Year: 1869

90 Get Rid OF Bright.


LONDON, May Is, 1859.


The British government has found great relief this
week from the unexpected resignation OF the Mayor
OF Cork on the day the bill TO abolish him by solemn
act OF Parliament was brought up In the House Of
Commons. The case OF the refractory Mayor was
indeed full OF annoyances Of far more serious
character than superficial observer would suppose.
His sedtious language, so boldly uttered and backed
by the prominence OF his ofical position, could not
be suffered to pass unnoticed without establishing
dangerous precedent But how was the offender to be
reachedP Holding an elective once. he could not be
removed by the government and his offence was
not such as would have rendered criminal prose-
cuton likely to succeed. 1t was therefore, for the
administration to choose between inaction and q
proceeding unusual, extreme and OF questionable
constitutionalty-a bill OF pains and penalties d.
rected against individual, and calling to mind the
worst days OF British tyranny and oppression. The
advisers OF her Majesty decided upon the latter
course. but it was one surrounded by Difficult
ties. Their action against the Mayor must have
been taken from unsworn and, consequently,
unreliable testimony; for the House OF Com
mons has not the power to administer an
oath, and despite the hatred Of Irishmen that ami
mates the majority Of English aristocrats 1t was by
no means certain that the exceptional legislation
proposed by MIR. Gladstone would have been success
fu Had 1t prevailed without any material opposi-
tlOn tueTt lne aWkWHIu ldCL llat
British government felt the necessity OF putting
forta its whole strength in the extreme measure OF
bill OF pains and penalties against single blatant
demagogue, who In an after dinner speech had cast
defiance in the teeth OF the British authorities This
exhibition OF weakness and temerity was the more
To be deplored since II occurred at the moment the
whole British nation was declaring its readiness 10
plunge into war with powerful people rather than
make acknowledgment and reparation for the cruel
Injuries inflicted upon the United states during the
Southern rebellion.


The resignation OF the offending Mayor was there
fnra rn1In thA ioh
ment, but was at the same time a most lamentable
squelcher for O'Sullivan When the crown OF mar
tyrdOm was within his reach he withdrew his hand
and declined to grasp 1t. The frothy Irishman had
1t In his power to descend IN history as OF the
remarkable characters Of the age. He had sue
ceeded in terrifying the British government The
hated union which Fenanism has in vain struggled
to destroy seemed ready to break in pieces before
him. He stood single against the Queen, the
Cabinet and the imperial Parliament, and with
fair prospect OF coming out best in the conflict. He
was modern Daniel in the British lions den, and
ali the roaring beasts were muzzed. Even II they
had prevailed against HIM, his fame and fortune
were secure, and he might have made his choice
between the first presidency OF the Irish republic
and emigration to New York. where aft er hurried
process through the Courts OF Naturalization, he
would have easily eclpsed the stars OF the OBriens
and 0'Gormans OF the American Dublin. All this
promising and brilliant future O'Sullivan has de-
stroyed by his nunky resignation, and 1t is not to
be wondered at that the citizens or Cork, who were
beginning TO view him in the light OF a hero, are
now SO lncensed against him as TO render II prudent
for him TO retire for time to wesbaden to wash
himself clean Of his political treachery.


There are, however some curious stories afoat as
TO the means by which this resignation OF the Mayor
was brought about. Some say that the genial
Mcguire and number or ''nne young Irish gentle
men" who are on the best OF terms with the Glad.
stone administration took O'Sullivan under their
special charge on his arrival at the Euston Square
Hotel and after liberal dinner, conducted on the
truly Hibernian principle OF whiskey before meals,
whlskey with all the courses and whiskey after
meals contriyed first TO steal the brief which O'Sul
lvan had prepared for use on his appearance
counsel, and afterwards 10 obtain his signature
to The formal resignation OF his ofice. The story
goes that OSullyan retired 10 bed in his boots hat
and oyercoat, which ne had put on preparatory TO
starting for Westminster, and that when he awoke
in the morning, after his case had been disposed OF
and Parliament had adjourned for the Whitsuntde
recess he was ignorant whether he was mayor or
martyr and unable TO tell whether he was In the City
Hail OF Cork or the Tower Of London.


