The Sun.
London, England, 1850-04-23 00:00:00

:'I tp Min c '-.:741,11t

LONDON, TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1550.

11 Mr. EWART'S annual motion for the abolition of the
punishment of death is fixed for this evening. The
most sanguine advocates of the proposition can hardly '
anticipate its immediate acceptation ; but it may be
reasonably anticipated, as it is most earnestly to be
desired, that the wisdom and philanthropy of the
Legislature may at once devise some means to put an
immediate termination, if not to the awful punish-
ment itself, at least to the disgraceful and revolting
scenes which appear to be its inseparable accompani-
ments. There may be two opinions as to the pre-
ventive influence of the murderer's horrible doom. It
may be that the criminal's hand is at times arrested
in its purpose by the prospect of the probable penalty
of his crime, and this consideration undoubtedly dis-
poses many persons in favour of the retention of the
punishment. There are, therefore, two opinions on
the subject, and the arguments on both sides are
characterised by charity and justice. But
there is, and there can be, but one opinion as to the
nature and the effect of the revolting accompaniments
of an execution. To the patriot or the philanthropist
the scene upon the gallows, where one, perhaps re-
pentant, sinner is expiating his crime, is far less ter-
rible and less heartrending than the sad spectacle
presented by the spectators. The agony of the dying
visage and the convulsions of the writhing limbs are,
undoubtedly, most horrible to behold, but to those who
look below the surface still more horrible is the living
death visible in a thousand faces, as the pickpocket
plies his trade, as fathers lift up their children to see
the " sight," as mocking songs and jeering laughter
—issuing even from women's lips—echo around under
the shadow of the gallows, in the very presence of Death.
Scenes like these—to the enormity of which even the
pen of DICKENS was hardly capable of doing justice
—scenes which reflect an indelible disgrace
upon an enlightened age and a Christian country, are
a fit object for the interference of the Legislature,
and we most heartily hope that the proposition of Mr.
EWART will be instrumental in effecting their so-
much-required reformation. Another practical
benefit we would fain see deduced from this—as at
present at least we are disposed to regard it—theo-
retical 'imposition.
The blessings of Education were never better de-
monstrated, and its necessity never more forcibly en-
forced, than by that brief and most emphatic declara-
tion—" It is better to erect a sign-post at the
beginning of a man's life than a gallows at the end."
While we agree with many of the arguments of those
who would displace the gallows, we must confess that
we are =sore solicitous, immeasurably more solicitous,
for the erection of the sign-post. In the one case the
question is, whether a few years shall be taken from
the miserable lives of a few criminals; in the other the
matter at issue is the whole existence of millions for
time and. for eternity. In saying this we are far from
supposing that any book-learning can of itself so
purify the hearts, and rule the lives of the people as to
render the hangman's office a sinecure. The education
of which we speak—the education whichl the people
of this country are now beseeching in a language
more ele queet than words, in the silent appeals of
their 111 'mistakable misery—is of a more universal
and powerful nature than is to be acquired within a
school Alone. Let us have the schools by all
means, but they will be of little avail
without a very considerable amelioration in
the condition of the dwelling-houses. Let us have
the rudiments cf knowledge disseminated among the
poor, but such knowledge will be worse than useless
if only poisonous food be provided to satisfy its re-
quire:neat:a No advocate of Mr. EWART'S
proposition can more heartily desire the aboli-
tion c f the gallows than ourselves, but,
in order to effect that desired object, we would put an
end to the many evils in which its terrible necessity
originates. It is impossible at once to drain the
ocean of iniquity and its attendant miseries, with
which our moral world is deluged, but it is possible
with a timely hand to arrest the innumerable
and, in some cases, apparently trivial currents
whence it derives its source. When we cast a glance
over the actual state of London alone, when we see
how the haunts of vice are tolerated, and hence vir-
tually encouraged by ,the Legislature—when we see
even the printing-press, which should be the prime
agent of virtue and wisdom, lending its powerful
aid to foster immorality and disseminate vice, while
the law, so far from interfering with this illegitimate
liberty of the press, encourages it, by preventing by
its restrictions the competition of wholesome publica-
tions ;—when we call to mind these, and a hundred
similar circumstances, the horror and commiseration
excited by the murderer's fate are lost sight of in our
yet greater horror and commiseration for the
sins and the sufferings of so many thousands
of our fellow-countrymen: It is most earnestly to
be desired that all whose good sense and good hearts
dispose them to agree with the arguments of Mr.
B WART will take into consideration the necessity for
doing something more to signalise their philanthropy
than by abolishing the gallows without effecting
some diminution in the causes for its necessity.

