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76 THE LEADER. [Satprpay,
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CONTINENTAL NOTES. The Moniteur of Thurs...
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THE DIGGERS IN COUNCIL. Thebe have been ...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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76 The Leader. [Satprpay,
76 THE LEADER . [ Satprpay ,
Continental Notes. The Moniteur Of Thurs...
CONTINENTAL NOTES . The Moniteur of Thursday contains the following : — " The Bureau of the Senate , the Bureau of the Legislative Body , and the Members of the State Council will meet on Saturday , at noon , at the Tuileries , to receive a communication from the Emperor respecting his marriage . " The Emperor ' s marriage with Mdlle . Montijos , and the falling of the funds , two events which the historians of the week do not attempt to disconnect , now form the uppermost topic . Mdlie . Montijos , daughter of a Grandee of Spain , and Countess of Teba in her own right , is of Irish origin . Her mother ' s name was Fitzpatrick . We must wait confirmation of the reports that the general voice is against Louis Napoleon ' s selection of an Empress . He has been sufficiently unsuccessful in his aims at an alliance
which might bring a friendly power to the side of France , to be allowed this indulgence of inclination . It is quite clear that no chance is lost of picking an Empress from a foreign court . Meanwhile the Countess de Teba is admitted , even by those who discountenance the marriage , to have every qualification but royal blood . Her beauty is said to be that of her mother ' s nation . She has light auburn haii * and a fair complexion , with dark eyes ; and her smile is very fascinating . She was the intended bride of an Aguado , but the match has been broken off for sometime . The Times correspondent gives an amusing anecdote of Ifapoleon Jerome ' s interview with one of his former colleagues of the Mountain . The ex-representative
maintained throughout an attitude of niucK firmness , -and seemed by no means convinced by the arguments employed by his Imperial Highness for his justification . The Prince reminded him pathetically that they had once sat together on the extreme Left , but the stern republican was untouched by the souvenir . He then alluded to the possibility of a democratic Prince being one day the ruler of France . To this it was replied , " , you will neither be the man of France , nor the man of the Republic . " M . Dupin seems to be in the same position with the Orleanists as Napoleon-Jerome is with the Democracy . By a distinguished adherent of the House of Orleans he is told to consider himself " a stranger to its interests for ever . "
The lists of decorations conferred on the 1 st of January excluded the National Guard . The mistake , however , was perceived , and Tuesday ' Moniteur gives the names of twenty-eight persons who are remembered—as having been forgotten . The clergy are to come in for a share of the honours ; among them the Bishop of Rennes . The year ' s delay for the sale of the Orleans property is on the point of expiration . The whole of that property is , we believe , now alienated . The dockyards continue to present scenes of activity . Twenty ships of the line , eighteen frigates , and fifteen vessels of different classes , are now building . The greater number are to be propelled with screws .
The Palace of the Luxembourg has been knocked about with a view to render it more commodious , as the invitations issued for the ball which the Senate gives the Emperor on the 25 th , number 4000 . The ball at the Hotel do Ville took place on Monday . Stag hunts arc to take place twice a week in the forest of St . Germain . Two packs of hounds are ordered thither , one pack to be called " the Emperor's , " the other to be named after the town . It is calculated that each hunt will only occupy an hour , so that Louis Napoleon need not leave his occupation for more than three hours at a time . The accounts of the floods in the departments aro deplorable . From the overflowing of the rivers , roads have become impassablo , and villages have been destroyed . TJie town of Vendomo is completely flooded .
