The Sun.
London, England, 1868-08-29 00:00:00

LOS DON, 5.17 URD,AY, AUGUST 29, 1868.

So much has been said of the increase in the
public expenditure of late that a letter from the
Chancellor of the Exchequer is sure to attract
notice, and will be welcome to those who may be
rather mystified by the conflicting statements of
various parties. This letter is addressed to Mr.
CROSSE, the Conservative candidate for South-
West Lancashire, and contains a very complete
refutation of the charges brought against the
present Government by Mr. GLADSTONE, and
since then adverted to by many who are glad to
follow in his wake. It will be remembered that on
the occasion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's
statement to the House of Commons Mr. GLAD-
STONE made a protest against the expenditure; but
as at St. Helen's he confined himself to generalities.
He was, however, answered then, as now ; but of
course the opportunity is too tempting to forego of
producing a striking effect at election times. The
EXCESS of the army estimates, for instance, may be
attributed to changes for which the former Govern-
ment are responsible equally as their predecessors.
The War Office had then determined to convert the
small arms into breech-loaders, though which provi-
sion was made for the purpose. Another point
worthy of notice is, that the difficulty of recruiting
the army had induced the former Government to
appoint a Commission to report on the mat-
ter, and the Commission consequently made
recommendations which entailed a very
great increase in the estimates. The forts built by
the late Government were without armaments, so
that had Mr. GLADSTONE remained in office he
could not have left out this item. The extra pay
to the army has led twenty-six thousand veteran
troops to re-engage themselves.
Respecting the navy Sir JOHN PAKINGTON found
affairs in: that department very unsatisfactory
when the new Ministers took office, and expressed
his opinion to that effect in thellouse of Commons.
Great progress
.has been made in rendering this
important part of the service more efficient, and it
cannot be said that the money thus spent has been
thrown away, while it may be confidently affirmed
that the former Government were to blame for the
remissness they displayed in this part of their
duties. Under the peculiar circumstances of the
case Mr. GLADsToNE's attack was a most
unfair one, for it is much worse to blame
others for the consequences brought about by the
sins of omission and commission committed by his
own Government than to magnify any errors of
which they bad been guilty quite irrespective of
their predecessors. The tactics of electioneering
times cover a multitude of sins, and had the remarks
of the leader of the Opposition been let alone it
would have been unnecessary to comment upon
them ; but when they form the text of speeches and
the theme of criticisms, it is but fair play to look at
both sides of the question. The Government, it is
said, cannot pay it way, and must speedily be re-
placed by one of more financial exactitude ;
but may not the accused retort that this
Government has had to pay its own way,
and, besides that, has been heavily burdened by the
debts of its predecessor. What with carrying out
the improvements, all too tardily undertaken, and
remedying the deficiencies all too plainly visible, the
Conservatives have had a heavy burden laid upon
them ; but in a year or two the expenses must de-
crease, and at any rate, if the reins of Government
changed hands at once, Mr. GLADSTONE might
arrogate to himself the merit of reductions which
would in reality be the result of the prudent outlay
of his opponents. It is always necessary to look
at all the bearings of a question before definitively
pronouncing an opinion on its merits, and an
economy that makes other pay for unavoidable ex-
pense is not deserving of much commendation,
though it may answer certain ends.

Londonderry cannot complain of the grand
doings that have been taking place there being a
failure, although the Show itself was not so good
as might have been hoped. The Mayor's Banquet
took place on Thursday, and a numerous company
assembled to do honour to the occasion. In re-
turning thanks the Lord-Lieutenant made a brief
but effective speech, which was very well received,
and related chiefly to local matters. The city of
Derry, with its old associations, can well furnish a
theme for the attention of writers and animate the
eloquence of orators. The connection which has
existed for two centuries and a half between the
Duke of ABERCORN'S family and the ancient city im-
parted, of course, an additional interest to the feeling
with which his Excellency regarded it. In dwelling
on this he addressed no party in particular, but took
for granted that all must agree in admiration for the
deeds which had made the city famous and
Ihnmortalised in memory. The " struggle fur
liberty, the calm endurance, and the successful
perseverance," which distinguished the Irishmen of
that day were, indeed, worthy of all commendation.
Some instances may even now be met with which
show that the men of this generation are not un-
worthy of their forefathers, and can emulate their
patriotism. The Lord-Lieutenant truly reminded
his hearers that we live in times when the more
thoughtful qualities and peaceful professions can
c )mmand as much admiration as the exhibition of
brilliant attainments and striking qualities. The
capitalist, the merchant, and the skilful cultivator
of the land can each in his way confer a great
benefit on society, and be of service to his country.
If they rightly perform their several duties and re-
quirements, they are as deserving of respect as the
skilful statesman or the victorious general. Derry
has not been wanting in the production of men who
are capable of adding to the material reputation of
the city any more than in past days. It contained
those who contributed to the revenue of the land
by their powers in the field and their skill in the
council. Since his Excellency last met the citizens
of Derry serious events have occurred, which
seemed likely to affect the interests of the country
most prejudicially. In the northern citadel there
was happily no shock felt at the disturbing element
which affected the other parts of the land, and it
displayed an enviable sight to them of unity of
sentiment prevailing among all classes, and the
cordial sympathies which prevailed elicited favour-
able notice. The example was not altogether
without producing its effects, and at present it is
most pleasing to know that, with "rare excep-
tions," the whole country is in a state of quiescence.
The prisons contain no political prisoners—the
courts of justice arc without a political offender for
trial—and every county assize shows a re-
markable absence of crime. Surely, then,
we are justified in looking at the future with