The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-28 00:00:00

THE KIN,' LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JULY 28, 1864.

The noble lord, in his graphic style, declared that
"diplomacy is armed reason," and went to explain
that if not the Ministers of the weaker States
would have as much influence as those of the great
Powers of Europe. Thus, when a negotiator sets
out by asserting that whether his propositions are
entertained or not he will not enforce them he loses
his power altogether. The strength of Powers in
a Conference is the strength they leave behind
them ; and if they declare they will never use that
strength, they might as well have none." This
fully exposes the errors of the mode employed by
the English Ministers at the Conference, also their
predetermined notions of a do-nothing-policy,
and their evident desire to fail in their aps
parent attempts to make Prussia and Austria come
to something like terms which reason and rumour
did not denounce. Lord ELLENBOROUGEI'S con•
eluding remarks deserve to be studied as a master-
piece of European policy, described by an able and
astute judge. He showed how dangerous a tone
has been infused into the political bearings of Euro-
pean affairs. How that this destruction of Denmark
has been sanctioned and even encouraged by the
other Powers, what will prevent other large States
from preying on smaller ones, and thus the old
doctrine of Might versus Right will be revived is
an age that has more than once boasted of its well
nigh complete extermination. The rights of
strangers and the liberties of the subject are alike
disregarded by the rulers of the aggressive king-
doms who now trample down justice and ignore
mercy altogether. The noble lord in his bold
address, declared that all this Schleswig-Holstein
scheme has been a " wickedly-laid plan to destroy
the liberties of Denmark, and also those of the
people of Prussia and Austria. Many may now
slight all these remarks and simply regard them as
evil prognostications, but the day will come when
all these dark predictions will be realised, and the
page of history will bear on its record the verifies•
tion of Lord ELLENBOROUGEI'S impressive pro-
phecy, that the cruelties now so rife in different
parts of Europe will bring down a terrible doom
on their perpetrators, and that such "flagrant
offences'against right and justice cannot go on with-
out a decided chastisement and retribution. "

Ministers need never have had to bear the brunt of
the one Great Debate of this expiring session—they
need never have " come to the scratch" of that for-
midable and, at one time for them, really alarming
division—a division that resulted, it still seems,
to many, by little else than a fluke of good luck,
in a clear majority of Eighteen in an immense
House. If only Mr. LOWE and his brethren of the
Educational Board could have been induced to leave
it alone when the inspector's reports were brought up
for their examination—not for their revision, observe,
but simply , for their examination—Lord ROBERT
CECIL would have lost his happiest opportunity for
so worrying that little cluster among our Adminis-
trator s as to constrain Mr. LOWE himself, in a sort
of a tiff of virtuous indignation, to give in his re-
signation ! If, again, the Minister for " Parks and
' Palaces" once upon a time, in our more sylvan days,
of "Woods and Forests"—if he, too, could have
been persuaded to leave it alone quietly in reference
to that, again and again, rejected Court notion of
handing over the National Gallery in toto
to the Royal Academy, relegating the na-
tional collection of pictures and sculpture
to a bran new site at the back of Burlington House
(as so much nearer to those dear, detestable Bromp-
ton Boilers in the south-eastern corner of South
Kensington)—Ministers then, again, in regard to
that little matter, would have escaped another of
their recent vexations. No : there is not a doubt
about it—the plan of plans for holding office com-
fortably during an indefinite period, is to "leave it
alone"—that is, of course, not office, but what have
hitherto and quite erroneously been supposed
to be the duty or prerogative of the holders of office.
Lord PALMERSTON has found it answer, whenever
he has been allowed to try it, since the formation
of this his second and longest Government. Look
at the very question of Parliamentary Reform, for
the effectual carrying out of which that Govern.
ment was actually called into existence, He has
left it alone, And his so leaving it alone has suc-
ceeded to admiration. Parliamentary Reform is
now nowhere at all as a " vexed question," Mr.
BRIGHT has long ago given over that systematic
agitation of it, in great Speeches at monster meet-
ings, that agitation by him of the Great Question
of Parliamentary Reform, by which week after
week, month after month, several years ago, he was
wont to "'fright the isle from its propriety." .Pas
de role was the axiom of TALLEYRAND. It is vir-
tually that also of PALMERSTON. The Veteran
Premier can't endure the overzealous. And he has
so far infected his most energetic colleague, the
hitherto most conspicuous and most energetic among
all his colleagues as a Reformer—meaning, of course,
Earl RUSSELL—by urging the latter at last to his
memorable utterance (an utterance indicative of
his resignation—as a Reformer, not as a Minis-
ter !)—his ever-memorable utterance of those four
now notorious words " Rest and be thankful I" The
great mysterious problem of problems at the Cir-
cumlocution Office, has long since been solved, to the
entire satisfaction of the whole race of Barnacles, that
arch-problem seemingly of all Administration under
their auspices—How Not To Do It. The most
popular author of our age, the most delightful genius
of our time, has celebrated the peculiarities of this
profound system of Government in one of his later
masterpieces. How Not To Do It has, happily for
the whale race of Barnacles, if for no one else, long
since been discovered. It is the province, it is
the recognised privilege, it is the pre-ordained
prerogative it is, so to speak, the metier, the forte,
the one purpose in life of Lord PALMERSTON to
apply it I Or, at any rate, to see—if Ministers can't
leave it alone altogether, that, at the very least,
they should do so as much as possible.

