Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Week.
in which it was supposed to havo exercised , contending that in some instances it was not martial law which had even nominally heen put in force , and that in all the Sovereign was guilty of a grave usurpation of authority . He admitted that Royal Proclamations declaring martial law could be quoted , but these assumptions of prerogative were contrary to the law of
England . The Petition of Right secured British subjects against the exercise of martial law ; and while eloquently condemning the atrocities which had been perpetrated in the suppression of the Monmouth and other rebellions , he thanked God that they had not been committed in the name of law , or even in that of martial law . He characterised the doctrines of those who said
that British subjects might be brought before tribunals of the most arbitrary character , and be put to death upon the mere will of a military commander , as the wildest doctrines that had ever been broached . Ho thought it was high time that the question should be brought to the test of judicial inquiry , and said that if subjects of tho Crown were liable to such acts of
tyranny , it was absolutely incumbent on Parliament to interpose some check . He denounced the removal of Mr . Gordon from Kingston to Morant Bay as unjust and illegal , declared the court-martial by which he was tried to have been illegally coustituted , and the evidence upon which he was condemned to death such as would have been scouted out of any court of law
Fomsic-s LN'TEI / LIGE-TCE . —The Berlin Official 6-asette chooses to regard the report of the speech of the King of Denmark to a deputation of Danes who waited upon him as a ccc ; i « i'cJ . We suspect that tho Berlin paper has no authority for this , and that it simply seeks to lessen the effect of the speech upon the Schleswigers , by thus affirming that it was never delivered A telegram from Paris makes a statement as to Luxemburg for which it gives no authority . It is to the effect that France
denies the right of the King of Holland to go back from his bargain as to Luxemburg without her consent . We imagine this is nothing more than at attempt on the part of some one to create fresh doubt in the minds of the public here . It is to be noted , however , that the French pap ' ers still discuss the question . The Presse asserts that England and Russia have notified to
Prussia that , as tbe Germanic Confederation has been dissolved , all engagements on their part contracted under tbe treaty of 1839 are put an end to , and they do not feel themselves called upon to make any representations to the King of Holland as to Luxemburg . From a discussion in the Dutch Chambers , it seems that Prussia has declared Limburg to be wholly severed
from Germany ; but as to Luxemburg there is no such assuranbe Ominous rumours circulate in Paris , and there is a general belief that war between France and Prussia iu reference to Luxemburg is possible . Tho Bourse is uneasy , and the newspapers write in a manner calculated to increase tho general excitement- Some of the strongest-flavoured stories—such as that France had sent
an ultimatum to Prussia , that General MacMahon had been sent for to come to Paris , and that a loan of three hundred millions of francs was to be asked for—are denied with a show of authority . The Etendard says that Prussia having appealed to the co-signitaries of the treaty of 1 S 39 , France has done so likewise , and that the affair has got into the region of
diplomacy , where it is likely to stay . Both the Patrie and the Eranee say that negotiations are still in progress , but the latter adds a few fiery sentences . "The moment may come , " says this semi-official paper , " when the Government , notwithstanding the sympathy it displays towards Germany , may be compelled to take into account that which the national dignity would
impose in the event of an obstinate refusal of those guarantee s which are clue to our just influence . The responsibility of events would fall upon those who appear to undertake tbe tas ^
The Week.
of disturbing Europe by unlimited ambition and unbridled pretensions . " All this is likely to excite public feeling in France very much . Meanwhile , there is no lack of feeling in Prussia in reference to the Luxemburg business . A great meeting has been held in Berlin , at which strong resolutions were passed . They were to the effect that Luxemburg
must never be separated from Germany ; that it must be annexed to Germany as soon as possible , and that any proposal to take the votes of the people of Luxemburg must be rejected at once . All these things point to times of great difficulty and danger for the peace of Europe . It is to he noticed that in the North German Parliament General von
Roon , for Prussia , refuses to listen to any suggestions for modifying the management of the army . We are yet in the dark as to the causes which led to the resignation of the late Italian Ministry . The King yesterday informed deputations from the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate that the circumstances under which the resignations took place were of a very serious
character , and had made it necessary to form a coalition Ministry . Signer Rattazzi had therefore been instructed to form a Cabinet in that spirit " . Fiom a subsequent allusion
made by the King to finance , it seems likely that it has been at the bottom of the split . The French Government has thought it necessary to give some explanations in reference to Luxemburg . On tbe Sth inst . in the Legislative Body , the Marquis Moustier made a statement which can scarcely fail to have a good effect . In effect he declared that France was simply
desirous for conciliation and peace . The question of tbe cession of Luxemburg had always been considered by the French Government from three points of view , namely , as connected with the free consent of Holland , the loyal examination of the treaties by the Great Powers , and the consultation of tho wishes of tho inhabitants by universal
suffrage . Tho Marquis concluded as follows : — " Tho French Government is disposed to examine tho question in concert with tho Great Powers , and behoves , therefore , that peace cannot be disturbed . " Tho pacific sentiments thus enunciated are reciprocated by a Berlin semi-official paper , which has a friendly article on the subject . —It seems that Signer Rattazzi has not been ablo
to form a Ministry . A Florence- telegram announces that he has asked tho King to bo relieved of tho duty . —Tho speech of tho Marquis clo Moustier has failed to sot at rest tho feeling that war is probable .
