The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-30 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDO MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 30, 1868.

to w eet the exigencies of the moment, and
the be
st proof has been given of its skill by the in-
dignati 'on it has met with in many quarters. The
advocat. 38 of Mr. GLADSTONE desire, of course, that
the rim .stern should meet his proposition with a flat
denial,
a, id proceed a routrance, but such a course
can never bt
'followed by those who have the interests
of their party
.to consider and their own political re-
putation at sta.):"e• At any rate the encounter
must now take pace, and the country will look
with interest upon it. The House must be upon its
guard against the cunning and stratagem that
will be brought to bear upon it, and make a deci-
sive stand against the amendments of the Oppo-
sition leader. It will do him no harm to remain
out of office another year, but it will be the most
serious thing his friends can render him to put
him into a false position, and allow him to gratify
his ambition at the expense of reason, consistency,
and good statesman. hip. It is a great pity that
the question should have been brought on at all
in this uncalled-for fashion, but since it has
been there is nothing for it but to meet
Mr. GLADSTONE'S attack in the right spirit, and for
the House of Commons to support the Ministry in
putting themselves in the right position before the
country, as being neither directly opposed to the
spirit of the motion nor yet in its favour, but re-
solved to follow that course which will best tend to
the security of the country and meet with the ap-
proval of the public, and this cannot be done in such
a hurried style as some propose.

Mr. STANTON appears to set a considerably higher
value on himself than is done by anybody else, and
spends a miserable existence, tormented by the fear
of some secret machinations against him. Perhaps
a good many of these periodical alarms may owe
their origin to the strong desire which undoubtedly
exists in the minds of the leading Radicals to keep
up public excitement, and to convince the world at
large that the PRESIDENT and his supporters are
capable of the most reckless and desperate wicked-
ness. A little time back we heard of a terrible
scheme to put an end to the interference of Congress
by the agency of nitro-glycerine, and every week the
Radical journals are ready with fresh accounts of
the conspiracy going on between Mr. JoHNsoN and
the rebels. The latest panic has been created by an
emphatic announcement of the intention of a band
of rebels in Virginia to cross the Potomac, to seize
the War-office—of course in the Radical view the
most important office in the State—to expel Con-
gress, and carry off Mr. STANTON and the leading
Radicals. Really, in such a case, the raiders would
deserve our congratulations about as much BURNS'S
satanic fiddler, who " danced awa wi' the
exciseman." Their prizes would be of no
great value to themselves though, certainly, their
room might be better than their company in Wash-
ington. That staid old city has in consequence of
the alarming report been favoured with a sight of
military preparation. Of course Mr. STANTON must
defend himself and his War-office from all risk of
so terrible a visitation, and a strong guard has been
placed at the Long Bridge. Forty army waggons
have been prepared for a campaign, and a strong
military force has been brought from the North.
Perhaps Mr. STANTON likes to feel that he is in
truth master of the War-office, and can yet
direct the movements of troops,land marshal-
men, and the four companies of troops under arms
for his protection, give him a sense of importance
as well as of security. The PRESIDENT, however,
holds no communication with him, and does not
recognise him as Secretary of War, giving all his
directions to General THOMAS. If it were not for
the absolute standstill of public business owing to
the Impeachment it would be difficult to carry on
the Government under such circumstances. The
prevailing topic ofidi.3cut don is,:of course, the issue
of the trial, and speculation is rife as to the result.
The PRESIDENT, it is said, is confident as to his
full vindication, awl no doubt if the trial
were absolutely impartial such might be its
consequences, but there is some reasan for
doubting it under existing circumstances. The
public impression is that the Senate is thoroughly
hostile, and will convict him as soon as possible.
Mr. CHASE, indeed, feels that the honour of the
country demands a fair trial, the very last thing
that many Republicans want, since they apprehend
that with it the verdict must be one of acquittal.
The Chief Justice's desire that the Impeachment
should be conducted with impartiality and honour
has drawn upon him the unmeasured hos-
tility of his own party. The Radicals,
always ready and reckless in their charges, are
unhesitatingly declaring that he is determined to
prevent conviction, and has made a compact with
the PRESIDENT. The object is supposed to be his
nomination for the Presidency by the Democrats.
It is no secret that Mr. CHASE is ambitious of the
White house, and has been disappointed by the
preference shown by the Republicans for General
GRANT. At the same time it is most unlikely that
he would look to the Democrats for a nomination,
and they have candidates enough of their
own without selecting a nominee from the
ranks of their avowed enemies ! But however
wild or unfounded the accusation, if it serves
the Radical purpose for the moment, it is
recklessly put forward, the only aim being to damage
an adversary's character, and truth being the last
thing thought of. Before many days have passed
we shall hear some further details of the trial,
which, however paltry or futile in its aims or its
origin, is in reality a critical and momentous event,
whose issue must in a great measure decide the
course and conduct of both the contending parties,
as well as exercising a marked influence on the
future of the nation.