Catholic agency , in localities where the Protestant population is in excess , has attracted the notice of the Prussian Government . Wherever the Jesuits' preaching fieems likely to lead to " a breach of the peace , " the authorities arc empowered to interfere . Further , tho (» ovcrnment hus refused permission for students of divinity to visit the Collegium Gcrinatiicutn at Runic . Baron \ Viiklbott ' . s motion for an address to the Xing , praying him to revenue the decrees against Catholics , has been numerously signed , and it seems probable- that the petitioners may gain their object . The night before the King of Havana left Florence , a concert was given him . Jtossini himself directed ; aud the IVincc and Princess Poniatowski and Countess Ormni
entered Hie lists with the artists Bazzini and Yvnnholf . The King , who wan uccoinpunied as far as Sienna b y tho Grand l ) uke of Tuscany , arrived at Jiomo on the 4 th of January . It is said that lie intends visiting Spain . I lay nan is still at . Florence , caressed by tho aristocracy —among them by several old Ltdliaa families . A < lcs ]) ittch , dated Vienna , tho 17 Ui , announces the death of the Areh . luke . Rognier , ox-Viceroy of Loinbardy . The death of Madiui turriH out a false report . The accounts iilute that ho in in bail health , but not in absolute danger . The Milan correspondent of tho Augsburg Oazctts writes on the IH . li , ( hat twenty persons have been arrested as member * of u democratic club . Among them are landed proprietors , merchants , artibttt , artisans , and two or thmo Austrian officials . The arrests were followed by
domiciliafory visits and seizures ol papers . The parish ]* rients of (/ enoa have read from the pulpit n new pastoral letter , anathematizing the civil inarriugu bill , the press , iV ' . e . Tho collection of busts of eminent Italians , ordered by the Republican Government , being now complete , with the few exception *! arising from the sqiicam » HlineflH of ta . sto of hit ) Holiness ' h Government , the bunts have been p laced , by order of ( lie Minister of Public Works , on the Pmoitmli ' , where they greatly a / Id to the interest , of the oroinoniulo , and where ( lie design will be completed by tho erection of a temple to tho imaginary divinity of Rome . A clergyman one (( f tho eight portions against whom the Imperial and Royal Council of War , witting at Udina , lately pronounced judgment was Hontoneod to imprisonment for having omitted to ning tlio Ainbrosiun Hymn oki
the Emperor ' s birthday , and with having celebrated on that day an office for the dead—an act somehow held to be disrespectful to Austria ! The Pope has conferred on the Bishop of Cahors » the title of Attendant on the Pontifical Throne , and has created him a Roman Count . The letter which General Narvaez writes from Bayonne , to the Queen of Spain , puts in pretty plain terms the particulars of his " mission" to Vienna— " a mission so little in accordance with the rank of one of your captains-general ; a mission which a mere colonel could discharge just
as well as he" — " this illusory mission "— " a disguised banishment . " Narvaez , who received orders , late at night , to quit Madrid in twenty . four hours , on a pretended commission to examine the state and progress of the Austrian army at Vienna , reminds the Queen of bis services to her from her infancy , and demands to be released from the position "in which an act of flagrant injustice has placed him . " This undeniable injustice of the Bravo Murillo Government is but retribution after all . Who so regardless of law or justice , in his despotic decrees , as Narvaez ? The Diario JSspanol , Clamor Publieo , and JS poca , have been again seized for inserting articles against the
Government . Georges Petrovitch Nigbsch , vice-president of the senate of Montenegro , and cousin of the reigning Prince , has arrived at Trieste , on his road to Vienna and St . Petersburg , charged with a special mission . Different Austrian battalions in Italy have received , orders to march to Dalmatia to strengthen the Austrian army there . The Turkish general , Omer Pacha , is at Scutari , at the head of a large body of troops , and has proposed commencing the campaign at once , without waiting for spring . The Montenegrin ? are determined on resistance . Prince Daniel has gone to Grahovo , to concert measures with the Voivode of Wojatich , an independent prince , who has declared for Montenegro . Both these princes wear Russian orders .
The Diggers In Council. Thebe Have Been ...
