The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-05 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 5, 1863

quite obviously in one word—postponement.
Anxiety, war, rebellion visible elsewhere—peace,
prosperity, profound tranquility are known to
prevail throughout the length and breadth of our
own dominions. Not only is it thus with regard to
the actual situation of the British Empire inter-
nally, but, externally, that Empire is at peace with
the whole world—holds amicable relations even
with those powers whether democratic or auto-
cratic that might have been supposed to have had
a tendency at heart to resent our non-interference
in their behalf under the pressure of an emergency.
No wonder can it be then, that what Mr.
KINGLAKE is fond of calling (if he loves one word
more than another—as he certainly loves this be-
yond any other monosyllable in the language)—a
stress is for once laid upon the old stereotyped
phrases in reference to our friendly relations with
foreign powers, and the tranquility prevailing
throughout our own empire—phrases possessing,
we repeat, at this particular juncture, so very
peculiar and exceptional a significance.
Although but comparativelyfewlegislative improve-
ments can be hinted at in reference to the modification
of the marriage law in Ireland and Scotland, to the
revision of the criminal code so far as relates to the
treatment of the more incorrigible class of criminals,
and to the advancement yet further this session of
some progressive and graduated efforts at law re-
form—the chief interest attaching to the Speech from
the Throne but just now delivered by Royal Commis•
sion will be found to relate to matters peculiarly
affecting the domestic relations of the country, the
actual or probable situation of things within
the bounds of the United Kingdom. The loyal
sympathy of her people—awakened so sorrovvtelly
last year upon the opening of Parliament, by Her
MAJESTY'S reference then in the Royal Speech of
1862, to her recent and most bitter bereavement,
will as infallibly be called forth joyously this year
by Her MAJESTY'S allusion, in the very first para-
graph of the Speech from the Throne of 1863,:c0 the
strongly contrasting theme of the approaching ma r-
riage of his Royal Highness the Heir Apparent.
Never yet has the QUEEN appealed in vain, whether
in joy or in grief, to the sympathy of her happy and
grateful people. Never have her words of appeal
in this way fallen more potently on the popular
ear. And this, probably, because they come to
us, these touching words in to day's Speech from the
Throne, so to speak, accentuated at once by the joy
and the grief of the Sovereign ! Grief, still as poig-
nant as ever in her MAJESTY'S heart in the cherished
remembrance there of the princely husband, for
over lost to her affections in this world ! Joy in
the happy future now immediately opening up
before the eldest of his sons, the heir to her
MAJESTY'S Crown and Empire !
If pitying reference has still to be made
to the protracted sufferings of the manufacturing
operatives of Lancashire in the gracious Speech
from the Throne, by the vicarious delivery of which
the session of Parliament has this day been inau-
gurated, there is a solace, coupled at the same
time with that pathetic remembrance, namely, that
reference made to the noble spirit of resignation
and of loyal endurance of their sufferings mani-
fested throughout their terrible ordeal by the
afflicted population. Consolatory, also, is it
to bear in recollection the extraordinary,
but really indisputable fact that in spite of
this sudden interruption of so large a branch
of our manufactures, in spite of the simultaneous
closing against our trade of the ports of one of the
largest and most important of the nations who are
habitually our customers—our resources are never-
theless abundant of their kind that, notwith-
standing the vast extent of our annual expendi-
ture, a considerable surplus actualq now remains
on hand to be dealt with by our Chancellor of the Ex
chequer. A surplus—not, as hitherto, for several
' years past an unmistakeable and sometimes a really
embarassing deficit ! A surplus, moreover, suffi-
ciently considerable, as it would appear to hold
before us the happy prospect of an immediate and
notable remission of taxation—probably twopence
in the pound sterling dropped from the detested
Income Tax, and possibly coupled with this the
dropping also of the war taxes upon tea and sugar.
Brighter days open, in fact, before the Roy al Family
and for the Nation with this day's opening of the
British legislature. But—before the Ministry ?
Well, that is quite another matter altogether ! And,
in regard to that matter we shall have to remai❑ in
doubt for yet a little while longer: namely, as we
intimated yesterday, until after his Royal High-
ness's marriage.

thers still ? Would he have dared the wrath of
your united power ? Not he ; but now that both
your combs are cut as his own had been before, he
struts for ward and leetures you in your own divided
house of representative weakness. In your day of
greatness you taught him how to swagger, and now
see how cunningly he copies you in the hour of
your distress. AVill you make it up and avenge
yoar quarrel—not on your cousin England, but on
your warlike pacificator, and tender him your " me-
diation" if he will cut and run ? Mexico will join
you heartily; and the world may be yet your own
if you be content to part when that affair is over.

