The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-10 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS,

HERALD.—The vote to which the German Diet
came on Monday will, we may fairly hope, remain
without effect. If, as the telegram would seem to
indicate, the smaller states have carried, against the
opposition of Austria and Prussia, the motion of
Saxony for the sequestration of the Duchies until
the Diet shall determine to whom they belong, we
can hardly suppose teat those two great Powers
will lend their aid to the execution of such an un-
warrantable and foolhardy step. They have recog-
nised the absolute, unconditional right of Christian
IX to Lauenburg—they have recognised his right
to Holstein, subject to the fulfilment, according to
their interpretation of them, of the engagements
made by Denmark in December, 1851, and they
cannot, therefore, without a most flagrant repudia-
tion not only of the Treaty of London but of their
recent declarations, assist to carry out a proposition
to " occupy the Duchies until the Bund shall see
itself in a position to give over these Federal terri-
tories to the administration of the successor recog-
nised by it as legitimate." Nor could the other
Powers signataries of the treaty allow such a mea-
sure to he carried into execution. They may admit,
perhaps, the technical right of the Bund to enforce
by execution in Holstein the withdrawal of a law
which it deems repugnant to the Federal obligations
of the King of Denmark as Duke of Holstein, and a
violation of the engagements made with it for the
regulation of the position of that duchy in the
monarchy ; but they cannot allow it to upset a set-
tlement which has an international character, and
to deprive the King of Denmark of duchies which
Europe has recognised as his, not on the ground that
the conditions of that recognition have not been ful-
filled by him, but on the pretence that it is the su-
preme judge in the matter, and entitled to set at
nought the determination of Europe. To occupy
the Duchies under such a pretence would be to
exceed the competence cf the Diet. It would
be to declare war against Denmark, and to en-
title her to call upon Europe to assist her against
an unjustifiable aggression. Austria and Prussia
cannot permit Germany to do such a foolish thing,
and if they pretend that they cannot hinder the
Diet, the other Powers must step in and stop it.
It, on the other hand, the Diet has resolved upon
carrying out the execution already ordered to
obtain the withdrawal of the ordinance of the 30th
March, as Austria and Prussia strongly urged it,
we may assume almost as confidently that the re-
solution will not be carried out. The professed
object of the execution has been attained. The
patent has been withdrawn, and the Diet must wait
to see what measures the Danish Government pro-
poses to introduce to fulfil its obligations to the
liolsteiners and to Germany. The mere withdrawal
of the ordinance does not, indeed, satisfy all the
demands of the Diet. It has insisted that the ordi-
nance should be annulled, and that the Danish Go •
vernment should undertake to propose without
delay some measure for giving all parts of the
monarchy the equality promised according to its
interpretation by the engagements of December,
1831. But it cannot retuse to allow •be King time
to prep ,re a measure which would he beset by so
many difficulties. NecessArily, therefore, according
to its own laws and rules of procedure, execution
must be stayed for a time, and the Diet can only
proceed with the measure if the Danish Govern-
ment presents a project which it deems unsatisfac-
tory, or after a reasonable delay, presents no project.
The attempt may be made, indeed, to justify execu-
tion even now upon the new common constitution
for Denmark and Schleswig, which in Germany is
regarded as practically that incorporation of the
duchy which th King of Denmark promised should
not even be attempted. But it is quite impossible
for Europe to tolerate a measure which would be so
plainly illegal—so completely, by the admission of
the Diet itself, beyond its competence. The promises
the King of Berme' k made with regard to Schles-
wig are of an international character. Any measure
the Diet may take against him for a breach of them
must be of the same character that it would take
against a foreign prince who had violated his treaty
engagements. It may declare war of course. It
can decree the occupation of Holstein • but
although such a measure might be styled a Federal
execution, no Power in Europe could recognise
such a title, and the German Confederation must
be then considered as at war with the kingdom of
Denmark. We sincerely hope that prudential con-
siderations will at last make themselves felt in the
German Diet, and that if the smaller Powers still
press on measures which may, we might say must,
involve Germany in a war with Europe, Austria
and Prussia will have the firmness—the superiority
to the temptation of gaining a petty advantage over
each other—to restrain them. All that can fairly
be asked for the German subjects of Denmark may
he obtained now. King Christian will be but too
anxious to secure a general recognition of his title
to refuse any concession which may justly be asked,
and the influence of England and the other Powers
will be exerted everywhere to overcome any oppo-
sition which he and his Government might be dis-
posed to make. The withdrawal of the ordinance of
March is a concession to the wishes of England—a
concession which may create some discontent
amongst the Danish people, but will ensure them
powerful support. If the Danish Government, in
deference to the desires of the great Powers ho
interest themselves in the maintenance of the Danish
monarchy, makes the concessions Germany has
before demanded, and shows itself willing to make
sacrifices for the sake of peace, those Powers con-
tract an obligation to protect Denmark against un-
just demands from Germany. If Germany shows
that no concessions will satisfy it, that it will prac-
tically disregard the treaty, and has resolved to
wrest the German Duchies from the Danish Crown,
the Western Powers have no alternative but to
throw their protection over Denmark, and against
that bulwark all the strength and fanaticism of
Germany will dash in vain. If war breaks out in
Europe Germany will, as usual, have to bear the
bulk of its evils. Will she be mad enough to wan-
tonly kindle it ?
PosT.,—The custom of an annual meeting between
members of Parliament and their constituents,
which has come into fashion of late years, has so
much to recommend it that it is to be regretted that
members themselves should do so much, as many
do, to depreciate the dignity and narrow the im-
portance of the occasion. It is undeniable that a
member backed by a large constituency has only
himself to blame if he do not rise to considerable
influence in the House of Commons. The
house
member
sensitively alive to public opinion, and t atens of
e
who can stand up confessedly supported by
thousands of constituents has
as poweroluy well envy.
which the
representatives of small boroughs
This is all as it should be. The nation sits in Par-
liament by representation. i
The houses the reflex
of representative derives all
his the
political
national
netehose whom he represents,
o i taitciaoinfaolr mind.ee ffrom
Th
and it is therefore very natural and very desirable
that between the two there should exist the best
pass'b' , "e understanding. And as they have a com-
mon interest in the transactions of a session anu in
the political situation of the day, a friendly inter
change of opinions is good for both parties. But
this ie quite a distinct thing from that wretched
servility which it seems to be the pride of most
large constituencies to exact from the gentlemen
whom they return to Parliiment. A meeting of
constituents for the purpose of hearing a frank ex-
position of public affairs from their representative
is not only tolerable,
as it is wise and useful. But
a meeting to receive
of his fromstewardship,'' as ithnrs
cmomemmboenrly" actialled
ac-
count
is a very degrading thing. This annual account, of
stewardship,
if persisted in, and carried to the