The final report of the Select Committee upon
Dockyard Accommodation, which is now laid before
the public in the shape of a Parliamentary paper,
will be read with considerable interest. Its sug-
gestions are worth attention and consideration,
although by no means of equal value. The ques.
tion of foreign dock accommodation is rightly re•
garded by the committee as being of considerable
importance. One of the points in which the iron
vessels, now so general, bear an unfavourable corn•
parison to the old wooden walls is the necessity of
frequent cleaning. The case of. the Alabama was
cited in the House the other night in evidence of
this fact, since no iron vessel could have kept at sea
without cleaning or repairs for the length of time
during which the famous Southern privateer was
the terror of the Northern shipping. In any case
the necessity of sending our large vessels on foreign
stations home for the inevitable cleaning is a loss of
time and a great inconvenience; led in time of w4r
such a course might be attended by mc,st serious
results. If the enemy eoeald reckon ren the enforced
absence of part of car fleet for six or eight weeks,
he might take ready advantage of the knowledge,
and while Ilngland possesses so many dependencies
in all parts of the globe it is somewhat ridiculous
that her first-class ships must perform a tedious
voyage home before they can find a suitable graving
dock. According to the established principle of
preparation for "war being the best security for
peace, it is wise not only to increase the number of
our ships but to provide for their efficiency in time
of need. It is therefore satisfactory to find the com-
mittee expressing such decided views on the sub-
ject, and setting aside all timid and hesitating
doubts about expense where the honour and safety
of the country are concerned, boldly assert that a
considerable outlay will be necessary before the re-
quirements of the public service are fulfilled.
It is especially gratifying that the committee
express themselves most decidedly about the Malta
dock, which occasioned such an animated discus-
sion in the House last year. Public attention was
called to the matter, and there could scarcely be
two opinions as to the superiority of the French
creek over the site selected by the Admiralty. The
advantages were indeed so manifest that the very
authorities who persisted in continuing the works
at the Mersa admLtted them, but excused themselves
for such seeming inconsistency on the plea of keep•
ing faith with the Colonial Government. The corn •
mittee evade this difficulty by recommending that
in the event of a French creek being placed at the
disposal of the Government this country should
offer to construct a dock at the Mersa for the use of
merchant ships. The decisive opinions which
were given in this matter by those best
qualified, from long acquaintance with the
island and official experience, to judge, left
the committee no room for a different verdict,
still it is satisfactory that they should have ex-
pressed themselves so positively as to the necessity
of altering the mistaken Flan hitherto followed. It
is also proposed that a dock is required at Bermuda
suitable for the accommodation of first-class ships,
while at other colonial stations it is suggested that
the method adopted at Hong Kong should be tried,
and a reasonable sum advanced to private parties
constructing a dock, provided it be of sufficient
dimensions and be at the service of her MAJESTY'S
ships whenever required—the sum advanced being
in proportion to every foot of depth attained beyond
20 feet and up to 21 feet. It is further thought
that such an arrangement might with advantage
be made with private firma in this country. This
proposal is, however, part of a most extraordinary
scheme suggested by the committee which will cere
tainly not commend itself to the good setae or
public spirit of the country. In consideration of
the great expenses which will be entailed by the
necessary enlargements and improvements in our
dockyards here and abroad, it is gravely proposed
to suppress Deptford, Woolwich, and Pembroke
Dockyards altogether; and the money derived from
the sale of these valuable sites would, it is thought,
go far towards meeting the fresh expenses in-
curred. That is to say, that the Government is to
sell these yards, now in good working order,
and to spend the money thus obtained in
paying private firms to do the work it
might have done for itself. 'We are to build
up with ono hand and to pull down with the other.
While professing to b 3 anxious to secure the best
sites for our docks we aro to abandon one of the
finest harbours in the world. We might as well
give up Portsmouth as Pembroke. A harbour like
Milford Haven is certainly not easily matched in
any European country, and when the Government
have such a bite at their service, what folly would
it be to abandon the advantage and give the bens Be
of all their outlay to private speculators ? It is
I just the same principle advocated by Mr. COBDEN
the other evening in another aspect ; but before
L Woolwich and Deptford are sold, and the Admi-
ralty are placed at the mercy of contractors, let the
country call to mind the disastrous results which
have too often followed from being compelled to
depend upon private firms for vessels in time of war.
In olden days the Bristol raerehento made fortunes

