The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-15 00:00:00

rHE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVEAING, DECEMBER 15, IE€E.

"his address was frequently interrupted by cheers.
He assured them that he wished to re-establish
the integrity of the Hungarian Crown, and that with
this view he had taken steps to secure the represen-
tation of Transylvania and Croatia in the Diet, and
he directed them, as soon as the principal questions
before them were settled, to decide upon the cere-
monial to be observed at his coronation as King of
Hungary. The EMPEROR also expressed his hopes
that the mutual confidence of King and people
would be increased, and that the great work of
decentralising Austria and Hungary would give
satisfaction to all the nationalities composing the
Empire. The various nationalities which compose
that disjointed empire are in fact a fruitful source
of weakness, and it would need a far more enlight-
ened and liberal administration than the present
Government of Austria to meet the difficulties of the
situation. Austria, to be strong, must be just; and
if she would find Hungary a source of strength, she
must give its intelligent and high-spirited people
reason to trust instead of to suspect her. The
withdrawal of one Constitution, the substitution of
another, the trifling with the real wishes and feel-
ings of the people, the desire to make the tardy
show of justice to Hungary the source of profit
and power to her oppressor, form a conjunction
which indicates rather the necessities of the situa-
tion than the desire to atone for the injustice and
oppression of the past. It is something certainly
that even so much should be gained, and
the opening of the Hungarian Diet by the
EMPEROR is a step on the right road. We
can only hope that its members, by their
prudence, firmness, and patriotism, will succeed
in devoloping constitutional law, and, by so
doing, consult the best interests not only of their
own country, but of the Empire itself, to which a
disaffected and unrepresented kingdom can only be
an encumbrance and a danger.

The alarming spread of the cattle plague certainly
seems to call for more vigorous action, both in the
way of endeavouring to check its extension and of
trying, if possible, to discover some remedy. Hitherto
the interference of the Executive has chiefly been
directed to slaughtering, without compensation, ani-
mals supposed to be infected, and the very unsatis-
factory results of such a course are now inducing
our large landowners and farmers to suggest the
employment of more enlarged or hopeful means of
cure. If the wholesale slaughter system is to be
adopted it is only reasonable and just that those
persons whose property is thus confiscated by
order of the Government should receive some
indemnity for their enforced loss, while it would
be consistent with such a policy to adopt the most
stringent measures for preventing the possible com-
munication of the disease. All fairs, markets, and
exhibitions should be put a stop to, and the traffic
and removal of animals from place to place
entirely forbidden, if we are to attempt to
carry out this theory, but such an undertaking
would be wellnigh hopeless. There is little doubt,
however, that some increased stringency is neces-
sary, and such appears to be the prevailing opinion
at the recent meetings. The representatives of the
various local agricultural societies and farmers' clubs
of the country assembled yesterdhy at St. James's-hall
to discuss the matter. The resolutions which were
adopted recommended that the removal of live
cattle should be forbidden for a limited time, with
the solitary exception of animals for immediate
slaughter; and that a national insurance society,
with a Government guarantee, should be established.
This would probably be the fairest and best way of
dealing with the financial question, and from the
influential character of the meeting no doubt its
memorial will hair° weight with the Government.
A further memorial has been presented to the
Privy Council by some landowners near Lincoln,
who attribute the freedom of their locality from
the pest to the closing of the Lincoln market,
and the precautions adopted in slaughtering, or
returning to the owners, every head of cattle
brought to the place. Meanwhile it is very much
o be regretted that some of the new methods so

strongly advocated have not been given a fair trial
on a large scale. If they failed the question would
be set at rest, while if they succeeded the advantage
would be incalculable. It is surely foolish to talk
of the expense of such experiments, since nothing
can be more hostile to the interests of both breeder
and consumer than to suffer the plague to continue
its ravages unchecked. No system of treat-
ment could prove more fatal than the disease
itself, or than the pole-axe, which seems
to be the favourite remedy. The plague was ex-
tended to so great an extent, and is inflicting such
serious ravages, that it is really quite time for some
more consistent course to be adopted, and for people
and Government alike to address themselves seri-
ously to the consideration of a question which
threatens, if left alone, to assume the most fromid-
able proportions.