There is always a good deal of difficulty in deal-
ing with questions affecting the rate of wages, or
the relations between employer and employed, and
the benevolent promoters of the interests of our
agricultural labourers have already discovered this.
On Saturday a conference of gentlemen interested
in the subject met at Willis's-rooms to discuss the
present condition of the agricultural labourers of
England, and several points of importance were
fully and fairly discussed. Canon GIRDLESTONE,
who has bestirred himself so much in the labourers'
cause, was present, and moved a series of resolu-
tions recommending a system of registration
and organisation, while strongly deprecating
any attempt to coerce the employers or any appear-
ance of aggression. The general condition of the
agricultural labourers was, he said, deplorable, and
must continue to do so, while they were 'expected
to support themselves and their families on wages
ranging from 7s. to 10s. per week. lie had suc-
ceeded in getting the wages in his immediate
vicinity raised to ten shillings ; but he held that
every agricultural labourer iu the country ought, in
addition to his cottage or room, to have twelve
shillings a week, in order to enable him to bring
up his family and put something by for ad-
verse circumstances. This minimum is cer-
tainly reasonable enough, but there is one
thing that metropolitan reformers must remember
in legislating for agricultural labourers, and that is
the vast difference in the cost of living in town and
country. Eight or ten shillings a week in a rural
district are probably worth quite as much as four-

teen or sixteen shillings in thriftless and costly Lon-
don, where dock labourers and others get no more,
and where a wretched room in populous places can:
not be had for less than two shillings a week. The
price of food makes a material difference in
the poor man's weekly earnings, and thus
though the condition of the agricultural labourer
certainly deserves inquiry, and probably in many
districts calls loudly for improvement, we must not
take it for granted that he is always so much worse
off than his fellows. The plan of compulsory edu-
cation of his children up to 13 years of age is im-
practicable, and could never be carried out,
though we should like to see some effort made to
improve the educational standard of the agricul-
tural class. At any rate the discussion of the
question must do good if conducted fairly and
temperately, as was the case on Saturday.

LATEST INTELL LGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE PROPOSED SUBMARINE CABLE' TO

INDIA.

ALEXANDRIA, March 24.

The commander of the Hydra, surveying vessel,
disapproves Kooria Mooria as a station for the pro-
jected submarine cable to India on account of the
approaches being rocky. He proposes taking
soundings for a direct line between Aden and
Bombay, where the cable would pass over a smooth,
undulating bottom.

FRANCE.
BOURSE, March 28—Three o'clock. —The market
closed as follows :

4i per Cent.
End of month -
3 per Cent
End of month 69 20
Credit Mobilier

Bank Shares 3160
ItaPan Loan
End of month —
Mexican Loan
Do. Bonds
Spaaish Threes 37 75
Home Debt —
Deferred —

End of month... 270
Credit Foncier ...1480
End of month...

RAILWAYS.

Account
Orleans ... 900
Northern llB5
Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern..... 577
Western
Eastern . —
Sardinian

COUESPONDENOR PROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

.!ARIS, SUNDAY, March 29.

