The Sun.
London, England, 1868-10-28 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 28, 186 P.

another, visible attestations of that fact, namely, of
that personal recognition, in the Order of the Garter,
in the Order of the Golden Fleece, in the Order of
the Medjedie, in fact, in the shape of all the great
orders of knighthood throughout Europe. If ever a
parvenu Prince has been recognised by " the powers
that be" since the great founder of his dynasty, it
has certainly been NAPOLEON 111.

OF Mr. BRIGHT'S first election address there is very
little to be said. In great measure, indeed, it is a
disappointment. It is wholly retrospective; and
though the past must have many attractions for
Mr. BRIGHT though the political history of
the last few years has seen the disappearance
of many a prejudice and abuse of which he
was the foremost opponent, and the success of many
reforms of which he was the most earnest advocate—
yet the present is not precisely the moment for
counting the gains of political strife. A time of pre-
sent difficulty is not exactly a time for congratula-
tion on past triumphs. The nation at large, and, if
we mistake not, the forty thousand electors of Bir-
mingham, would have much preferred an exposition
of Mr. BRIGHT'S intentions to a recital of his achieve-
ments. Mr. 13Ricarr's opinions now rank second in
importance to those of no English statesman of the
day, not even the two party leaders. Ilis position,
through several causes, has undergone a decisive change.
Whatever may have been his precise rank a few years
ago, he is now one of the foremost representatives of
the nation. The tide of public opinion has risen
with unexampled rapidity, and has come up nearly,
if not quite, to his level. He, too, has changed ; his
views have become sensibly modified, and his manner
of stating them still more so. The sense of approach-
ing responsibility has, doubtless, had its effect.
Mr. BRIGHT must form part of the next Liberal
Government, and, next to Mr. GLADSTONE, he is the
Liberal leader of whom the greatest hopes can be
entertained. Last, but not least, he is the recognised
chief of the great class which, for good or for
evil, has finally acquired preponderance in the
British Empire. What will he do with it ?
What will be made of this power by a man who,
though now a fair representative of the national
opinion, still differs from and is in advance of it in many
important respects? A" platform" from the m ember for
Birmingham would be of the highest importance and
interest at present, but, unfortunately, we have to
wait for it. We know that he holds special views on
the education and land tenure questions. How will
he apply those opinions now that these questions
have assumed such prominence ? The retrospect he
has given us is not devoid of interest and instruction,
and, moreover, the credit which Mr. BRIGHT takes to
himself is very largely merited, though he must guard
against one error to which he seems liable—that of
supposing public opinion only has changed whilst his
has remained stationary. It is not, however, a retro-
spect which is most needed just now.

DURING the next session, in all probability, trades
unions will attain a recognised position under the
law. The question has been carefully examined of
late, and has made great progress. Both the
unionists and their opponents have conceded a good
deal, and the issue has been so much narrowed that a
ready solution may be expected. The bitterest oppo-
nent of the rights of labour is obliged to admit that
the law of contract ought to apply to a trades union
as well as to the case of any other society. On the
other hand, the unionists now declare that they will be
satisfied with the provisions of the common law. It is,
therefore, not difficult to anticipate the chief provi-
sions of the enactment which will in future determine
the legal status of trade societies. Any workman
who of his own free will joins a society of the kind
must be bound by that as much as by any other
contract. If he promise a certain periodical payment,
the union must have power to compel it so long as
he remains a member of the union. But the power
of withdrawal on reasonable notice must always
remain. No workman who is not a unionist shall be
exposed to threats or coercion, and no workman who
joins a union shall be obliged to continue his mem-
bership against his will. But the weekly payment
and all the rules of the society ought to be legally
binding on its members. This solution of the
difficulty is so simple and natural, that but for the
obstacles we have mentioned it must have been
arrived at long ago. Not only, however, have artisans
demanded more than was just, but self-interest and
prejudice have operated equally on the other side.
k trades union was deemed nothing less than a
machine for systematised conspiracy, just in the
same way as it was formerly held to be actually cri-
minal for a workman to demand higher wages or
leave his work. These prejudices are rapidly giving
way. There can be no doubt that funds of trades
unions are often applied to injurious, and sometimes
to unjust purposes. But this evil cannot be avoided
by outlawry. Rather is it likely to be diminished by
giving these societies a recognised position before the
law, and by bringing their operations to the light of
publicity. By refusing them a legal status they are
in a measure driven to the expedients from which
British industry and the British name have suffered
so much.

