The Sun.
London, England, 1865-11-06 00:00:00

!
a i
jr pir. 0 ;,,,al, , uu.
IV m.V.^.4.,,,..."

LONDON, MONDAY, NOV. 6, 1865.

On Friday Mr. GLADSTONE had a glorious opportu-
nity before him, and he certainly made the most of
it. Those who were fortunate enough to hear the
valedictory address are not likely soon to forget it.
The right hon. gentleman appeared in a distinct
character from that of the Statesman or Minister,

and shone forth conspicuously, as he well might, as

the polished orator, the accomplished scholar, and
the brilliant man of letters. The theme of his dis-
course was " The Place of Ancient Greece in the
Providential History of the World," which was a
very appropriate one, and one also to which the
orator was peculiarly fitted to do justice from
his tastes and studies. Ile commenced by
remarking that no one could doubt that the
people who inhabited that " little cluster of rugged

mountains and of narrow vales played a great
part upon the stage of history, and left an inde-
lible mark upon the character of the human race,"
and also, it is certain, that Christian Europe has
assigned to Greece the largest share in the culti-
vation of the human mind. This doubtful and
disquisitional age, however, has presumed to ques-
tion the utility of this devotion to classic studies.
Mr. GLADSTONE endeavoured to point out the fal-
lacy of those persons who inferred, if they did not
exactly declare it, that the Providential care of the
ALMIGHTY had been confined in narrow limits
of old to the valley of Jerusalem, and
in modern times to the Christian pale,
and, according to some, not to all within that
circle. Now, exclaims the right hon. gentleman, in
earnest and emphatic terms, surely it would be a
Paradox to deny that " He who cared for the six
score thousand persons in ancient Nineveh, who
could not distinguish between their right and their
left; He without whom not a sparrow can fall ; Ile
that shapes in its minutest detail, even the inani-
mate world, and clothes the lily of the field with its
beauty and its grace, Ile never forgot those sheep
of Ills in the
wilderness." Those who carefully
follow out the discourse of Mr. GLADSTONE, and
dwell upon his characteristic definitions and
elaborate descriptions, can hardly fail to
realise his meaning, and to recognise the
truth of the opinion that he asserts, and
concur in the notion that an important part in
what we call the providential history of the world
was given to a race of such unrivalled gifts in the
great plan for the " rearing and training of the
human children of our FATHER in Heaven."

The superiority of this race is shown by some of
the peculiarities which distinguished it, and which
spring more from innate qualities than from trained
Intelligence. A profound reverenco for human Ill()

And further on he shows the contrast between hu-
man excellence and divine influence. " Palestine
had no share in the glories of our race ; they blaze
on every page of the history of Greece with an
overpowering splendour. Greece had valour, policy,
renown, genius, wisdom, wit ; she had all, in a word,
that this world could give her ; but the flowers
of Paradise, which bloom thinly, blossomed
in Paradise alone." The difficulty then, it would
seem, in studying this subject of the attainments of
the ancient Greeks lies in the fact that we must
accord enough, and not too much importance to their
meaning and influence. They are important parts
in the grand system of development and progress by
which the human race is destined to approach
as near as may be to the standard of perfection.
" Tracing the footmarks of the Most High in the
seemingly bewildered paths of human history," we
shall find, as is here eloquently expressed, " every-

where, before and behind us and above us and be
neath, the Power which

" Lives through all life, extends through all extent,
Spreads undivided, operates unspent.'"
So comprehensive a subject as this which Mr.

GLADSTONE has selected for the theme of his part-
ing address is sure to find many critics, but no
fault can be found with the general argument,

whatever controversy may exist as to matter o:

detail, and not only as a splendid exhibition of learn.

ing and a grand illustration of research may this
discourse be commended to the attention of the
student and the philosopher. It is useful as well as

ornamental, and contains suggestions that are alike
interesting and important; there reasoning is blended

with the principles of true religion, and we may
follow the cause of the inquiry, content to believe

that it will arrive at a conclusion in which all Chris

tians may concur as to the boundless wisdom of the

Divine influence on human actions, to which the

sublime and beautiful are ministers.