The " Bears" are resolved to " die hard." They will
not abandon the contest without an arduous struggle.
A "panic" is too profitable to the speculators to be
permitted easily to subside. It is when the market
is in a "feverish" state that the largest and most
exorbitant gains can be realised. It is at such a time
that the prices are made to fluctuate to the extent
frequently of two or three pounds per share in a
single day. A bona-fide purchaser, desirous of in-
vesting his capital, must pay considerably more than
the nominal quotation ; while a shareholder, desirous
of selling, must submit to a still further depreciation.
The market thus shifts and changes every hour, while
the unconscientious spoliators, who have no real in-
terest in the undertaking in which they take upon
obtainthemselvesr tmo
osueel hpr ue
fin
tdsr eadt
t,
haey
ee
x,
pt he
no us
es a ne thousands ot
hf
es ha r es
plun-
dered shareholders. It is true that they sometimes
receive a severe lesson. The parties upon whose fears
they speculate are not always satisfied to become
" willing victims." The fraud occasionally becomes
too glaring. When prices are reduced to less
than one-half the actual value, a
rallytakes place ; capitalists, struck at the extraordinary
bargains that can be obtained, send instructions to
purchase, and thus are enabled to obtain, in some
cases, 7 or even 8 per cent. on unquestionable secu-
rity. When such is the case, when an actual trans-
fer is demanded, the " speculators for a fall" are
reduced to a lamentable state of perplexity. They
have contracted to deliver shares which they have act,
nor ever had in their pcssession. The purchaser
will not be contented to receive the " difference,"
as it is termed, but requires the full completion
is ready, and he demands
othfehdisei bargain.iery cf his
Hismoneyshares.
He was generally met,
at this stage of the transaction, with every trick and
scheme that could enter into the most wily imagina-
tion. Every species of device was resorted to in order
to escape from the transaction, and the former regu-
lations of the Stock Exchange enabled the sellers to
delay and procrastinate its final completion. Thus,
while the purchaser must be prepued to pay the

stipulated price to the very hour, and any default on his
part was visited with the utmost rigour, so as to de-
ter all parties from offending in like manner, the
" Bear" was enabled to put off the delivery to another
account, although entitled to call for the money at
any moment. This extraordinary privilege it was
which enabled the parties to carry their operations to
so enormous an extent, and to deteriorate the property
of the innocent proprietors. They had, practically
an additional fortnight within which to speculate, and
all the el:Aces that might arise within that period in
their favour. A most unfair advantage was thus be-
stowed upon them, which operated as an induce-
ment to enter upon a course so prejudicial
to the interests of the owners of railway property.
This rule has, however, happily been rescinded within
the past week, and., " Bears " and " Bulls " must
now meet on tolerably equal terms, the former
being deprived of the 'vantage ground they formerly
enjoyed. Since this salutary regulation has been
promulgated we may look more frequently for
" Stock Exchange Executions," or, in other words,
the buying in, against parties who are unable to
complete their contracts by the actual delivery of
shares. After a few examples have been made of the
most hardened offenders, it is to be hoped that a
wholesome dread will be instilled into their souls
which will prevent others from being guilty of si-
milar crimes.

But why is it, we again ask, that the railway in-
terest, with all its mighty power, has so long re-
mained quiescent and apathetic ? Why have they suf-
fered thems elves so long to be plundered with impunity ?
Why has there not been a Shareholders' Protection
Association formed to prevent the prices from being
unduly reduced below their actual value ? A com-
bined and organized movement would speedily place
the " ursine band" hors de combat. Insig-
nificant in point of numbers, wealth, or
influence, they have hitherto been enabled
to prey upon individuals. They prowled in flocks, and
were thus enabled to destroy the victims that were
so unfortunate as to fall:into their clutches. But " when
rogues conspire good men must combine." The
time has arrived when something must be done to
abate the nuisance. Laws are enacted for the pro-
tection of every description ofj property, save railway
property. The thief who steals your pocket
handkerchief is sentenced to a prolonged im-
prisonment, with hard labour, and on a second
conviction to banishment from his native land;
if what is termed: a " juvenile offender," corporal
punishment is freely resorted to. At the same
moment the Ursa Major and his " forty thieves " are
plundering the widow and the orphan with impunity,
carrying on their nefarious operations to the extent
of thousands and tens of :thousands, aye, of hundreds
of thousands, without any fear of untoward results,
and at the same time, calling themselves " all honour-
able men."

