The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-05 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, SEPT. 3, 1864.

The prospect of peace in America is a question
of such vital interest that any discussion connected
with it can scarcely be tame or tedious. Both sides,
it is true, have said their say often enough since
this unhappy war broke cut ; the arguments have
been bandied to and fro until the veriest child has
growu familiar with them ; but there are some
events, some subjscts so remarkable that " their ins
Enite variety" does not lose its force by constant
eenetition. More especially is this the case when
the speakers are men not only of greet ability and
high position, but of the most intimate acquaint-
ance with the wants and feelings of the peoples
whose interests are under discussion, and whose
words are therefore no round ci borrowed platitudes
but the honest outpouring of practical convictions.
Such words are not only advocacy, but evidence.
They show us the animus of eiiher side. They fur-
nish us with data from which to draw cur own
conclusions. Under these aspects the narrative of
the conversation between JEFFERSON DAVIS and
Colonel JAQUES cannot be read with indifference;
and indeed the circumstances of the interview are
eetsSemselves sufficiently striking to rivet attention.
TwolSortherners, actuated by the desire to see soma
suspension of the fratricidal strife now desolating
two great countries, pushed their way, by means
of letters, See., to the very presence of the Southern
President. They passed the hostile lines, and were
safely brought to the "State Department" in Rich.
mond, where they had a lengthened interview with
the man who,in the words of Mr GLADSTONE, "has
1.-lade the South a nation." Their conversation, of
course, was profitless so far as any immediate
procpects of peace are concerned ; but the
very fact of its taking piste is in itself
encouraging. The go-a-head nation has cere
tainly hitherto carried on its war in the most mat.
ter of fact way. No trace of chivalry or sentiment
has interfered with the material objects, but this
enterprise of Colonel JAQUES, and the courteous
reception accorded him by President DAVIS, reads
like a page from the Romance of War instead of its
mere ordinary history. The argument did credit to
both sides, being conducted with admirable temper,
while the opponents were well matched. Mr. Mavis
mast, however, have been amused to see the quiet
manner in which Colonel JAQUES brought forward
the very points which tell against the North, his
ain:4l3lcity, real or assumed, serving for loglc. :Thus,
when he said to him, " You are wholly without
money and at the end of your resources," Mr.
DAVIS may have recollected the latest price of gold
in New York. When Colonel JAQUES went on to
say, " GRANT has shut you up in Richmond, SEIM!,
:MAN is before Atlanta. Had you not better accept
honourable terms while you can retain your prestige
andsave the price of the Southern people ?" it is no
great wonder that Mr. DAVIS smiled as he replied,
1 respeet your earnestness, Colonel, but you do
net seem exactly to understand the situation. 'We
ere not exactly shut up in 'Richmond. If your
papers tell the truth, it is your capital that is in
danger, not ours." He then reminded his hearer
that, after all GRANT'S brilliant flank movements,
he ~vas no nearer Richmond, while he was poorer
by 75,000 or 80,000 men than at the outset. On
the financial question he had as much to say. The
South need certainly not fear comparison with her
antagonist on that score, for, as Mr. DAVIS said to
Lis visitor, "Oar paper has the solid basis of a large
cc.'tton crop, while yours rests on nothing, and you
owe all the world." But such arguments would not
of course convince either side. The sin of the war
did riot, President DAVIS declared, lie at h is
door, for ho had foreseen it for 12 years, but had
been powerless to prevent it. The whole blame, he
averred, rested with the North who refused to admit I
the right' of the Southern people to:govern them-
selves. Colonel JAQURS suggested that the people
should be allowed to decide that the propositions
should be laid before them by the relative Govern-
er:eras. Peace, union, emancipation, no corns
pensetion, and universal amnesty as the other,
and both sides to be bound by the vote of
the majority. The plan, as President DAVIS justly
said, is quite impracticable. It is the plan of a
theorist, not of a practical man, but Mr DAVIS
objected to its very principle. It was the tyranny
of the majority, he said, ia'l 2.1 ted to,

The Northerners remonstrated. "'. rhe majority
must rule finally either with bullets or bal-
lots." This was not the creed of GEORGE
WASHINGTON and his compeers, 'but it is
strange to see the inconsistency displayed by the
Unionists, whose very name, as "Mr. BENJAMIN ob.
served, "United States" implies a partnership, not
an identification of interests, The language of Mr.