and human nature is conspicuous at a very remote
period of their history. Hence we find, as here
stated, " the highest refinements of the manners of
the gentleman existing at a time when among the
Greeks the material appliances of civilisation were
in their infancy, and when writing and the alphabet
were practically unknown." The sentiment of
honour was the prevailing one in those times, and
it is impossible to over-estimate or exaggerate its
effects on the minds of those who entertain it in a
high degree or to a great extent. It is curious to
observe that human sacrifice does not appear in the
pages of HOMER, and did not belong to the original
usages of Greece ; it seems to have come in at last
by contagion from abroad, and not to have been
identical with the dispositions of the people. All
the most famous portions of their literature testify
to the abhorrence in which this barbarous practice
was held among them. The Greeks were also most
distinguished for the care they took in preserving
their bodies from insult, and this is evidenced in
many ways. PRIAM'S horror was great at the
idea of his body being torn by dogs, and many
others shared his horror of exposure and injury.
The beauty of the human face was highly reverenced
in Greece, but caricatures were almost unknown
there.

Mr. GLADSTONE considers that the "anthropo-
morphic spirit of the Greek religion was the source
of that excellence in art which has become to afcer
ages a model for imitation, and a tribunal without
appeal," and no doubt he is perfectly right in his
theory. This poetical and refined religion of theirs
exalted their conceptions and softened their tastes,
and was most favourable to art. It is difficult to
find a more interesting study than that of the
Greek artist, surrounded by all that is beauti-
ful, and ever seeking to excel his pre-
vious efforts. So much skill and such
rare opportunities could not have been bestowed in
vain; they were intended to work out a purpose and
to fulfil a mission, and the best proof of their impor-
tance is, that the generations which have succeeded
to the ancient Greeks have not attained to their par-
ticular point of excellence in art,while their achieve-
ments do not enhance the mind or charm the
taste like the doings of those in the days of old.
The purport of this discourse is to show that the
Greek life was for a purpose beyond itself and the
intellectual pioneer of Christian civilisation —in
other words, that while Christianity has been the
salt of the earth, we must not forget the things
which were worthy of preservation, and which the
Christian religion enables us more the fully to en-
joy and to appreciate, turning talent to its right
use, and making genius conduce to the glory of its
Giver more than to the fame of any individual.
The most touching history of old cannot be found
in the pages of the classics, and Mr. GLADSTONE
has forcibly displayed the difference that exists be-
tween the things that relate to the glories of this
world and those which appertain to the better things,
which are eternal. " All the wonders of the
Greek civilisation heaped together are less won
derful than is the single work of the Psalms,

abruptly yet distinctly offered itself to the last Ad•
ministration at the moment when the work of resto.

ration was to begin ; at the moment when, although

unperceived by the world, it did begin, and it is the

only plan which thus seasonably presented itself ;

and therefore is the only possible plan which then

or ever afterward could be adopted." This is corn

prehensive certainly, but, at any rate, Mr.
SEWARD, not hitherto so friendly to the South,
unhesitatingly accepts the reconstruction system

being possibly influenced by its success. It is always
easier and pleasanter to pronounce an opinion on a

plan after it has been tried than before, but Mr,

SEWARD takes credit for having had this very. plan
in his mind, when he once said that he thought by

mingled persuasion and pressure the States

might be made to return to their allegiance,
This, he says, was the explanation given by Mr,

ADAMS to Lord PALMERSTON, when that sagacious

Minister observed, with his accustomed shrewdness,
in reference to the restoration of the Union, that