This anomaly should be corrected with all con-
venient speed. Similar evils formerly existed
with respect to the public funds, until the
Stock-jobbing Act was passed to prevent
the grievance. At the time that salutary law was
enacted the national debt was much below the amount
now invested in railways, but still it was found es-
sential to the safety and protection of the fundholder
that a stop should be put to the proceedings of uncon-
scientious speculators. Surely it cannot be said that
a similar necessity does not now exist, when North-
Westerns are quoted at:lo3, and Great Westerns at 53,
or about 50 per cent. below their real value, as an in-
vestment ! A more striking illustration of the ur-
gency of the case could not be afforded.

ROYAL BENEFICENCE. -- LICENSED VICTUALLERS'
ASYLUM CHArEL.—We have great pleasure in giving publi-
city to the following highly gratifying communication, re-
ceived on Fri Cay last by the secretary, from Lieutenant-
Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps, treasurer to his Royal
Highness Prince Albert, the illustrious patron of the in-
stitution, which conveys, in a substantial and highly gra-
tifying manner, the deep sympathy which his Royal High-
ness feels for the inmates, and for their spiritual and eternal
welfare

" Buckingham Palace, April 19, 1850.
" Sir,—l have had the honour to lay before his Royal
Highness your letter of the 17th instant, and I have received
the commands of his Royal Highness to enclose to you the
accompanying cheque for 501., as his Royal Highness's
donation towards the erection of a chapel for the use of the
inmates of the Licensed Victuallers' Asylum.—l have the
honour to remain, Sir, your obedient humble servant,
" To T. Jones, Esq., Secretary, &c." " C. 13. PmPrs.
We feel assured that such a distinguished and liberal example
will be followed by many gentlemen of wealth.

Talent is an eyesore to tyranny. In weakness,
tyranny fears it as a power; in power, it hates it as a liberty.
—.Eliza Cook's Journal.

MR. FREDERICK PEEL, A.I.P.—We are gratified
to learn, that the dinner in aid of the funds of the Jewish
1 Orphan Asylum, which will take place on the 2nd of May
next, and at which Mr. F. Peel, th 9 eloquent advocate of
Jewish emancipation, will take the chair, is expected to be
largely attended by the elite of the Jewish community; the
Right lion. the Earl of Yarborough, Baron Lionel de Roths-
child, M.P., Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart., F.R.S., Sir John
Young, Bart., M.P., John Abel Smith, Esq., M.P., Baron de
Goldsmid, F.R.S., Sir Anthony Rothschild, Bart., D. Sale-
mons, Esq., Alderman, &a., having promised to act as
stewards on the occasion.—Jewish Chronicle.

ATTEMPT TO MURDER. BY A HUSBAND AT LlVER-
root.—Ou Thursday-, Walter Wallace was charged with
having brutally assaulted his wife, with intent to murder
her. Five weeks ago her husband, who had been at New
Orleans for about two years, returned home, and within the
past few days his conduct to his wife had been so bad and
threatening, that she sent over to Manchester fur his sister,
Rebecca Wallace, and secreted the razors, lest he should use
them to destroy her. On Tuesday night, after all the in-
mates of the house had retired to rest, screams of " Murder "
were heard to issue from the bed-room of the prisoner and his
wife. Miss Wallace ran to the door of the room, but finding
it bolted she and the servant forced it, and found Mrs. Wal-
lace lying on the floor bleeding. The prisoner, who was in
a state of nudity, was kicking her with his feet, and when
told that he had killed her; he said," I meant to de it. I
kicked her on the jugular, and I am sorry I had not my boots
on, for then I should have killed her !" He also declared
that if the servant had not removed his razors he would have
cut her throat. Mrs. Wallacs, whose face was much swol-
len, and dreadfully discoloured, deposed as to the assault.
Mr. Jeffrey, surgeon, said that when he was called in on
Wednesday morning, the face of the complainant was se dis-
torted that, though he had occasionally attended her for
years, he could not recognise her. The prisoner was com-
mitted for trial on a charge of aggravated assault.