lengths which some constituencies do not scruple to
insist upon, and to which some members do not re-
fuse to stoop, will soon take away all independent
action and seriously compromise the respect which
is now so readily accorded to active members of the
house who sit for important boroughs. We do not
quarrel with the doctrine which represents a seat
Parliament as a stewardship. No doubt every re-
sponsible position, from the Crown downwards. 15
a stewardship in somesense, but we do quarrel with
the practice of summoning members of Parliamen!
before their constituents and exacting of them Ls full
account of all their conduct, and a reason )or every
vote and every absense. Every one who Know's'
bow the business of the House of Commons is
conducted ; every one who knows anything of
the tactics and exigencies of party, and who knows
how men confessedly of no party are often obliged
to shape their Parliamentary conduct in order to
give effect to the opinions they hold, or to secure
triumph for the principles which they are promoting
or defending ; every such person knows full well
that it is as impossible sometimes to avoid being
mixed up in certain combinations as it is at others
to avoid standing aloof altogether from those with
whom under most circumstances there would be the
most perfect accord. There must also arise manY
occasions when a member feels bound to vote other-
wise than the majority of his constituents might at
the moment approve. Many reasons enter into the
decision of a Parliamentary question which the ma-
jority of persons out of doors never know, and re-
specting which they have not the means of forming
a sound judgment. It is therefore as absurd as it
is humiliating to tie up the discretion of a member
of Parliament, and to call him to a minute account
of his Parliamentary conduct. Independent mem-
hers owe it to themselves and to their self respect to
refuse to submit to annual inquisitions of this sort.
They have it in their power to put down the Dula.;
ante by standing upon their own dignity, and
simply refusing to be badgered and bothered b 7
every unwashed 40s. freeholder who may choose tArr
make himself conspicuous at a political meeting.
wholesome habit may by abuse become a vice, enu
so it seems likely to be with some boroughs. EveU
men of the calibre of Mr. Cobden and Mr. Brig" 4,
are content to forget the attention shown them si=
Parliament, and to drag their self respect throngh
the mire when a public meeting of constituent" hi°
to be propitiated. Everything that can humble f'4l
accounting member is submitted to, lest by and
chance the much coveted vote of approbation an ,
confidence should not be forthcoming. For our Par"
we admire the pluck of Mr. Horsman, though we
differ in Coto from the line he took on the (weal%
to which we refer. The people of Stroud viol
not give him the usual vote of confidence. I"'
would not truckle to them for it. He went dewt
and gave straightforward reasons for the opin1011"
he held, the speeches he had made, and the coal
he had pursued. The constituents disapproved s'
called on him to resign, but he, knowing that thelr
had no adequate means of judging him, stood 1113°,,12
his right to form an independent Judgment on pub'
lie questions, and refused to resign. Despite 01,
absence of the vote of confidence he is member 04'
Stroud stilt, and has recently addressed them sc,ita
great acceptability and effect. We should be girld
to see something like this moral courage displaied
by members who at this time of year are e2cpennte
to address the electors who have sent them to I-B.r,
;
liament. Let them put their annual appearantee
before their constituents on a right footing--1:
footing of mutual confidence and frank explanstnra
—and let them rid it of all servility and blind ~i 0
al3
hypocritical reverence for uninformed Pti",„p
opinion ; and then we may hope to see one great ar'e
taken in the direction of the elevation of largo,
metropolitan constituencies out of the depths
which they have of late years been gradna"
sinking.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