DAVIS was worthy of himself and his position, and
displayed the unalterable resolve of the South to
their independence. The North. 'has yet to learn the
lesson, but the crime of the war now lies at their
door, and they cannot palliate i t, since the Southern
leader has said, in plain wore s, that slavery is no
part of the matter, and that he will receive any pro-
posals for peace on the basis of Southern indepen-
dence. How long will the North refuse to ac-
knowledge the national existence of that com-
munity which all Europe has long since recognised
as an established fact ?

Last Saturday Lord PALMERSTON had a gracious
task to perform, albeit it was tinged with sadness.
Those who occupy a prominent position in life have
no more significant and solemn duties to discharge
than to pay their tribute of respect and add their
mite of approbation to their competitors and co-
adjutors in the race of life. The noble lord who
unveiled the statue to the memory of the late Sir
GEORGE CORNWALL LEWIS has often been fated
to behold such scenes and take part in such efforts
to honour the dead and encourage the survivors.
It has long been an undisputed maxim that .De
?nor t:us nil nest bonuin, but we look for something
more than this when those who have done their best
during the span of their earthly existence to serve
their Sovereign and country and to win the esteem
of their fellow men are called away from among us.
The strife of politics and the tumultuous strife of
party zeal are hushed at the portals of the tomb;
and appropriately so, for its occupant has passed
away for ever from its vanity and its vexations. It
is fitting that whenever any particular ability and
excellence are displayed, due note should be made
of such attributes after death. "To live in hearts
we leave behind is not to die;" and no better
consolation can irradiate the dying hours of the de-
parted, or cheer and sustain his friends who sur-
vive him, than the thought that the pas-
sage through this transitory state has been
employed in a manner at once honest and
honourable. Sir G. CORN EWALL LEWIS was a
good type of an English Statesman, firm and de-
cided in his bearing, and consistent in his character.
Such men are of value to the State they serve and
an inestimable advantage to the country. Their
lives are precious possessions to their fellow-subjects
and incentives to more weak and wavering natures
to persevere in the road of rectitude and strive to
exert them to the utmost of their capacity. As the
Rev. ARCHER ELICE declared when he requested
Lord PALMERSTON to uncover the statue, they ask
him to " sanction the exaggerated praise of a lying
epitaph, for they had placed nothing on the base
of that statue which everyone capable of judging
could not affirm to be truth. The terms that record
that Sir GEORGE CORNEWALL LEWIS was "a wise
and honest Statesman, a profound scholar, and a
kind and firm friend' are strictly true, and perhaps
in these simple words we get a picture of more solid
and enduring excellence than we could meet with in
more elaborate description; of more showy quali-
ties, and more striking achievements. Mr. EL ICE
spoke earnestly and impressively as to the high
esteem in which the departed Statesman was held
by all who knew him, and those then present in
especial, they had had ample opportunities of wit-
nessing that course of life which never made him
a single enemy ; ";and," concluded the rev. gentle-
man, " let us do all we can to hand down
to posterity the knowledge that one great and
eminent Statesman has risen np amongst us
that among the gentry of England one was found,
as I believe many more will be found whenever they
are wanted, to serve his country well, and fill the
highest and most important offices of the State."