We half suspect that the Emperor (to be) of the

West will yet find that he had better have remained
where he is, and cultivated his " Latin" cucumbers,
with all their prestige, in a more congenial clime—

their native Est

We are not given to prophecy, but if NAPOLEON'S
ill advised publication of his good intentions to-
wards not only Mexico but to North American am-
bition, and to the South in regard to Texas, do not
complicate his web of wiles to his own confusion,
we shall be more surprised than he will be pleased.
Ambition has cooled hotter temper before now, and
left—

"Proud Gallia's legions whelmed in snows of fate ;"
and a kindred Emperor, regardless of the lessons of
the Past, may mourn the fate that lured him on
for gold.
Mr. LINCOLN and his "forecasts"—men about as
reckless as himself—have "notified" the North that
in sixty days the South would be crushed, and the
Rebellion at an end. But when the time had run,
the bill was extended to ninety days, and when
that term had also expired there was nothing for
it but to renew the promise, with the usual days of
glace, and no mistake this time, for the "military
measure," according to Mr, SEWARD'S " calcula-
tion," would make it all right. Thus they went
on, still promising but always reckoning, we guess,
without their host. If they could not command
success, their perseverance certainly deserved it,
for expedition followed expedition, and " strategy"
more than once saved the army from annihilation.
And still they rushed on, reckless of repulse—by
land, by water, they renewed the charge—all with
uniform result.

Mr. LINCOLN, in his one idea of the Union—
nothing but the Union—come what will, strongly
reminds us of DAVIS, the celebrated sporting better
—who had bat one idea also, and that was to win ;
having calculated the doctrine of chances, he reduced
his game to a certainty by taking the odds he found
his " book" to pay. I)Avis went round the betting
ring (at Epsom) calling
out " Who'll bet ? Who'll
bet ?" "Bet on what ?" " Why on anything !"
The winner—for choice, says DAVlS—and so says
Mr. LINCOLN, he will bat on Freedom or Slavery,
so either wins—even if it end in a tie—so it ties
the Union yet closer. But the "DAvis" on the
other side of the " Post"—has made up his bet-
ting-book also, after a fashion of his
own, and that is, to win the sturdy game of Inde-
pendence, against LINCOLN'S game of Empire—and
the " betting" runs strongly in his favour. " The
South" for choice is now the " call"—and the race
promises in spite of many " ups and downs" in the
course—to come off all right for the " nigger" in
the long run.

Mr. LINCOLN has opened the ball professedly
for Union, but in reality for Empire—power and
profit—power to whip all creation, and profit to
revel in the sweets of slave labour. The Yankee,
as a matter of morality, denounces slavery to tickle
the taste of OBADIIH—but cherishes it care-
fully to suit the market of Manchester. Thus hypo-
crisy and credulity run hand in hand, taking
the world into their confidence, while they are
cheating the Devil in the dark. "Down with
Slavery !—but up with prices r —is the cry of ►h.
Union, be it Republic to-day or Democratic to.
morrow. Abolition, or extermination, so it con-
duce to the Union, is Mr. LINCOLN'S doctrine; aeo
therefore he makes emancipation a military, not a
moral measure. Here's Christianity exemplified
by the PRESIDENT of a religious people, for the
Yankees profess themselves as religious as mty
be—surpassing all other people in godliness
as they do in domineeri►,g independence. With
them—bounce is principle—as assertion is pro f,
in their dealings with the almighty dollar. Bur
let us be just, while we cannot but lament their uu
scrupulous audacity of character. We admire their
many good qualities—their bold spirit—and un-
tameable resolution to go ahead, be it in the right
or not; but while they assume more merit than is
due, they ought not to engross all virtue to them-
selves, leaving so little to those who lived before
them, and have no wish to die forgotton in the Old
World, while they flourish so wondrously in the
New. Live and let live is our maxim, and may
yet become theirs when they can afford to be
charitable. We may envy their " opportunity,"
while we regret their bad use of it—the bloody
struggle for empire, under the mask of Unity, and
power for themselves, at the sacrifice of independ-
ence for their fellow-men and brothers.
The slave must yet become free, but, like a child
as he grows to manhood, by degrees and culture,
so that he may serve his master while he benefits
himself. Freedom is man's inheritance, and, as a
volunteer is worth two pressed men, so a liberated
slave will in time be doubly valuable to his master.
Thus, if JEFFERSON DAvis were to proclaim a
real emancipation, to commence gradually after the
termination of the war, he would find his reward
in the gratitude of the slave, while it would be a
present stimulus and a future boon to the master.
Let us hope the South will adopt this policy, and
so enlist the sympathy of mankind in their cause,
while it will hasten the recognition of their inde-
pendence—so dearly fought for and so bri.vely
won.