___-,t-----

LYNN—TUESDAY. 3,813 t,
At to-day's market there was'a fair supply of svm 00$
with a good attendance of the trt de. The aemand scaeted,
active, but the prices of last week were fully supPlnre.
Malting and grinding barley at late rates. Oats as bu "
Peas and Leans were steady.
W 3.
White 45s to 46s i Barley. .....37s 340
Bed .. ..40s to 41s 1 Grinding .. 33$ t° Os
Beans .43s to 44s I Oats .. .22$ t° ....
...
.....4 to
New 38s to 40s I Peas

HULL—TUESDAY.
At this day's market the 'show of English Wheat woe
fair, with a blow sale, at barely late rates. Foreign 0 a
neglected, but holders did not press sales. Barley nis e,g4
slow sale, at prices in favour of buyers. Beans and Peed
unaltered. Oats dull, but not quotably lower. 1-41115
sales cau only be effected at is to 28 decline.
Wheat.... Old white....per qr
Old red II
Neu white .. ~
New red .... ~
Barley.... English malting 32s Od to 365 6a
Grinding 34
83
ss
00
dd
tt
oo
34
95
59 001
24s Od to 260
Od
Saal and Oderbruck
Holstein and Danish 3os Od to 31$ Od
Grinding
Oats English, old
Archangel and Riga, per tit Osl2ld to ,gd
Frieslan and Dutch oBl3d to osa
~,i
Swedish and Danish 331 v.
Beans ....English, old, per qr. 4o°:lo2lV°4o Od
rte° 33.
(6),id
New pigeon
434002e$
s 000:d V.) 113:45, ,-)ii
New tick.
Etian
Peas Foreign boilers ...
33 22 : °6
da tt ( 3. .. _
.3 : o° clc
Grinding
.....s Od to 34s od
Tares ....Spring
Indian Corn
Linseed, feeding
to ~ Od
40s OKI t° 5.80 s 0
crushing .
Linseed cakes (Hull)
Foreign i9B
155 oto 0 0 0
Rape cakes
•6 0 oto 610 0
0 to 1 0 0
Bones 5 5 OW
..

MELTON MOWBRAY—TtiEsDAY.
heat,
The following were the currencies :—New white vf- •
42s Od to 45s Od ; new red, 398 Od to 43s per 36 stone
beans, 378 to 408 for old; new sorts, 35s to 3'70 per 31: sfor
grinding;
barley, 33s to 37s for malting, and 29s to 31s p 4,1'268
to 30s. new oats, 22s to 25s Od per 24 stone; ow,

IPSWICH—TUESDAY.
Supplies of wheat continue moderate. Merchants errle:
deavoured to-day to purchase cheaper, but the grovierStiti
fused to accede to lower terms, and only a email
OW
changed hands. Barley plentiful, at late rates.
Old white wheat..44s to 498 I Old red wheat, , 42s to 4433:
New do. 46s to 48s I New do. 4ls ;0
Malting barley....34s to 368 I Oats. 220 t° .27$
Grinding d0.....28s to 318 I Beans 36s 0

COAL

toe close of the viaaet°

"'vow) of Coal per Ton al
d.

Lambert's West Hart-
ley l6 6
alker Primrose 16 0

walls Bud* 0
Cas801) .............. 21
leraertat
do no: ..........................
220_
60
; sold, 14.

Ships at mark

Foreign Mail. Packet Lists

MAILS DUE.I9.
Australia and Mauritius, Mauritius, via
. Smiths. nipton. ...... pea. 13.
Brazil and Cape Verde, bvylaßriltairssehipliaecB,l/4e.t.. .............. j:!9'.
Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. lielena..pec.
China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southainpton.Dec.
via M arseilleg • .•Dee. 13,

a,and
GFalibkrallatnadr,lsvii
India Southampton(Calcuatantad)
via Marseilles nee' 0.
India (Bombay), via Southampton Dee' 6.
Ceylon,
..
... ..... . . ,
via Marseilles Dec. 4,
via Southampton Dec.l3,
Portugal.... Jail 0.
Malta, Egypt, and Aden, . v.i.a. Southampton l)o°' 6,
via IVlarseilles • Dec' 9,
Newfoundland ............................. •
Dec•
Oporto and 'Vigo 9,
U. S. and British N. America, by Brit. packet Deo'
by 17.5. packet 0,
by Canadian packet Dec' 10.
W.C. of Africa, Madeira, and Teneriffe .. Dec• ij,
Bahamas, via New York' Dec• 0,
Mexico. ................................. Deo' 14•
All parts of West Indies, including Chili, Peru, I Dee, 1'
California. and British Columbia.
-----*!--'7"