The Sun. — 1845-11-12 (London, England)

THE LORD RECTORSHIP OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW AND THE FREE CHURCH.  We regret to learn that a section of the Free Church party in this city have determined to oppose the re-election of Mr. Rutherfurd as Lord Rector of the University for the ensuing year. Mr. Rutherford was, at the last election, the Free Church candidate; and it was by the union of Free Churchmen with the Liberal party .generally that he was elected by so triumphant a majority over the Earl of Eglinton, a man of moderate Conservative politics, and personally more popular than any nobleman in Scotland. Remembering these things, we have been led to inquire what cause of offence Mr. Rutherford has given, that any party in the University should wish to depart from the customary routine of reelection, and cast a stigma on the public character of the man of their own choice. We have learned with surprise that his vote on the Maynooth question has been the sole reason, and that to make their own bigotry more apparent and shameful, this party, Liberals as they pretend to be, have resolved to propose a high Tory for the office, viz., Mr. Campbell, of Monzie, simply because he is opposed to the Maynooth grant. We have been told that it is only a small and uninfluential section of the supporters of Mr. Rutherfurd at the last election who have adopted this course, and we would fain believe, for the honour of our ancient University, that in this respect our information is well founded. The ungraciousness of such an act towards a man who has borne his honours so meekly, and performed his duties so satisfactorily as Mr. Rutherfurd, is apparent enough to everybody—even to those few who may have resolved to oppose him • but its injustice and impolicy are even more striking. Surely we have had enough, and more than enough, of Maynooth. Surely we have sufficiently insulted the conscientious belief of millions f our fellow-subjects, during the recent discussions in Parliament, without bringing forward the question on every public occasion. Were the question not settled, never more to be unsettled, except by the establishment of pure Voluntaryism—the object of such a proceeding would be real and comprehensible. But to punish Mr. Rutherfurd now for his vote would be a manifestation of sheer spite, which would do infinite discredit to the party that indulged it. We trust that all the true friends of the Free Church—all the more sensible, liberal, and tolerant members of that great, and, in many respects, admirable body, will prevent the scandal (that these ultra bigots would draw down upon them, by uniting cordially in support of the man, whom last year they delighted to honour; and who has done nothing in the interval that can justify to the mind of any person of sense and right feeling, the withdrawal of their confidence. If justice does not counsel this course of proceeding, policy will afford them an argument. Let them remember that, even should the whole Free Church party unite, they could not carry the election of Mr. Campbell of Monzie. If a contest between him and Mr. Rutherfurd were unfortunately to arise, Lord Eglinton would be brought forward, and carried triumphantly—not because he is more popular in the University than he was last year—but because of the unwise dissensions of those who ought to have remained united. We do, therefore, trust that the small section we have alluded to will take warning in time. If they will rake up the unhappy question of Maynooth, let them wait till next year, when Mr. Rutherfurd's term of office will expire; and they can then do so upon a vantage ground, which they have not now, and without incurring the odium of so much uncharitableness as will cling to them, if they persist in their present intention.— Glasgow Argus.  SUICIDE BY PRUSSIC AClD.—Last evening Mr. Bedford concluded an inquest upon the body of Mr. William Smith, newsvender, late of Little Marlborough-street, aged 34. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased had been rather low.spirited and dejected. Last Wednesday, after having had a friend to dine with him, and with whom he parted in apparent health and spirits, his wife had to go out for some coals, and upon her return he, in the kindest manner, desired her to come and sit upon his knee. She did so, when she instantly perceived that he was very faint, and attempted to arouse him, but in vain, as he was perfectly insensible. Dr. Johnson was instantly sent for, and, upon his arrival, found him dead. About a month before, deceased purchased a drachm of essential oil of almonds at Mr. Rae's, Wardour•street, alleging that he required it for pastry. After his death the bottle was found emptied of its contents upon a shelf in the, room. Dr. Johnson, assisted by Dr. Ryan, of the Polytechnic, made a post mortem examination, and detected in the stomach a sufficient quantity of prussic acid to destroy life. The jury returned a verdict of " Temporary humility."