The Sun.
London, England, 1850-08-28 00:00:00

fll

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1850.

The amiable "enthusiasts" of the Peace Congress!,
we use the term advisedly, although " repudiated"
by the parties themselves, in preference to the stronger
and perhaps more appropriate phrase suggested by
Lord BROUGLIAM, bestrode their hobby last week
with great success at Frankfort•on-the-Maine. Dele-
gates from England, America, France, and Germany
participated in the " demonstration," while the inha-
bitants of the town and its vicinity, actuated by a
laudable curiousity, lent the light of their counte-
nances to grace the proceedings, which unquestion-
ably bore a most suspicious resemblance to the May
meetings at Exeter-hall. There were " men of
peace " anxious to create a sensation, and to extend
their fame beyond the narrow limits to which it might
otherwise be restricted.

The subject for discussion was a matter of but
trivial importance, provided it afforded a scope for
oratory and the much-coveted opportunity for dis-
play. Provided that great desideratum were attained,
it signified little whether the topic related to the pro-
viding of " moral pocket handkerchiefs for the infant
negroes," or the more impracticable projects of in-
ducing " the lion to lie down with the lamb," or the
despots and autocrats of the earth to disband their
armaments, and trust to moral force alone and the
power of public opinion to sustain their absolute au-
thority. Its very "impracticability," however, formed
one of its principal charms, and one of
the orators sneered at the " practical men"

who expressed their disapprobation of the ridiculous
farce that was being enacted—and declared that they
should be " brought to their level." •
The assembly brought together to achieve this
undertaking was of a very motley character. Our
Transatlantic brethren mustered in considerable
force, and, for the nonce, seemed to forget their ami-
able prejudices against the " coloured gentlemen,"
one of whom was actually permitted to ascend the
platform—to ,take his seat—and even to uplift his
voice among men of unblemished descent
without being rebuked for his presump-
tion. French and English, however, consti-
tuted the main body, and the speeches were, by
general assent, delivered in, or translated into one or
the other of these langnages ; the Germans being
comparatively few in number, a Let that speaks
volumes for the "common sense" of the natives of
" Vaterland."
Toe -chief lion was manifestly Mr. COBDEN, or Ce
a leader ia the most glorious warfare ever waged—
the warfare against monopoly and oppression,
against the taxation of a nation's food for the
benefit of a privileged class. Pity it is that
his well-earned laurels should now be tarnished,
that he should be displaced from the pedestal
to which be had been elevated by the acclamations of
a free people, by taking an active part in so absurd a
contest. It is es though WELLINGTON, not contented
with his Waterloo wreaths, had taken the field at

THE

Ballingarry, and been routed by the ill-armed and
undisciplined hordes that fought under the orders of
poor, unhappy SMITH ÜBRIEN. The contrast is in •
painfully striking. Neither did the Honourable
Grtntleman exhibit sny great regard for consist-ncy.
If we are not rnisrsken, we have heard " very valorous
words" issue from his lips, when speaking last year
o❑ behalf of the oppressed and betrayed, but ever
glorious Hungarians. He was ready to brave all the
cohorts of the CZAR, and to lend a disinterested and
honourable support to a noble people struggling to
preserve, we should perhaps rather say, to regain
their liberties.

EMILE GIRARDIN was the next object of attrac-

tion—EaslLE GIRARDIN, before whose destroying
pistol fell the gifted, the chivalrous ARMAND
CARREL I! ! This gentleman spoke, we believe,
on every question. He was peculiarly forcible
in his denunciations of "the war of individuals"—
duelling—a resolution on which subject was got up
fur his especial benefit, and on which he was, of
course, received iiith the most rap. urous and
enthusiastic applause. Pity it was that HAYNAti, the
HuGgarian, the we omen-flogger—l 3 tYN.LI', Rho was
present at, although he took no part in, the proceed-
ings, did not also ascend the rostrum, to move that
" the scaffold" or " the fusilkde," " the cat" or " the
knout," should no longer be resorted to for what are
termed " political offences." Then, indeed, the greet-
ings might have passed the bounds of all decorum,
and the audience have been justly carried away by
the excitement of the moment. The kind-hearted
General, however, only appeared as a " sympathiser,"
not as an actor, and could not, therefore, receive the
rewards he had so eminently merited. For, surely,
if EMILE GIRARDIN deserved applause for speaking
in condemnation of duelling, HATNAU would have
had a tenfold claim, had be deprecated the execrable
abuse of power, the cold- blooded butchery of a pro-
strate but unconquered nation. ,_

