The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-18 00:00:00

After some days of careful discussion the meeting
was adjourned, but not before the question had
been fully considered and the unanimous conclusion
had been arrived at that the proposed Confedera-
tion would be mutually advantageous provided the
terms of union could be equitably arranged. There
would naturally be many difficulties to encounter
in the final adjustment of affairs, but as yet no in-
superable obstacle has presented itself. Accordingly,
the Governor-General summoned a formal con-
ference to meet him at Quebec, on the 10th of
October, for the purpose of giving the scheme a
general and official consideration, It is said that
the Canadian delegates were much impressed by
the great material resources and industrial pros-
perity of the maritime provinces, and they per-
fectly coincide in the opinio❑ that a union would
be highly advantageous to all. The scheme,
although fairly considered, is as yet fettered by no
details, which will have to bearranged at the Quebec
conference. It is in matters of detail that the
great difficulty will lie, since local jealousies and
individual interests will moat probably interfere,
but there appears as yet to be such complete unani.
mity among the provinces on the general principle
of Federation that there is good reason for be-
lieving all minor matters may be disposed of. The
Home Government cannot regard with disfavour
any scheme which tends to strengthen and consos
lidate its dependencies ; and, in fact, the authority
which it has exercised over these provinces has
long been little more than a name. The days have
gone by when England could wish to coerce her
colonists, and, in feet, she would never have
had the right to interfere with a pro•
ject of this kind unless she had pledged
herself at the same time to guarantee the security of
the colonial frontier, Wise men cannot shut their
eyes to the fact that a ♦ery large body of men used
to war in its most unscruplous form may probably be
shortly thrown idle upon the hands of the American
Government, and that they will be very glad to
find a way of disposing of them. Whether a com-
promise be arrived at with the south, or whether
the North pushes on the war until it is forced to con-
fess itself baffled, the Federals will be very glad to
wipe cut the memory of their failure by a fresh
enterprise. Englishmen have proved themselves
a match for tougher antagonists than Mr. STAN-
TON'S heterogeneous regiments, but forewarned
is forearmed. It would be a suicidal act for the
remnants of the Union to provoke a war with this
country, but recklessness seems the order of the
day at Washington and New York, and it is difficult
to calculate the acts of desperation. By presenting
a united front to the Americans the British Pro.
viuces will largely increase their strength, while
the one Central Government will be able to dispose
of men, stores, &c., to the best general advantage.
This second great American Union of States will be
founded on a very different basis ; it will begin
with a full recognition of the rights of each State
to act as its people wish, and it will possess, we w

hope, the substance of civil liberty, and not its sha-
dow. In any case we wish success and good speed
to the enterprise, and all prosperity to our kinsmen
who have the proud task before them of forming
and consolidating a State which shall promote the
great interests of mankind, and do honour to their
mother country.

Drury Lane Theatre,