BANK OF FRANCE.

PARIS, DEC. 14.

The following is the return of the Bank of France
for the week ending to-day, together with the cor-
responding figures of the previous account :

DEBTOR.

Dec. 7.

Dec. 14.
fr. c.
Capital of the Bank 182,500,000
Profits in addition to
capital (Art. 8, Law,
June 9, 1857) 7,014,776 02 7,044,776 02
Reserve of the Bank
and its branches
Reserve in landed pro-
perty 4,000,000
Notes in circulation .. 875,567,525
Bank notes to order and
receipts payable at
sight
Treasury account cur-
rent creditor
Current accounts, Paris 155,570,908 19 161,917,580 55
Do. branch banks
Dividends payable 832,271 75 856,864 75
Discounts and sundry
interests
Rediscounted the last
six months
surplus of receipts not
distributed
Sundries

182,500,000 -

22,105,750 11 22,105,750 14

4,000,000 -
864,683,325 -

6,754,362 74 7,519,014 44

1,427,623 17 1,427,623 17

Total 1,410,426,870 80 1,402,684,639 06

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

SPAIN.

ENTRY OF THE QUEEN INTO MADRID.

MADRID, DEC. 14 (Evening).

Queen Isabella returned to this city at two
o'clock this afternoon, and was received by the
Duke of Tetuan.

A large crowd, principally of the lower classes,
_assembled in the streets and cheered her Majesty.
The Queen repaired to the Autochar, and returned
to the palace at half-past three o'clock.
Perfect order prevailed.

ROME.

ROME, DEC. 14.

Yesterday the Papal troops attacked a nume-
rous band of brigands, which they dispersed after
two hours' fighting. Three Roman soldiers were
killed.

AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, DEC. 15.

In yesterday's sitting of the Diet of Gorz an ad-
dress was proposed, thanking the Emperor for the
September patent.

THE BRAZILS.
RIO JANEIRO, Nov. 25.
(By Telegraph from Lisbon.)

The Emperor returned here on the 9th inst.
The Paraguayans have evacuated the territory
of Valle Corrientes.

The allied army continues its forward movement.
The allied squadron is at Tres Bocas.
Baror Peneda has been appointed Brazilian
Minister to London.

BUENOS AYRES, Nov. 14.

Exchange, 49} ; dollars, 26.15; salted ox-hides
34; dry do., 35 ; wool, 74 to 100 ; lumber, 35
sugar, 21.

AMERICA.
(Per the China.)
NEW Yenx, Dec. 8 (Evening).
Yesterday and to-day being Thanksgiving Day business
has been suspended.
In the Senate the resolution adcpted by the House for
the appointment of a Committee to report upon the admis-
sion of the Southern representatives has been presented
and laid over. The credentials of the Mississippi senators
has also been presented and laid over, The House has
adopted a resolution discountenancing all suggestions to
repudiate the National Debt. A resolution has been in-
troduced asking the President for information concerning
Maximilian's decree establishing the slavery of the Peonage
in Mexico.

_The Georgia Legislature have passed the constitutional
amendment, and will legislate to protect the freedman's
person and property, and to allow them to testify in the

courts.

Mr. Hoffman, a Democrat, has been elected Mayor oi
New York.

The Fenian Senate is in Session at New York, review-
ing the conduct of the Fenian executive and officers.
In consequence of the Fenian President being about to
issue bonds bearing the signature of the agent of the
Irish Republic, whose appointment the Senate has not
confirmed, but repudiated, the Senate has issued a
manifesto declaring such bonds to be invalid and illegal.
The Senate has called upon the President to send in the
name of the agent of the Irish Republic for confirmation.
The President has not complied.
It is reported that the Governor of New Brunswick has
received information of an intended Fenian raid upon that

province.
The Hibernian and the Bremen have arrived out.