any man might lead the horse to the water, but no

man could make him drink. Mr. JOHNSON has found

President JOHNSON'S opinions on the reconstruc
tion of the Southern States have been very fully
expressed in a conversation with Mr. GEORGE
STEARNS, which that gentleman has since published.
Mr. JOHNSON'S views are, as might have been ex-
pected, liberal and enlightened, while they are
totally devoid of that exaggeration and ferocity
which mark the theories of the extreme partisans of
either side. It must be borne in mind, in reading
Mr. JemisoN's observations on the position of the
negro in the Southern States, that he himself is a
Southern man, that he has been intimately acquainted
with the tone of feeling both of the negro and his
master, that he has seen the working of the system
in full action, and that he really knows what he is
talking about—a knowledge by no means insepar-
able from political declamation. Mr. JOHNSON, in
discussing the vexed question of negro suffrage,
unhesitatingly declared that it would not do to give
the negro universal suffrage at the present moment,
for that such an arrangement would occasion a war
of races. Seven years ago, he said, such a thing
could not have been mentioned in the North itself,
and the changes in the South have been far
more rapid and violent than those in the LORD PALMERSTON AT COLLEGE.—Authentic re
North. The Southerners have been obli miniscences of his university days are rare and
ged, in scanty ; but those who knew his contemporaries at St.
Mr. JOHNSON'S words, to accept more unpalatable
John's say that, as an undergraduate, he passed for a man
truths than their neighbours, and it is only fair to
of considerableability,tthote wouldu:hitwa rise,sne like
euvittredor byn
fling,
his
give them time to reconcile themselves to the to
most sanguine
friends h
the highest posts. He was lively, high-spirited,
changes forced upon them, and to understand their
and as full of fun as a schoolboy, and no bad hand with his
new position. This is the only way in which the fi.sts, asp madny a "bargaeld"
honve thte btatfinkds ofHtthsetuCtaomr ,atlosnf
predominant authority can hope to see its dictates John's,- it shouldaybe added, was Dr. Wood, afterwards head
fairly accepted by the Southerh people, and the of that college and Dean of Ely ; and it should be men-
tioned to Lord Palmerston's credit that, although ho did
theories which it so strenuously upholds become
not seek University honours, he showed such mathematical
really incorporated with the feelings of the nation, Powers, that, in spite of his not being a reading man, ho
Those abolitionists who look upon the negroes as took a high place in the college examinations. In after
an oppressed nation, and expect that in giving them life, when he went down from time to time to Cambridge,
as member fur the university, he was remarkable for his
freedom they will at once know how to deal with it good humour, tact, and kindness, and entire freedom from
like the Italians or the Poles, may learn some all affectation, humbug, and pomposity; but even then
none of his friends dreamed that he would ever make
good
startling truths from Mr. JOHNSON'S observations, running in the race for the premiership; and it was thought
remembering that he has been himself formerly a rather a good joke than otherwise for the Combination
slaveholder "in practice, though not in principle," Room of
his
duringcollege,a wparhelnismoneentaofrythee. resis sorn~ turning
from from town,
ago, brought it down as a piece of club news, that years
as as well as Governor of a Southern State, and inti-
mately acquainted with the whole working of the was a rumour at the West End that Palmerston was likely
Southern system. Mr. JOHNSON declares that for- to become Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.—Once a
merly the antagonism in the slaveholding States was Week.
---
between the non-slaveholding whites and the negro, QUITE RIGHT. —Mr. Alderman Wilson has offered
to present a very handsome new stained-glass window for
and that the outrages now committed are mostly Guildhall, to be painted by English artists. Mr. Alderman
between these two hostile parties. There was a
Wilson offered to place one in St. Paul's Cathedral, but his
time in the Southern States, he tells us, when the offer was not accepted, unless it should be painted
.at
slavesof large owners looked down Ilion non-slave Pi
Munich.. He is determined to try English talent.—City

he secret of persuading him to drink, and the grea

art consists in leaving him alone to follow his own

natural way. The reconstruction system is based
upon the principles of that Constitution which all

Americans cherish, which the Confederates wished to

establish for themselves,the same in principle, though

with a Southern centre instead of a Northern one

It recognises tho doctrine of State rights, and espe

cially it restores the supremacy of civil government
to a people exhausted and wearied by a prolonged

military despotism. Being thus founded on a solid

and enduring basis, there is hope that, in spite of all
temporary drawbacks and local difficulties, it may
succeed in restoring to the people that peace and

prosperity which have been so long absent from

them ; and, as Mr. SEWARD observed, turbulence

and faction in the South, and doubt, distrust, or
defiance in the North, are alike opposed to the spirit

