The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-23 00:00:00

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LONDON, MONDAY, MAY 23, 1861.

~ -~~--

The fearful slaughter again going on out at the
seat of war in North America is calculate& we should
imagine, to put even the most infatuated stieklers
far the universal application of the Non-Interven-
tion principle, or policy, slightly out of conceit
with their exceedingly safe, but sometimes also (we
can quite imagine the contingency) exceedingly
me ,n panacea. Forty thousand Federala—accord-
ing to their own account—put hors-de-
combat, that is, 40,000 killed and tsonnded
by reason of the last hideous few hours
fighting 1 Forty thousand Federals. The Federals
being the assailants. But how many Confederates
have been maimed and killed we have yet to learn.
Probably a correspondingly frightful aggregate of
brave men destroyed and annihilated. So that is
two or three days the chief part of a round 100,000
American citizens have been swept off either sud-
denly to the grave or agonized to the military
hospitals and ambulances. And here again without
anything at all decisive as a grim compensation for
this wasteful destruction of human life. The Fede-
rale, it istrne, have advanced at the end of their three
days' fighting. But in their advance they approach
the ably withdrawn forces of LEE in a stronger
position than ever. In a position so strong that it
is reputed to be all but impregnable. Insomuch
that it is absolutely being likened, we observe, to
the renowned position taken up by WELLINGTON in
the Peninsula, behind the lines of Torres Vedras.
The object is, of course, to get at the Southern
capital, the capital of Richmond. And, in aiming
ar this, they are so tar advancing towards their
atm, thous Northerners : But, it must be confessed,
their successes hitherto, in this advance, are most
carinusly and strangely questionable. They fight,
for instal:nes on the 5t11,9Lh aid 10 h instants, the
Federal:s under Generals HANCOCK, 'WARREN, and
their Southern foe under Ge-
SEDG WICK assailing
nerals HILL, EWELL; and LONGSTREET. The con-
tat between the twn armies being such, according
to the Federals' own account, that they, the
Northerners, on their own side lose 40,000 tan_
and with these 40,000 two out of their three Gene.
rave, both WARREN and SEIY:i1VICII: being announced
as killed. Oa the Southern side we know not yo
how much has been their total of killed and wounded
—knowing, in fact, at the present, for it23t4nce.
bat of one man out of their whole a:nay stint
wounde'!, that one man however being about the
noblest soldie: of them all under LEE, namely,
La's veritable brother-in-aims, the gallant and

gitted LONGSTREET. There is unhappily but
little room left for hope that the reported
deaths of the two Federal Generals, that
iS WARREN and SEDGEWICK, may be found to have
been wrongly so reported as killed. But to the
last we shall continue to hope that the wounding of
LONGSTREET may prove to have been nothing
serious. His loss, in effect, would, for the.cause of
the South, be second only to the yet lamented loss
of the famous " STONEWALL" JACKSON. The
new pc&tion taken up by LEE since his retreat—
that retreat of the Confederates being in truth,
strictly a strategic movement—the Federal assail.
ants having been repulsed at all points on the
Bth, the 9th, and the 10'h instant—is
unders'ood to be further south than Spottsyl.
♦annia, on tho road to Richmond. The upshot of it
all being theA in traversing merely 20 miles on their
way towards the Southern capital,the northern army
has lost two Generals as well as 40,000 men in
killed and wounded. With only too fearful reason,
it must be said that the sensation headers of the
deadly news from the Seat of War, in the New
York newspapers, included among them in flaming
capitals, AWFUL FIGHTING IN VIRGINIA. The
fighting being doubly awful thus in truth—first,
because the war is a civil war; and, secondly,
because the fighting, even thus frightfully, has led
to no decisive result.

Herr VON BISMARK seems determined to let
there be no mistake regarding his notions on the

chief topics of the important concerns now occu-

pying the Conference. It would appear as if the
Prussians had resolved to try how much they could

do to outrage public opinion and to exhibit their

utter indifference to the restraints which compacts
and obligations impose. The London Treaty is

now, it is alleged, to be looked upon as nil, and the

astute and active b:ain of the Berlin Minister is

employed in twisting phrases and distorting facts

until he makes out a very specious show, and de- ),
monstrates how right and proper it is to ignore the
terms of the treaty altogether. It is true that
many persons of experience were sage enough to
prophecy that this would b 3 the next move; bat
notwithstanding it is most likely that the authentic
announcement of the determination will astonish
and annoy many. There are always some infatuated
individuals who will persuade themselves that
things will go right in the end, and however per-
verse the authorities may be at present, that they
will shortly hear reason. These sanguine expec-
tations have not assuredly been fulfilled in the
smallest degree since the commencement of the late
war, and far from any hope of seeing its fulfilment
we may rather say that our fears have been more
than realised. This last move of Herr TON BIS-
MARK'S is to do away with the least chance of the
Conference interfering with his cherished plans,
and to destroy the only hope that remains of a
satisfactory adjustment being arrived at. It is all
very fine for him to go back so far, and try to make
out a case for himself, but it does not need a very
sharp-sighted politician to detect the inconsistence
of his arguments. If the Danish Government had
gone too far in its attempts to frame the constitu-
tion of Schleswig, was that a reason why such in-
tolerable conduct should be exhibited by the Prus-
sians in particular, and the allied armies in general.
The whole of the despatch is a contradiction in
terms, and explains very accurately the disin-
genuous form adopted by the Prussians when ex-
plaining a difficult question of their foreign
policy. All through the retrospective glance
we meet with a series of encroachments on
the part of the Danes, and of wise forbearance and
finally slow resort to arms for the restitution of
their rights. A stranger who studied BISMARK'EI
letter attentively would never have imagined that
the issues of the contest thus begun had attracted