The minor " notorieties" in attendance are
scarcely worthy of a separate notice. Perhaps the
most remarkable was an Ojibbeway Chief—rather
an ugly customer to meet in the back woods, whose
very appearance might have created an uncomfortable
sensation about the scalp. This excellent personage
consumed forty long minutes in addressing the "pale
faces," double the time allotted to each speaker, and
which led to a curtailment of that brief space, the
succeeding orators being limited each to a quarter of
an hour, in which to astonish the world with their

eloquence.
We shall not inflict upon our readers a detailed
description of the twaddle that was uttered, the pom-
pous platitudes delivered. Mr. GEORGE DAwsoy, of
Birmingham, however, cannot be passed over without
some little allusion to the palpable plagiarism of
which he was delivered. Every student of " Joe
Miller" is of course familiar with the story of the
worthy who could not understand wby all the beauti-
ful melodies should be given to profane songs, and there-
fore invited the congregation to join him in singing the
" Hundredth Psalm" to the tune of "Nancy DAwson."
The excellent member of the Peace Congress, whose
very name possibly brought the anecdote related by
"Immortal Joe" to his memory, unquestionably im-
proved the version, to the horror cf his associates,
He acknowledged to a lingering predilection for the
redcoats. " War be bated, but be found a well-
drilled regiment a pleasant spectacle, and loved to see
the country gawky transformed into the elegant
znilitaire." He therefore suggested the establishment
"of industrial, in place of military regiments,
with spades instead cf muskets on their
shoulders ; that pipeclay should be need to whitewash
cottages, and red cloth cut up into cloaks for good,
honest old women." We know not what effect this
admirable suggestion may have on the members of
the Congress. Perhaps, at their text merry meeting,
which by the way, is to be held in London, we may
have uniforms freely sported, for which the reper-
toire of Mr. NATHAN, the well-known costumier,
will afford every facility.

The seceding engine-drivers and firemen of the
Eastern Counties Railway are beginning to under-
stand the false position in which they have placed
themselves, and the ruin. they have brought on their un-
fortunate families by their own unwise and injudicious
conduct. They now perceive that they had greatly
overrated their own importance, that the directors
could not be coerced into submission, and that not a
single shareholder could be induced to take up the
cudgels on behalf of a body of Insurgents. Had they
been satisfied with making a respectful remonstrance,
setting furih their grievances, and requesting a
searching investigation into Mr. Gooca's proceedings
from the time of his appointment, it would unques-
tionably have been conceded. Indeed, notwithstand-
ing the very improper threat contained in the first
memorial, and the summary step taken in sending in
their resignations before even the answer of the
board could be returned to their application, a
strict scrutiny was instituted by the Chairman and
Mr. Elias into every single fine that had been im-
posed, and there was not one for which a full justi'
fication was not rendered by Mr. Goocs. _ _