Lord ELLENBOROITGH'S speech, the other evenh,
log, was an admirable vindication of the rights of
nations, and it was ttlso an, exposure of the very
fallacious course pursued by our Government. The
Danish question has now become a very painful
topic, most distasteful to those whose shortcom-
ings have been so manifest, and distressing to
those who witness with horror and regret the
diminution of their country's influence and the
decadence of her high and honourable spirit in
the part she has been compelled to play. Lord
ELLENBOROUGII is a well known debater of great
fluency, and an orator of considerable powers, but
even he had a hard task to invest the details of
this hackneyed question with life and vigour, and
to infuse into his discourse a vivid energy, and a
spirit worthy alike of the speaker and his subject.
He succeeded to admiration ; and it is a source of
satisfaction that at the eleventh hour of the ses-
sion we have heard this brilliant and effective dis-
quisition on foreign affairs uttered by one who is
not only a skilled politician and an effective orator,
but a man who is thoroughly embued with the
true old English spirit of fair play and the love
of independence. Perhaps the conduct of oar
Government has never appeared worse, and been
more conspicuously shown forth than in this ora-
tion. There was not the hurry and excitement of
a debate of great moment, nor the keen watch-
fulness as to the issue of a close division, to spoil
the effect or interfere with the attention of those
who heard, and those who read the speeches, and
therefore the remarks of Lord ELLENBOROUGH
became all the more telling, and they will remain
impressed upon the memory as among the last.
utterances of the session that are worthy of notice.
In a masterly manner did the noble lord expose
the fallacies which have marked the arguments of
those who have been guidieg affairs during this
crisis in the affairs of Europe. He mentioned the
absurdity of the excuse given for the nonfulfillment
of the conditions of the Treaty of 1852 under the
plea of a change of circumstances. This reason
cannot hold good, and the excuse made as to the
right of a people to choose its own rulers, Lord
ELLENEOROUGH forcibly denounced as quite un-
tenable and preposterous. The aspect of things at
present in Denmark and her Duchies is quite dif-
ferent to the state of affairs at the time when the
Doke of WELLINGTON recognised the right of the
French people to choose their own Sovereign. The
French people are sure to impress their character
upon their Government, but it is very different
with a State like Holstein. Truly did Lord ELLEN-
BOROUGh say that it is impossible for their wishes
I to be accorded without disturbing the balance of
power in all parts of Europe. We have as yet but
a glimmering of the fact, but before very long there
will be ample proofs of the folly and perversity
which have marked the course pursued by our Go-
vernment ; and it is not likely that the present gene-
ration will see the termination of the evil brought
about by many conflicting causes. There is the
greed of Prussia, the arrogance of Austria, and the
mistaken policy of Denmark in giving up too readily
at first to the demands of the invaders. The chief
cause of all this misery is, however, the unworthy
attitude assumed by England from the outset. Lord
ELLENEOROUGII, in his analysis of events, forcibly
dilated upon the extraordinary nature of the con-
duct of the German Powers, and stated it to be his
conviction that at the commencement of the contest
they had entertained no idea of proceeding to such
extremities as have lately distinguished their course,
but were induced to go on and increase in arrogance
in consequence of our tame and dispirited demean-
our. Also the strictures passed on the attitude of
our Cabinet At the Conference are most striking.