Another version Is that The British administration
In its profound reverence for ''vested rights, had
resolved to remunerate the Mayor for his pecunary
losses on scale as magnificent as that which pre-
walls IN the Irish Church bill and that o'Sullivan
overcome by the hberaity OF the minister's in an
outburst OF genuine Irish generosity rendered his
resignation and helped them out OF a most awkward
dilemma. But whatever may be the correct ex-
planatlon OF the ingorous termination OF this affair,
OSulivan Is finally disposed Of His sun has gone
down. not IN blaze OF glory, and the moral OF the
story IS that government can scarcely be con-
sidered powerful abroad when IL Is 80 weak et home
as to tremble before O'Suvan, and to ind IL ne
cessary 10 employ extraordinary measures and 10
invoke all The powers OF Its Parliament TO crush out
a single blatant demagogue.


An intense excitement was created In political
circles on Thursday by the unexpected raid OF Lord
Jshn Russell upon the Gladstone administration,
and yet such movement on the part OF
such man was by no means surprising to
those who have watched his political career and
understand his.personal character. Lord Russell Is
irritable, overbearing, envous and tricky and In
his seventy seventh year he has lost none Of the
qualities that distinguished him during his more
active life. He cannot make up his mind to stand
aloof from power and TO devote his remaining days
to the good OF his country without ambitious
thought. He has long been jealous OF the large
Iorities enjoyed by Gladstone in the House OF Com
mons and feels as II his own reputation as liberal
and reformer were now under an eclipse. IL Is
therefore quite understandable that ne should gladly
seize upon an opportunity 70 endeavor 10 detract
something from the fame OF the present Premier,
and his questions 10 the intended ministerial
policy regard TO the Irish land question need
have excited surprise had tney been dictated only
other Interpretation. Nothing Is more certain tnan
that the liberal wings are determined TO get rid OF
John Bright and his recent ndscreet speech In the
House, when he suffered himself to Be badgered
into the statement tlat he had land policy for Ire.
land and that 1t was In conformity with his pre-
vlous ayowals on the stump has seriously embar-
rassed his associates in the ministry and disposed
them to hasten his departure from their midst. He
Is TO be driven II possible, into retirement, and 1t Is
believed that Lord John Russellis attack upon the
administration Will have the effect 70 irritate him
INTO withdrawal, IN order that he may have his
hands and tongue free 70 do aud talk az he pleases
The truth l. that Bright has plan for land reform
In Ireland, and he Il at the present moment busiy
employed In working II up into bill 10 be presented
to Parliament either a ministerial or independent
measure. II Ia based upon the principle OF the Rus
sian law auu cOnteulpldteS making the sale OF land
held In large quantities by nonresident owners
compulsory at prices to be liked by the government.
The purchase Is to be made by government, the
money being borrowed on bonds bearing four or 1--WE
per cent interest," and the peasant buys OF the gov
ernment He pays at the rate Of i've or six per cent
interest the price OF his purchase and In forty
nve years the land becomes absolutely his own
the one per cent difference between the interest paid
and received by the government forming the sins,-
ing fund Tor the purchase. The proposition Is not
likely TO meet with favor from Mr. Gladstone's asso
cates- and hence change IN the administration as
at present composed may be anticipated before long,
IL will then be seeh that the combination between
Gladstone ami Stanley, already foreshadowed In the
HERALD, Is more than mere newspaper gossip.


The British NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and Promo-
tion--Rank and File-Where the Recruits


Come from and Whnt They Are-In RcIa-
tion TO the OGicers-Ifs Present Condition.


LONDON, May is, 1859.


In my last letter gave your readers an exact ac-