The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-17 00:00:00

money annually expended by Great Britain in
connection with the lonian islands. Agreed to.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER obtained
leave to bring in a bill for extending the time of
credit for the payment of the excise duty on malt.
Mr. PULLER expressed his disappointment that
the Chancellor of the Exchequer had not brought
forward some measure giving greater relief to the
malting interest.
Mr. DODSON recommended the reduction of the
malt duty, and its transfer to the manufactured

article.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
that the commutation of the malt duty into one
upon beer would entail a sacrifice of £2,000,000.
After the appointment of a select committee on
printing, proposed by Mr. RUSSELL, the house
adjourned at 8 o'clock.
_

This evening there will be some interest and ex-
citement in the House as to the answer Lord
PALMERSTON will give to Mr. BENTINCK. The hon.
member has announced his intention of enquiring
" whether the Liovernment are in possession of any
official information of the defeat by the Confederates
of the Federal blockading squadron off the port of
Charleston, and, if so, whether that event will
raise the question as to the future legality of the
blockade of that port." It has been said in some
quarters, and doubtless many share the opinion,
that Ministers will leave things in statu quo. It
may be so, but surely such a line of policy will
be a great mistake. This seems to be a
glorious opportunity for a happy adjustment of
the present complication. Whether or not it was
advisable to have allowed the blockade in the first
instance, it is highly important for the interests
alike of the Old and New World that it should not
still be maintained. If the thousand (aims of the
sufferers from this cruel and unnatural war do not
prevail to influence the decision, if the all-para-
mount consideration of our starving fellow-country.
men in the North does not present convincing
proofs of the necessity of bringing this contest to a
close, there is another argument that might carry
weight with some members of the Government, and
through them with their subordinates. President
LINCOLN himself would, doubtless, rejoice at the
prospect of a settlement of this vexed question.
He would doubtless rejoice at having a golden
bridge built for his retreat by the timely interference
of foreign powers. The Emperor of the FRENCH
has already come forward in so worthy a manner and
expressed himself so earnestly on the subject, that
we trust he will seize this favourable chance which
has presented itself for the solution of the diffi-
culty. The Constitutionnel of this morning, a semi-
official paper, writes on this subject, and says that.
while we must wait for definite information on some
points, at all events this affair at Charleston has
given rise to an interesting question as to the rights
of nations ; ought not the interruption of the
blockade, duly notified by the Confederate Govern-
ment, to oblige the Federal Government to notify, in
its turn, the resumption of the blockade ? and can
this notification be made before the expiration of 60
days? This question thus forcibly put to the French
by the journal in question is to-night to be ad-
dressed to our Prime Minister. It would be well
if Lord PALMERSTON could act for himself in this
case unbiassed by the prejudices of those who sur-
round him, and uninfluenced by the crotchets of
his peculiar Foreign Secretary. The dashing spirit
evinced by the chivalry of the South, their energy
and enterprise which has crowned with success
their encounters by land, and which now promises
to shed the same lustre over their naval exploits, is
of a character peculiarly appreciated by those of
this country. Whatever Mr. Guasox may say of
their pestilent institutions, Englishmen will re-
cognise in them the leading attributes of the Anglo-
Saxon race in their skill and daring, their resis-
tance to overbearing assumption, and their deter-
mined advocaey of their rights of independence.
Surely now sufficient evidence has been given
to the would of the merits and demerits of the rival
candidates, let some satisfactory solution be come to
at last. Although it is probable that in the next
encounter at Charleston the Confederates will settle
the question themselves without the aid or inter-
vention of foreign Powers, still it is not wise to let
the vital interests of our people be at the mercy of
the chances of war. We are sure to find the Em-
peror of the FRENCH ready to meet us more than
half way, and thus an all important obstacle is
removed. It will be the kindest thing in the world
to put a stop to the war so far as President LINCOLN
is concerned, for sooner or later he is sure to be
defeated, and then the Confederates will dictate
their own terms. Now, he might make a
peace, alike honourable and profitable, so far as
practicable under existing circumstances. Another
startling fact to adduce against the wishes that
are fathers to the thoughts of the advocates for the
Northern side, is that want of means will soon
stultify their progress. Their financial difficulties
are daily increasing, and the latest intelligence
informs us that the " Senate Finance Committee
is opposed to a further issue of legal tender
notes. Money is growing tighter, and it is
rumoured that Congress will take measures to
gold. As a striking con-
check speculation in
trast to this we learn that at New Orleans Con-
federate notes were rising in value. The North can
gain nothing by putting off the evil day, and court-
ing the ignominious failure that will assuredly
overtake them, by the want of confidence of their
own people. How long is this disastrous and de-
plorable state of affairs to continue? Gold is now
at fifty-five per cent premium. Are we to wait
until it reaches a hundred before ABRAHAM LIN-
COLN can listen to reason ? Surely the dictates of
common sense, and the warnings of experience, com-
bine with the voice of humanity in proclaiming
that this war should cease. To England
and France, as the leading countries of
Europe—to the well-wishers of their fellow-
men of whatever politics they may be, and
especially to the rival States of America may be
addressed these words of sacred import, " Behold,
now is the accepted time, now is the day of salva-
tion." To throw away a chance of settlement, to
prolong a deadly strife, which will end without the
triumphs of war or the trophies of peace, is suicidal
to the North, and of no avail to the South. This
encounter at Charleston, rightly taken advantage
of, may prove a heaven-sent opportunity to the
Disunited States of America to close this sad
episode in their history ; but, if the chance is
missed, many heavy sufferers and many
agonised mourners will regret the golden
opportunity thrown away, and the saving clause
abandoned. If the Ministers act worthy of the 1
occasion there will be no fear of the result, 1
France would gladly join the undertaking and the
belligerent parties beyond the broad Atlantic will
be too glad of the excuse and the opportunity to
cease their struggles. If the Government are un -
equal or unwilling
will remain for the° sesame
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being the herald of mercy to thousands at home
and the friend of peace to disunited states, dis-
organised constitutions, and disaffected households
abroad. If the present opportunity is lost, it may