out of Government contracts, and old naval officers
can bear witness to the worthlessness of many of
their ships. Greenwich pensioners, too, could spin
strange yarns about " the forty thieves," " the
jack.ass frigates!' and the 11 ten•gun coffins."
Modern times are not so much improved if we may
take the gunboats built during the Crimean war as
a sample. The contract system is essentially one
for time of peace, when there is leisure to inspect or
reject the goods supplied, but in the hour of danger
or emergency the country should be able to depend
upon its own resources. We cannot fear, therefore,
that so preposterous a scheme will obtain the favour
of the country, or secure the sanction of Parliament.
The rest of the report recommending the construc-
tion of a first-class dock id Cork harbour, and im-
provements at Davonport and Keyhem, in addition
to the remarks on our foreign dockyards, shows so
much good sense and practical perception of the
wants of the service, that we can only marvel that
the eommittee should have been induced to make so
extraordinary and extravagant a proposition.

AMERICA.
(Per the City of Baltimore.)

NEW YORK, JULY 16.

Adviccs from the Army of the Potomac up to the
14th have been received. Some skirmishing had
occurred along the lines, but the general situation
of the army remained unchanged.
The troops were vigorously engaged in strength-
ening the works, and heavy siege guns were about
to open upon the enemy's position.
Recent movements of the Confederates
atcate
that they purpose a demonstration heavy force
' against the Federal rear. iao Petersburg and
Weldon Railroad has '-deen repaired by the Code.
derates, and is 13:-,iv in use by them.

The Co federate demonstration against Washing-
ton appears to have terminated in a manner justify-
ing the belief that no serious purpose of capturing
the -Federal capital was entertained by the invaders.
A Washington despatch states that skirmishing
continued all day on the 12th at a distance of from
file to seven miles from the city. In the evening
the garrison of Fort Stevens made a sally upon the
Confederates, who were menacing the fort, and
drove them back. They left one hundred of their
wounded behind, and on the afternoon of the 13th
the entire force passed through Rockville, mov-
ing rapidly towards Edward's Ferry, at which
point they crossed the Potomac, it is believed, in full
retreat to Richmond. They take with them an
immense amount of supplies, including several
thousand head of cattle, gathered during the raid.
Most of their infantry returns mounted. It is now
believed that the strength of the invading force has
been greatly exaggerated. No definite idea, how-
ever, as to their numbers or future intentions can
be formed from the reports thus far received. The
general belief is that the raiders numbered from

8,000 to 15,000 men, under the command of Early
and Breckenridge, and that their object was to col-
lect horses and supplies, to destroy railroad pro-
perty, and to menace Washington, with a view to
draw away a portion of Grant's force from before
Petersburg, thereby affording General Lea an
opportunity to assume the offensive with better
chances of success.

It is even rumoured that the Confederates only
retired across the Potomao in order to secure a safe
transfer of their booty to Richmond, and that they

were expecting reinforcements, and would again

cross the Potomac on receiving them. A Federal
force is said to have crossed at Edward's Ferry in
pursuit, and it is also reported that an expedition
under Sheridan has started to check their retreat
until the pursuing column can overtake them.
Railway and telegraphic communication between
Baltimore and Washington is reestablished.
The principal damage sustained by the Phila■
delphia and Baltimorb Railroad is in the defame-
tion of the bridge over Gunpowder Creek, The

damage done to the Baltimore and Ohio Road is
not stated, but is believed to be quite serious. The
large iron bridge ever the Monocacy, by reason of
its great strength, escaped serious injury. The
country through which the raiders passed was en•
tirely cleared of its live stock and other supplies,
and the loss sustained, which falls principally upon
Union farmers, amounts to several million dollars.
The property of Secessionists was generally re-
spected.

