The Sun.
London, England, 1857-07-31 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1857

The opponents of t •
h 3 Divorce and Matrimonial
Causes Bill seem resolved to prevent the passing of
the measure by any means
in their power. There
was a manifest determination last night to obstruct
itg progress, key no means creditable to the parties
concel ned. A very decided imiqritY-63, when
317 Members were present, rejected the adjourn-
ment.of the debate, but this motion was renewed
in a different form, and the Government Were
eventually compelled to yield. It is surely time
that a decisive majority should be protected
against the machinations of a tyrant minority.
The forms of the House may occasionally
be very properly resorted to where it is at-
tempted to obtain by surprise the Legislative sanc-
tion to a measure opposed to the general feeling
of the country. Bat such was not the case with
respect to the Divorce Bill. I; had been carried
through the Upper House by unequivocal majo-
rities. It ha 1 been fully discussed in all its
&Will, and every pssible opportunity was Lion
to defeat the measure. But all in vain. The

principle triumphed, and it was sent do svn to the
Commons after every point had been completely
considered and decided on.

In the Commons there was last night an
unusually large attendance for so advanced
a period of the session. As we have stated, no less
than 317 members were present, and we may
assume that 190 of their number were with the
Government. After the clear and unanswerable
argument of the Attorney-General, it was not
deemed necessary for any honourable gentleman
to speak in its favour. Opponent after opponent
was patiently listened to, but nothing was brought
forward but the old hackneyed topics, which re-
quired no answer. Therefore a division might
fairly be anticipated and pressed for. But
that was presented by what might, by
-ome persons, be deemed factious oppo-
sition ; and, consequently, much valuable
time was lost to the House and to the country.
We cannot conceive that the Government will
surrender under such circumstances, and the only
result will be the prolongation of the Session,
probably into September.
The matter really lies in a nutshell. It is, as
the ATTORNEY-GENFRAL clearly explained, merely
to extend what has long been considered the re-
cognised law on the subject—to render the
remedy which has been invariably granted to
aggrieved husbands cheaper and more expe-
ditious than under the existing system—to give
to the party who had a few hundreds to spare
the same relief that could only be obtained by the
fortunate possessor of some thousands. It is
neither more nor less than the creation of an un-
exceptionable tribunal to decide cases that have
hitherto been disposed of by means of private
bills. Exceptional legislation is always objection-
able. It is in every instance a protest against the
existing law of the land. . If every grievance
should have a suitable remedy, what can be
thought of a class of wrongs which cannot be
altogether abrogated, but for which each sufferer
must obtain a specific law ? We cannot conceive
anything more opposed to public policy, and all
the principles of equal justice.
We have long since explained our views on the
subject. We have shown that the present system
practically amounts to this, that there shall be
one law for the rich, and another for the poor !
And, therefore, the bill under notice, miserably
defective as it is in many particulars, is still one
that ought to be carried.
But, as we have stated, it is but an instalment,
and by no means a large ono, of justice. Much
more is required before it can be placed on a sa-
tisfactory foundation. But we accept it as " the
introduction of the sharp end of the wedge" which
will eventually lead to justice to women, and the
establishment of a system of complete and perfect
reciprocity. There may be a few hard cases first ;
some innocent victims whose unmerited sufferings
will excite universal sympathy. But it is easier
to alter than to completely overturn the existing
law, and therefore we hail the present bill as a
valuable instalment, that may eventually be made
really beneficial to the community.

We have no doubt that the Government will
not suffer themselves to be foiled, but that they
will press on the matter vigorously so as to ensure
its passing during the present session.

Lord NAAs is entitled to great credit for the
straightforward and unflinching manner in which
he proceeded with the Superannuation Act Amend-
ment Bill. Had he displayed the slightest symp-
tom of vacillation or yielding, the measure would
have been shelved for the present session, and
perhaps permanently lost. For, be it remem-
' bered, it could not be read a second time in the
Lords after the 7th of August, in consequence
of the resolution adopted on Tuesday last. The
Government—that is to say, Lord PALMERSTON—
yieIded gracefully to the clearly expressed opinion
of the House. We cannot, however, say so much
for Sir G. C. LEWIS, who strove to get rid of the
measure by a side wind, suggesting its postpone-
ment, although well knowing that such postpone-
ment would be tantamount to its withdrawal, or
rather its being shelved for the present session.
The Premier, however, exhibited perfect good
faith, and, thanks to Lords NAAS and PALMER-
STON, there is now every prospect that the
swindle will be forthwith abolished, and that
t'ie injured civil servants will, if they do
not receive compensation for the pas', be no
longer subjected to unjustifiable deductions from
their hardly-earned salaries for the future.
The bill has now passed through committee,
and one more struggle will insure its success. We
heartily congratulate those who have been so
long aggrieved at the auspicious prospect now
before them, and also on having secsred the ser-
vices of so faithful and efficient an advocate as
Viscount NA asawho has immeasurably advanced
his Parliamentary reputation by his conduct on
the occasion.

The conjectures of the Morning Post, to which
we gave insertion yesterday, as to the fons et
origo mali of the Indian mutinies, receive con-
siderable support from a letter addressed to Sir
MORTON PETO, the Treasurer of the Baptist Mis-
sionary Society, which was published on Wednes-
day in the ably conducted organ of that Denomi-
nation—The Freeman. The Baptists are well
known to all interested in Indian affairs as the
first denomination to send missionaries to our
great colony ; indeed, they were sent thither
when the East India Company refused to allow
preaching to the natives, and they were compelled
ti establish themselves on the small Danish settle-
ment and Island of Serampore, where they erected
a college, and where they have, we believe, ever
since, stood at the head of literary enterprise in
India ; hence, they have always had there a con-
siderable number of learned natives speaking most
of the languages of India, and must have some
peculiar and important sources of information.

In the letter referred to, the writer, whom the
Editor of the Freeman speaks of as one of the
most int lligent of their Missionaries, states that
the Missionaries, we presume, of all societies,
bad just hold a Conference, in which, of course,
they regarded the outbreak, from their own point
of view, as a religious one, and connected with
intense hatred of Christianity, coupled with a per-
fectly groundless idea on the part of the Sepoys,
that the Government intended to make Christians
of them. But the writer of the letter is not merely
a Missionary, he looks around for the real cause
of he mutiny, and his account is worthy the
attention even of British senators. He says :
" But, it will be asked, What is the true cause
of this, so general an alienation ? The true cause
is a political one, without doubt. As yet its real
authors are not known, but that then) is a con-
spiracy somewhere to upset the British power is
now
manifest to most. In seeking to accomplish
their wicked purpose they have most dexterously
s 3 likely to
Q
at religious motive, than which none was
affect the Sepoys, who are for the
most part high caste men, or Mahommedans."
He goes on to show how their religious prejudices
way have become naturally awakened by the pro-
ceedings of Missionaries and the Government.
" There cannot be a doubt that fur some time
imp:esiion has been widely spread. that
st
foundation
labours
epahistainanity will supplant Ilti)iendziusranci
for • thiS_
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