The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-23 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER, 23, 1863.

by that time France will have come forward in
some decisive manner, and then it may be reserved
for us to follow in her wake, and recognise the
South, and defy the North, too late to satisfy the
one or intimidate the other. It is high time that a
new leaf should be turned over, and if we are not
to take a decided tone in American affairs, at least
we should maintain inviolate the dignity of
our own country and protect the rights of our own
subjects. There is no greater error for a statesman
to cammit than tamely to submit to outrages of the
kind the Federals are constantly putting upon us,
and some day the sense of the country will rscog-
nise this. The spirit of the people will be roused,
and they will demand of their Ministers an account
of their interests that have been injured by tame
concessions, and ask indignantly what has become
of the national honour entrusted to their charge.

The aspect of affairs in Denmark is becoming
more threatening, and the clouds are darkening
round the political horizon. The German Confe-
deration do not seemingly intend to justify Lord
PALMERSTON'S good opinion of their deliberative
powers ; and, unmoved by the British Premier's
decided language, and unchecked by the firmness of
Denmark, they are preparing to put their threat
into execution by a military occupation of the dis-
puted duchy. Six thousand troops, partly Hano-
verians and partly Saxons, with a Prussian and
Austrian reserve, are to march into Holstein, a
movement which, if fully carried out, can scarcely
fail to light those flames of European war which
every wise and humane Statesman is so slow and
unwilling to kindle. Denmark on her part is pre-
paring to resist the aggression. On Monday last
the Minister of War issued an order that the regi-
mentsl lists should be filled up to war strength by
the Ist of October. This is the first step towards
placing the army on a war footing, and is in itself
no unsuitable reply to the report of the German
intentions. It shows the members of the Diet that
there are limits to forbearance and diplomatic cour-
tesy, and that should a German foot be advanced
on Danish soil as an invader, the sword would be
the barrier over which it would have to pass. The
Confederation, too, would do well not to forget the
offensive and defensive alliance entered into not
long ago between Sweden and Denmark. It is pro-
bable, however, that this gives them but little un-
easiness, since in a war in which Sweden was en-
gaged Russia would gladly give her assistance.
Finland is not the only province or kingdoin on
which the longing eyes of Russia have been bent,
and her restless ambition will not be fully satisfied
until the whole of the north of Europe owns the
supremacy of the CZAR. It may be said that Russia
has enough on her hands just now without engag-
ing in fresh complications ; but that is no
check to resolute aggression. if prudence
were consulted, Prussia would look at home
before pressing on a crisis in Denmark; but, in spite
of the coming elections, the acquittal of the jour-
nalists, and the general discontent of the people in
Prussia, we know who is the chief instigator of the
miEehief. Russia would be by no means sorry for
an excuse to embroil herself with Sweden, espe-
cially now the advancing season enables her to look
with indifference on M. DROUYN DE LHUTS' de-
spatches and Lord RUSSELL'S mild remonstrances.
The Russian General in the Crimea reckoned on the
advance of his " two good Generals, January and
February,', for doing him good service, and not the
less potent is the shadow of the coming October and
November valuable allies to Northern arrogance.
But while the plot thus thickens there is another
Power to be considered, with whom it rests entirely
to open or shut the door of strife. The position oc-
cupied by England is a most responsible one, and
on the course she now follows the whole question
turns. Will Lord RusseLL be equal to the occa-
sion ? That is the query which now bears the fate
of Europe in ies answer. From his former vacillat-
ing and inconsistent conduct there is grave reason
for fearing that he will not perceive the importance
of his interference until too late; but there are, on
the other hand, grounds for hoping that other in-
fluences may turn the scale. Let England come
boldly forward and join the Northern Alliance, and
not a step will Austria or Prussia take on Danish
ground, not a word will even Russian assumption
raise in their behalf. It is no less the interest than
the duty of this country to take a decided part. She
is bound by every tie to the brave and independent
little kingdom. The common sympathies and in-
terests of her people, the love of freedom, and order
characteristic of both peoples, render an alliance
between them only natural. The safeguard which
a strong Northern power offers against the aggres-
sion of Russia is too valuable to be disregarded by
wise men. England would possess in a free and
independent Denmark an ally which could not fail to
be serviceable, and might prove inestimable. Let
Denmark fall a prey to Prussian maritime am•
bition, let Sweden be absorbed in the ever-ex-
tending vortex of Russian ambition, and England
will surely rue the day. By her prompt inter-
vention she has it now in her power to rescue
Europe from the horrors of war. But if our
Ministry let slip the golden hour they need not
think themselves too secure from the hazards and
expenses of war. Popular indignation will pro-
for Denmark insisted on,
bably be aroused, help
and we shall drift into war through the very
timorousness that sought to avoid it. Can anyone
doubt that a plain declaration at the outset of
the differences in 1854, that England would re-
gard the passage of the Pruth as a casus belli,
would not have avoided hostilities altogether ?
Foreign Governments are becoming so accustomed
to reckon on English dread of war, that they find
it difficult to believe that any question not directly
concerning her own interests has power to rouse
her. Indeed, from their experience of the Ameri-
can -War, they may be well excused for doubting
if even direct affront and positive injury will stir
the sleeping lion. The policy of non-intervention,
which, after the long and bloody wars of the
last century, was hailed as a general boon, has
its brawbacks as well as its advantages. It may
be carried to a length unworthy of a great
nation, even as great evils may be drawn down
on the heads of a people by an officious inter-
ference in the affairs of other nations. It may
be right to stand aside from a fair fight, and
unduly influence neither side, but the same line
of action assumes a different aspect when we see
a highwayman attacking a traveller. Prudence
and pusillanimity are very different qualities, and
the one commonly involves its possessor in as
great difficalties as the other saves him from.
The virtue on the part of our Foreign Secre-
tary is apt to run into the vice, and
we must trust to the savoir faire of
Viscount PALMERSTON, and his usual sagacity in
detecting the bent of the popular sympathies, to
preserve Denmark from the threatened aggres-
sion. It is no longer a case for gentle remonstrance
and courtly argument, but for a plain intimation
of the part which England will feel it her duty to
take under certain contingencies. German pride
may be affronted, but will not take long to heal ;
while who can tell what shall be the end of the
story if the first Power in Europe stands by, with
silent voice and sheathed sword, a passive witness
to a etroggle which it lay with her to prevent ?

