The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-11 00:00:00

the cause of that danger. Here follows a passage
so entire in its comprehensiveness, and so excellent
in its purport that it is worthy of quotation, and all
who read it must certainly be kby its force
and fluency. " The danger of break-up of the
Confederation did not lie in the views of the
minority upon the 7th of December in the preceding
year, and the sth of December last, as to the
right of the Confederation to occupy the Duchies—
but in the views of the Prussian Government as to
its right to take the law into its own hands." Can
anything be better timed than this, and does it not
exactly explain the working of the case in regard to
its complex and intricate manoeuvres. Prussia is
caught in her own toils by this masterly reply, and
just when she thought to make a grand display and
vindicate her power, behold the effort has called
down a reproof and reproach that must make her
feel alike ashamed and annoyed. Further on the
Bavarian Minister proceeds to declare that it is not
the province of any individual Government to
decide upon the competence of the Diet, but the
" Federal Assembly itself " is alone competent to do
so. The high-flown and grand-sounding declara-
tion of the Russian Government to await the resolu-
tion of the Federal Diet, is effectually put down
by the very simple and straightforward intimation
of the writer that such is the indispensable course
to pursue in all difficulties, and also adds that, in
the event of any " active proceedings against the
Saxon Government" they would then be obliged to
recognise an open breach of the Confederation.
Finally, Herr VON DER PFORDTEN considers the real
point of importance when he treats of the intima-
tion which Herr VON BISMARK makes at the con-
clusion of his despatch, when he declares it very
easy to inform them of the determination of Prussia
to maintain intact her rights and inviolate her pri-
vileges. Truly is this passage thus comprehended
here in these words—" We are therefore almost
forced to believe that the real object of Herr VON
BISMARK's despatch is to deter the KING'S Govern-
ment froni every further vote in the Federal Assem-
bly to which the Prussian Government does not
acknowledge its right." This is, in truth, the most
correct interpretation to put upon the whole affair,
and a very proper answer is made to the impertinent
intimation. It is distinctly asserted that in the
event of such being the intention of the Berlin
Cabinet the KING'S Government declares that they
intend in the future, as in the past, to " base their
votes solely upon their own convictions," and to be
guided by the fundamental laws of the Assembly
itself, and not " the will of an individual Govern-
ment." A plainer answer could not have been
given to a crooked question, or a more honest reply
made to the request of a dishonest and dishonour-
able policy, which, under cover of rights, scruples
not to do great wrongs, and thus to make a cat's-
paw of the Federal Assembly to crush its antago-
nists, and thus reign supreme the despot over the
States supposed to be joined together in the bonds
of unity, in terms of amity, and a position of
equality. It is well said at the end of this reply
that the KING'S Government attaches value to the
continuance of the Confederation, not because of
immediate advantages, but because it is a duty to
keep the " political bond of the entire German na-
tion." But is added they do not see that it is either
right or fitting that in an association of States pos-
sessed of equal rights a single member should be
permitted to prescribe the measure of the action of
the " Confederation." Such an answer as this is
well timed, and reflects great credit upon the Bava-
rian Government, but at the same time it must be
borne in mind that Prussia is playing with edged
tools in this insane attempt to tyrannise over the
minor States. Some clay when least expected
France will take the alarm, and then woe betide the
autocracy of Berlin. The feud now commencing
in the Germanic Confederation augurs ill for the
prospects of Prussia.

Very speedily there has been a break in the cloud
overhanging the military fortunes of the Confede-
racy, and a check has been given to the exulta- '
tion of the North. Savannah, it is true, has fallen,
and HOOD'S progress in Tennessee has as yet brought
little profit, but these disasters have been quickly
followed by a decisive and important success. The
grand combined attack on Wilmington has been
repulsed, and repulsed in such a concluiive manner
that the opposing General openly announces the
impregnability of the fort, and retires with his
army to Fort Monroe, leaving his naval coadjutor
to follow him or not as he may think proper. This
is a great gain to the South. The retention of Wil-
mington is of the greatest importance to them, and
had it fallen into the hands of the enemy the loss of
Savannah would indeed have been overshadowed by
the worst disaster. The expedition has been long
planned, and the preparations for it were made as
usual regardless of expense. It is remarkable that
the tide of war should have been turned by a single
fort against which the whole efforts of the fleet and
troops were directed in vain. Fort Fisher may here-
after rank by the side of Fort Sumter, as a tower of
strength, for General BRAGG'S official despatch from
Wilmington, dated the 28th, reports that the fort is
uninjured, the enemy repulsed at all points, and the
Confederate loss 50. It is difficult to understand
how so little damage can have been done, if we are to
accept Admiral PORTER'S account of having
exploded a powder ship with three hundred
tons. of gunpowder under the very walls of
the fort. The explosion, says another report, failed
of success, and certainly if 300 tons of powder left
no more trace of their explosion than the disable-
ment of two guns and slight damage to unimportant
buildings, the effect was scarcely what might have
been expected. The Admiral appears to have been
by far the most energetic of the two commanders,
and, in fact, plainly intimates that he thinks his
coadjutor showed little perseverance. On Saturday,
the 24th, the whole fleet bombarded Fort Fisher
and kept up their fire, steadily firing altogether
during the attack 26,000 rounds of ammunition.
Admiral PORTER, indeed, claims to have silenced
Fort Fisher, exploded two magazines, and fired the
'ort in several places. On the Sunday 3,000 troops un-

der WEITZEL effected alanding, and entered the out-
works, capturing two batteries. Hesoon found, how-
ever, that an assault was impracticable, though he
advanced within 50 yards of the fort. He therefore
re-embarked the same evening, and General
BUTLER informed the Admiral that the assault was
hopeless, and that nothing but. a regular siege
would reduce the fort, which was substantially un-
injured by the navy fire. When a fort remains
comparatively unhurt by 26,000 rounds of atumu-
nition and the explosion of 300 tons of powder there
is certainly not much to hope from an assault.
Admiral PORTER, indeed, asserted that he could
keep the Confederates from showing themselves
sa
d
than
during.he the advance of the assaulting column, and
thought it would be easier to manage
w,'' .111)130sed. General BUTLER, however,
a
was less venturesome, and was less inclined.
to trust himself too near'
with all possible expedition. he therefore prepared the Confederate gallows ;
his return. to Fort Monroe
another that it
the fleet has returned to n.One account says that
the ammunition is exhaustediln:
remains Beaufortatw to await orders,
great vexationsing A n, which, if
Naturally enough,
is felt in the
1 forth at this f2AI ve.rY little use.
-um The •
3°llnlAl- freely admit