The Sun.
London, England, 1864-08-11 00:00:00

of its houses." Lord PALMERSTON, in his appropriate

answer, emphatically declared that they had that
day laid the foundation of a temple of peace. There
seems no cause to doubt that the hopes expressed
by the noble founder will be disappointed, and all
must join with him in trusting that the ceremony
thus inaugurating the erection of the edifice may
be the " harbinger of future greatness and increas-
ing prosperity to that industrious and increasing
town," The great event was over when the foun-
dation stone was laid, but other interesting affairs
took place, giving opportunities for the expression
of opinion and the interchange of good feeling and
kindly sentiment. Both at the banquet and the
presentation of addresses at the Great Hall, unani-
mity prevailed, and the general feeling seemed to
be one of gratification at the course of the day's
proceedings. There was no opposition to the address,
which expressed the pleasure afforded by this visit
of the Premier, and trusted that hu might long live
in the enjoyment of intellectual and bodily vigour,
to take a part in the councils of the nation. This
was as it should be, for an occasion like this is not the
time for any discordant sentiments to be uttered, but
stiff in mixed assemblies it is difficult at all times
to obtain the due decorum in such matters, and to
inculcate the propriety of reticence of opinion,
therefore it may be regarded as an additional sue.
cess to this Bradford ceremonial that so unanimous
a tone prevailed, and perfect concord reigned para•
mount during the prolongation of the proceedings.
Lord PALMERSTON made a happy allusion to the
advantages that Englishmen derived from their
Constitution. -He said that in other countries those
who have the charge of affairs were prevented from
meeting their fellow-countrymen as he had done
that day. Tflis was a good thought, because it
greatly explains the vast superiority of this country
in all matters of enterprise, for no undertakings can
be brought to perfection if the promoters and origi-
nators are fettered and trammelled by the arbitrary
regulations of the Government, and the undue in-
terference of authorities. It is the want of free ex-
pression which checks progress and stays prosperity
in many lands that might else be flourishing. All
enlightened Statesmen, and men who take a right
estimate of their position and its duties and respon•
sibilities, will concur in the expression of Lord
PALMERSTON when he said, "It is a great and
heartfelt satisfaction to be able to meet as I have
done to-day the people of England, to see their
faces, and show one's own." The noble lord truly
called Bradford a type of the English character, as
it had exhibited perseverance, industry, enterprise,
judgment, and courage in pursuing that which had
been undertaken. Altogether it ruay be considered
that this ceremonial has been a very successful one,
and the carrying out of the attempt has reflected
honour alike on the visitor and the entertainers,
besides being a trophy of the great things wrought
by industry and enterprise.

The address of King ChRISTIAN to the Rigsdag
can hardly be read without feelings of regret and
mortification in this country. It presents us with
the mournful spectacle of a loyal and determined
people struggling vainly, not for aggression, not
for conquest, but simply for the preservation of their
old national possession. According to a form of
our law a tenure of any property for more than two
hundred years bars any objection to the right of
possession; but the Danes have held the Duchies
for double that time. It is a mere platitude to ;ay
that if all States were compelled to resume) their
status at the middle of the fifteenth century,
one at least of Prussia's persecutors would have
very certain cause to regret it. Yet this brave
and resolute people, staunch ie.( their loyalty, their
patriotism, and their self-devotion, have been, from
sheer force of opposing :lumbers and superior sup-
plies of the equipearats of war, compelled to sur-
render to the eicgressors the full sum of their
outrageous deraands. The conduct of the German
Powers, more especially of Prussia, presents another
view of the question, which is no less irritating and
unsatisfactory. While it is impossible for English-
men not to feel a painful degree of humiliation in
reflecting that this country, with all the appliances
which wealth, freedom, and ingenuity can place at
her disposal, with a formidable army and navy for
active service, and a voice which should carry weight
in the councils of Europe, has been powerless to
prevent such dire misfortunes from befalling her
weaker ally. In fact, she has not only been power-
less to prevent them, she has been actually instru-
mental in bringing them upon her, and Denmark
robbed, despoiled, and oppressed, her rights de.
trended, her dominions curtailed, her defenders
slaughtered, her peaceable inhabitants ruthlessly
plundered and maltreated, and her resources
crippled, presents to the world an im-
pressive example of the benefits to be dee
rived from following England's advice and rely-
ing upon English promises. If any Englishman
were present in the saloon of the Folkething, at
noonday on the 6th of August, some such reflections
must have arisen in his mind. It was a mournful
occasion ; and when the KING, the Crown Prince,
and Ministers entered, it was difficult to imagine
the authorities of any European nation, still pos-
sessing the rank and semblance of a State, assem-
bling under more melancholy auspices. According
to the Danish constitution, the members of a newly
elected Rigsdag (or Legislative Assembly for the
kingdom alone), must be convoked within two
months of the general election. It was therefore
supposed that the meeting last week was a mere
matter of form, but unexpected interest and im-
portance was imparted to it by the presence of the
KING and by his brief address. After reminding
them that the newly opened session would be im-
mediately closed, King CEIRISTIAN briefly told hie
people that, notwithstanding the courage and en-
durance shown on every occasion by the naval
and military defenders of Denmark, and,
indeed, manifested by the whole nation,
who have cheerfully responded to every call
for sacrifice, the fate of war would neverthee
less compel him to submit to the heaviest and most
grievous concessions. "For," said the Danish
Monarch, in words that breathe a deep reproach
to all free and powerful nations, " as all Europe
leaves us without assistance, we have seen ourselves
forced to yield to numbers." So, then, the law of
might is henceforth to be the rule which governs
Europe. Farewell to the hopes of Venetia, of
Hungary, of Poland—farewell to all resistance to
tyranny and aggression if backed by superior