To Correspondents.
TO CORRESPONDENTS .
* * * All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street , " Strand , London , W . C . E . 31 . SHAW . —Our time is too much engaged and too valuable to search for books , or make pencil sketches . M . M . PAUTICK . —Wo cannot possibly see what special reference tho position of Lady Holmes-dale ' s maid has to tho Craft , oven ii it should turn out that sbo has been unjustly accused and
punished . No one doubts tho truly Masonic feeling of Lord Holnicsdalo , and AVO aro sure that if ho finds that one of his household has been subjected to unmerited punishment , ho will bo ono of tho first to shield and protect her . As to tho ignorant babblers against our Order outside Freemasonry—if such there lio—wo avo completely at a loss to sco what connection an alleged ofienco committed by a Freemason ' s servant has to do with usand feel assured that auy vindication of our principles
, would ho here uncalled for , and qnito out of place . ST . GEOBGE ' LODGE ( No . 140 ) . —Erratum . —In our uoti ' ce of this lodge in our impression of the 30 th ult ., an error occurred hi respect to the sum of money votecl on that occasion ; instead of 10 guineas being voted to the Boys ' School , that sum was votecl to the Girls' School and £ 5 to each of the male and female annuitants . Five guineas to the
Boys' School were given at the previous meeting .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Week.
in which it was supposed to havo exercised , contending that in some instances it was not martial law which had even nominally heen put in force , and that in all the Sovereign was guilty of a grave usurpation of authority . He admitted that Royal Proclamations declaring martial law could be quoted , but these assumptions of prerogative were contrary to the law of
England . The Petition of Right secured British subjects against the exercise of martial law ; and while eloquently condemning the atrocities which had been perpetrated in the suppression of the Monmouth and other rebellions , he thanked God that they had not been committed in the name of law , or even in that of martial law . He characterised the doctrines of those who said
that British subjects might be brought before tribunals of the most arbitrary character , and be put to death upon the mere will of a military commander , as the wildest doctrines that had ever been broached . Ho thought it was high time that the question should be brought to the test of judicial inquiry , and said that if subjects of tho Crown were liable to such acts of
tyranny , it was absolutely incumbent on Parliament to interpose some check . He denounced the removal of Mr . Gordon from Kingston to Morant Bay as unjust and illegal , declared the court-martial by which he was tried to have been illegally coustituted , and the evidence upon which he was condemned to death such as would have been scouted out of any court of law
Fomsic-s LN'TEI / LIGE-TCE . —The Berlin Official 6-asette chooses to regard the report of the speech of the King of Denmark to a deputation of Danes who waited upon him as a ccc ; i « i'cJ . We suspect that tho Berlin paper has no authority for this , and that it simply seeks to lessen the effect of the speech upon the Schleswigers , by thus affirming that it was never delivered A telegram from Paris makes a statement as to Luxemburg for which it gives no authority . It is to the effect that France
denies the right of the King of Holland to go back from his bargain as to Luxemburg without her consent . We imagine this is nothing more than at attempt on the part of some one to create fresh doubt in the minds of the public here . It is to be noted , however , that the French pap ' ers still discuss the question . The Presse asserts that England and Russia have notified to
Prussia that , as tbe Germanic Confederation has been dissolved , all engagements on their part contracted under tbe treaty of 1839 are put an end to , and they do not feel themselves called upon to make any representations to the King of Holland as to Luxemburg . From a discussion in the Dutch Chambers , it seems that Prussia has declared Limburg to be wholly severed
from Germany ; but as to Luxemburg there is no such assuranbe Ominous rumours circulate in Paris , and there is a general belief that war between France and Prussia iu reference to Luxemburg is possible . Tho Bourse is uneasy , and the newspapers write in a manner calculated to increase tho general excitement- Some of the strongest-flavoured stories—such as that France had sent
an ultimatum to Prussia , that General MacMahon had been sent for to come to Paris , and that a loan of three hundred millions of francs was to be asked for—are denied with a show of authority . The Etendard says that Prussia having appealed to the co-signitaries of the treaty of 1 S 39 , France has done so likewise , and that the affair has got into the region of
diplomacy , where it is likely to stay . Both the Patrie and the Eranee say that negotiations are still in progress , but the latter adds a few fiery sentences . "The moment may come , " says this semi-official paper , " when the Government , notwithstanding the sympathy it displays towards Germany , may be compelled to take into account that which the national dignity would
impose in the event of an obstinate refusal of those guarantee s which are clue to our just influence . The responsibility of events would fall upon those who appear to undertake tbe tas ^
The Week.
