NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Tun examinations of persons implicated in the recent disturbances in South Wales are reported at great length in the daily papers; and, with rumours of intended risings, for which there appears to be little foundation, and gossip about Jonx Fitosr, they constitute the bulk of the week's domestic news. A large proportion of this matter might with advantage be suppressed ; for few foes of value have been elicited. These few are such as throw light upon the Intentions of the Chartists, their means of' executing them, and the causes and extent of disaffection.
There is additional proof that in South Wales the remuneration of labour is higher than in most parts of the country. Poverty there lies not been the parent of Chartism, but a galling resent- ment of political and social inferiority. The raw material of Chartism existed in abundance. An infitunmable mass, sure to explode, was collected; while statesmen, ignorant of what it chiefly behoved them to know, fancied that all was safe because they heard no noise. Attention has now been forced to the state of feeling among a considerable portion of the working classes. It is seen that the exaction of legal penalties exasperates more than it terrifies. Fines and imprisonments have been tried ; perhaps the executioner will be called in ; but neither the gaol nor the seafffild will root out Chartism. It is somewhat exultingly proclaimed in Ministerial journals, that the Chartists hue now got a lesson, and will not readily renew the attempt to obtain redress by force of arms. Probably the experience of Faosx and his followers will not be thrown away upon the unenfranchised masses—they may profit by late events : but will their rulers? Will they learn that the discontent with which they have to grapple, being political, widely extended, and so fierce that it prompts men to encounter wounds and death, cannot be extirpated save by removing its causes? In that case, there will be less cause to regret the Mon- mouthshire slaughter.
That the Chartist combination was extensive, is clear. Chapels and beer-houses, far distant from each other, were the scene of frequent consultations ; and though the numbers actually on the field cannot be correctly ascertained, there were many thousands, and chiefly men—very few boys and women. Much ia said about the pressing of reluctant persons into their ranks, and the system of terrorism employed by leaders of the rioters against the peace- ably-disposed ; but it is evident that these latter were only a small minority, far too weak to be relied upon for the preservation of peace or the subjection of the turbulent. No—by cannon and bayonets only, for some time to come, can the government be maintained in South Wales.
r, A special commission is to be sent down try to the prisoners. 1 he Judges will have a military guard, and pieces of artillery in the streets of Newport will protect the Court-house and its learned in- mates. Many prisoners will be convicted; some, perhaps, hanged ; and the Attornev-General will boast of the omnipotence of the law, while inn praises would be better bestowed upon gunpowder. filen will men ask themselves—what next ? For all must see that the calm obtained by such anodynes will not be lasting.