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS,]

AUSTRALIA.

PLYMOUTH, WEDNESDAY MORNING.

The ship Strathdon, Captain Pile, which has
passed up Channel, from Sydney, with 55,000
sovereigns, brings also 1,190 bales of wool, 11,000
hides, 200 tons of sperm and 200 tons of cocoanut
oil, 60 tons of commissariat stores, and 40 tons of
sundries.

She left on July Ist, passed the Meridian on the
10th, Cape Horn 28th, and the line August 19th.
Ice was seen in let 54 S., long. 140 W., and during
the next week 30 to 40 bergs were observed.

AMERICA.

REUTERS EXPRESS.
ARRIVAL OF THE JURA.
LIVERPOOL, Sept. 22.

The Canadian screw steamer Jura, Captain J.
Aiton, from Quebec on the 12th, arrived in the
Mersey at six o'clock this morning, via London-
derry yesterday, where she called to land mails arc'.
passengers. She brings 54 passengers, but no
specie.

The following is General Gilmore's official an-
nouncement of the capture of Fort Wagner, &c.
"Department of the South, Head-quarters
on the Field.

" To Major-General Halleck.
" I have the honour to report that Fort Wagner and
Battery Gregg are ours. Last night our sappers crowned
the crest of the counterscarp of Fort Wagner on its sea
front, masking all its guns, and an order was issued to carry
the place by assault at nine o'clock this morning, that being
the hour of low tide. About ten o'clock last night the
enemy commenced evacuating the island, and all but 75 of
them made their escape from Cumming's Point in small
boats. Captured despatches show that the fort was com-
manded by Colonel Kiett, of Sou h Car ling, and garri-
soned by 1,400 men, and Battery Gregg by between 100 and
200. Fort Wagner is a work of the most formidable kind.
Its bomb-proof shelter, capable of holding 1,800 men, re-
mains intact, after the most terrible bombardment to which
any work was ever subjected. We have captured 17 pieces
cf artillery, and a large supply of excellent ammunition.
The city and harbour of Charleston are now completely
covered by my guns.—l have the honour, &c.,
(Signed) "Q. A. GiLmouE, B. G. Commanding,"
A telegram of the lOtn, from Fortress Monroe,
says:—