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
NEW YORK, Dec. 5 (Evening).
President Johnson, in his Message to Congress, brings
forward en elaborate argument in favour of his reconstruc-
tive policy. He says :—lt is not too much to ask on the
one side that the plan of Restoration shall proceed in con-
formity with the willingness manifested to cast the dis-
orders of the past into oblivion ; and on the other side,

that the evidence of sincerity in the future mainten-
ance of the Union shall be put beyond a doubt by

the ratification of the constitutional amendments abolish

ing slavery. This being adopted it will remain for the
States to assume their places inCongress, thereby complet-

ing the work of restoration. Treason had been committed
and persons charged with treason should have a fair trial
before a civil tribunal, in order that the laws may be vin•

dicated, and truth established. Treason is a crime, and
traitors should bo punished and crime made infamous, and
it should be judicially settled that no State can secede.
Since the commencement of the year the navy has been
reduced from 530 vessels, armed with 3,000 guns, to 117

vessels with 830 guns. It is proposed to reduce the army
to a peace footing, comprehending 50,000 troops, so
organised as to admit of being increased to 82,000 men if
the circumstances of the country should require it. The
war estimate has been reduced from 516 millions to 33
millions. President Johnson recommends the adoption of
measures to reduce the currency, and that a policy be de-
. _

---
vised for the discharge of the national debt within 30
years.
The gradual reduction of the currency is the only mea-
sure that can save the business of the country from disas-
trous calamities, ami this can be almost imperceptibly
accomplished by gradually funding the currency.
It would be his constant aim to promote peace and amity
with foreign nations, and he believed them to be actuated
by the same disposition.
The accordance of belligerent rights to the insurgents
was unprecedented, and had not been justified by the issue.
There was a marked difference in the system of neutrality
pursue dby foreign Powers. England, in a great measure, fur-
nished the war materiel to the insurgents, British ships manned
by British subjects, and prepared for receiving armaments,
had left British ports to prey on American commerce
under shelter of insurgent commissions. The ships after-
wards entered British ports to refit. This increased the

desolation of the rebellious States by prolonging the con-
test, and it drove the American commerce from the sea

and transferred it to that Power which had created the
necessity for such a change.
A sincere desire for peace had induced President John-

son to submit the questions thus arising between the two
countries to arbitration. These questions are so momen-
tous that they must have commanded the attention of the

great Powers, and are so interwoven with the peace and
interest of every one of them as to have insured an im-
portant decision. England declined arbitration, and pro-
posed a commission to settle mutual claimg, excluding

therefrom the aforesaid depredations. The proposition in
that very unsatisfactory state had been declined. The
United States does not present the subject as an impeach-
ment of good faith on the part of a Power professing the
most friendly dispositions, but as involving questions of
public law, of which the settlement is essential to the peace
of nations. Mr. Johnson thought pecuniary reparation
would have followed on the decision against England.
Such compensation was not the primary object of the
United States. It was in the interests of peace and justice
to establish important principles of international law. "The
British Minister," said Mr. Johnson, " rests his justification
on the ground that the municipal law of a nation and the
domestic interpretation thereof are measures of its duty as a
neutral. That justification cannot bo sustained before the
tribunal of nations. At the same time Ido not advise any
present attempt at redress by the legislation. The future
friendship of the two countries must rest on the basis of
mutual justice."
The United States Government maintained their tradi-
tional policy, leaving European nations to choose their
dynasties from their own systems of Government. This
consistent moderation may justify a demand for a corres-
ponding moderation. The United States would regard it
as a great calamity to themselves, to the cause of good
government, and to the peace of the world, should any
European Power challenge the American people, as it were,
to defend Republicanism against foreign interference. The
United States cannot foresee, nor are they unwilling to
consider, what opportunities might present themselves or
what combinations might offer to protect them against de-
signs inimical to their form of government. They desire
to act in future as they have acted heretofore, and they
will never be driven from that course but by foreign ag-
gressicn,and they rely on the justice and wisdom of foreign
Powers to respect the system of non-interference. The
correspondence with France in reference to questions
which have become subjects of discussion will at the proper
time be laid before the house.
Congress assembled on Monday. In the Senate Mr.
Sumner introduced a new test oath for the inhabitants of
the rebellious States, and a bill to enforce the constitu-
tional amendment by punishing attempts to control the
services of any person contrary to the amendment. A
resolution was also introduced declaratory of the adoption
of the constitutional amendment.
In the House the Clerk read the call of members, omit-
ting the Southern representatives. When the call for
Tennessee was reached a member from Tennessee desired
to speak. The Clerk refused him, whereupon an animate
debate took place, Mr. Brooks protesting against the
omission of the members from Tennessee and Virginia, and
declaring that if Tennessee were not in the Union the Pre-
sident had no right to his place at the White House. The
Clerk ruled that the debate was out of order. The house

