The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-14 00:00:00

by our Toronto contemporary it is open to still
graver exception. The Judge actually appears to
maintain that the Extradition Treaty having been
construed, in a single instance, by an American
court in a way which he considers to be erroneous,
is no longer binding on this country as the other
contracting party. Such a sentiment is really so
monstrous that we cannot believe it was propounded
by a Canadian judge ; but there is quite enough in
the general tone of the judgment to make us regret
that it was received with tumultuous applause.
Acquittals are always popular, and there may be a
certain generous sympathy for men whose alleged
crimes were inspired by patriotic motives, and de-
void of a felonious intent. But the avowal of poli-
tical feelings is not consistent with the judicial ex-
position of the law, as Judge Smith himself pointed
out in the early part of his judgment, and the cheers
which he earned by the exhibition of these feelings
on the judgment-seat will find no echo in this
country.

PosT.—The eloquent tribute paid to the character
and the services of Richard Cobden by the Imperial
Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the despatch ad-
dressed to the French Ambassador in this country,
nisataiols, graceful and dignified expression of the senti-
mentsiwhich,naybe
enshrined
regarded inas the,
most union
solidof the two
noebni t of
e ambition.the great
lonb jtehcet
interests
e a laborious e
s ts
o f
hm
humanity
n is
life
yand a
oitnu-
messential that the leading Powers of the world should
the de d
sameb y the
ends same
incht iescewo inspiration,an d that
e ek t
ot they
fislhtohueli
rd be
eegilp
i
oaesi
tt
oo
nn ywchan i
batdisenfacstoorillayrgfeullfily
eleodn,triin.
tmishatsioans;
buted to promote, but which, it is right to observe,
he never could have established on its present
footing if his aspirations had not been discerned
and sharediby the Emperor of the French. Cobden
understood France, and Napoleon 111. under-
stood England, and the mutual understanding
was arrived at on principles conducing to the
advantage, and compatible with the honour, of na-
tions recognising their obligations to each other,
and animated by a sense of duty which, however
variously manifested, is entertained and carried
out under the control of one governing idea. The
Government and the people of England will truly
appreciate and cordially reciprocate the sympathy
witnessing to an identity of opinion that is power-
fully calculated to strengthen those friendly rela-
tions upon the maintenance of which the peace of
Europe and the progress of civilisation mainly de-
pend. In pronouncing a glowing panegyric over
Mr. Cobden's grave, M. Drouyn de Lhuys has
enunciated the truths that regulate the policy of the
empire, and constitute the basis of an alliance we
desire to perpetuate. We never remember an im-
pression so general as that excited by the death of
this " international man." He was, indeed, pos-
sessed of the qualifications which obtain and deserve
success, but infinitely more than that is required to
call forth the European homage which has been ap-
propriately interpreted in the Imperial despatch,
and especially seeing that he did not create the
principles he applied, but simply brought them down
from the regions of theory to the practical level of
common sense. As regards France, this is ex-
plained by circumstances. We may not agree with
M. Drouyn de Lhuys that the prejudices Mr.
Cobden was exempt from can any longer be pro-
perly described as " national prejudices," but he
certainly was. free from the irrational prejudices
which still have, so to speak, a class subsistence in
this country ; and that, no doubt, materially as-
sisted him in working out for the benefit of the
French people the industrial and commercial pro-
blem he had previously solved in England. The
deep concern that has everywhere found sponta-
neous expression admits, however, of only one con-
struction—and we do not advert to it to pay a com-
pliment to our friends on the other side of the
Channel, but to underline the important fact that
the service Mr. Cobden rendered to France is
regarded in the light of an international service,
and that the policy of the French Government
is surely, though gradually, and in some parts
imperceptibly, leavening the European antagonism
which obstructs the advance of liberal
ideas. Free trade has tended to the modifica-
tion of political opinions among ourselves,
and in the hands of the Emperor of the French it
will exercise a like influence over a much wider area.
The barriers that have been broken• down have
opened up a way for the progressive and pacific
abatement of many existing abuses and anomalies,
and, when the thin end of the wedge is admitted, it
deppnds on the strength of purpose engaged whether
it is driven home. Mr. Cobden has left the cause
he made his own to be developed by the inflexible
resolution of a Power which is fully equal to the
responsibilities he was not in a position to under-
take. The communication which Prince de la Tour
d'Auvergne has been requested to make to her Ma-
jesty's Government suggests also another remark.
There can be no misapprehension about the friendly
sentiments the Emperor of the French entertains
towards this country. They have been repeatedly
manifested, and are now again officially and em-
phatically exhibited. It must, however, be owned
that these advances are not always met in a corre-
sponding spirit. The animus which is from time to
time revealed in discussions respecting the Imperial
policy is by no means conciliating, and, inasmuch
as it does not represent the opinion of the great
body of the nation, is, moreover, a double injustice.
Nobody wants to restrict criticism, only let it be
fair and honest ; and it is neither fair nor honest t
eulogise Mr. Cobden for concluding a commercial
treaty with France, and in the same breath, as it
were, question the authority of the Government
which entered into that engagement. Every Eng-
lishman must read the document we published yes-
terday with proud and heartfelt satisfaction. It is,
in truth, an exceptional mark of distinction. The
honour is not undeserved, but its award in this con-
spicuouswoffheierhs airreqemnarenktalyblseucbosnisttrasbtettwo
between
forma
formal manner
relations
governments and countries. We have had a great ex-
ample set us—first, by the illustrious man whose loss
we all deplore, and next by the Imperial Government
of France, which has gone somewhat out of its way
to convey to us its sense of a bereavement it claims
the right to partake in. Such an act invites consi-
deration. Cobden, as M. Drouyn de Lhuys says,
understood France ; and we will venture to add
that all who, like Cobden, approach her without
prejudice, may understand; as he did, that the
Second Empire expresses the deliberate convictions
of the French nation.