" The steamer New York arrived to-day from Morris
Island, and reports that she left at three o'clock on the
Bth inst. Morris Island had been in our possession since
Sunday. We took 11 guns and 75 men. Five monitors
were besieging Moultrie. When the New York left it was
reported we had blown up the magazine of Moultrie."

The Riclkniond Enquirer contains the foilowing:
" Charleston, Sept. 7.
_ _ _

" Morris Island was evacuated yesterday afternoon. The
enemy had advancei their sappers up to the moat of Wag-
ner, and it being impossible to hold it, Beauregard ordered
its evacuation, which took place at noon. The enemy hold
Cumming's Point in full view of the city. Heavy firing is
now going on between our battocies on Sullivan's Island
and Fort Moultrie and the monitors."

The _Richmond TVhig of the 81 inst. has tho fol-
lowing:—

" Charleston, Sept. 7.

" The bombardment was kept up without intermission
all day yesterday, and far into the night. About 150 of
our men were killed and wounded at Wagner and Gregg.
The attempt to assault Gregg was repulsed before the
enemy had completed their landing. Great havoc is sup-
posed to have been madx in the enemy's boats by our grape
and canister,

" Before evacuating Forts Gregg and Wagner we spiked
the guns, and withdrew noiselessly in 40 barges. Oniy one
barge, containing 12 men, was captured. All quiet this
morning.

" Charleston, Sept. 7 (Noon).
"A despatch from Major Stephen Elliot, commanding
at Fort Sumter, announces that a flag of truce, demanding
the immediate surrender of hat fort, has just been received
from Admiral Dahlgren by Lieutenant Brown of the steamer
Palmetto State. General B:auregard has telegraphed to
Major Elliot to reply to Dahlgren that he can have Fort
Sumter when he takes it, ani that in the meantime Such
demands are puerile and unbecoming.

" Charleston, Sept. 7, 8 p.m.
"At 6 p.m. the Ironsides and monitors approached Fort
Sumter closer than usual, and opened a hot fire' against it.
Our batteries on Sullivan's Island, including those of Fort
Moultrie, replied heavily.
" The firing is e till going on."
A late Washington despatch says :
Scurvy is in the army of the Potomac. Fortunately,
the soldiers are within easy reach of vegetables- A quan-
tity of these, particularly onions and potatoes, will be daily
sent from Washington by the Medical Department."
The Baltimore correspondent of the .New York,
herald gives a list of all the regiments, brigades,
and divisions of Gen. Lee's army, and says that he
will soon be heard from, and take the offensive,
lie avers that—
" Daring the whole of the present month all the energies
of Gen. Lee have been bent to the task of seconding those
of the rebel Government in preparing his army for an ener-
getic and vigorous tall campaign. All the regiments, owing
to the arrival of new recruits, are now over 600 strong, and
a few have nearly 700 men in each. A thorough inspection
has been made of all muskets and accoutrements, which
have all been put in perfect order, those that were worn
out having been replaced by new ones. To many of the
regiments new uniforms have been distributed, and new
shoes have been supplied to the whole army. But the
greatest attention has been paid to the two arms of the
cavalry and artillery. I have given you some details on
this point before. It is only necessary to say now that,
unless my information is entirely at fault, the next en-
coun'er between the two armies will show that, the cavalry
and artillery of the latter have been greatly augmented
in numbers, and vastly improved in efficiency since the
last great battle. The strength of Lee's army is
as follows :—Total artillery, 294 guns; men, 5,880.
Total cavalry, 15 squadrons, 18,000. Total infantry,
nine divisions, 88,572. Total number of men, in-
cluding officers, 112,452. This is probably the utmost
strength of General Lee's army proper for the fall cam-
paign, although it is possible that the arrival of more con-
scripts—for they continue to come in daily—may swell the
total number to 125,000 men. With the above army, how-
ever, General Lee is ready to commence the fall campaign.
The Federal Navy Department had contracted with a
Philadelphia firm for an immense and fast cruiser, and it
was reported that a fleet of such vessels would be built. It
was reported that General Magruder had been killed at
Galveston, Texas, by one of his own lieutenants."