THE DIGGERS IN COUNCIL . Thebe have been hitherto two concurrent facts regularly reported by the Australian papers—the enormous yields of gold , and the frightful immorality of society generally . But the news brought by the overland mail has added a third . One of the great complaints from the cities of the gold colonies , and the migratory population of the gold fields , is the inefficiency of the police ; and a letter we quoted last week hinted at the establishment of a Vigilance Committee . At present , however , the diggers have not been sufficiently exasperated to adopt that summary course ; but they have taken the first step . We have before us the report of a meeting held at Moonlight Flat , near Forest Creek , and about the central spot in the mining region of Mount Alexander . Four thousand diggers were assembled . As a specimen of the literary and rhetorical powers of the gold hunters , we subjoin , a part of the proceedings as given in the Adelaide Observer .
A Mr . Wells moved the adoption of the following memorial to the Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria , which , seconded by a Mr . Perkins Wood , was unanimously voted : — " The humble Memorial of tho Miners , inpublic meeting assembled , at Moonlight Flat , Forest Creek , Oct . 23 , 1852 , respectfully sj ^ weth" That your memorialists aro exposed , by day and night , to great peril of life and property , from tho numerous hordes of ruffians at present congregated on the gold-fields , owing to the absence of any real police protection . " That tho present police aro numerically inadequate , their organization miserably defective , and thqir officers , for the most part , apparently unacquainted with their duties .
" That tho present system of sharing a moiety of fines among the constabulary , has had the demoralizing effect of confining their attention exclusively to the apprehension of unlicensed diggers , und persons committing breachcB of the Licensed Victuallers' Act , to the total neglect of the suppression and detection of crime ; while , in many cases , it has led to tho commission of perjury on tho part of the constabulary . " That the duty of patrolling is entirely neglected , whilo the men , instead of being spread nbout tho diggings , aro concentrated at the various commiaBionerB' camps , whilo many of them are employed as Borvantfl , these utatione being generally Homo mileH distant from the most thickly populated neighbourhoods .
"As one proof of tho culpable-negligence of tho police authorities , your iiumiorialist . H would instance that , on the 10 t . li instant , a tent wan robbed on Moonlight Flat , und valuable property stolen . The name afternoon information was given to the police authorities , together with tin ; description and place of abode of the tluovoH , who were well known bad characters ; none of the police , however , made their appearance until the following overling 1 , twentylour hours after the robbery had been reported , by which time , of course , no trace could be found of the offenders . " Your memoriulintH would , therefore , urgently pray that measures should immediately he taken towards establishing an eflicient body of police , that may bo distributed among tho diggers , aiuf who should patrol by night an well an by day .
" your memorialists would further dot-tiro to impress upon your Kxcellency , that , owing to the prnuont excited state of the honest and well-conducted diggers , tho delay of even n few days in chocking < , he present liiwlesH state of the gold lioldtt may be productive of tho inont deplorable results . "And your lnouioriaJistH , as in duty bound , will ever pray . " Jn seconding the adoption of this , Mr . 1 ' crkiiw Wood mild ho would not have done it , luul ho yielded to his own duuire to avoid anything nppiQiiehiiitr to public
display ; but that urgent occasion , combined with his firm conviction that something must be done by ^ the diggers themselves , as the Government would continue to do nothing , compelled him to put aside all diffidence , and claim the attention of his brother miners for a few moments . ( Hear , hear . ) " He was anxious to impress upon his hearers that great good must result from that meeting , if tho memorial just read be adopted , and a temperate but firm expression of then * opinions placed on record , which could be dono through the medium of the press , as he was Happy to observe many of its representatives present . ( Cheers . ) He might be thought too sanguine , but it struck him , looking at that vast collection of stalwart frames and intelligent
faces , that tho anniversary of their meeting would hereafter be regarded as a red-letter day in the colonial calendar—a bright page in the history of young Australia—a day that they would hail with pride , and their descendants regard with grateful reverence . ( Cheers . ) He had heard within the last few moments that his excellency the Governor was likely to pass that way during the meeting . What a singular coincidence ! ( A laugh . ) He hoped , if such were the case , that his Excellency would be respectfully invited to remain and witness their proceedings—A Voice : We'll put him in the chair , ( daughter and cheers . ) —Mr . P . Wood : No , don ' t do that ; he has to arbitrate between many interests , but should not be identified with