the earnest attention of all Europe, and that all
sympathy IV'S on the side of the people so denounced
and stigmatised by the official narrator of events in
this epistle. It must be borne in mind that this is
all written for a purpose, and that in some respects
it is almost useless to discuss it too particularly and
to analyse its bearings too closely, for it is the ex-
pression of opinion on the part of those who have
made up their minds beforehand what to do, and
afterwards invent a plausible reason for their ma-
ll coavres. It makes very little difference to the
Prussians whether the terms of the London Treaty
are complied with or not, but it is a very convee
nient excuse for violence and oppression to assert
that the Danes have violated the solemn engage-
ments entered into, and that the honour and in-
terests of Prussia alike call for their fulfilment, or
for some new proposal being entered upon. In his
statement about the Dance not fulfilling their con-
tract, Herr von BISMARK seems totally to forget
that he is insulting the Powers that were parties to
the Treaty of 1832, and that he is virtually telling
them to let him alone, for they cannot or else dare
not interfere with him to prevent the execution of
his design. After perusing the communication of
the Prussian Minister to the Ambassador in Lon-
don we may well ask what is the use of having
agreed to a Conference at all if the ground is to be
cut away from under the feet of those who delibee
rate. The members of the conclave meet to impress
the necessity or urge the advisability of Prussia
adhering to some fixed regulations, and maintain
ing her engagements with Denmark, and also with
the other countries that were parties to the Treaty.
Instead of agreeing readily the Cabinet of Berlin
have, from the outset of the deliberations, inter-
posed as many obstacles as they can to the fulfilment
of the purpose of the meeting. First there was a
serios of delays before beginning the deliberations;
then upon one protest or another a perpetual put-
ting off when the business had actually commenced.
Now we meet with a more serious check than any
previously encountered in this abjuration by Herr
BISMARK, of the vital principles of the rights of
nations--a more arrogant piece of assumption than
this declaration has seldom been perused. First of
all there is a recapitulation of the assertions of the
Government of King WILLIAM, and then from
these it is deduced that the Prussians have a right
to act upon the threats and menaces which have
been so plentifuly hurled against the Danes.
This
is strange reasoning, and indicates a total want of
respect for the opinion of others, and a complete
disregard for the observance of solemn obligations
that alternately amazes and exasperates one. We
are fallen upon evil days indeed if the spirit of
Er gland is to submit to this indlguity, and the
intelligence of her people to stoop to such a level
as that to which M. BISMARK seeks to degrade tie.
If it is to go faith to the world that we are unable
or ants illiog to protect cur allies feom the rupture
of treaties to et hich we were parties, and to interpose
any check to the attempts of invaders against their
privilegee,we had better not mix up in foreip affairs
at all. If it amounts to this that we mnet not vin-
dicate our rights or arcnga the wrongs of others,
if we are powerless to support our integrity and
assist their independence, it stands to reason that
it will very soon cease to concern the aggressive
States, whether England approves of their conduct
or not, and that all she does is to send despatches
that give encouragement,
and
by standing still
warn-
ing. Much has been saidandthewnrtitotenre
our
our mismanagement of the Danish
question, but no
witnese has y©t stood forth with such condemnatory
disavowfartdhien
when
no heed is paid to

proof of our dereliction from duty as the writer of
this communication. In every line of it wo learn
the certainty of the aggression of Prussia, and also
the confirmation of the reticence of England.