The subsequent proceedings of the seceders, since
the meeting, show the vast importance of non-inter-
ference by shareholders in the internal management
of the line. A meeting was held on the same even-
ing, at which a striking alteration in the tone previ-
ously assumed was perceptible. The Chairman of
the malcontents, who had from the commencement of
the unfortunate dispute been the chief orator, made a
feeble effort to rebut the clear and convincing state-
ment of Mr. BETTS. It was, however, but too pal-
pable that it was an expiring effort, the last faint
struggle of a defeated faction. He could not conceive
" how a sleeper could possibly have been placed in a
tender, there being only a small aperture some ten or
eleven inches in diameter ;" but be did not venture to
deny that, strange as it,was, such an occurrence had
taken place, and he only succeeded in proving that it
could not have been so placed by accident, and
that it requirgd considerable:mischievous ingenuity,
which could not have been exhibited by any person
or persons ndt thoroughly acquainted with the con-
struction of these engines ; neither could he see
" what injury it would do beyond displacing a few
gallons of water, which certainly would not impede the
working of the engine." Perhaps it might not do so,
if a sufficient supply of water was niaintained ; but
if we couple the strange occurrence with the removal
of the gauge glasses, and remember that it would
prevent the " regulation of the water in the boilers
by the taps," on which so much stress was subse-
quently laid, it must be obvious that it would greatly
increase the chances of en accident, which might be
attended with the most fatal consequences, not only
to the new hands, but to all the passengers by the
train, for whose safety the combinators professed to be
so very solicitous.
On Saturday -another meeting was held.- The
energetic Mr. HOPE was, however, non inventus. He
probably saw the mistake he had committed in assum-
ing the post of honour, and began to think that " dis-
cretion was the better part of valour." He was replaced
by a Mr. M'Cunnocn, who thrust himself forward,
although he had " never been engaged in the service
of the company either as an engine-driver, or in any
other capacity." We cannot, therefore, conceive how
that person could involve himself in the dispute,
unless the combination had even a wider basis than
the quondam employes of the Eastern Counties flail-
way, and that it was but a portion of a wider confe,
deracy attempted to be eitahlished. This general
organization was indeed hinted at by the new chair-
man, who, in the course of his speech, more than
insinuated that " the men of other lines were dissatis-
fied with their treatment, and that it would not re-
quire much additional oppression to induce the engine-
drivers and firemen on other lines to make a move-
ment." " The wish was father to the thought." We
do not think so badly of the working classes of DT-
land, as to suppose that any body of men could be
guilty of such ridiculous folly as to suppose that
because one company had accepted the tendered
resignations of their servants, and refused to
submit to attempted coercion, a!' persons en-
gaged in similar occupations throughout the king-
dom should relinquish their comfortable situations
in order to spite other directors against whom they
had no reasonable complaints. The same may bt said
of the alleged resolution carried at Leeds, that if " an
amicable settlement were not concluded with the
men, measures would be taken on every line to stop
the supplies."

This covert threat could, however, pro.
duce but little effect. It was too palpa.

SUN,

LONDON,

bly but a la't effort to induce the directors
to accept " the honourable compromise" alluded to
by Mr. GRUNDY. We know not what the character of
that compromise may be, or what terms have been
offered by the seceders, but we are greatly mistaken
in the directors if anything short of an unconditional
submission b 4-: for a moment listened to. They have
had to maintain an arduous conflict, and have
triumphed at every point, and it is of the deepest and
most vital importance, not only to the interests of the
Eastern Counties Company, but of railways in general,
that a striking example should be made. Already every
necessary arrangement bas been made for the working
of the traffic. The trains that had been discontinued
have been resumed within a single week. There is
no reason why the directors should make any the
most trifling concession. The men have discovered
the error of their proceedings, and the loss and incon-
venience they must necessarily encounter will teach
a salutary lesson to others similarly circumstanced,
and prevent the recurrence of another strike by the
engine-drivers and firemen of any line in the British
dominions. We believe that there are few share-
holders who do not participate in the spirited senti-
ment expressed by a proprietor at the Eastern Coun-
ties meeting, " that sooner than yield in such a case,
and sacrifice the honour of the directors, be would
not only relinquish his dividend, but would himself
ascend the engine, and assist in feeding the furnace."

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.

We have received the Paris journals of yesterday.
Tne Bulletin de Paris gives the following account
of the reception of the PRESIDENT at Nancy :
" The approach to Nancy was covered with an im-
mense crowd, composed of all classes. The authorities
who went out to meet the President had great difficulty
in making their way. The houses of the streets through
which the President passed on his way to the prefecture
were ornamented with flags, and bonqueta were thrown
by the females from the windows, On the morning of
the 24th the President received the authorities. There
were short addresses from the Mayor and the President
of the Chamber of Commerce, to which the Prince made
replies which were greatly applauded. After the recep-
tions he reviewed the National Guard and the troops ut
the line, and then went to a banquet offered to him by
the town. The President left Nancy for Metz, which he
will leave on the 26th fur Verdun, from whence he will
proceed to Chalons, and on the 28th he will be in Paris."
The scene at the ball at Besancon has been
repeated at a ball at Nancy. It appears
that an officer of the National Guard lip
proached the PRESIDENT in the ball-room, and re-
quested to be permitted to shake hands with him.
The PRESIDENT refused, and in a manner imperious
rather than imperial, replied " I am not in the habit
of giving my hand to every one." The officer set up
a loud shout of " Vive la Republique !" which was
repeated by all his friends present. The suite of the
PRESIDENT, who were all armed, replied by a shout
of "Vine Napoleon," and rushing on the officer,
summarily ejected him. The greater number of
tt.o3e present then left, leaving the PRESIDENT and
the authorities to entertain each other, while loud
cries of " Vive la Republique" were heard in the
streets of Nancy.
The speech of the PRESIDENT at Strasburg has
won for him golden opinions ; his distinct repudiation
of anything like a coup d'etat, or an attempt at re-
viving the empire, and his emphatic assertion, that
" his chief ambition is to be considered an honest
man," have in a great measure tranquillised the public
mind.