JAPAN.

A California telegram, of the ith inst., says :

"From further accounts it appears that the Japanese
Government attempts to avoid a war with the foreigners,
it having not only paid all the indemnity demanded by
England, but also made a satisfactory apology; but this
displeased the Damios, and much discontent existed through-
out the country. A Damio who owns the territory along
the Strait of Simouskiski, in the province of Margal, and
whose forts commanded both western entrances to the island
trom the sea, commenced recklessly firing upon ships of all
nations that passed. He had also two steamers fitted up as
war vessels with heavy guns aiding the torts iu their attack.
" These are the vessels destroyed by the Wyoming. At
the latest dates a largo British fleet was lying at Kanagawa,
under Admiral Kuper, and was about to sail for the Straits
of Simouskiski.

" The greatest fire that has occurred for many years took
place in Yeddo on the 19th July. The residences of 30
Damios, several temples, and a vast amount of property
were destroyed."

QUEENSTOWN, Sept. 23.

The Inman steamship City of Baltimore from
New York, on the 12th inst., arrived here at, 1 a,m.
to-day with 119 passengers, and 488,893 dols. in
specie.
She landed 27 passengers and the mails.

QUEENSTOWN, Sept. 23.

The extra Inman steamer City of Limerick, from
New York on the 10th inst., arrived here at 11.40
a.m. to-day. She brings 47 passengers, but no
specie. She landed 19 passengers, and proceeded
for Liverpool at noon.
Her news has been anticipated.

BANQUET TO EARL RUSSELL BY THE MEIKLEOUR
TENANTRY.—The Meikleour tenantry have arranged that
the Russell banquet, on Saturday next, will be on a grand
scale, in the Blairgowrie Public Hall. It is expected that
the Count de Flahauit, proprietor of the Meikleour estate,
will preside, and the Earl of Dalhousie, the Earl of Airlie,
and other noblemen, are expected to be among the guests.
PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWS and monuments in 110
plates, by the best artists, taken at the places, and accom-
panied by arcbasological and historical notes, by J. Janin,
Victor Hugo, Chateaubriand, C. Nodier, &c., are advertised
by Dusacq in Paris.
lIE FRENCH NATIONAL COLLECTIONS OF PIC-
TURES have been enriched during the lest dozen
years by the addition of some of the finest works of art in
the world. There is a Holy Family by Perugino, said to
be the chefid'ccuvre of the master, bought at the sale of the
gallery of the King of the Netherlands for 53,302 francs.
There is also a very fine Rubens, the portrait of Baron
Vies, acquired at the same sale at the price of 15,934 francs.
From Marshal Sonles collection two magnificent pictures
were secured—a Murillo, " The Conception," for 613,300
francs; and a marine picture, by Vandervelde, for 11,550
francs. The sale of that celebrated collection took place in
1852. Since then, in 1854, according to the Building News,
four new pictures were bought for the Louvre, ono of which,.
a Murillo (the Virgin surrounded by Glory), was the gift of
the Emperor. In 1858 eighteen pictures were added, in-
cluding five works of Murillo, Zurbaran, and the elder
Herrera, which cost 300,000 francs. Two paintings of
Rubens were bought in 1859, and nine in 1861, including a
Hobbema (a Windmill), bought for 52,500 francs. Last
year there were five pictures added, including a Velasquez
—a full-length portrait of Philippe IV., which cost 23,000
francs. The Chapter of Notre-Dame, also, last year pre-
sented to the Louvre forty-one pictures of the French
school. Among these is the " Magnific at," which Jouvenet,
having become paralysed, painted with the left hand in the
year 1716,—.Reader,