Lord PALMERSTON appeared to enter fu'ly into the
spirit of the scene before him, which, to him, must
have contained particular attraction and suggested
stirring thoughts. He whom he came to honour
was his friend and coheague, and in doing homage
to his memory he celebrated the last solemn cere-
mony which this world can witness regarding the
career of its distinguished men. They henceforth
belong to the past and the future—the present
is over for ever with them, and all must be moved
when they reflect upon the important effect a few
years of public life may produce upon the reputa-
tion of the statesman himself and the interests of
the country he serves. His Lordship's address was
worthy of the occasion, and it is very fortunate
that he was able to be present, for no one else could
so well have filled his place. It was particularly
his mission to come forward and do his utmost in
rendering the meed of approbation and approval to
his departed friend. He could speak what he did
know concerning him who was that day the com-
mon subject of all thoughts, and no one had a better
right to comment upon the character and attain-
ments of the Minister who was the first to recognise
his aptitude and abilities. A moral may surely be
conveyed to the rising generation in the career of
Sir G. LEWIS, and in Lord PALMERSTON'S impres-
sive address we can see his whole career mapped
out before us, an instance of what perseverance can
accomplish, and a picture of what intellect aad in-
tegrity can perform, His Lordship observed that
they were assemteed to " confer posthomous honour
on a great and distinguished Statesman who, by the
inscrutable decrees of PROVIDENCE, was taken from
us prematurely." This is another proof of the ex-
tent of the acquirements and performances of the
late Statesman, because his time was short, compa-
ratively speaking, to have made for himself so ex-
tended and enduring a reputation both privately and
Publicly. Lord P
leading PALMERSTON touched upon the
points of his career, and most strongly
dwelt upon his estimable qualities which gained
him universal good will, and prevented the exprese
sion cf those angry feelings that often occur in
public life, His power of performance was remark-
ably great, for he kept up his pursuit of knowledge
while he faithfully discharged his onerous dniies
in official life. Lord PALMERSTON declared that
his great objet; was to ascertain truth, and he pos-
sessed that desire in a greater degree than any one
else whom he had met. The noble lord concluded
his eloquent speech in most impressive language, and
it cannot be denied that he made an address worthy
of the occasion and the subject. After declaring
that the erection of the statue was a becoming act
he went on to say, " And I hope that those whom
I am addressing, and those who may follow their
generation after generation, when they pass this
statue will say, " This is the statue of a man dear
to his country, who rendered important services to
his country, who served his Sovereign and his fel-
low-countrymen with honesty of purpose, and with
successful results." Farther, Lord PALMERSTON
added that such a career as that before them should
serve as au incentive to exertion and an inducement
to excellence, very truly observing that even where
the same abilities were not present much might be
done by care and attention. The PREMIER made
a most useful deduction from the example of his
departed friend when he told the assembly there
present to do hint honour, fast they ~;gist gain by

following, in some measure, the example of him
whose career they had admired. " The imitation
of great excellence, although it may not result in
equal distinction, is the certain course to fit every
man, whatever may be his talents, to be a useful
member to the community, and to earn the good-
will and esteem of his benefactors and friends in
life." Rightly understood the ceremonials, such as
this at Hereford, are to be esteemed by all who take
a part in them. They are a substantial record of the
services rendered to their generation by the men
who are its pride and ornament, they are signs
and tokens to others that merit is appreciated, and
it must be a gratifying reflection to a great stites-
man that his works will not be burfed with him--
that the brief scene of his present struggles will
not be all ►hat he shall take a part in for the bene-
fit of the world, he will be a light for the past and
a beacon for the future. It is also gratifying to
reflect upon that in this country we have so many
public men whose private life and excellence are
of as much value as their public career of distinc-
tion. It is only when these agree in repute and honor
that a course of existence can be pleasant and pro.
fitable to themselves and others. Life can never be
too long or too short if the aim and object of its
duration be pure and elevated. It can never bo
too tedious to recruit end benefit their fellowmen,
and it can never be too poor to rejoice in the joy of
their KING, and to return to that MAKER who be.
stowed those priceless gifts upon them, if those gifts
have not been abused or trifled with, but made the
most of, honoured in their adaptation to human re-
quirements, and sanctified by the stamp of Divine
approval. The memory of such lives cannot pass
away with the transient splendours and vain pomg
of the world around us, they have a part in that
world which cannot see change.