The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-21 00:00:00

at least in one thing, namely, in declining to fur-
nish one syllable of frank or manly explanation.
No matter whence the inquiries came to them,
whether the interrogator rose on the side
of the Opposition or on the Government
side, either from a back bench or below
the gangway, he was safe to obtain one
invariable kind of reply, which, of course,
amounted to no reply at all : namely, a repetition
literally usque ad nauseam of that evasive phrase
glibly articulated all through the session with such
"damnable iteration "—to wit, that it would be
indiscreet, as yet, to utter a syllable more about it !
And so the longest day has come, and Parlia-
men', even row, has not had vouchsafed to it
one word of rational explanation. Tomorrow
in all human probability, the Cenfererce will meet
for positively the last time. Oa Sunday next, the
period of the supplementary fortnight's armistice
will come to an end. Monday next, in all likeli-
hood, will be signalised by the recommencement of
hostilities. The Government laughing in their
sleeves the while at having thus adroitly rendered
the session so far nugatory in the matter so long
that the dog •days are felt to be close at
hand, and the time of the grouse shooting almost
one might say beginning even now to be sighted.
Late though it is in the session, late though it is,
in other words, in the esason—one alternative hap-
pily still remains, as we have just now intimated, in
the safe keeping of the House of Commons, in the
grasp, at the command of her Majesty's Opposition.
And the observation we would speak of is simply
this—Esther to force on at last a full and complete
discussion of what has hitherto been shirked so
completely by the Government—Or, supposieg that
discussion still to be evaded by Ministers on the
plea of indiscretion, to petition her MAJESTY not to
prorogue Parliament until the Foreign Policy
of the Government, more particularly in this matter
of Denmark, shall have been brought under the
consideration of her faithful Commons. For one
thing or the other, the country will hold the House
of Commons responsible. Either, these momentous
subjects for discussion must be discussed at once,
coute qui coute, Or measures must be taken for pro.
longing the session beyond the usual period of the
grouse shooting, until the Legislature shb 11 have
had an opportunity of discussing the foreigu I
policy of the Government.

Waen Captain SEMMES' spirited vindication of
his course as captain of the Alabama appeared so
recently it was not anticipated by many tha the
career of that gallant little vessel was so near its
close, and that but one more signal event was to be
added to i's chronicles. The intelligence that has
just arrived will be a source of great regret to
many who have watched the progress of this
famous vessel, end admired the daring and intrepi-
dity which have signalised her men. It is seldom
that so much interest has been fixed and so much
attention centred in one vessel, and in the annals of
naval history it is certain that the Alabama has
some peculiar and distinguishing features which
will for ever set it apart in the memory of all who
have taken cognisance cf her striking incidents. It
was not to be expected that such a course could go
on long with impunity, and perhaps the real
wonder is that before this we have not received the
intelligence of her defeat or capture. It is entirely
owing to consummate daring and the most consider-
able skill in management that up till now this little
vessel has walked the e atera like a thing of life,
spreading destruction on her track, striking terror
among all who encountered her, and while triumph-
antly sweeping the seas filling the minds of those
on shore with amazement and admiration. Those
who perused Captain SE3I3IES' communication will
have seen the straits to which be and his crew
were reduced, and the difficulties that they had to
contend with, in consequence of the very unfair and
unusual course adopted by Earl RuseELL with re-
gard to the dealings of this country in the matter
of the vessels of the belligerents sending prizes into
our ports. If counted by the span of time the
Alabama has had but a short life, but the chronicles
of fame take no note of weeks or months, and,
according to this calendar, her existence has
not been small nor insignificant. She has been
hard at work from the outset, through all the
storms and conflicts of her fitful course,
until she has sunk gallantly fighting to the
last, the ruling spirit strong in death. It was no
tame and easy victory, no playing at fighting, that
ensued when this pride of the Confederate navy
I went down into the great waters, on which she had
played eo conspicuous a part, and where her hard•
earned laurels had been won. When the minor
events of this long and arduous conflict between
the States of North America are put into the shade
of oblivion, there will stand out conspicuous the
feats of the Alabama, and the memory of this
vz,ssel will survive as an example of what may be
achieved by daring and dexterity. Conclusive as
the details afforded by the various accounts un-
doubtedly are, it may be said that they are not wholly
unsatisfactory to the friends and admirers of the
distinguished vessel. They may read events which
would not disgrace a ship of far more power and
magnitude. There was no wavering nor hesitation,
bat the greatest energy and spirit were evinced
throughout the conflict, which was sharp, short, and
severe, In some respects this was a fitting end for
a vessel that has throughout its whole career been,
as it were, a thing Terse and totally distinct from
others. It was as well that a startling finale
should succeed to a course that was alone in its
strange ea,ect, and unmatched in its meridian blaze
of day and triumphant tide of success. While the
Federals will rejoice without stint at this fulfil-
ment of their hupee, their opponents will reserve to
of satisfaction at the gallantry
which
mlvaerskteh right
de
trhehetiosing
act of this strange affair.
Death and defeat towered around the Alabama as
she sunk under water, her deck covered with dead
and dying, but dishonour was not there; and it
may, therefore, be said that, in some respects, this
is a fitting termination to a venture which was
desperate but dashingly carried out, which was
fraught with hazard, and where the chances cculd
nut always be on the side of gain. It seems that
(here was considerable difference in the advantages
of the two vessels, the Kearsage being chain-plated
under her outside planking. Those on board the
Alabama were not aware of this circumstance. It
appears at first sight that Captain SEM3IES was
rash in thus engaging the Kearsage; but there is
no doubt that he had some reasons for so doing, from
the fact of his sending his valuables on shore pre•
eiously to entering on the momentous struggle,
such conduct seems to prove that it was not fool°
hardiness at all events that urged him on, but the
conviction that the exigencies of the case demanded
the venture of whose 183U0 he was doubtful. It will
be a source of satisfaction to nearly all who peruse
the detaile, that the gallant captain has been saved,
not only that his life his been preserved, but that
he has been preserved from his enemies. Judging
fecm pest experience, the Faderals were not likely
to show much consider ation to a foe who had done
them so much mischief and always seemed so im-
possible to catch. Certainly the laurels of the
contest are all on the side of the Confederates, and
which ever way we look at things courage and
egus:ancy seem to belong to them exclusively. The
career of the Alabama has been a omance from
the outset, all the exploits and a-lventuree that