As Parliament re-assembles this evening, the
range of debate will take a wider scope than the
Address ; embracing not only topics of domestic
interest at home, but many of national concern
abroad. Of these the American war will engross
much, nor will attention be confined to the two
belligerent parties—North and South; but will ex-
tend to Mexico and the doings of our neighbours
in that disjointed quarter. Nor shall we be sur-
prised to learn, before long, that matters become
more complex. than many lookers-on expected.
The French may find that it is much
easier and far safer to plan than execute. Am-
bition may find it difficult to reconcile theory
with practice among the Mexicans—a peo-
, pie of unsteady habits, and more apt to
suspect the kind intentions of unwelcome visitors
than to place confidence in professions of friendship,
and the sooner they take French leave the better.
NAPOLEON, with all his affectation of frankness,
has just volunteered too much. His policy to set
Mexican against Mexican, and so spare his own
men, may please his soldiers, where they will have
to be more careful of their health than solicitous
about obtaining laurels. The EMPEROR seems to
have overlooked one consequence, that the Mexicans
will be forewarned by the knowledge vouchsafed
in his instructions to General FORM And they
will not fail to profit by the lesson so magnani-
mously promulgated for their especial edification.
We wonder if the publication of that letter was acci-
dental or a piece of spontaneous good nature ?
But whatever the motive we suspect that the con-
sequence will yet sorely plague the impolitic scribe. I

The Greeks Resident in London.

TO THE EDITOR OF TILE SUN.

Sir,—l have the honour of forwarding you a trans-
lation of the unanimous address which the Greek
residents in London are about to send to the Nd.
tional Assembly of Greece, and I shall feel obliged
by your inserting it in your columns.—l am, sir,
yours, &c.,

,
Nor is it the Mexicans alone that are favoured
with gratuitous information. President LINCOLN,
too, is honoured with an imperial hint, not much to
the liking of one who has set his heart on Empire
far and wide,—not for himself, dear modest man,—
but
for his darling Union. What will he now think "To the most Honourable the National Assembly of
of NAPOLEONIC mediation when he learns the kind i, we, thc undersigned Greece.
intention of the Greek community
intention of his benefactor to curb his further pro- in London, prompted by our solicitude for the welfare of
gress in the march of territorial aggrandisement 5 our beloved country, hire resolved to communicate to your
Poor England, 80 well-abused,despised, and threat-
vaugustiews anbdod‘y,;shweisthastrhee utdmos tshte ondeilffiecdteinceofaan and
prrtenscpeectto, ourthe
seed---has never dared to question the grandeur vacant throne of Greece.
still expanding—and promising to expand to the "We understand that his Serene Highness the Duke of
... Saxe-Coburg. and Gotha is willing to become our King. wo
very bounds of creation, for what England has said regard this circumstance with feelings of intense satiefac-
to the contrary—not she from deferential coax.- tion, inasmuch as we derive from it the hope that Greece
test', no doubt,
hut here—his own beloved will obtain a ruler favourably known to Europe for his con-
summate ability and ripe experience, and for his fidelity to
Imperial ally and arbiter steps forward, and puts the cause of Constitutional Government. Possessing,as he
his foot down saying—" Thus far nast thou gone, but does, many of the qualities of heart and mind for the sake
no farther Mr. LINCOLN ! Mexico is mine—and of which the people of England honour and love the memory
,
of his lamented brother, the late Prince-Consort, we feel
Texas too, for a cotton plantation—whether the " assured that his accession to the throne will confer on
Greece the same benefits as those she fondly anticipated in
South like it or not." Poor Mr. LINCOLN ! why
uroclai '
did you quarrel with Mr. DAVIS ?—what will he say ' „ womrituligy,Peprte Alfred her King.
entatives of the nation I may the Almighty
to it, think you? Had you not quarrelled like the who has. sto often rescued Hellas from danger, and relieved
Kilkenny cats, till there is little left of you, would
shteerp
sintdhastryeosus,
may
binspire your counsel:. a.cnedodniraeept yourince
the mighty Gallic Cock have crowed 60 defiantly ? who, we believe, hays
tehleea to rest yoauliracc,ation
a for the task
Would, he have acted u
Lug, had you remained bro., of making our fatherlarri requisite
PI
g and free,"
-- happy, Prosper"-,

M. E. MAVROGORDATO.
5, Copthall-eourt, sth Feb., 1863.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

THIS DAY.

concluded with the Emperor of tla. French has
already been productive of results highly advan-
tageous to both the nations to which it applies ; and
the general state of the Revenue, notwithstanding
many unfavourable circumstances, has not been un-
satisfactory.

Her Majesty trusts that these results may be
taken as proofs that the productive resources of the
country are unimpaired.

It has been gratifying to her Maj sty to ob-
serve the spirit of order which happily prevails
throughout her dominions, and which is so
essential an element in the well-being and pro-
sperity of nations.

Various measures of public usefulness and im-
provement will be submitted for your considera-
tion; and her Majesty fervently prays that in all
your deliberations the blessing of Almighty God
may guide your counsels to the promotion of the
welfare and happiness of her people.