The claims of the literary profession upon public
sympathy and assistance when age, infirmity, or
misfortune steps in to paralyse the hand of the
worker for his fellow-men, have long been gene-
rally acknowledged. The official provision made
by our wealthy country is, it is true, of very slender
amount, and small as the sum so set aside is origi-
nally, it is still further diminished by being fre-
quently partially diverted from its purpose. Many
not coming directly within the ranks of the literary
profession have had a share in the annual twelve
hundred, and, although their claims to recognition
may have been equally pressing, they should cer-
tainly have been provided for out of some other
fund than that specially set aside for the benefit of
men of letters. Owing partly to the inadequacy of
the State provision, and partly to the vicissitudes
of an exhausting and fluctuating profession, the
Literary Fund has been only too much needed to
supplement the aid afforded by Government. There
is, however, a very important branch of the literary
profession, whose ranks are so wide and deep that
they include many not strictly coming under the
title of men of letters: Yet their labours are often
more arduous, always more incessant. Their public
services are universally appreciated, and their
means of subsistence frequently entirely dependent
on the possession of sound health and unflagging
energies. To meet the necessities of this numerous
body the Newspaper Press Fund, already in exist-
ence, has been re-organised, and its inaugural dinner
was celebrated en Saturday evening, under the
presidency of an accomplished and consistent friend
of the Press—Lord HOUGHTON. It was a grati-
fying assembly, and its results promised well for
the future of the Fund, the list of subscriptions and
donations amounting to £1,500. Kindly wishes, too,
pour in from all sides. The magnates of the land
rivalled the self-made men who tendered the ex-
pression of their hearty goodwill and sympathy.
Men of war and peace, statesmen and lawyers,
politicians and men of business, and above all
literary men and artists were ready with the word
of good speed and the helping hand. Whig and
Tory, Liberal and Conservative, united in support
of an institution whose members belong to no one
sect or party, but whose influence has done so
much towards breaking down the old barriers of
party feeling and religious intolerance. The un-
dertaking is not to be altogether of an eleemo-
synary character, since it is to include subscrips
tions from members as well as those donations,
bequests, and contributions which form the regu-
lar income of a charitable association. The
society lost nothing in the hands of its President,
whose able advocacy set forward its claims in'the
strongest and most impressive manner. He re-
minded his hearers that this institution owed its
origin to the efforts of some benevolent men many
years ago, who thought that the establishment of
a mutual assurance society of gentlemen connected
with the press would be a valuable achievement.
" It was thought," in the words of Lord HouGH-
TON, " that the press of this country was an in-
stitution large enough, and various enough, and
therefore from its breadth and its variety, fortunate
and unfortunate enough to authorise you to bind
together your sheaves in your good fortune, so
that you might glean something in your bad." He
reminded his hearers likewise of a truth that might
well be painfully present to some of them—that
their profession was one peculiarly demanding a
prudent provision for the future, depending as it
did on the unfailing exercise of hardly-tasked
powers. We can oily echo his good wishes for.the
prosperous development of the reorganised institu-
tion, and trust that in its new form it will avoid all
the mistakes and accidents; which chequered its
earlier course, so that it may become one of the
recognised and stable charitable societies of our
country, of an extent, a wealth and an efficacy com-
mensurate with the:prominent position at present
held by the Fourth Estate. It was, of course, im-
possible at a meeting so largely attended by the
votaries of St. Stephen's to avoid reference to that
particular department of the press which is con-
nected with the Houses of Parliament. It is not
so long since the groat constitutional victory of
public reports of the debates was fought
and won that the present generation
should altogether forget the struggle or what it
owes to the men who carried it. Sir ERSKINE
PERRY, in proposing the toast of the two Houees,
remarked that a relative of his own, when first he

went professionally to report in the House of
Lords, was forced to take his notes secretly is his
hat, and that some one having observed the fact

even those notes were useless, although the
debate was one of great importance. We may
fancy the disappointment and mortification of the
young d(lftant nt so ignoble a conclusion to his
labours ! Lord HouGwroN, in speaking of the
interest with which, during his long career in the
Lower House, he '4ad watched the Reporters'
Gallery, observed that he sometimes felt like the old
Spanish monk, who believed the only realities
around him to be the pictures on the wall, for that
as brave yoatla and hoary age alike passed away
from the scene, he was often inclined to think that
the gallery was the most permanent institution, and
the busy occupants of the benches below them were
but the flitting shadows. Mr. DENAIAN, in a
humorous address, foretold a prosperous career for
the young society, and Mr. NEWDEGATE, who
readily acknowledged the obligations of parlia-
mentary representatives to the press, which set
their words and nations fairly befera their consti-
tuents, both joined in hopes and congratulations.
So that altogether this inauguration took place
under happy auspices, attended, as was fitting, by
many kindred spirits, presided over by an old well-
wisher and literary man, and giving from the
amount of the sums it has already collected every
reasonable ground for cheerful anticipations of a
useful and prosperous career. We trust that a
prudent and careful management will husband its
resources and administer its affairs in a liberal and
yet provident manner, and that those who have so
kindly and promptly come forward with their
assistance at the outset may watch over its interests
in the same spirit, until it has grown and increased
enough to tape its place among well endowed and
widely established institutions.

PROPOSED SHOREDITCH HOSPITAL,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SEN.

SIR,--I am requested to ask you to give publicity to the
enclosed letter, and beg to add that all the members of the
preliminary committee, and all bat three of the original
members of The Committee, have now disconnected them-
selves from the promoters,—l am, sir, your obedientservant,
JAMES EDMUNDS, M,D,
35, Finsbury-circus, 8.C., 23d May, 1361,

(Copy•)
We find it necesnry to withdraw cur names from the
list of vice-patrons of the proposed "St. Leonard's Hos-
pital."

TOWNSTIEND,
(Signed) ENITELD, M.P.,
ROBERT lIANBURY, M.P.
May 23, 1864.

THE FAMOUS DIAMOND CALLED " THE STAR OF
THE SOUTH" has arrived by the last English mail at Bom-
bay. It is in tho possession of Messrs, Volkart Brothero.
The value of this diamond is said to be seven and a half
millions of francs. A good opportunity for a native Prince
to enrich his regalia,

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

LREUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]