WHILST in England the prospect of a
system of international currency seems very
remote, the French decimal coinage is rapidly
coming into use all over Europe. The royal
commission which was appointed to examine this
question has naturally hesitated to adopt a change
which would diminish the value of the pound. But
there can be no doubt that the choice lies only
between the French decimal system and none at all.
There is not the least hope that the pound will be
accepted by other nations as a uniform coin. The truth
is, the adoption of the English coinage as the uniform
system is neither desirable nor possible. It is not
desirable, because it would not be a step in the pro-
gressive direction; it would losefarmore than it would
gain. The French coinage, which is spreading so rapidly
over Europe, is founded on the decimal principle; ours
is not. The figure ten alone connects one French
coin with another, and all calculations can be made
by means of that one number ; but the English
money requires the irregular figures four, twelve,
and twenty. To reduce shillings to farthings
we must multiply by forty-eight ; to reduce
francs to centimes the French multiply by
one hundred ; that is, simply add two cyphers.
The advantages of the decimal system in accounts
and all money transactions are very great.
Indeed, it has been proposed to adopt a decimal
coinage in England, and incur all the trouble of a
complete change, for the sake merely of gaining this
facility of transacting business at home, and with-
out immediate reference to a uniform system
throughout the world. This project was very strongly
supported, and at one time promised to be successful.
The superiority 113 so great that it is simply absurd to
expect that any nation will give up a decimal system in
order to substitute our clumsy and illogical coinage.
Our money is in a position similar to that occupied
by the Irish Church : whatever objections there may
be to abolishing it now, the most prejudiced
would never dream of establishing it as
desirable in itself. The royal commissioners
are of opinion that no efficient international coinage
is possible without the complete assimilation of the
coins of different nations. If, therefore, the pound
is to prevail, the States of Europe will have
to give up their simple and logical decimal
coinage for the complex calculations of
the English system. Thus, whatever would be
gained by uniformity would be lost by the
increased difficulty of calculation. To secure
uniformity on the basis of the pound, it would be
necessary for Europe to exchange a good coinage for
a very bad one. In one sense it is a misfortune that
the pound has extended so far; only prejudice and
self-interest could wish it to spread further. Of
course it would be quite possible to establish a
decimal system on the basis of the pound
itself ; but as great changes on both sides
would be required to make this a uniform coinage,
the project does not deserve the slightest considera-
tion. Further, as we have previously shewn, the

contest between the English and French systems is
already decided. The decimal currency is rapidly
coming into use all over Europe. In 1865
it was made uniform throughout France,
Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland ; Greece and
the Papal States followed ; Austria has promised
her adherence, and Sweden and the United States
are considering the matter. During the last few
days North Germany and Spain have pronounced in
favour of this decimal system. In face of such
unanimity it is clearly hopeless to put forward the
claims of the pound. The change would be attended
by immense benefits, but we cannot hope to have the
advantage without its drawbacks. We must adopt
the French system, or, if the injury wrought by the
transition would be too great, remain as we are.

LATEST INTELL MENU.

(REUTER's TELEGRAMS.)

SPAIN.

MADRID, Oct. 27.

The Tertulia Club of the Progressist party has
been amalgammated with the Liberal Union, thus
forming one club. This fusion has been celebrated
by a banquet, at which Senor Olozaga and the
Marquis de Vega Armigo presided. The former
delivered a speech, strongly exhorting the Liberals
of all shades to unite, and pointed out the necessity
of this step, in order to be prepared to oppose the
united reactionists. lle also mentioned that the
ex-Queen Isabella is intending to abdicate in favour
of Don Carlos.

The subject of the forthcoming elections for the
constituent Cortes, which will commence on the
29th November, is being discussed by the Council
of Ministers.

The Papal Nuncio has had an interview with
Senor Lorenzana, when he gave satisfactory ex-
planations to the Minister, from which it may
easily be foreseen that the recognition of the Re-
volutionary Government by the Roman Court will
shortly take place.

