The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-07 00:00:00

•4$

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7, 1864

The year 1864, which has already robbed the
parliamentary and political world of many of its
ornaments, has added another distinguished name
to the long list of those it has taken from us. The
death of the Earl of CARLISLE, although scarcely
unexpected, will not be the less deplored, and the
many who mourn him as a dear and honoured
friend will be sympathised with in their sorrow by
the wide circle who respected his personal character
eve❑ more than they admired his talents. It is

always an ominous sign when an English statesman
retires from work. Oar patricians, when once they
have entered the arena, are as loth to leave it as
men whose means make them less independent of
its possible emoluments. There is a fascination in
the life of active politics which few who have once
shared are willing to exchange for the atium cum
dignitate which may be within their grasp, and the
man who has spent the greater part of his life in
the busy world would find it as difficult to distract
hii interest from its scenes as to provide his enter%
gies with other occupation. The part of CINCIN-
IIATUS is as rare from its versatility 'as from its
disinterestedness, and few of our politicans are in.
clined to play it. Our Premier himself has long
since passed an age at which he might honourably
hive laid aside those cares of state in which the
best years of his life have been passed.
its
twhen
the burden has been borne so long weight
is missed instead of its absence being felt as
a relief, and, acc',rdingly, when we hear of
men still in the full vigour of their
years voluntarily laving down their public
responsibilities, we have good reason to fear that
their term of life itself will be but brief. It was
so with Lord FIERBERT, it was so with the late
Duke of NiWC 3 rLE, it has been so with the Earl
of CARLISLE. Connected by birth with most of the
leading families of the Whig aristocracy, it was
only natural that Lord CARLISLE should have free

tuently entered official life, but his political emi.
nence was in some measure due to the accident of
birth; his courtesy and kindliness, his upright prin.
ciple, and gentle heart were all his own. It has
been said of him that he never made an enemy,
and if this very fast implies that he played no
leading part on the stage, it also shows the en.

lightenment and tolerance of his views, the libe.
rality and absence of all sectarianism or prejudice
in his conduct. The office which the Earl of CAR.
LISLE held during the last eight years was one
which, however superfluous and unpopular in
some respects, demands in no small degree the
qualities of tact, judgment, and discretion. It is
much to the credit of Lord CARLISLE, after occupy-
ing a post in which it is extremely difficult to avoid
invidious partiality, that he gave offence to none,
and that his enforced resignation of the Viceroyalty
was the cause of general regret among all classes of
Irishmen. Whatever his shortcomings or defi-
ciencies as a legislator, Lord CARLISLE was an un-
exceptionable host, and in the task of dispensing
the favours of the Csstle he found a congenial
office. The late Lord Lieutenant, however, origi•
nated no great measure ; he did not leave his
mark on the time or his impress on the
people, and in deploring his loss Ireland regrets
rather a kind and enlightened nobleman than an
active and foresighted Statesman. Lord CARLISLE'S
introduction to public life was in the diplomatic
service. He was at an early ago appointed an
attachl to the Russian Embassy, and became very
popular in the society of the Russian capital. When
he was subsequently elected an M.P. for the family
seat of Morpeth (whose name he then bore), one of
his first speeches was in defence of the CHAR. Ia
the stirring times of 1832 he ranged himself on the
popular side, though with all his sincere desire for
Reform was mingled a little anxiety lest the pope•
lar excitement should be carried too far. His gentle
and courteous temper made him shrink from the
violence of such a contest, but he was a staunch
Reformer nevertheless. After a time he exchanged
his seat of the little borough of Morpeth for the
representation of Yorkshire, then a united county.
In Lord MELBOURNE'S Government Lord MuurETH
became Chief Secretary for Ireland under Lord
NORMAN/a', and shared in the popularity which
was gained by that nobleman by his liberal admi.

nistration. When Yorkshire was divided into
Ridings, Lord MORPETU sat for the West Riding,
but lost his seat at the general election which ex.

changed Lord MELBOURNE'S Government for that

of Sir ROBERT PEEL. He employed his leisure in
travelling in America, and did not re-enter Par.

liament until 1846. Since that time he has
succeeded to the Peerage, and has held
what may be termed the minor offices

of the Cabinet. His political career is, how-
ever, chiefly associated with the sister country, both
as Chief Secretary in the stormy days of O'CoN.
NELL, when, as Mr. DISRAELI once said of him,
" he took a great part in the greatest debates," and
as a Lord-Lieutenant popular, prudent, and con•
ciliatory. Few men could boast of better family or
higher connections than Lord CARLISLE, but he
was not slow to remember that not" all the blood
of all the Howards" could ennoble a man un-
worthy of his rank, and his invariable regard for
the interests of the people and desire to elevate and
improve them showed the true nobleman's epirit.
His lectures to Mechanics' Institutes on POPE and
on the United States obtained a degree of celebrity,
and he manifested some talent and a cultivated
taste in other literary productions. The Whig
party, not too rich in popular men, has, by the
death of this nobleman, lost one who at least
never estranged their followers nor irritated the
public—one who never sowed dissensions in the
ranks nor lowered their reputation. If not a
leading statesman, at least he never disappointed
the expectations of the country ; and, whether
from choice or accident, he was never placed in
a position for which he was incompetent. The
Earl of CARLISLE has left an example of how a
man without great talents or shining qualities
may obtain public respect and endear himself to
private affection ; and while the Liberal party
has to lament the loss of a cautious and enlightened
politician, society must regret the vacant place of
the amiable and accomplished gentleman.

