The Sun. — 1870-05-25 (London, England)

SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.  The Times is somewhat sceptical about the strength of the agitation for the disestablishment of the Welsh Church, and satirises Mr. Watkin Williams for the recondite character of his last night's speech. Mr. Williams must have known one would think that he was only giving Mr. Gladstone an opportunity for displaying his superior knowledge on such subjects, but the Premier did something more than dilate on Welsh ecclesiastic:l history. The question raised by Mr. Williams cannot be considered alone, for England and Wales are one, and cannot in such matters be legislated for separately. The English people are proud of their Church, though they may desire reforms, while the Welsh are, as Mr. Williams himself confessed, apathetic in the matter. The advocates of disestablishment had better be cautious, for premature action on their part will only entail defeat, and lead to vigorous preparations for defence. The Standard says that the House ?of Commons was determined to get through the Irish Land Bill at any cost on Monday night, and perhaps it was as well, for the public will be glad to think that the measure may be laid before the House of !Lords without much loss c! time. The Comervatives have had a great deal to do with ;,his successful issue, for had they adopted an obstructive course the bill could never have been pushed through committee in time 'to pass the Upper House before the close of the session. The Opposition do not seek to gain a partial or temporary advantage through the failure of the chief measure, and the disgrace of their opponents. Even as it is so much time has been wasted by mistakes and mismanagement that Parliament will not have much to show for its months of labour and never-ending discussions. The Telegraph asks what has befallen us that murder is so rife among us. Scarcely had the Chelsea murder been fully comprehended before a new horror of a more appalling character frighted and perplexed the public mind. The story of the Uxbridge catastrophe revives the story of the Tropmann massacre, and it is a painful thought that the perpetrators of such crimes are permitted to wander among us. The murder does not seem to have been prompted by motives of plunder, and revenge is spoken of as the primary cause. We must trust that the usual infatuation of crime will lead the guilty man to the commission of some act which may insure detection, and that society may be spared the scandal which would ensue from his escape. The Daily News says that the Fenians have begun their march upon Canada, so at least we are informed by telegrams ; but it is certain if they carry out their intentions that they will find themselves in a different position for that which they looked for. We must expect the United States Government to perform its part in the event of a collision between the Colonists and the Fenians, and there is no reason for misgivings on that score. The Canadians are evidently anxious to dispose of their troublesome visitors in the most summary way possible, and we may therefore look for a speedy termination of the affair should this last account prove a correct one, and the Fenian raid an established fact.  The Post says that a most extraordinary event took place last night in the enforced ,withdrawal of strangers from the House on the motion of Me. Craufurd. The public may not care to know the rparticulars of any one debate, but the principle invoked in the matter is an important one, for they have an undoubted right to know what takes place in the House. It is idle to talk of the freedom of the press if such an occurrence is sanctioned by authority and precedent. The French will naturally ask what advantages we enjoy over their own when a scene of this character can take place.