The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-16

j. suiIiH On at barcelona All the militia OF Spain
viii be required to swear fidelity at once 10 the con-
Sttuti0n.
ENGLAND.
vS~oo~s~@ss~->o~---~-,-
The Feniun Prisoners-An Amnesty Procla-
nation observation-disclosures oxford aud Har.
ward Race-Lorins's Perplcxity.
LONDON. Oct 2, 1850.
An energetic movement Ia at present on foot both
IN England and Ireland to secure tho pardon Of the
Fenan prisoners held In custody by the British gov
eminent, and general amnesty for political offences
bids fair to become before long an important plank
In the platform OF the Irish II not OF the whole ibe
raj party. Up to comparatively recent period tho
effort was confined to those who sympathized with
the objects OF Fenianism. even II some Of them did
not approve Of all its acts; but the magnitude and
character Of the latest meetings give evidence that
the circle is widening, aud that 1t already includes
many who cannot be suspected OF favoring any
such liberation OF Ireland as that contemplated
by the secret brotherhood. Some OF these are
doubtless Influenced by selfish desire to
secure certain notoriety to subserve their personal
ends, and by the wOrthier motive OF humanity;
but the greater number have In view the steady
prosecution of a new policy for Ireland; radical
change in the system OF governing that portion Of
the United Kingdom which not only contemplates
justice for the future but atonement for wrongs IN
the past Indeed. there is good ground for stating
that the present British government Views with no
unfrlendly eye the proper agitation OF political jail
delivery, and receives with satisfaction those petit
lions for the pardon OF the Fenans that c0uched
In u becoming tone. The liberation Of oil political
prisoners would be an act by which Messrs. Glad
stone and Bright would willingly distinguish their
administration, and they witness with regret the
inconsiderate violence OF those w0uld-be heroes
whose incendary language only throws embarrass-
ments in the way OF the pardon Of their fellow
c0untrymen. 1t Is by no means creditable to Eng
land, with all her boosted strength, to keep handful
OF Irish insurgents immured in her dungeons while
the French Emperor, whose political insecurity she Ia
80 ond OF picturing throws open the prison doors
OF all political Offenders. Independent OF this con-
sdcraton, however, the release OF the Fenians IS
necessarily an important part OF the programme laid
down by Mr.. Gladstone in his treatment Of the irish
question. The measure lie has already carried
through, and those by which II Is to be followed,
elements in Irish politics, Professionalism and land
lordsm, aud he must look elsewhere for strength
aud support In that portion OF the kingdom. He has
to seed his new friends among the Roman Catholics
and the tenantry, ana rs they are by millions the
most numerous he has only to Olsen .hra them from
the tyranny of the Church and the landowners and
he becomes all powerful in Ireland. The Church Is
already detnroned, and the reign or andlordism Is
drawing to close but the wound Of Fenian mprson-
ment cannot be left to ranke and lester in the breast
OF the liberated nation 10 make MIR. Giadstones tr
unph secure 1t should be healed by the of grace
demanded at his hands by large and influential
body OF the people, And IL will be-
Inc English Journals Us general RUE are opposed
stupid conduct OF the Fenlans who have already
enjoyed the clemency OF the government as warn
Ing against further liberations. 10 be sure, the
fustian Of those w0uld-be heroes Is the often.
sive from tue knowledge tnat 70 crafty their own
ndict upon the poor wretchcs who are still under
going the discipline OF an English jail; but If the
whole batch should be turned adrlit 10 earn their
own living, honestly If they could. there would be
nothing left for them to talk about ana their
pations, like OthclO's would be gone. The argu-
amnesty are scarcely calculated to drive Mr.. Glad
stone from his purpose. Their principal points are
that the release Of the Fenlans would be taken as
au acknowledgment either that tine conspiracy
against the existing government In Ireland In 1857
was no crime but q laudable undertaking, or
araa to Properly punsn g Tns weaHnsas
such arguments Is apparent upon their face
who took part in That conspiracy stand as evidence
that the British government regarded and did not
fear to punish 1t as crime But while govern
ment recognizes rebellion against itself under any
circumstances as grave offence, 1t may recognize
also the fact that such rebellion was induced by
authority and indicated its existing laws, it may
well accompany the prosecution OF reforms with
towards those VINO have ave Oenaea against
asked to liDerate have shown. cOntrti0n for their
acts; they have not Frustrated themselves at our
for pardon. 1t might be remarked here that the
English newspapers, after the collapse OF the
indignant at the idea that tho government OF the
United states should desire to humlliate the rebels
require OF them any expression OF conritlon for
their misdeeds. But 1t Is enough to say that re.
pentance and sorrow are not the only considerations
upon which the pardons OF criminals are granted.
good END is to be N" y me rsa q
prs will persist III regarding his conviction as
unjust, Mr.. Gladstone would to-day put down
ft,n
punish those who might take part In 1t; but he Will
set loose tho men who cOuspred in 1861 because he
would not only remove those real grievances
pretext Tor rebellion, but would also obliterate from
the minds of the people the remembrance OF past
injustice and put an end to dangerous sympathy
for those who are suffering from political offences.
For speak advsedy when say that In spite OF the
objections Of certain portion OF the English press
and spite Of the noisy clustering OF ranting
Fenans, the persons now imprisoned for political
offences viii be liberated by the British government
next year, either on the reassemblng OF Parliament
or on the occasion OF royal visit to Ireland
The stale subject of the oxford and Harvard boat
race has been suddenly revived by the republic alton
in London Of conversation reported TO have been
held with MIR. Loring, the stroke OF the American
boat, by New England reporter The papers here
Iorlna that the Harvard crew were Ia danger Of
losing their lives by poison during their period OF
training at Putney and by MS charges OF ungenerous
conduct brought against the oxford rowers. Well,
probably 1t would nave been just as sensible and
discreet Lorng to have taken his defeat in better
part n0t 10 nave uaue al ass Vi Himself IN the
style he Ia represented to have done by the New
England Bohemian. The risks OF the change oil Gil
mate, about which he seems inclined to whine, were
voluntarily run by Loring and his associates when
they challenged oxford. ana as to the poisoning
horror 1t Is doubtful, first, whether the
terrible English betting men staked any
enormous amount OF money on the race, aud
next, whether, II they had, they would have treated
nve Americans as unceremonlously as they would
Derby favorlte provided they had enjoyed access to
Its stable. The probability Is, therefore. that poor
Loring might have eaten his meals with an easy
mind, and have devoted himself to his training with
advantage to himself, instead OF worrying himself
about his milk and vegetables and studying how no
could baiie the PRISONERS by sending Blake to mar
ket, now in one direction and now In another Lor-
ing's complaint that the Oxlords, In very ungen-
tlemanly manner, "took hrs water" may be all Just
enough but at least they left him SUFFICIENT for the
coxswain to wash him with before he got through
with the race, No person here pretends
that the oxford crew acted with any
generosity towards their American competitors
They took every possible advantage and selfshly
insisted upon having everything their own way but
It would be just as we'll for Mr. LOrng 10 leave others