It is asserted that the Government intends to
raise a national loan by public subscription.
It is reported that the Belgian Government will
shortly recognise the Provisional Government.
Tranquillity prevails everywhere.

AUSTRALIA.

MELBOURNE, Sept. 13 (via Brindisi).

In the Victoria Legislative Assembly the loan
bill for the completion of the docks and water works
and the construction of the new railway in the
north-east, has passed the second reading. The
Appropriation Bill has passed the first reading.
The Assembly is expected to be prorogued within a
fortnight.
The Stent has sailed for England with 68,000
ounces of gold, and the screw steamer Bombay takes
30,000 ounces to Suez.
The Protective tariff has passed the Tasmanian
Parliament.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

ADELAIDE, Sept. 19.

A resolution proposed by Government has been
carried that the northern territory should be forth-
with surveyed. The time of selection is to be ex-
tended from five to ten years.
BOMBAY, Oct 1 (via Brindisi).

Ameer Sheere Ali has expressed a desire to
establish friendly relations with the British Govern-
ment. The Viceroy has replied most favourably.

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Pia rritz.
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Paris ....

Tou'ou

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS,

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, TUESDAY, October 27.

The much-talked-of chart which is to represent France
at three periods of her history during the present century,
and which is to prove that the nation is as well
off now as at any time during the last seventy years
is to appear this evening. The excitement caused by this
novel production is very considerable, and the Military
Library in the Passage. Dauphine is besieged by a crowd
of expectant purchasers. Ten thousand copies have already
been spoken for. The public cannot expect much from a chart
sheaving the different boundaries of France during the
present century ; but the expedient of a Government
appealing to its people in this way is undoubtedly new.
We may look for an Imperial Catechism next.

It is said that there has been a contest in the Imperial
Cabinet over the forthcoming Budget. M. Mag-ne,.remem-
bering the reception he met with in the Corps Ldgislatif
during the recent discussion, is naturally anxious to gain
some idea of what proportion the expenses of the Empire
will assume next year. The War Budget is, of course, the
difficulty. A controversy, it is said, ensued between M.
Rouher and Marshal Niel. The former is much im-
pressed by the unanimity of feeling in the country,
and desires to give way to it a little. Marshal Niel
thinks only of the efficiency of the navy, and looks only
in one direction—across the Rhine. Hence the contest in
which the War Minister came off victorious. The
Emperor does not desire war, but he will not again be
caught unprepared as he was in 1866, should the necessity
or the expediency of fighting again present itself.
An article recently published in the Revue de Deux
lifondes, on the preliminaries of Sadowa, contains some facts
of importance. The principal of these is the proof from
official documents that the cession of Venetia to France by
Austria did not date from the sth July, but really
from the 9th June, and must, therefore, have
taken place, according to M. Klaczko's article, before the
first battle of the war. Some of the deputies of the Italian
Chamber are going to question their Government on this
subject during the next session. They think that Venetia
might have been obtained without the loss of an Italian
soldier; a fortiori without Custozza or Lissa.

The Pressc says that Baron Magnus is to succeed Count
von Goltz. This diplomatist is neither better nor worse,
but his affliction renders it impossible for him to attend
to State affairs. Iu the meantime, all the statesmen that
Prussia can produce are one by one being promoted to
this important embassy in the imagination of this fruitful

people.
It is feared that the life of the Duke of Brabant cannot
be prolonged beyond, at most, a few days. The dropsy,
which had been momentarily checked, became uncontrol-
lable, and mounted towards the heart. A consultation
by the doctors, in all seven in number, resulted in the
determination that the last resource, a second puncture,
should be attempted.
The Pays has published another of those wretcnea
revolutionary manifestoes which purport to come from the
" Revolutionary Committee of Action." Here is a speci-
men of its style :—" The Man of December, disturbed in his
long impunity, cries and prays; he wants to offer up his life
as a sacrifice for his own race—quite a pelican ! The more
he dies the more they will live and cling to the soil like
noxious weeds—a race of tares !" How a paper which
would perish to-morrow if it were not for Government
aid is allowed to publish such rubbish, is utterly
inexplicable.

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Plymouth
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London

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