Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-05-22
OUR LIVERPOOL CORRESPONDENCE
LIVERPOOL, May 4, 1868.


MeSsrs. Editors
DEAR SIRs 1T may be pleasant TO-
your readers to know that old England il
watching with fear and sympathy you
painful endeavors to settle the great socia
problem within your borders, and as re
lief to the minds of those who have beer
absorbed in most disagreeable polltlca
canvass, an occasional echo from this sid
may not be unacceptable. We have no
yet heard the result of your election, ant
so cannot congratulate or condole will
you, but it is certainly warmly hoped tina
you have defeated the radical programme
We, on this side, however, are endeavor
ing to emulate the tendencies of your rad
ical destructives, and notwithstanding Thu
being the "best and freest government il
the world" yet the majority seem to crave
for some philosophical experiment which may
entirely destroy present happiness ant
prosperity, and drive the country to ills they
know not of. Such are the "Signs of the
Times" and from reform Parliament
elected by extended constituencies and t.
meet next year, the country hopes for more
Legislative wisdom. We have not yet tried
universal suffrage, but are striving for il
only. Experience will cry out "Beware;;'
yet, like forbidden fr1it, we are anxious t.
embrace it, and taste the joys of democra
tic rule.
The Abyssinnian war is all over after O
most laborious conflict with nature, and
very little fight with the natives. We can
hardly believe it 70 make your own
roads and advance 400 miles into the inte.
rlor Of an unknown country, is no easy
task, even without molestation from your
enemy but then to meet him, and after a
petty engagement have the mighty Dicta-
tor die like prince rather than succumb
to western foe, is little too much, and
spoils the glory of leading captive the roy
al enemy. However, the aim OF the war
is attained-the Europeans are released
and the army is on its return. Sorrires,
General Napier, the hero of the hour-but
the world is 10th to believe him.
quit country gained with so little blood
shed and one offering SO many commercial
advantages. We surely cannot have ceas.
ed to be nation of shop-keepers, thus
to turn our backs on SO good a customer,
and after bearing without a murmur an
additional tax of a penny Or two
are surprises all around. The Con-
servatives have turned disagreeable leg
acy into grand honor, and now, in their
turn, they are to be turned out of office by
one turning from the steadfast principles
of a long parliamentary and political life.
But the plain fact remains-"The army
will return immediately" and the country
holds fresh honors ready fer its general
The political influence of the victory will
be great, and should it calm a rising dis
content in the East, England will be more
than repaid.
Eenianlsm seems to be more and more
devoid of sense at every new outbreak of
passion on it's part. Its leaders, if they
had tried, could not have selected a more
unpopular move than that of ordering the
assassination of Prince Alfred. The report
filed the whole country with horror, and
every corporation, munlci pal and others,
hastened to convey to Her Majesty sympa-
thy in the most loyal addresses. The
Duke of Edinburg is decidedly the most
popular of any of the Royal Family. His
own affability and the many gracious acts
he has performed since he has entered that
profession the most popular with English
men, has endeared him to the whole nation.
The attack could have no motive whatever,
as his death would not have altered one
single movement or idea in the government
Of the realm, and could only have deprived
the navy of gallant and rising officer
The poor wretch has, however, suffered for
his crime, and no doubt many kind chris
tians will offer prayers for the repose of his
soul. The Prince is on his way home, and
the country is watching for the return of
the Royal Yatoh, sent to Alexandria to
bring him.
Now, from the affairs of the whole King
dom, L must say something about Liver
pool, and tell you of the little local tenn
pest we have had here. A vacancy occur
ring in the Board of "Select Vestrymen,
tho it would be difficult to point out the
select Vesh.ynd7a), necessitated the election
Of a new member. OF course the honors
Of office are sufficient to allure agreat many,
and so Catholic and Protestant humbly
5 olcited, with any kind of promise, the
suffrage of their fellow rate payers. The
poll was kept open several days, though
half the voters did not vote. Party and
religious passion ran high. Orangemen
placarded the walls with huge posters, cal
ing upon Protestants to do their duty, and
defend the Church. Catholics cried, "Do
Justice and defend your honor ;" and so the
election proceeded. The tumult increased !;
to the polls was almost debarred,
and getting there you were not only button
hold, but buttoned too. At last the Pro-
testant retired, and one wild shout forbade
any attempt on the part of the poll-hold.
ers to declare the Catholic duly elected
Select Vestryman. So you see broad is
the gate, but narrow the way that leadeth
to the management of Church rates.
DR.. Campbell, the highly respected and
low Church Rector of the Parish, has sold
10 the city some few feet from the grave
yard, opposite the Great Compton House,
for the widening of Church street, and now
that the corporation is ready to pay the
it can't be decided to whom it be-
longs. The select vestrymen, after good
deaf of lobbying, are called upon to sane
ton the destruction, or the disestablish-
ment of the old parish church and erect a
large, handsome edifce, suitable to the in
Of hn 0it