The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 17, 1868.

rot be given than in the passage in which Mr. ROE-
BUCK. declares that his legislative life has been spent
i n supporting those acts of legislation which de-
terred capital from using any detrimental influence
t sn. labour ; and yet, because he did not dwell un-
necessarily upon the theme of the shortcomings of
tl le capitalist prejudice rose rampant, and as
b e put it emphatically, "my past life was
f orgot, and I was treated as an enemy,
through the whole vigour of my mind and body for
thirty-six years had been stedfastly and disinterest-
edly devoted to promoting and watching over the
• interests of my fellow-countrymen of every class
and degree." He is always the truest friend of the
people who tells them their faults, and in doing so
Mr. ROEBUCK has rendered a better and truer
service than those who pander to the passions of
the hour to gain themselves political- notoriety.
The writer of this communication suggests to Mr.
ROEBUCK that his sympathies with the " hardy sons
of toil" may have been alienated in consequence of
his having had more constant intercourse with the
rich and powerful ; but Mr. ROEBUCK answers very
truly and effectively, at what time have they chosen
to set this idea afloat? Why just when he has
been exerting all his influence and employing all his
energies to accomplish the great work whereby
these " hardy sons of toil" will attain a greater
place in the Government of the country than any
which they have yet enjoyed. This is, indeed, a
glaring instance of inconsistency and wrong judg-
ment, which cannot be too stronglyd enounced. We
fully agree with all Mr. ROEBUCK here says, and
consider furthermore that great injustice has been
done to him, but the only way for a politician to
succeedis to follow the cause he thinks right himself,
whether it leads to popularity or the reverse of it.
The time is not far distant when the general intelli-
gence of the working classes of this country will
declare against the tyranny and oppression of
Trades-Unionists, under which they have too long
been crushed down and injured, and then the pub-
lic spirit and patriotism of Mr. ROEBUCK will be
recognised as it ought to be. Meanwhile we must
put up with the disappointment that too often
awaits those who look to the gain of others and not to
the immediate gratification of their wishes ; buit it
has been well said—

" One self-approving hour whole years outweighs,
Of stupid starers and of loud huzzas."

As we expected the news from South America
shows us that matters are more favourable to the
Paraguayans. than to the Allies. The latest advices
received through Rio Janeiro, bearing date
January 23d, report that no fighting had taken
place
LesoinpcEez
was
the departure
hiseofthepolsaistin, makingtomail.
a
Presi-
dent
road in the Chaco. Evidently he is very well able
to hold his own, and is willing to leave sickness and
disaffection to do their work in the enemy's camp
and fleet. The Marquis DE CAXIAS was inactive,
being perhaps disheartened by the prevailing sick-
ness, which must have paralysed his move-
ments. Notwithstanding the, systematic at-
tempts to make the worse appear the
better cause the truth is beginning to be known,
or at least suspected, in the Empire. Some anxiety,
we are told, was beginning to be felt in Rio as to
the effect of the war, there appearing to be no hope
of an immediate termination. How different from
the confident assertions of as easy victory, and the
contemptous depreciation of the military skill and
strength of the Paraguayans, which we heard a
short time since I It is no great wonder that the
people', groaning under the visitation of a terrible
epidemic, look with apprehension and anxiety on the
costly war, to which they are inclined, rightly or
wrongly, to attribute the advent of the dreaded visitor.
The cholera, according to the latest news, has spread
to all parts of La Plata, while at Buenos Ayres
business was completely at a standstill owing to its
ravages. The last mail informed us that owing
to the adoption of active sanitary measures the
disease was disappearing ; but from these accounts
it would seem that it has taken fresh hold. Before
its appearance there was disaffection in the camp
and divisions between the rival authorities, the
general at the head of the army accusing the com-
mander of the fleet of causing the fail-
ure of their joint attempt against LOPEZ,
and the latter returning the compliment,
with interest. The disputes between the heads of
the forces could not have tended to reassure the
people, and it would now seem that the same dis-
union exists in other ranks. In the Argentine Re-
public the war is becoming very unpopular. The
people, no doubt, are beginning to ask why they
should lavish their blood and treasure to forward
the ambitious designs of Brazil, and the sufferings
inflicted by the cholera will, no doubt, stimulate
them to break off from an enterprise which has led to
such disastrous results. At Santa Fe the revolu-
tion has assumed a serious aspect, and probably by
the next mail we shall learn that it has exercised a
sensible influence on the war. The Allies will do
wisely to retreat from the hopeless contest before
they have made further sacrifices, and before con-
cessions are extorted from their necessities which
might now be granted with better grace and less

