The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-12 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, et,7JANUARY 12, f:71863

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pots of the wealth of such a vast region.he war in the South-west—now becoming as
important as that on the Potomac, perhaps more so
—is in a doubtful position. BANKS' squadron was
plainlyintended to strengthen the expedition which
is to attack Vicksburg, and to complete the opening
of the Mississippi. It has already begun to operate
for that purpose, and Baton Rouge and Port
Hudson, still higher up the river, have been
occupied by an expedition from New Orleans.
The military and land news is not, however,
favourable to the Federals. The destruction and
evacuation of the works at New Madrid by the
Federals can scarcely have had other than stra-
tegic reasons, as they are so near Cairo, and so easy
to be supported thence. Bat General GRANT, though
not surrounded, as was at one time feared, had been
compelled to fall back, to make Memphis itself,
instead of a more advanced position like Holly
Springs just captured by the Confederates, the base
of his operations, and thus the military aid which
he could render to the expedition about to move on
Vicksburg is considerably delayed. Perhaps he
may be effectually kept back, and it must be remem-
bered the fleet alone, last year, could not capture
Vicksburg. Perhaps, as reinforced by BANKS, it may
be, however, strong enough for that purpose; We
find also the Confederate Generals again at Corinth,
and also holding the railroad between Columbus
and Jackson ; that is, cutting off an important line of
communication of the Federals in Kentucky and
Tennessee. In this quarter we also read of balanced
successes ; General MORGAN, the famous Guerilla
Captain, captures Elizabeth Town, quite in the
north of Kentucky, destroys a portion of the rail-
road which connects it and Louisville with Nash-
ville, the capital of Tennessee,, still occupied by the
Federals, and rides off with 600 prisoners. On the
other hand, General HERRON, in Arkansas, captures
the town of Van Buren, much war material in that
far west state, and 100 prisoners; both successes
occasioning more temporary in convenience,probably
than altering at all the relative position of parties.
On the Potomac all is quiet enough, if we except
the beating up of the Federal quarters, their rear
we should rather say, by STUART and his cavalry
once more. This is the second time since BURNSIDE
has been on the Rappahannock that STUART has
visited .Dumfries far in the rear of the former. Bu
he visited also other places yet further north,
towards Washington; Accotink, the most northerly
not being more than twenty miles from it. BURN-
SIDE has the river to keep up his supplies, but the
Washingtonians will hardly like to have the Con-
federate cavalry riding almost up to their gates.
The Alabama continues her " raids" at sea, which
must be very galling to the merchants, as it has
sent up marine insurance two per cent.

We have no authentic information respecting the
Proclamation for the Ist of January. The Demo-
crats are doing their utmost to denounce it, and to
prevent its appearance. They have summoned a
convention of the loyal States—requesting New
Jersey to take the lead in an endeavour to arrest the
war; the proposed place of meeting is Louisville, in
Kentucky, by which it appears the Border States are
to be made prominent in the proposed convention_
The time proposed is "February next," but by that
time events may have occurred which will only
fan the flame yet hotter. If the Mississippi should
by that time bs quite opened, or if the proclamation
should have been issued, and begun to tell on the
Slave States, it is hardly probable that the North wilt
be likely to listen to any terms of accommodation.
On one point the PRESIDENT is showing
his usual caution. Ho hesitates to sign the
bill constituting Western Virginia a sepa-
rate State. His Cabinet are formally con-
sulted on its constitutionality and expediency,
It is in truth a ticklish question, on the constitu-
tional ground the PRESIDENT has always taken ;
and so strong is his feeling in that direction that it
is expected he will veto the bill.

The announcement chat Parliament will meet on
the sth of February naturally disposes one to think
of the prospects of the future. At a momentous
epoch like the present what might appear to the un-
initiated trifles light as air become to the more ex-
perienced proofs of confirmation strong. It seems
a significant threatening of some change in the
political horizon, this list in the Gazette of a new
" batch of Baronets." 01 course there is nothing

official or orthodox on which rumour can speculate,
but as straws show which way the wind blows, so
this trivial occurrence may be the precursor of an

event that is of some importance.

We have often seen how shortly such a circum

stance as this has been followed by the retiremen

of the Ministry who conferred the dignities. Know.

ing too well the secrets of the situation before a

minutest hint has been whispered inouter circles they

at once seek to secure the services of those whose

aid and assistance may stop the fall, or at least
avert its consequences. Thore is nothing to find
fault with in this ; and, if there were, it would be
one of a universal kind, for all parties follow the
same course and adopt the same tactics. It is a
natural feeling in human nature to avail oneself of
every opportunity before the day for the exercise
of power has gone by. In some of the instances
referred to there is every reason to be pleassd with
the selection of Ministers. Foremost among these
is Mr. WILLIAM BROWN, of Liverpool. This gen-
tleman's same is too well known to need much
comment, and his merit is too well recognised for
the new dignity conferred to increase its lustre.
Such a man imparts more honour to his title than
the acquisition can confer upon himself. The
establishment of a Free Library at Liverpool was a
noble act, and he could hope for no better
monument to be a lasting testimony to
his name and fame throughout the
length and breadth of the land. Mr. FRANK
CROSSLEY of Halifax is another local benefactor.
He gave a fine park adjoining the town for the
benefit and recreation of the working classes. The
other gentlemen are doubtless estimable men in a
private capacity, but it is to be questioned if they
have not been chosen for this honour more on
account of their probable services to Government
than of their claims on public gratitude, or peculiar
aptitude for high places in the community. If
merit had been made the sine qua non in the selec-
tion, there are many others more deserving of the
honour. It
appears as if those in authority had
gone as far as possible to seek for recipients of their
favours, and in every instance it is in politics,
to weigh in the balance, but that of the
that honours have been taken. No other claim has
been allowed
candidate being qualified to prove his gratitude
afterwards in the letter as well as the
accession to the Bar
Onetage of the United
spirit,k,ingdomlt
may be that nothing more will
transpire of this
and when the on dies of n
over, the aff4ir may
lapset
into
n nine days'vion,
awnodnbdeeronly
e
regarded as a minor event. It may be, however,
and only time can prove the contrary, that it is the
forerunner of greritCr things) and will hereafter be