The escape of General Franklin, and his safe
arrival at Baltimore, is announced. Gsn. Franklin
escaped from his guards while they slept in a
bivouac near Reicesterstown. He secreted himself
in the woods all night, and reached the Uaien lines
on the following c:ay.
The immediate danger to the capital being over,
the militia called out for its defence have been

mustered out of service.
General Auger now commands at Washington,
and is taking precautions to guard against any
further demonstration against the city.
Nothing further has been heard from the corn.
mands of Hunter or Segel.
Advices from General Sherman's army state that

after the assault on the Confederate position at
Kenesaw Mountain, on the 27th ult., General Sher-
man, finding that the works coald be carried only
by a fearful sacrifice of life, resolved to flank them.
With this view, M4Pherson's corps was moved, on
the night of the Ist of July, towards Nickajaek
Creek, on the extreme right. A reconnoisance on
the following mornicg developed the fact that the
Confederates had evacuated the position during the
night. Sherman immediately moved in pursuit,
and on the evening of the 3d, his advance occupied
Marietta. About three miles south of the town,
the Confederates made a stand behind some hastily-
constructed breastworks, from which they were
promptly driven by assault. Skirmishing continued
between Sherman's advance and Johnston's rear•
guard until the sth, when the entire Confederate
forces retreated across the Chatahoochie river. It
is unofficially stated that the Federals had also
crossed the river, and were pushing on after their
retreating enemy, whose force had been reduced to
less than 50,000 men.
Confederate accounts to the 9th state that John-
ston had fallen back to an impregnable position on
the south bank of the Chatohoochie river, and
that his troops were in splendid condition and
spirits.

A Natchez despatch, which however lacks con-
firmation, states that Johnston had been forced
back to Atlanta, and that Sherman's army was
before the fortifications of that place.
Guerillas were active in Sherman's rear, but had
effected nothing of serious importance.
The _Richmond Examiner states that a Federal
force of 4,000, occupying Jackson, Mississippi, was
attacked on the eith by the Confederates, under
General West Adams, and that the Federals were
driven with severe loss back to Clinton.
A Federal fleet of six gunboats and seven trans•
ports were at tho mouth of the White River, Ar-
kansas, on the 11th. Its destination was unknown.
The Confederate forces under Price were reported
to be moving towards Missouri.
Advices from South Carolina state that the Fe-
derals had captured a battery on the south end of
James Island. The position bad been Entrenched
and occupied by a force under General Schemel-
fening. It was believed that this lodgment could
be held against any force the Confederates could
bring it, and that it would prove of great value in
further operations against Charleston.
The Federals had been repulsed in a night attack
on Fort Johnson, the entiro•aesaulting force of 150
men, under Colonel Hoyt, being made prisoners by
the Confederates.

FINANCIAL.

NEW YORK, July 15, p.m.

The money market continues very stringent.
Gold closed dull at 2501, a fall of 27 during three
days. This decline is attributed entirely to the
tightnes3 of the money market. It is said that
Secretary Fessenden has not succeeded in effecting a
loan from the banks, and that the immediate re-
quirements for money by the Government will be
met by a further issue of legal tender notes.
Ezehangs is dull at 274 for bankers' hills.
The share market is weak. E:ie, 1134 ; Hudson

LATEST INTELLIGENC . .
E River, 127; New York Central, 134;; Reading,
131 ; Central, 12.5 ; Michigan Central, 131;
LRETJTER'S TELEGRAMS.] Michigan Southern, 84 ; Chicago and Rock Island,
109 ; Pittsburg, Fort Wagner, and Chicago, 113 ;
Pacific Mail, 280.

SOUTHAMPTON, JULY, 28.

The steamer New York, with mails and passen-
gers from New York, arrived off the Needles at
11.35 a.m. to-day.