of disturbing Europe by unlimited ambition and unbridled pretensions . " All this is likely to excite public feeling in France very much . Meanwhile , there is no lack of feeling in Prussia in reference to the Luxemburg business . A great meeting has been held in Berlin , at which strong resolutions were passed . They were to the effect that Luxemburg
must never be separated from Germany ; that it must be annexed to Germany as soon as possible , and that any proposal to take the votes of the people of Luxemburg must be rejected at once . All these things point to times of great difficulty and danger for the peace of Europe . It is to he noticed that in the North German Parliament General von
Roon , for Prussia , refuses to listen to any suggestions for modifying the management of the army . We are yet in the dark as to the causes which led to the resignation of the late Italian Ministry . The King yesterday informed deputations from the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate that the circumstances under which the resignations took place were of a very serious
character , and had made it necessary to form a coalition Ministry . Signer Rattazzi had therefore been instructed to form a Cabinet in that spirit " . Fiom a subsequent allusion
made by the King to finance , it seems likely that it has been at the bottom of the split . The French Government has thought it necessary to give some explanations in reference to Luxemburg . On tbe Sth inst . in the Legislative Body , the Marquis Moustier made a statement which can scarcely fail to have a good effect . In effect he declared that France was simply
desirous for conciliation and peace . The question of tbe cession of Luxemburg had always been considered by the French Government from three points of view , namely , as connected with the free consent of Holland , the loyal examination of the treaties by the Great Powers , and the consultation of tho wishes of tho inhabitants by universal
suffrage . Tho Marquis concluded as follows : — " Tho French Government is disposed to examine tho question in concert with tho Great Powers , and behoves , therefore , that peace cannot be disturbed . " Tho pacific sentiments thus enunciated are reciprocated by a Berlin semi-official paper , which has a friendly article on the subject . —It seems that Signer Rattazzi has not been ablo
to form a Ministry . A Florence- telegram announces that he has asked tho King to bo relieved of tho duty . —Tho speech of tho Marquis clo Moustier has failed to sot at rest tho feeling that war is probable .
To Correspondents.
TO CORRESPONDENTS .
* * * All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street , " Strand , London , W . C . E . 31 . SHAW . —Our time is too much engaged and too valuable to search for books , or make pencil sketches . M . M . PAUTICK . —Wo cannot possibly see what special reference tho position of Lady Holmes-dale ' s maid has to tho Craft , oven ii it should turn out that sbo has been unjustly accused and
punished . No one doubts tho truly Masonic feeling of Lord Holnicsdalo , and AVO aro sure that if ho finds that one of his household has been subjected to unmerited punishment , ho will bo ono of tho first to shield and protect her . As to tho ignorant babblers against our Order outside Freemasonry—if such there lio—wo avo completely at a loss to sco what connection an alleged ofienco committed by a Freemason ' s servant has to do with usand feel assured that auy vindication of our principles
, would ho here uncalled for , and qnito out of place . ST . GEOBGE ' LODGE ( No . 140 ) . —Erratum . —In our uoti ' ce of this lodge in our impression of the 30 th ult ., an error occurred hi respect to the sum of money votecl on that occasion ; instead of 10 guineas being voted to the Boys ' School , that sum was votecl to the Girls' School and £ 5 to each of the male and female annuitants . Five guineas to the
Boys' School were given at the previous meeting .