any particular one . ( Cheers . ) Treat him with tho respect due to his station , and give him credit for acting up to the information he receives from his subordinates . He was satisfied that many of their complaints never reached the Governor ' s ear . He hoped , with regard to the memorial recommended for adoption , that the meeting would be unanimous in approving of it . W ^ hen crime was in the ascendant , it was in vain to look for the peaceful enjoyment of their earnings , and still more to hope for social improvements . Without a feeling of security there was no enioyment even of wealth , and permanent prosperity
was incompatible with the frequent occurrence of robberies and outrages such as they were subjected to . That was a new country , and its population contained contributions from nearly every nation in the globe ; like a young fellow who had outgrown his boots , its corns would require to be cut occasionally . ( A laugh . ) They were met to call for the performance of such an operation , and the memorial suggested the most efficient mode of performing it . If the Governor complied with their request , he would have no need of troops from England . He could command the services of a grateful people , and rest assured that 50 , 000 diggers would , when necessary , become his bod y-guard- — his special constables . ( Cheers . )"
Next came a Mr . Taylor , a moderate gentleman , at least as regards form . > " He understood that a letter to the Governor bad not been forwarded by the commissioner , because it was not couched in language sufficiently obsequious to be sent to head-quarters . The same fate inigbt attend the memorial ; and he would move the addition of a respectfully-worded clause , intimating the intention of the diggers to withhold the licence-fees until the 15 th of next month , and if their just demands were not then in course of being complied with , to refuse payment of the fe « s altogether . If they stopped the supplies , a police would soon be established . It was indeed said that police were coining out from Ireland ; but in tho meantime was the present state of things to continue ? Were men to bo beaten and robbed when
they had money , and shot by the bushrangers when they had no money ? Let th e diggers show his Excellency that they meant what they said , and wore resolved to have protection . Look at the frightful atrocity committed recently at Friar's Creek , where four monsters in human form violated a helpless female . Was it for permitting such things that the Governor should bo lauded or his memory respectedtj ( Cheers . ) If ho waa powerless to prevent such things , why should ho waste so much of their money with the mockery of protection ? There was a scheme in preparation by which probably security could be attained , but that would now perhaps bo sot aside to wait for tho arrival of the Irish police , and in tho mean time robbery and violence would run rampant through the land . Ho moved tho addition of a clause to tho memorial such as ho described . "
Mr . IJryce Iloss , in reply to the last speaker , referred to tho convocation of rats , and tho memorable decree for belling the cat . " He then continued , How many of you will refuse to pay tho licence fee ? Many Voices : All of us . Mr . lions : Be very clear on this ; better suppose one to be arrested ? A Voice : Wo must stick to support each other . ( Cheern . ) Another Voice : We must open lints , and subscribe for mutual support and protection .
Then cuinu a characteristic performance . A Cuptaln Iiunison , who styled himself the representative of i 20 , 000 diggers , took the chair , and Hjioke in still stronger language than Mr . Taylor . Before addressing tho assembly . Captain Harmon unfurled a flag , which a digger hoiatod on a tree . " That flag , " said Captain Harrison , " wai tho destiny of Victoria . Jwery man niUHt set ) that Victoria will Boon have a flag of her own , and tho sooner sho unfurled her
flag tho sooner sho would go ahead an hIio ought . ( Cheora . ) The cuckoo Hang God nave the Queen moroly booaiino oho wan Queen ; but our Queen dosorvod and enjoyed tho lovo and nmpoct of her BubjecU of every rank at home , although her bonoficonco could not bo folfc in this colony . They were unrlor a completo autocracy—thoy woro tho vory Boris of l ) ownin £ . H | , n ) ot dcHj > oti « n / Tho diuarinuig of the pooplo wan talked of in tho council . A Voice ; Lot thorn try that on . ( Choorfl . )
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 22, 1853, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_22011853/page/4/
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