Those who sneered at the prophecies which fore•
told disruption among the German Powers will

soon find cause to withdraw their objections, and
moderate their indignation, when they peruse the
latest advises from abroad. It is long since so
important a discussion took place, or such signifi,
cant demonstrations were made, as have been wit-
nessed of late in the German territories. The
Fatherland will soon be as much a lucus non lucendo
as the United States of North America; there is
about as much of unity on one side, as of sympathy
and congeniality of sentiment on the other. BYRON,
in his remarkable lines in the " Corsair," has illus-
trated the communion of interest among the pirates
in these lines—

" And the brief epitaph on danger's day,
When those who win at length divide the prey."
But in this Schleswig-Holstein question it has been
found no such easy matter to divide the prey, nor
to settle the disputed territories with anything
approaching to dignity and decorum. It must
ever remain a slur on the German character that
nothing can efface, that they now stand convicted
of the lowest motives in their attacks upon the
Duchies, and their invasion of Denmark. If there
had been, as they assorted, and their friends in this
country and elsewhere upheld, a decided purpose
in view, there could not possibly have arisen such
a disturbance as this, nor such difficulties in coming
to an arrangement. The fact is, that the grasping
nature of Prussia is now being revealed; it stands
out conspicuous in the conduct of her statesmen,
even as in the time of war it shocked and amazed
the world in her generals, officers, and soldiers.
We can better appreciate the harm that has been
done by the tacit approval accorded by other na-
tions to the deep designs and treacherous course
of this country now that the fifth act of high
tragedy has commenced. Except among those
who were prescient enough to foresee something of
this from the first there must be doubtless great
surprise felt by the rapacious designs lately exhi-
bited. It is the best answer to the absurd state
ments made by our Government as to the moderate
intentions of the Allies and the certainty that
existed of their forbearance being displayed if once
their demands were acceded to, that there has been
during the last few weeks an imminent probability
of war breaking out among the conquerors of little
Denmark. It is almost a pity that such was not
the case in reality, as in perspective it would have
been a fine retribution for the fallen country to have
beheld. At all events tl-.ere is this secondary source
of satisfaction in the contemplation of the affair,
that whatever fate may befall the Duchies of Schles-
wig and Holstein they have brought their
doom upon themselves, and are only reaping the
consequences of what they have sown by their
foolish demands and unworthy conduct throughout
the whole of the affair. The indignation which
the minor States of Germany have exhibited is only
natural, and for every reason there is cause to rejoice
at its manifestation, for it is only by repeated and
constant opposition that we can expect the course
of Prussian despotism to be stemmed, and the be.-

lance of power in some degree adjusted. Not at once,
and not with the strongest efforts, can a change
come suddenly, but still this is a foreshadowing of
the future, which shall see Germany liberated
from the dictation of the Berlin Cabinet. " Coming
events cast their shadows before," and high as M.
BIsMARK may carry his head just now, and
haughtily as he and his myrmidons may dictate
terms to Vienna, and make semblance of crushing
the hostile spirit of the Confederation, and the in-
dignant remonstrances of the Bund, his day of
reckoning approaches, hidden in the gloom that
overshadows the future, but not the less surely and
certainly destined to come. It is difficult to find
language strong enough to depict the qualities that
M. BISMARK has displayed since the commence■
ment of this COD test, and words are powerless to
express the feelings which the upright must expe-
rience when they contemplate such barefaced
effrontery and such wholesale violation of the prin-
ciples of truth and justice. Well may the Vienna
papers say that the conduct of Prussia towards her
Federal allies has been most " violent" and
"brutal." Such terms only too aptly describe the
demeanour that we have so long deplored and de-
precated in this country, assured that its persistent
pursuance would bring about sad and serious con•
sequences, and convinced that fre3dom was im-
perilled and the good faith of nations endangered
by such fatal assumption of undue claims and such
false assertions of rights and privileges. The pre-
sent triumph which Prussia has achieved through
intimidating Austria, must necessarily be short-
lived, and even while she outwardly enjoys the
victory, the seeds of decay and defeat will be ger-
minating her Cabinet, and taking root in
her Councils. A more tame and impo•
tent conclusion has seldom followed upon such
grandiloquent assertions and fine sounding schemes.
It is evident the next step will be the sequestration
of the Duchies to Prussia. Rumour has for some

