The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-30
NEW YORK. SUNDAY MORNING. AUGUST 30 1916.
LONDON, Aug. 3, 1916.

LONDON, Aug. 3, 1916.
The Political Aspect of Engiand-Ihe Sugar CUES
tio,,-Sir Robert Peei-1he Slave Questionable
Harvests-Ihe Atlantic Mail Serpiee-1heatri-
cais-Ihe Death of the Millionaire, &C., &C., &C.
Until it was known what course the opposition
would take with respect to the sugar question,
the stability Of the Russell ministry was very
doubtful, its continuance in power was deemed
to be very uncertain, and general want of conf
dence prevailed which had sensible effectupon
the money market and all the great commercial
transactions. This is not to be wondered at, for
there is no doubt if the opposition had rallied all
its forces, they would have been able to defe at
the Ministry which has no great party
to support it. There were some strong
reasons, however, for OF wishing to defeat them,
and therefore II was determined by all the lea
ders and influential members OF the opposition to
let them alone until the present parliament ex-
pires, for its "seven years. will soon be compile
ted, when there will be general election Tor
new parliament. The chief reason was the diff
culties in the way Of forming new government,
which at the present moment would have been
insurmounabe; the next reason was the near APP
proach OF septennial general election, and the
enormous expenses OF dissolution now, which
would all be thrown away by the natural dissolu-
ton of the parliament, in comparatively short
tme So the Russell ministry stands by suffer
ance, the caucus having SO QeClUcu lt--IOT the
secret conclave and deliberations of the heads Of
parties here, is in fact a caucus. There is this
difference: the English caucus meets SUB rosa, os
tenslby on some other pretence, at dinner par
" &c., whereas the Americans do not conceal
the fact, both that they act in concert and that
they meet without concealment of their purpose,
TO concert their action. The straightforward,
open course OF the American plan, appears to me
better than the hypocrisy of the English system,
and yet the English have INDUCED themselves in
some severe animadversions upon the caucus,
as if they were quite innocent OF all party man.
agement.
greater than that which this sugar question ex-
hibits! While England is VIGOROUSLY flooded with
merchandise and raw. material, raised by the Ia
Dor of slaves; while she imports immense quanti-
ties OF slave grown sugar for the refineres, which
is afterwards exported, when refined, the chief,
indeed the only argument in the question was,
that it would be an encouragement TO slavery to
admit slave-grown sugar at the same duty as free
labor sugar. 1t is well, however, that the opposi-
ton have determined not to go into agitation
upon the slavery question, and therefore, Lord
kusselrs scale Of equalization will go into opera
ton without further opposition, except few ran
dom broadsldes, for appearance sake, as the bill
progresses. The question was virtually settled
on "Wednesday last, (July 29,) by majority OF
one hundred and thirty in favor OF the ministry
Lord Brougham the day before, on the occasion
OF presenting petition from the famous and now
aged GARRISON, President OF the Anti-Slavery So
ciety, took the opportunity OF making long fam
ing speech against slavery and the slave trade, by
way of argument for special protecting duty
upon sugar grown in the English West India ISL
lands. He was followed by Lord Lansdowne, the
ministerial leader in the House Of Lords, who,
in the course of his speech took the opportunity
of showing the bad feeling os the new Ministry
towards America, by violent fling against all the
Southern States of the Union. AS minister of one
nation in relation with another and friendly ma
tion he did not evince much tact by retailing such
old and vulgar abuse.
a.. nrtyI,f napfa
was opened by Lord G. Bentinck on the opposi-
ton side but the most curious speech on the &C.
casion was that of the ex-Premier, Sir Robert
Peel, who came to the aid OF the ministry, de-
clared his opinion that the measure would pro-
| mote and increase slavery in Cuba and the Bra
| zils that it was not such measure he would
have brought forward had he been in power, and,
after all that he would support the measure a TOR Tor
because of the difficulty or mpossbility of FORM
ing a new government
| For these three different phases assumed by Sir
Robert, the Times, in witty article, says that Sir
| at once - che has a face for ALL" He throws a
sop to the protectionists, by saying he would not
have proposed this measure (; he .concliates the
"pious and abolitionist party by, denouncing
| slavery and he comes to the aid oil Lord J. Rus
| sell by voting for the measure.
After all, the measure is safe the agitation OF
the slavery question is abandoned, and the Min
| stry is safe. Had it been, however, the begin
/
lament, the Russell ministry would mot have
| stood many days. The Evangelical " party
rules terribly in England, which may be called
| the party of the Scrbes and Pharsees; and had
| the question of slavery been earnestly aglated,
there is scarcely doubt to be entertained OF their
ultimate success.
Methinks you will naturally enough put the
| question, why should powerful opposition, sure
| of success against an heterogeneous, mixed and
| feeble ministry, easily throw aside all its adj
vantages, give up an agitation which would have
effected their object, and suffer their opponents to
stand, when they might easily have driven them ne,
from their post! The answer is plainly this The
protectionists, or country party as they are
called were placed in a singular diem
ma. They hate the present mongrel Whis
ministry-but they, hate Sir Robert zee zee
| and the free trade policy Now, II they
| ousted Lord ]. Russell, Sir Robert Peel would
| come in again. But they have just now turned
out this self same Peel; and shall they turn round
and by defeating the ministry, help to bring him
| in again. This was indeed dilemma! Wha
was to be done! Precisely what they have done
vx make a sham attack and opposition, ano
then retreat without intending to put to route the
| enemy. This is the whole secret of the contlnu
ance of the Russell ministry in power. The al
fair is interesting and curious as connected witt
the history ofpoltica party; it is also not unmpor
tant in an American view OF the matter
because our relations with re nng an1;an are q
parties and the revolutions OF MINISTRIES m
| England. In America the people rule, and the
predominant popular feeling and sentiment u
| that which guides the policy OF the country. bn
| in England it is A. b. or G. d.; it is certain nd
viduafs who guide the policy of the government
| and hence the views OF mere individuals and then
particular sentiments are politically and diploma
| tcally of more importance in the consideration o.
American politicians than the feelings or sent'
| Inents of the nation itself.
Harvest is Just got in. There never has been
better harvest or a finer season IN the memory OF
| The oldest man. Wheat at present fetches only
As. 3D. bushel throughout the country, Ihi'
low price, (for it has not been so low before II
some ten years. may be, partly, owing to the
| quantity thrown into market by the middle class
| of farmers, who are in haste to get cash Tor thei
heavy expenses at this busy ume. American
flour averages, up to date hereof, from "a to 26s
barrel, and the importations, both from the Unite,
States and Canada, do not appear to relax AL
| accounts from Ireland concur in representing tn
potato crop as ruined and almost hopeless. Gres
| fears are entertained in England; some sorts hav
| got the rot, decidedly, but it is too 500
| as vet TO be able to say how the crop will tuI