General CASTELLANE arrived in Paris on Sunday.
His visit has excited great curiosity; its object is
not known.

The Presse, in its commercial report fur the week,
says
" Some short time ago commercial men were hoping
for an increase of business, and during the last week
these hopes have become a reality for a number of manu-
factures. Several foreign agents have arrived in Paris,
and hate begun to give extensive orders. They purchase
in general for Russia, Italy, and the South Seas. Some
important commissions have been received for California,
but the manufacturers very naturally show great caution
with respect to orders for the last-named place. Several
orders have also been given fur Brazil and La Plata.
The orders for distant countries are at least as con-
siderable as they were last yes, at this period."
It was apprehended that the return of the PRESP.
DENT to Paris would be the occasion of some riotous
scenes. The Societe du 10 Decembre has given ren-
dezvous to its members at five o'clock at the station
of the Northern Railroad to welcome Louts Napo-
LEON back to Paris. Cries of " Viva l'Empereur !"
and " Aux Tuileries !" will, it is said, be uttered, in
which case a counter-demonstration is expected from
the people of the faubourgs. But, as the two instigators
of the Imperialist demonstration are known, the police
will, it is believed, succeed in preventing it.
The French Government have received the follow-
ing telegraphic dispatch, dated Metz, August 26,
five o'clock P.M.

" The President of the Republic has just returned to
the hotel of the Prelccfure atter reviewing the National
Guard and troops of the line. Lsst evening on his arri-
val he immediately received the authorities and consti-
tuted bodies, and the members of the Benevolent and
Agricultural Societies, who came to thank him for his
solicitude for their respective institutions. Early this
morning he visited the Cathedral, where he was re-
ceived by the Bishop. He r-matned two hours among
the pupils of the Ectile d'Applicution, who ‘xecuted se-
veral mum:lvrea he bad ordered. Be afterwards vi-
sited the arsenal and the civil and military hospitals.
In the course of those visits, and the grand review that
followed, he had occasion to traverse the city in every
direction, and to meet an immense concourse of people
who had collected from all parts,;and from whom he expe-
rienced the most loyal and sympathetic reflection. The
King of Prussia, the King of the Netherlands, and the
King of the Belgians, sen; high functionaries to compli-
ment the President on his passage. Several Prussian
superior officers of the garrison of Saarbruck had joined
them."
This being the first day of the shooting season
in the departments of the Seine, the Bourse was
literally deserted. The Five per Cents. opened
at 97f. 25c., and closed at 97f. 15c.; the Three per
Cents. closed at 58f. 40c. ; the New Roman Loan
at 78k.
BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE

LONDON STOCK-EXCHANGE, Aua. 27.
Boulogne and Amiens, 714—East Indian, 7A—Great In-
dian Penisula, I—Paris and Roues, 23% ex d.

SPAIN.

Madrid journals of the 22d have arrived.
GONZALEA BRAVO had gone to Andalusia. He
had started as a candidate for the representation of
that province, and would, it had been supposed, have
walked over the course. An opposition had, how-
ever sprung up, in consequence of which his chances
of success were but small.

MADIUD BOLSA, AUG. 22.—The Three per Cents.
were dune at 33 3-16 for cash; the Four per Cents.
at 131 ; the Five per Cents., at 131; the Debt with-
out interest at 4 ; and the Coupons at 71.