Count BISMARCK seems determined to do as
much harm as he can in all possible ways, and
wherever and whenever it is possible to give
offence he does so directly. His last exploit is
one worthy of record, for it will in all probability
have most serious consequences. He has refused
to receive a deputation from the Conservative
party in the Lower House, who had come to him
with the view of settling the pending differences.
This is a most unwise determination, and one that
cannot be too strongly condemned in all its bear-
ings. It shows very plainly that the irascible states-
man is quite indifferent to the feelings of others,
and that all he wants is to have his own way, and
if that be impossible he will take no heed to any-
thing. This is not the way a statesman should be-
have if he wishes to secure regard and respect, and
still more if he would retain influence. He will
find that the tone he adopted with regard to the
Chamber of Deputies the other day was a great
mistake, and now this churlish refusal to receive the
Deputies is another. It seems now doubtful whether
M. EasmAitcic will leave Berlin during his leave of
absence, which is another extraordinary piece
of proceeding on his part. If he required
relaxation he need not take it just at a time
when so much of an important nature has to
be decided upon, and when he himself has declared
that the unity of Germany is at stake, and can only
be secured by the most strenuous exertions.
Frotn France we learn that the rumour as to Minis-
terial changes is an incorrect one, and that there
will but be constitutional modifications. It. would
certainly be a very awkward time to have recourse
to alterations just now, when so many affairs of im-
portance are pending, and the Army Bill and Press
Bill are still to be consolidated. Meanwhile it is
satisfactory to notice that commercial affairs are
proceeding satisfactorily, and the °triad confirma-
tion has been given to the news of the ratification
on Saturday of the Treaty signed between
France and Mecklenburg. After the treaty between
Austria and the Zollverein has been signed other
arrangements will be put in force, The new order

of things that has come to pass in the Reichsrath
seems to be successful so far as it goes, and
the fears that were entertained as to the
changes not being found welcome are here found
illusory. The Reichsrath is to elect its own Presi-
dent, instead of having one appointed by the Go-
vernment, and this of itself is of great importance,
and augurs well for the progress that has been made.
After the election three cheers were given for the
EMPEROR, which was a welcome proof of the effect
produced by the auspicious reforms that had been
inaugurated.

coniESPOZIDELOE FROTII PAP. ra,

(FROM OUR OWN CORRtSPONDENT.)

PARIS, SUNDAY, Feb. 16.

MM. F.,.rryer, Favre, and Thiers are said to have made
)rilliant speeches on the subject of the criticism of public
'unctionaries in the press, but without obtaining their
f;e:Tye2 directed his remarks especially to the
inane:al administrators, who should be open at all times
;o criticism and attack. M. Picard argued that adminis-
xators should be permitted repose, and that if they were
Lllowcd to be the subjects of accusation they would be for
tver in the courts to defend themselves. The Ministers
lad their way, but the minority numbered 60, which shows
change from those long years in which the whole Opposi-
tion counted but five votes.

The France I,:iblishes a satirical poesie which has been
3irculated in Paris. It is entitled, the " Commandements
)f the Press," and is altogether a clever parody of the press
:aw. It recites that he who starts a paper must fund a
.argc caution, pay daily duties to the treasury, never cen-
inre the acts of the Government, respect the Chambers
end the Ministers, say nothing of any citizen without his
;onsent, and publish no summary of the debates. Failing
this, the publisher will undergo fine and imprisonment:
Every fn.; will devour the third of his caution ; he will
f.)se the rights of an elector, and his paper may be sup-
pressed provisionally or definitely.
" Saul ces r6serves, to pourras
Ecrire et parlor librement."
(These modest limits not transgressed,
Your thoughts may freely be expressed.)