elected Mr. Schuyler-Colfax, speaker. Mr. Thaddeus
Stevens offered a resolution appointing a joint committee
of both houses to report whether any of the late rebellious
States aro entitled to representation in either house, with
leave to report at any time by bill or otherwise. No mem-
bers from such States to be admitted into either house
until the report is made and finally acted upon by Con-
gress. All papers relating to the representatives from
the said States to be referred to a committee without
debate. The house refused by a large majority to postpone
or table this resolution. It had previously been unani-
mously adopted at a Republican caucus of 124 members of
Congress held at Washington on Saturday, when the
Radical Republicans took the lead and carried their points.
The Alabama Legislature have adopted the constitu-
tional amendment by an overwhelming vote.
The Louisiana Legislature have declared slavery to be
for ever abolished.

The North Carolina Legislature has elected W. Graham,
an unpardoned rebel, as Senator for the long term. '

General Grant visited both houses of the North Carolina
Legislature, when the Speaker welcomed him in a conci-
liatory address.
The Virginia Legislature has assembled at Richmond,
and the Governor has announced the State debt to bo
641,000,000 against $22,000,000 of assets. He suggested
taxation and the sale of the public railways to meet the
deficiency.

The City of New York and the Lafayette have arrived
out.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF TEE TREASURY.

The report of the Secretary of the Treasury favours the
repeal of the legal Tender Act at the earliest practicable
moment, but does not urge it as an immediate measure.
The paper currency afloat in the United States, including
$700,000,000, is likely to be increased. The repo] t
favours a decided movement towards the contraction
of the currency, in order to save the country from
wide-spread disaster. It recommends the Congress to
declare that compound interest on notes shall cease
to be a legal tender after maturity, and asks authority to
issue 6 per cent. bonds at discretion, for the purpose of
withdrawing the compound interest on United States notes.
It also recommends legislation for the reduction of the
debt, by funding obligations at maturity, and providing
for raising the revenues necessary to pay the interest, and
a oertain definite amount annually for the reduction of the
principal.

The expenditure for the year ending next June will
exceed the receipts by $112,000,000, which is to be pro-
vided for by loans. The estimated revenue for the year
ending June, 1867, will give a surplus of $11,000,000.
The Secretary of the Treasury is averse to a further
issue of certificates of indebtedness for temporary loans,
yet for a short period he may be obliged to resort to them
to meet current expenses. He urges Congress to declare
that the principal and interest of 5-20 Bonds for '62 and
'64 be paid in coin, and opposes the renewal of the Canadian
Reciprocity Treaty.
The Royal mail steamship China, from Boston and
Halifax, arrived at Queenstown at 5.15 a.m. to-day (De-
cember 15), with 122 passengers and $23,815 in specie.
She landed all the mails, except the Scotch, and three
passengers, and proceeded for Liverpool at 15.30 a.m.
All well.