The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-16

and hence the default of loyalty Of many Of
his commanders. The use of this argument
revives the old question Of dynastic right in q
very cogent shape; for if Napoleon claims the
right of restoration by virtue Of popular
vote in France how often, and very often, has
France heretofore approved Of the Princes Of
| Orleans, from the moment Of the first founder
| of the family down to that Of the dethronement
of Louis Philippe-approved of their success
sion by reclamation, by religious JUNCTION and
| by election also Where is the divine right2
Who has ita Which party will enjoy the
! claim before the London Conference? When
| does royal dynasty commence? When and
| by VIII at means is it ended?
Death ON the Rail and by Explosion In
EngIand-French MANAGEMENT Of Rail-
ways.
Fourteen persons have been killed and over
twenty terribly wounded and mutilated by a
railroad collision which occurred on the
North Midland line, near Barnsley, England.
A few days ago we chronicled by cable an
other fatal railroad accident from Great Bri-
tain, and it is not very lengthy period, in
the history of such terrible calamities at least,
since we announced the heart-rending tale of
the scenes which occurred after the disaster to
the Holyhead and London mail train, by
which great number Of persons-including
peer of the realm and the countess, his wife
were killed by collision and their bodies sub
sequently reduced to ashes amid the burning
Al VIZ
news of terrible fatality which has taken
place by explosion in a cartridge factory in
England. Recollecting and making due allow
ance for the sad fact that there appear to
come periods of time when, even among our
selves these horrible railroad tragedies sue
coed each other with appalling rapidity, we
cannot help thinking that there is something
wrong in the disciplinary management system
of our friend Mr.. John Bull, and that it has
been 80 of late years. What is it? Has his
system of internal railroads become too COM
pick? Has the iron network been SO inter-
laced all over the surface of his narrow insu-
lar area that it has been made impossible to
adjust ''time" so that all the trains shall be
'just there" and intersect and slap" the
main trunk just at the proper and safe second
of time? We incline slightly to this latter
opinion. English spectators are likely to
overdo the railway system in that country.
A new railway in England does not, as
with us, develop new interests in the coun-
try. 1t does not vivify; it excites merely an
unhealthy competition for gain in the shape of
dividends and profits in the sales of shares
The local inspection is consequently becoming
relaxed. We acknowledge that this inspection
has been careful and vigilant to degree in
England but we fear that there are just now
too many interests to be looked after, too
many ''irons in the fire, for the security of the
fingers of the people.
In connection with this subject we may per-
haps venture to remind the world that France
has managed some things Of late years better
than others, perhaps little better than most
other people. The exact and careful control of
her railways under government supervision is
one of these. The railway statistics of France
for the year 1869 go to confirm this statement.
Two passengers and four railway servants
were killed and only one hundred and twelve
passengers and sixty -one servants received
injuries out of ninety millions who travelled
on the French lines in the year-that is to say,
one passenger for every forty-five millions was
killed and one out of every eight hundred thou
sand injured 1t is alleged that this pleasing
result has been attained chiefly by the adop-
ton in working of the system Of ''ce,atre-
yapeua" applied to the locomotives, by which
the speed, in descending inclines, can effectu-
ally be moderated, as well as by the exercise
of most strict supervision in the matter of
the appointment of railway servants-of engi-
neers particularly. However this may be,
neither England nor America should be too
proud to take lesson from great nation
even in the moments of its apparent dissolu-
ton. A French legacy Of how to attain a
healthy security of life aud limb on the iron
! lines would do much to compensate humanity
for French slaughters in war.
| THE FRENCH FORCES in the north of
France appear to be making quite a vigorous
campaign on small scale. They have
recaptured the fortresses of Ham and La Ferte
and the town of St. Quentin, and at last
accounts were marching on Laon. As admit
ted in the Prussian official reports, at Ham
they captured several pieces of artillery and a
force of Germans. It may be that their
demonstrations have been the cause of Gen
eral lManteuffels retirement from the vicinity
of Havre. Laon is not distant from the Ger
man line Of communication with Metz, and its
occupation would, perhaps, cause some incon-
venience to the besiegers Of Paris, if nothing
more.
EXCITEMENT IN WALL STREET-A CHANCE
FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY. "buls"
and clears had a terrific wrangle of it in
Wall street Yesterday, and the latter Rugged