There are evils in liberty from which a Government
keeping the " initiative " in its own hands are free. The
Army Law passed in France without a demonstration—
for a sufficient reason. In Belgium, on the contrary,
meetings are being held to protest against the Belgic
imitation of it. Popular assemblies have been held at
Antwerp and Lnge, numbering each five to six thousand
persons, to resist the " blood tax " (l'impOt du sang). The
meeting at Antwerp broke up amid cries of "Down with
the Conscription !"
The rumour is renewed that M. Baudrillart will become
the chief editar of the Constitutionnet, at a salary of 30;000f.
M. Baudrillart haS declared that he is a Liberal, and will
remain one in his new post.
A correspondent, writing from Naples, states that there
is a large amount of distress in Italy, and, consequent on
the distress, discontent. The three invasions of cholera
have been more injurious to trade than even the financial
evils of the country or the European crisis, and a large part
of the people attribute the cholera to the authorities. " Our
masters are our enemies," has parsed into a proverb with
them. The paper-money is a great curse to trade. The
writer does not believe, notwithstanding, that the Neapo-
litans are ripe for insurrection. It is admitted on all hands
that Bourbon brochures are circulating widely in South
Italy. At the present moment Vesuvius is the great
attraction at Naples, and the place is full of visitors.
Auber's " Premier Jour de Bonheur " was produced yes-
terday at the Opera-Comique. The honoured composer is
now 84 years of age. He retains a great deal of the plea-
satit happy bearing and active habits of his youth. Some-
body said to him the other day, " It is not pleasant to
grow old, is it ?" " No," replied Auber, " and yet it is
the only way one has of living a long time."
A few days ago a Frenchman, named S6bille, a well-
known forger, st.eceeded in discounting with an agent of
Rothschild's at Brussels 600 forged railway shares. The
forgery was discovered, and the man's lodgings searched,
when it was found that he had by him a large amount of
the scrip of various French companies.
The death is announced of M. Coulvier-Gravier, a labo-
rious observer of shooting stars. Under the advice of
Arago, he made meteors a special study forty years ago,
at a time when astronomers generally were indifferent to
them.

The Poles of Prussia are bringing a very strong pressure
to bear upon the Ministry to oppose Russia in her Eastern
policy. The Polish deputies have been much gratified to
find that the Confederation will not go, as Prussia has
hitherto done, through thick and thin with Russia. The
Poles themselves are more actively opposed to Russia at
this moment than they have been since the rebellion.
Able-bodied refugees have flocked to Turkey or Gallicia,
where they hope to have an opportunity of serving against
the Czar. At present it is not likely that Russia will
oblige them by rash proceedings in the East. Russian
and Slavonic journals are urging the postponement of the
great " South-Eastern revival," and retorting on France
and Austria the desire to bring on the crisis. It appears
that large purchases of horses have lately been made in
Hungary for France. The Times Berlin correspondent is
informed that as many as 25,000 are to be despatched from
Pesth to Strasburg.

A Trieste journal reports a great improvement in the
health of the Empress Charlotte. The profound impres-
sion produced by the announcement of Maximilian's death
has been followed by a favourable reaction. At first it
was intended to inform her of the Emperor's fate, con-
cealing the circumstances under which it took place. The
King of Belgium, however, insisted that the whole truth
should be told to the Empress, and the effect appears to
justify his opinion.
A conference on education is being arranged between
several members of the episcopal bench and some of the
leading advocates in Parliament of primary education.
Earl Granville, Mr. Bruce, M.P., and Mr. Forster, M.P.,
will take part in the conference.