time past been busy in whispering this likely oc-
currence, and all seems to tend that way, which-
ever way we look at the affair. Once secure of co-
operation with Vienna, BISMARIC will set the Ger..
man Confederation at defiance and proceed to ex-
tremities. In this he will go too far in all
probability ; but there is no teaching wisdom to
those who think they have the game in their own
hands, and that they have the earth for
their table and empires for their game. Disap-
pointed and partially nonplussed as the smaller
German States must be by the over-riding and
tyranny of the reckless BISMARK, they will not
be found always so impotent and innocuous as that
crafty statesman doubtless considers they are and
will be. A feeling of distrust and jealousy rankling
in the mind is a dangerous weapon against any
authority, no matter how puissant he may appear
to be ; and it vo ill be seen by those who live long
enough, that the day of retribution will dawn.
Theso States have a double injury to record against
Prussia. Last year that kingdom did its utmost to
prevent the proposed independence and consolida-
tion of their people, and now it is virtually ignoring
their existence by disclaiming their right to act,
and their opinion as to the mode in which others
ought to act. It cannot be that any kingdom can
long withstand the direful and dangerous influences
that are arrayed against Prussia at this moment,
and especially when it is borne in mind that there
is no innate strength in the Government, and no
intrinsic greatness in the people.

The Peruvian brings ua an animated picture of
the state of American affairs. Every one is watch.
ing in the greatest excitement for the results of
SHERMAN'S expedition, but the suspense will not
be of very long duration since an encounter is
imminent with the Confederate forces, and the first
pitched battle will probably either completely rout
the invader or enable him to pursue his eourse un-
checked to Augusta. The South are making despe-
rate efforts, end Gen. BEAUREGARD has issued a
stirring address to the people of Georgia, calling
on them to remove or destroy all property in
SHERMAN'S route which could benefit him, to break
up the bridges, obstruct the roads, and impede his
progress in every way possible. The Richmond
authorities and the leading citizens of the State
enforce these recommendations, which it is likely
enough the people will follow, since they may as
well destroy their property themselves for the
ultimate good of the country, as leave it to be
plundered and destroyed by the Federal army.
So far from observing the terms of his order,
SHERMAN has been carrying destruction in his
train. He has burnt six or seven towns, including
in one of them the house of Governor BROWN, and
he is laying waste the country on every side,
According to the manner in which the Federals
announce his future movements, they are confident
of his success in not only reaching Augusta but
in proceeding " on to Richmond ;" but there are
very great doubts on both points. He has not yet
reached Macon, and Beauregard is hurrying to meet
him with a force of 65,000 to SHERMAN'S 50,000.
A great part of General EARLY'S army has been
withdrawn from the Shenandoah to Richmond
and Petersburg to enable General LEE to rein-
force BEAUREGARD, and thus send an equal force
to encounter SHERMAN, which is, of coarse, the
vital point. A battle was thought to be imminent,
and it is likely to be disastrous in its consequences
to the North if the loser.

The New Governor of Malta.

VALETTA, Dec. 1,

His Excellency Sir H. Storks arrived at Malta on the
night of the 29th Nov, in H.M.S. Psyche, from Marseilles,
having embarked on board that vessel on Sunday evening,
during very tempestuous weather, which rendered the get•,
ting out of the narrow port of La Joliette no very easy
matter, but which was accomplished without accident or
mishap of any kind by her skilful commander, Lieutenant
Sterne.

On Wednesday morning the Chief Secretary to Govern-
ment, Sir Victor Houlton, repaired on board to take his
Excellency's commands, and in the course of the morning
the secretary to the Roman Catholic Bishop also waited
upon his Excellency to compliment him in the name of the
Bishop of Malta, Sir Henry Storks landed at noon under a
salute from the town, and was received at the Custom-house
landing-place, by a guard of honour, as well as by Major,-
Gen, Ridley, the Acting Governor, and the heads of the
military and civil departments. General Ridley and the
Chief Secretary drove up to the Palace with his Excellency,
who was also accompanied by his military secretary, Lieut.
Colonel Peel, the route chosen being that by the Mersa side
of the harbour. Along the most part of the route, and espe•
cially at Floriana and the main street of the city, the pave-
ment was lined with people, who respectfully saluted their
new Governor as ho passed, which was repeatedly and
politely acknowledged. His Excellency was in civilian
dress, which was understood by the population to mean a
compliment to their wishes for a civil Governor. At the
Palace gates another guard of honour was in waiting. The
ceremony of administering the oaths was performed by Sir
Antonio Micallef,K.C.M.G., the highest j udicial functionary
in the island,and they were repeated by his Excellency in a re-
markably firm and audible voice, the Royal commission hav-
ing previously been read by the chief secretary, At 1 his
Excellency received the Bishop of Malta, and at 2 the Naval
Commander-in-Chief, the Admiral Superintendent, and
other naval and military officers of high rank. In the even-
ing his Excellency dined with General Ridley, and after-
wards went to the Opera, the house being, of course, un-
usually well attended by a large and fashionable audience.
On the Governor making his appearance after the first act,
the National Anthem was sung by the whole theatrical
company, assisted by the orchestra and a military band be-
hind the scenes, atter which the audience offered its wel-
come also by a general clapping of hands, but unaccom-
panied by any other demonstration. To-morrow a popular
, address will be presented to the new Governor, as well as
one from the Chamber of Commerce.

The Emperor of Russia has just issued a ukase
extending the abolition of serfdom to Transcaucasia, the
only province of the Russian empire where that institntion
still exists.