It is now no longer denied that the Emperor has been
contemplating a dissolution of the Chambers. The semi-
official Etendard admits this, and believes itself able to
state that the measure has been postponed for the present.
It is understood that a decision will be postponed
until the crops are further advanced. If the prefects
should warn the Emperor that a bad harvest is probable,
he will not wait until next year (when the Corps
Ldgislatif must be dissolved by effluxion of time), but, fear-
ing the combined effect of dearth and the discontent caused
by the new Army Law, he will hasten on the elections,
which will then take place in September.
In connection with this event every item of news and
gossip is greedily devoured. For instance, there are many
rumours afloat respecting the reception given to the
deputies at the Tuileries last week. The Emperor talked
with some of the deputies. He is said to have advised the
Conservative members to organise their action inde-
pendently of the Government, since their support could
always be counted upon. He made a direct appeal to
some members of the Opposition. He dwelt upon the
progressive laws which the Chamber had just adopted,
and added that he had no fear of the consequences,
for " while one can give liberty with one hand, one can
keep the other firmly grasping the hilt of the sword."
Another speech of the Emperor is quoted. He is said to
have remarked to a group of deputies: "They say I am
getting old ; but I shall prove, perhaps very soon, by an
exploit (un coup d'eclat) that that is nothing."

As bearing upon the dissolution a matter has turned
up which is likely to prove of considerable importance.
Your readers arc aware that in the departments the influ-
ence of the clergy is very strong, and that Napoleon has
always endeavoured to keep on good terms with them.
They are now about to make a great effort in order to retain
t he control which they have acquired of late years over the
higher education of the young. M. Chaix-d'Est-Ange has
just presented to the Senate a report respecting the
petitions presented to that body in behalf of liberty of
teaching. This report has given rise to much discussion
among the clergy, and it is understood that the cardinals
and bishops intend to speak upon it. They complain that
the debate has been postponed until after Easter, when
they will have' less opportunity for speaking, and they
demand that it shall take place immediately. Closely allied
with this circumstance is another. M. Duruy, Minister of
Education, annulled a few days ago the thesis of a candi-
date for the degree of Doctor of Medicine because he
avowed materialistic opinions, and he was compelled to
undergo another examination. This event gave rise
to much angry discussion in the Ecole do M6dicine.
Thus M. Duruy is between two schools. On the one side
he is accused as the oppressor of " free thought ;" on the
other he is looked upon as the great foe of the clergy. It
is thought not improbable that he will have to surrender
his portfolio ; and as it is known that certain distinguished
members of the clerical party have lately been at the
Tuileries, it is believed that the Protestant Minister of
Education is very near his fall.
The France has published in a very conspicuous form
an announcement to the effect that Count Bismarck
has sent out a circular respecting Prince Napo-
leon's visit to Berlin. The Count is said to affirm
that the Prince had no diplomatic mission, that he
was received with the honour befitting his rank, and that
the relations between France and Prussia are of the most
cordial character. All this may be true, and yet the Prince
may have had a mission. No doubt he was not an openly
accredited agent of his cousin, but all the world believes
that the Prince did not go to Berlin for nothing. The world
is very curious about the Prince, and cannot understand, for
instance, why he should be selling off his fine collection of
pictures and antiquities. It is understood that he is going
to be present at the wedding of his brother-in-law, Princo
Humbert.

The papers publish tp-day the repert of Marshal Niel,
Minister of War, respecting the National Guard. It is a
very long document, occupying nearly two pages, and goes
.nto all the minutia of the formation an 1 management of
the Guard

A. few days ago M. Greppo was tried and s :nt to prismn
for importing into France a copy of the Etoile Edge. It
was proved that he was unaware of there being any pro-
hibition against the circulation of that paper ; neverthe-
less, the rigour of the law was enforced against him. The
Opposition journals are now pointing out with great glee
that the semi-official Eerie has been quoting from the
forbidden paper.
Mr. Goldwin Smith has been delivering at the ll6tet
Brighton, in this city, a speech which the French papers
assume to be the manifesto of the English Radicals. Mr.
Smith declared in favour of manhood suffrage. The Journ../
des Debats has au article upon it, which attributes much
importance to the speech.
Great preparations are being made to carry out the
approaching Imperial Horse show on a large scale. It will
take place in the old Palais de i'lndiistrie. Already
horses have been entered. English and German horses
will be represented.
The Emperor and the Empress were present la 4 weelc
at the representation of the new opera, " Hamlet." The
Empress was very much affected by Mdlle. Nilsson's ren-
dering of Ophelia, and after the performance sent her a
bouquet of violets with a gracious me sate of thard:e.
The Emperor sent a more substantial present, consisting
of a bracelet, brooch, and earrings of emeralds, pearls, aad
diamonds