of that work of reconciliation and restoration which

every true patriot, whether of North or South, now

'eels to be the only thing sought for by his country,

owners , and the larger the number of slaves which
their m, aster owned the prouder they were. Before
we cond, man the negro too severely for such feelings,
we must remember that they are the natural fruit
not of the temporary subjugation of an educated
people, hut of long centuries of degradation of an
ignorant and inferior race. If even political sub-
jection is in'iariably followed by evil traces of its
effects on the heart and mind and conscience of a
people, how much more may we expect to find
lowering and degrading consequences result from
individual oppression, enforced ignorance, and ser-
f vile treatment. The majority in the Northern States
look upon the negro with contempt and dislike, and
when we recall the aversion formerly expressed to
the presence of a negro in a car or at an hotel table,
we shall feel that it ill becomes the North to be tco
severe on the Southern people because they are un-
willing at once to admit their former slaves to full
and free political equality. There seems at least no
reluctance to accept the doctrine of unqualified
abolition, and this is really the great question,
though Mr. WENDELL PIIILLIPS and his associates
seem anxious to divert attention from this great
practical and enduring gain to a matter which is
in reality quite extraneous. Mr. JOHNSON is
in favour of a gradual introduction of the
negro suffrage. He observed to Mr. STEARNS
that if he were still in Tennessee, that is to say, if
he had not assumed the grave responsibility of
legislating for the nation, he would begin by ad-
mitting those who had served in the army, then
those who could read and write, and then those
with a property qualification of 200 or 250 dol-
lars. There is no doubt that the negro insurrec-
tion in Jamaica, of which we have as yet received
no particulars, will operate unfavourably on the
political prospects of their countrymen in the
States. Moderate men will be less inclined to re-
move all restraints from the blacks when they hear
of such an outbreak, and they will be still more
inclined to adopt the policy, which is in fact the
only safe one, of gradual progress. As for the
idea of direct interference in the matter Mr. JokiN-
SON very justly says, that "If I interfered with the
' vote in the rebel States to dictate that the negro
shall vote, I might do the same thing for my own
purposes in Pennsylvania." This is a fact which
extremists of all parties are very apt to forget, and
which the New England politicians certainly do
not take the trouble to remember. They would
gladly see forced on the Southern States measures
which are completely hostile to their feelings and
customs, but they would be very unwilling to
admit_the right of the central authority to dictate to
themselves. The principle on which they would act
toward4the South is, in fact, one of centralisation,
which is entirely opposed to popular right and to
the doctrine of self-government, and is, in fact, the
friend and ally of despotism. The Southern States,
Mr. JOHNSON says plainly, must be left to legislate
for themselves. The North has the power to restrain
and control them if necessary, but it must be re-
membered that the reconstruction of the States and
the pacification of the country cannot be carried out
hastily. Matters must be left to time to work out
gradually, and in the meanwhile there is good rea-
son to hope that tolerance and respect for civil law
will be the order of the day at Washington.
In conjunction with the report of the con-
versation between the PRESIDENT and Mr. STEARNS,
we have a speech delivered by Mr. SEWARD at
Auburn. There is nothing very new in the Secre-
tary of State's address, but it is chiefly remarkable
for a full acceptance of Mr. Jonicsori's policy, for
which, however, Mr. JOHNSON does not get the
credit. Mr. SEWARD plainly implies that it was
the policy of the former administration, that is
to say, of himself and President LINCOLN.
" All speak of it," he says, " as if it were a new and
recent development." On the contrary, we now see
that it is not ANDREW JOHNSON'S plan specially, nor
even a new plan in any respect. It is the plan which

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.
ARRIVAL OF THE HECLA.
LIVERPOOL, Nov. 6.

The extra Cunard screw steamer Hecla, Captain
Macaulay, from New York, on the 25th October,
arrived here this morning.
Her news has been anticipated.

ARRIVAL OF THE SHENANDOAH AT
LIVERPOOL.

LIVERPOOL, Nov. G.
The Confederate privateer Shenandoah arrived

here at noon to-day.
No particulars concerning her are at presen

known.

SWITZERLAND.
BERNE, Nov. 6.
The Federal Council have elected M. Knusel,
Federal Councillor for Lucerne, President of the
Confederation for 1866, and M. Formerod, Federal
Councillor for Vaud, Vice-President.