The Express. — 1866-01-13 (London, England)

THE JAMAICA NEWS.  The Times attributer the failure of the Jamaica constitu. tion, which was in force when most of our colonies were pathless deserts, to the reckless manner in which politic! warfare has been carried on—to the absence from the society of the island of influences strong enough to keep politicians within those bonds of moderation and generosity without which responsible government can hardly be conducted. The act which Governor Eyre has introduced to transfer the whole control of the island directly to the Queen, seems not unlikely to be accepted by the Janiriel legislature. All parties seem to unite in the desire to get rid of a political machinery which can no longer be worked without difficulty and danger. Executive and people, planter and negro, churchman and dissenter, the few rich and the vast multitude of poor, would all apparently be glad to substitute the paternal despotism of the British ministry for such liberty as Jamaica has possessed in these days, yet the Times would encourage the hope that the constitution of the island will not be permanently abrogated, end that if the home government be entrusted with the task of framing new institutions it will bear in mind that the failure of the present constitution has been due to certain well•understood causes, which may be removed by a short perind of firm rule. Till Sir Henry Storks arrives, there is little news now to be expected. Mr. Cardwell's despatch gave general satisfaction, though, of curse, it was only a formal official reply to that of the Governor. The Jamaica people were, up to the last adrices, perfectly satisfied with their own conduct and that of the authorities during the rebellion. The island was quiet, and business fully re. stored. The first pert of the drama was over, the second had not yet begun. The Daily News finds in the extracts from Mr. Card. well's despatch to Governor Eyre communicated by the latter to the Jamaica Assembly, not a full and absolute approval of the Governor's conduct, as the first intimation of the telegraph led many to suppose, but the mere expression of sentiments which everyone must share— the thy formalities of official intercourse. So much should be admitted in mere justice to Mr. Cardwell, who, however, is doing small justice to himself by withholding the official intelligence which has reached him since he received Governor Eyre's published despatch. Far more decisive is another piece of intell igenee which thesame packet brings. Mr. Lieven's arrest and imprisonment for writing an article which, though strong as regards Governor Eyre, and disfigured by personal allusions to his private habits, such as are to be found sometimes is provincial prints in agricultural counties, was thoroughly loyal as regards the sovereign and supreme authority, has been decl►red illegal by the Chief Justice, who thus indicates his opinion that such an act of the legislature as he had before him condoning the arrest must be disapproved by the Sovereign because it was contrary to those constitutional securities in virtue of which she holds her sceptre. He has, therefore, dons well, es representing her in her curia of justice, to declare that it could not be enforced. He has taken that stand against arbitrary power which our annals show to have beea taken by not a few of our most honoured judges in the most corrupt of timer—happier than they, in that the whole nation 'will support him in his resolution to check the momentary madness which would convert the government of an English colony into the likeness of that of an African tribe.  )1:113 TOPICS,  The Tina seta aside the plea of ismaity is Southey's cum He committed murder out of pure malice sad revamp. It required as ereeediegly wicked perms to amt MI he acted on the provocation which he remind; bat