sure of more engrossing topics it is apt to overlook
some of its functions. A subject which deserved at-
tention was brought forward by Sir C. RUSSELL, who
moved that " it is expedient to employ in Government
situations non-commissioned officers and privates
discharged from the army with good character."
There are a large number of small situations always
at the command of the Government--situations in
the Post-office, in the Customs, in the Excise, and
similar positions, which might be most suitably
filled by discharged soldiers. If the latter are men
of good character they would, indeed, be especially
fitted for official work, from their habits of regu-
larity, punctuality, and discipline, while they
have undoubtedly a strong claim on the Go-
vernment. A military life must necessarily un-
settle a man from ordinary pursuits, and in any
case it takes so many of the active years from his
life that he enters upon any other employment at a
great disadvantage. After faithfully discharging
his duties in the public interest for perhaps many
years, he finds that his good character stands him
in little service compared to the advantages which
other men possess who have given their earlier
energies to civil life. Sir C. RUSSELL last evening
referred to the reports of societies for employing
discharged soldiers, and also to some letters from a
corporal in the Engineers, who had been discharged
after 21 years' service. All these authorities showed
that many deserving men experience the greatest
difficulty in finding employment after their dis-
charge from the army. At present there is a great
difficulty in the way of their obtaining any post in
the civil service, as the age fixed as the limit for
applicants is usually just past. Sir C. RUSSELL
thought there would he another advantage arising
from the employment of such men in the Govern-
ment offices, as the chance of such an opportunity
would induce soldiers to improve themselves during
their time of military service. " They had provided,"
he said, "first-rate schools and reading-rooms for
soldiers, but the troops did not fully avail them-
selves of these advantages, because they did
not see of what use it would be to them to do so. If,
however, they knew that they would have a chance
at the end of their rervice of obtaining a
Government appointment they would fit them-
selves for such a position." The general feel-
ing of the House, we are glad to find, was in favour
of the principle. Captain VIVIAN believed that if
such a system were adopted they would procure a
much better class of men in the ranks. In some of
the public offices, and the War-office in particular,
there was an objection he said to the employment of
soldi.A.s. This seems to be a most ill-placed and I
unreasonable objection in the War-office, filter
surely the heads of the several departmentE. zhoi,a)
be most anxious to consult the jut „rest; of
the soldier. It is certainly not from motives of
economy that civilians are preferred
for General
HERBERT affirms that there are ire a
public office
two clerks receiving jointly a sale ,ry of 500 a year

for duties which he knew a discharged soldier of
excellent character and abilities would be delighted
to perform at ss. a day. Mr. GLADSTONE also gave
his sanction to the principle involved, though he
thought the question of age was an awkward one
to deal with. Sir JOHN PAKINGTON, we are glad
to find, supported the system warmly, and said that
a more extensive adoption of this principle of em-
ploying soldiers of good character in the civil de-
partments of the country would act as a great
encouragement to the observance of good con-
duct in the ranks of the army, and would be a
fair and legitimate reward to those who
left the service with a good character. So far a 3
the plan has yet been tried it has, aecording to Sir
J. PAKINGTON'S authority, proved highly successful.
We must therefore hope that there will be some
relaxation of the limits as to age, especially as these
men will bring to the service valuable habits of re-
gularity and order, which will make up for any lost
time.

Another subject brought under consideration last
evening was the selection of an architect for the
new public buildings. Mr. GOLDSMID moved for
a select committee to inquire into the appointments
—a motion which, after a somewhat lengthened
discussion, was very wisely rejected by the House
It is next to an impossibility ever to give
satisfaction in making such a selection. Professo-
rial jealousy is always very strong, and no man
likes to see his designs passed over for those of an-
other. Hence all the parties immediately concerned
are unconsciously prejudiced, and very ready to de-
clare an adverse decision to be unfair. The appoint-
ment of a committee would only prolong a delay
which has already become tedious without sympli-
fying the question. The Government has divided
the honours between the chief claimants—Mr.
BARRY being chosen for the National Gallery and
Mr. STREET for the New Courts of Law. Surely
neither gentleman has any reason to complain. Let
them vie with each other in the beauty and excel-
lence of their structures, and they will have no cause
to complain that their abilities are overlooked or
their services unrewarded.

LATEST INTELL IGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

ARRIVAL OF SIR ROBERT NAPIER AT
MARSEILLES.