Sir Robert Montgomery, late Lieut,nant-Governor of
the Punjab, has written a very valeahle memorandum
upon the mooted question as to whether our Government
is popular or the reverse among the Indian native
population. He says that in favour of the British Govern-
ment are the facts that the people are more prosperous, that
there is greater security of life and property, that there i 3
religious liberty, better protection from open and daring
crime, that trade is free, the agricultural classes better off,
&c. On the other side of the account there is a long list. The
nobility, courtiers, native chiefs, native gentlemen, sacer-
dotal and military classes, the producers of Indian manu-
factures, are all opposed to our rule. We are aliens in
everything, and thus there is a great Wulf between the
governors and the governed. Our judicial system is most
unpopular, because of its long delays and costliness. The
natives are bewildered by the multitude of our departments
and the constant alterations of law and procedure. While
they like a cheap and vigorous administration of the law,
they like also that the law should be unchanging. They
dislike our sale of land for arrears of revenue, imprisonment
for debt, our system of taxation, our constant interference
in the everyday concerns of life, especially in sanitary
arrangements. They feel as a grievance the frequent
summoning of witnesses from their homes to give evidence
without adequate compensaoon. They prize pageantry,
and there is nothing of it in our Government. Our
rewards are few, and given grudgingly. Our ofEc'als are
young, and mostly overburdened with work-, so that they
have little opportunity of mixing personally with the
natives. Sir Robert states his opinion to he that, in order
to do full justice, it is indispensable that we legislate with
the aid of a native council, assemLial by each local
governor. It need not be permanent, but its object should
be to unite the landed gentry and men of wealth and
ability in the administration of their country. We mei
an enlightened native opinion, and for our rulers to know
what it is. Every effort should be made to try and soften
the hard straight lines of our unbending and uncongenial
rule, and to adapt it more to the feelings and sympathies
Li the people ; to attach the people to their local officers ;
to remove the dull sense of restraint and repression which
now overpowers them, and to afford scope for their legiti-
mate aspirations and love of distinction in our service, both
civil and military. This will be effected, not by checking
the power of English superiors, as have been done in some
of our oldest provinces, but by raising the natives distin-
guished by ability and integrity, to participate and aid in
upholding the needful authority.
When the Government Education Bill comes
clown to the Lower House, it will probably be referred to
a select committee, together with Mr. Bruce's Education
Bill, lately laid before the House of Commons.
SHOCKING RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—A lamentable
accident took place on Saturday night at the Blackfriars.
road station of the Charing-cross Railway. A passenger
opened a carriage-door and got in as a train was starting
out of the station, and in endeavouring to shut the door a
porter fell between the platform and the train. The poor
fellow was literally cut to pieces, and was taken in a hope-
less state to the hospital.

FESTIVAL OF THE THREE CIIOIRS.—The trien-
nial festival takes place at Gloucester this year, and Dr.
Wesley has just made the preliminary arrangements. The
dean and chapter have granted the use of the cathedral
for the oratorios, and the week commencing September 7
is fixed for the festival. There is no falling off in the
interest excited by these gatherings ; on the contrary,
such an array of stewards has never before been pre-
sented in the history of these festivals. The list already
reaches eighty, and others are expected.

On Saturday an explosion of a serious character
took place at the carriage-works of the North of England
Railway Company, the Marsh, Preston. A number of
workmen were employed in casting a large " shear leg,"
and when they had got about six tons of metal in the
casting an explosion took place, caused by the splitting of
a core. A current of air got between the cinder-bed and
the core, which forced the metal out, scattering it about
the shed in all directions. Sand and other deJris were
thrown into the room above. Some of the workmen a e
tigd tc. be 4140;01181y wqtuadecl