At Huddersfield great efforts are being made by the
Conservative party to find a candidate who will contest
that place against Mr. E. A. Leatham. The present
member for the borough, Mr. Crosland, who successfully
opposed Mr. Leatham at the last election, is incapacitated
through ill-health from discharging his parliamentary
duties.

At Stoke-upon-Trent the contest is expected to be an
unusually close one. It is anticipated that the publicans
and the beer-sellers will support Mr. Campbell, the Con-
servative candidate, in consequence of Mr. Melly having
declared himself an advocate of the Permissive Bill prin-
ciple. Out of a constituency of 3,446, there are 808 pub-
licans and beer-sellers, and if the main body vote for Mr.
Campbell there will be little chance for Mr. Melly.

Eail Russell's long-promised letter to Mr. Chichester
Fortescue, M.P., on the state of Ireland, has been pub-
lished. A very considerable portion of it is occupied
with a review of English policy and legislation respecting
Ireland, and a description of the amelioration of the con-
dition of the Irish population which has taken place since
the commencement of the present century ; but the larger
half relates to Church questions. Earl Russell advocates
the passing of a bill, such as that of Lord Mayo or Mr.
Chichester Fortescue, to give a security to tenants that the
duties of property will not be -violated by the landlord
with impunity, and that a tenant who improves, if ejected
while he pays his rent, shall have compensation for his
outlay ; but he appears averse from measures in excess of
that reform, as either violating the rights of property, or
founded on a misconception of the character of the Irish
tenant.

The noble earl proposes to realise ecclesiastical equality
in Ireland, not under the form of impartial disendow-
ment, but by the endowment of Roman Catholics, Presby-
terians, and Protestant Episcopalians, after the latter
body has been disestablished. The Protestant Episcopal
Church in Ireland, in ceasing to be established, would
cease to have its archbishops and bishops sitting in the
House of Lords. Parliament might provide for the num-
ber of bishops to be maintained, and the mode of their
election or appointment ; but when made they would be
known to the Secretary of State only by their names, and
not by their jurisdictions, while they would be, at liberty
to assume their ecclesiastical titles to members of their
own Church. A mere abolition of the present Church
Establishment, Earl Itussell holds, would be an injury to
Ireland.

His lordship would employ six-eighths of the rentchargo
in building churches, purchasing glebes and glebe houses
for the Catholic clergy, and furnishing a better income to
the poorer ministers of the Roman Catholic Church. And
in order to give security to the Catholics Dad permanence
to the settlement of Ireland, it would be necessary that
the sums to be applied to the purposes of the Catholic
Church should be placed to their credit, and at the disposal
of persons chosen in the same manner as the Catholic por-
tion of Sir R. Peel's Board of Charitable Bequests. Earl
Fussell makes an appeal to Mr. Gladstone to come for-
ward and attempt to carry a scheme of this kind. Two
steps only are required—the first a resolution of the House
of Commons affirming the ecclesiastical equality asked
for as a boon to Ireland ; the second, an address to
the Crown praying for measures to give effect to that
resolution.

" Historicus " writes to the Times suggesting that Lord
Stanley should invite the gathering of an international
congress to discuss and settle the following questions :-
1, Naturalisation ; 2, Expatriation ; 3, Criminal Jurisdic-
tion over Aliens ; 4, Extradition. Such a congress would,
in INfr. Harc.mrt's opinion, snake diplomacy a blessing to
mankind, instead of being what it has often proved--a curse.
We should find on all these questions (except, perhaps, the
last) a great concordance of opinions ; and, at all events,
we should discover pacifically the extent of disagreement
and the means of reconciling it. If such a congress were
brought together, what should hinder it from further
settling the vexed questions of the rights and the duties of
neutrals and belligerents in respect of such matters as
those out of which the Alabama claims have arisen,
though, perhaps, not the particular case itself ? And thus
a solution of this question also might be at the same time
reached which would satisfy the justice and save the
dignity of nations. The public mind is prepared. The
Mora Cut fmourAble, and ought not t 9 lA 'pat,