MARSEILLES, June 30.

Sir Robert Napier arrived here last night from
Malta in her Majesty's troopship Urgent, and will
start for London by the 11.30 train this morning.

AMERICA.
(Per City of Antwerp, via Queenstown.)

NEW YORK, June 20.

General Buchanan has published a telegram
from General Grant, in which Buchanan's course
in Louisiana is fully approved of. General Grant
suggests a modification of the oath of office to be
administered to Louisiana officials elect, so as
merely to require their present loyalty and support
of the new constitution.

The House of Representatives has reconsidered
and tabled the bill granting an increase of 20 per
cent. to the salaries of Government officials.

The Florida Legislature has elected two Radical
United States Senators.

The new indictment against Surratt charges him
with complicity in plots to murder President Lin•
coln, or to kidnap and deliver him to the Con-
federates.

A delegation of Fenians has arrived at Wash-
ington, as is reported for the purpose of urging the
Senators to pass Mr. Banks's bill for the protection
of naturalised citizens.
It is stated that the Federal authorities have
sAze,d Fenian arms en route from St. Albans to
New York.

The New York papers publish advices stating
that Polanco (?) has heade 1 a new revolt at San
Domingo, and pronounced agaiust General Baez.
The Inman Royal Mail steamer City of Antwerp
arrived at Queenstown at 3.50 a.m. to-day (June
30), with $410,000 in specie. Having landed mails
and passengers, she proceeded mmediately for
Liverpool. All well.

QUEENSTOWN, June 30.

The Cunard (extra) steamship Tarifa, from New
York, arrived here at 8.45 a.m. to-day, with 142
passengers, 32 of whom she landed, with her
despatches, and proceeded for Liverpool at 9 a.m.
All well.

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 8.
Advices from the seat of war report, that Ilu-
maita was to be attacked on the 30th ultimo.
A revolution has broken out in Corrientes.
The Mana and Italian banks at Monte Video
have declined to pay in specie.

TURKEY.
CONSTANTINOPLE, June 29.

Prince Napoleon was received yesterday at the
Imperial Palace, and was -visited to-day by the
Sultan at the beautiful Kissque placed at his dis-
posal.
Mehemed Ali Pacha, a relation of the Sultan, died
last night.

BAVARIA.

MUNICH, June 29.

The treaty between Bavaria and the United
States has been ratified. According to the treaty
emigrants from either country, who may have been
naturalised and should again return to their native
land, will retain their acquired citizenship, unless it
be distinctly renounced by them.

SERVIA.

BELGRADE, Juno 29.

The sentence on the persons accused of conspiring
to assassinate the late Prince has not been pro-
nounoed to-day, it baying been postponed on
account of fresh discoveries and a further con-
fession of the prisoner Marie. The inquiry will
be continued, and more arrests are being made.
Captain Mirzalovic, to whom with a body of troops
was. allotted the task of occupying the police
bar racks, was shot this morning early in the pre-
sence of an immense number of persons.
:BERLIN, June 29 (Evening).

The semi-official North German Gazette of this
eve ening, in reply to a statement of the Memorial
ipluntatique, announces that it is empowered most
p isitively to declare that perfect unanimity exists
the view taken by the great Powers on the Ser-
f. ian question. The Gazette adds that nothing has
o 3curred which could justify the assumption that
this unanimity of opinion will cease to prevail.

St. PETERSBURG, June 29.

The Journal de St. Petersbdurg refutes the accu-
"aation made by sme fareign newspapers that the
Russian Press has attempted to influence the choice

of a successor to the Servian throne.

ITALY.

FLORENCE, June 29, Evening.

In to-day's sitting of the Chamber of Deputies
Count Cambray Digny, replying to Signor Comin,
aid that the company contracting for the tobacco
onopoly would pay 4,000,000 lire to the Govern-

meat by the end of June and 18,000,000 lire upon
the approval of the contract, as a guarantee for its
fulfilment.

The Official Gazette adverting to the rumours of
secret recruiting in Italy for some enterprise un-
known says :—"lf such attempts are made any-
where, it is absolutely false that the- Government
has permitted or favoured them. The authorities
have received most explicit ord-rs to use all the
rigour of the law against the promoters of such
illegal acts, and the Government has resolved to
punish severely those attempting to disturb the
peace of the country or endanger our foreign re-
lations."