HOLYWELL, Arum 19.—Ellis Williams, a respect-
able farmer, residing at N annercb, near this town, committed
suicide, a few days since, under the following circum-
stances :—About three weeks ago he was present at a fair,
held in an adjacent county, and observed his wife shake
hands with a man who bad formerly been a neighbour.
Without other provocation than this, he immediately con-
ceived the most violent jealousy, and asked his wife if she
would like to die the same death as he would ? Alarmed by
the extraordinary inquiry, the wife left his house, when he
entreated her to come back, saying he wanted to see her for
once only. She refused, and continued to absent herself,
upon which he placed all the articles of her dress in a box,
and burned them in his farmyard. He then sent his daughter
into his furthest field to tend the cows, and during her ab-
sence ripped open the bodies of two valuable mares (in colt),
for which he had refused 401. at the fair. The unfortunate
man then went to the barn, where he hanged himself by a
rope attached to the beam. There can be no doubt that he
committed the rash act when in a state of mental insanity.
A DERELICT.—On Thursday morning last a fish-
ing-smack fell in with a dismasted waterlogged brig, dere-
lict, about 20 miles E.S.E. from the North Foreland. She
proved to be the Leonidas, 216 tons, a Prussian vessel under
Russian colours, with a cargo of oak and fir timber, from
Stettin, bound to Havre. She had been run foul of? by a
Russian barque on the night of the 16th inst., and shortly
after became waterlogged. The captain and crew were taken
off the wreck by an English brig, and landed at Deal.
Shortly after the fishing-smack fell in with the vessel the
lugger Fame, of Broadstairs went to her assistance, and
together they assisted in getting the Leonidas to within
about six miles of the North Foreland, when they were
obliged to anchor in the afternoon, when the out-tide came
against them, it blowing hard in squalls at the same time;
they got a steam-tug, and succeeded in anchoring the brig in
the Downs that night, and the following day got her safe
into Ramsgate, where she is being unloaded.

A PROFITABLE SPECULATION.-6; of our leading
Brazilian houses shipped a quantity of Manchester goods
some months ago to Buenos Ayres. Finding the market
closed up, and no sale for the articles, they were reimported,
and the shippers recently sold them in Manchester at a profit
of 12 per cent., after paying freight and all other charges.--
Liverpool Mercury.
GLASGOW, Aram 20.—The accounts per the Nia-
gara gave a stimulus to our cotton market, and a large busi-
ness was done at an advance of nearly 14d. The trade, how-
ever, having evinced no desire to purchase extensively, the
advance was not sustained, and prices have, consequently,
been unsteady. Iron—There has been little business doing
in pig iron during the past week, and prices are more in favour
of the buyer. No. 1, Gartsherrie, may be quoted 445. 6d. ;
No. 1, good brand, 435. ; and mixed numbers, 425. 6d. cash.
Bar iron is dull of sale, at 51. 7s. 6d. to 61.
POST-OFFICE NOTlCE.—Henceforward the sale of
postage stamps of the value of 10d. and Is. will be ex-
tended to all post-offices throughout the United Kingdom.
Postmasters will make the necessary application to this de-
partment for the supply which they may require of these
stamps.

DEATH OF SIR JOHN EDWARDS, BART.—Sir John
Edwards, of Maehynlletb, father-in :law of Viscount Seaham,
died on Friday last at his son-in-law's seat, near Wrexham,
in Denbighshire. Sir John had attained his 80th year. He
represented the Montgomery district of boroughs in Parlia-
ment from 1832 to 1841, and was Lieutenant-Colonel of the
Volunteers and local militia of the western division of Mont-
gomeryshire.

LICENSED VICTUALLERS AND GENERAL FIRE
AND LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY.—Yesterday the General
Committee held their annual meeting, at the office of the
company, in Adelaide-place, London-bridge, when Messrs.
Ward, Long, and Walter, were returned as the three repre-
sentative directors of the company for the next twelve months.
The best thanks of the committee were voted to the three
retiring directors, viz., Messrs. Bryon, Stennett, and Wallis,
for their able and zealous services at the board for the past
year. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. J. Wells, as chair-
man of the committee; also to the secretary and actuary,
dor whicl the committee adjourned.