The Sun.
London, England, 1865-10-21 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, OCT. 21, 1865.

Our announcement yesterday, to the effect that
Earl RUSSELL had been summoned to Balmoral by
the SOVEREIGN, has been to-day confirmed. The
noble lord, it is now generally understood, has been
formally entrusted by Tier MAJESTY with the re-
sponsibility of reconstructing the Administration.
If accomplished, this reconstruction of the Cabinet,
to the satisfaction of his colleagues, the necessity,
otherwise immediately probable, for the summary
calling together of the new Parliament, for a brief
winter session and for the purposes of
extraordinary public business, will be alto-
gether removed : the first session of the New
Parliament in that case beginning only at the cus-
tomary period—namely, early in the month of
February.

No little disappointment will be felt throughout
the country, but more especially in the metropolis
--we may rest perfectly well assured of this—by
the intimation of the fact that the great Prime
Minister of England, now lying dead at Brockett
Hall, will be interred with all possible privacy and
simplicity in the neighbourhood of his birth-place at
Broadlands, ilampshire : instead of receiving in all
pomp and solemnity the honours of a Public Funeral,
—being laid in his grave in the midst of a National
Mourning in his only fitting place of sepulture,
namely, among the great ones of England, in
Westminster Abbey.

The intelligence of Lord PALMERSTON'S death is
calling forth, as might have been expected, many
conflicting opinions upon his career and character,
from the Public Organs of the various nations of
the Continent—the majority of the Paris journals
(strange to say, remembering the past !) speaking
of him in terms of evidently unaffected admiration.
About the most notable circumstance mentioned
in to-day's news, from the central part of Southern
turope, is the resignation of office by Monsignore
de ERODE, the War Minister of His Holiness.

Among the more satisfactory pieces of intelligence
coming to us from the other side of the Channel, is
the Welcome intimation of the fact that the Cholera,
which the other day was beginning to manifest its

presence in Paris rather alarmingly, is now disap-
pearing altogether.

It is characteristic of the Emperor that his Ma-
jesty has announced his determination not to quit
the capital for Compeigne until_the Cholera shall
have disappeared from among the Paris population.
Although nothing is said about the Emperor's
activityin preparing for the early issue of the Second
Volume of his " Vie de Caesar," it is understood that
his Majesty's long-looked-for brochure on Algeria
is now upon the eve of publication, the last of the
proof-sheets of it being, at this moment, in rapid
course of correction.

The Cholera, it is worthy of note, is now not o.aly
fast disappearing from Paris, but has already almost
entirely disappeared from Madrid—whence, by the
way, some eighty thousand of the inhabitants were
recently driven through sheer terror of the disease.

Au International Sanitary Conference, in refer-
ence to this dread subject of the Cholera, is begin-
ning tobe talked of as in course of active preparation.
Proposed by France, the scheme has been approved
of by her MAJESTY'S Government. If held, it is
earnestly to be hoped that some practical good re-
sult may ensuo from the Conference, in the way of
enforcing the general adoption throughout Europe
of sound precautionary measures before the warm
season of 1866 shall have commenced.

No surer proof could be given of the important
position which Lord PALMERSTON held, both directly
and indirectly, than the dire confusion into which
every one is plunged at the prospect of naming his
successor. Earl RUSSELL, it is now understood,
however, has been commanded by the QUEEN to
form an Administration, it being only right and fit-
ting, considering the noble lord's position, and his
being the only member of Lord PALMERSTON'S
Cabinet, who has already held the post of First Lord
of the Treasury. Still, with all his valuable expe-
rience and great abilities, it cannot be denied that
there is not much in Lord RUSSELL'S present position
in the political world to insure him a considerable
chance of success. No one knows very clearly
what his general policy is, whether he will keep
up Lord PAL3IERSTON'S practice of inaction as re-
gards domestic reforms, or whether he will strike
out a new line for himself. In some respects hit
ancient renown is against him, because he lost caste
greatly some years ago, and has -never recovered it.
His foreign policy has not been at all in accordance
with the general feeling of the country, and more
opposition would have been shown to him had not
the popularity of Lord PALMERSTON been strong
enough to weather all storms, and carry his col-
leagues through all perplexities. Many hints have
been given that Mr. GLADSTONE is the proper man
for the Premiership, but there are grave
difficulties in the way of his succeeding.
His talents are considerable, and his elo-
quence impossible to surpass ; but his chief
success as a statesman has been finance, and on
several occasions lately, when the illness of the late
Premier made him virtual leader of the House, he
failed utterly to secure its goodwill or to direct its
course. Mr. GLADSTONE'S drawbacks, in a Minis-
terial point of view, are his unfortunate temper
and his want of cordiality and toleration. In face
of the obstacles which these two prominent states-
men seem to find in their way, an expediency
policy has been suggested ; either to select Lord
GEANVILLE or Lord CLARENDON for the first office in
the State, and no doubt either of the noblemen would
gracefully execute their task if the chief difficulties of
devising a policy were taken from them by more
skilled and experienced subordinates. Yet this
middle course would only be a temporary gain at
the best, and no very long continuance could be
prophesied for such a Cabinet. It is not likel
that, under the peculiar circumstances of the case,
any of these eminent statesmen will suffer their own
individual ambition or personal prejudices to in-
trude at such a time. Such a course would be un-
worthy of loyal subjects at a period when their
SOVEREIGN is perplexed, and would show a
want of proper public spirit at a time
of national difficulty. The ever-shifting scenes of
political life are sure to bring many an opportunity
to those really fitted for power, if they have
patience and perseverance, but the present crisis
is not one for an Opposition to take advan-
tage of, nor for members of the ruling party
to consult personal motives. The country will
expect self-denial and resolution to be shown
by the present members of the Cabinet, and it is
their duty to sink all prejudices and to put aside all
desires that at all interfere with the general inte-
rests of the community.

The arrival of the Cuba, with news from New
York up to the 12th of October, brings us on the
whole a satisfactory statement. President JOIINSON
is proceeding cautiously, but surely, on the course of
conciliation and clemency which he has been wise
and humane enough to adopt. An important step
has been taken in the pardon granted to Vice-Pre-
sident STEPHENS ; the Finance Minister, Mr.
TRENHOLM ; Judge CAMPBELL, of Alabama ; and
Governor CLARK of Mississippi. Men naturally
ask if these prominent members of the Confederacy
can be pardoned, why the pardon may not be ex-
tended to its chief ? If the Vice-President can be
forgiven for his so-called rebellion, why should the
President of the Confederacy be more severely judged.
There is good reason to suppose that Mr. Jomc-
SON is only biding his time to accord the long-
sought pardon to JEFFERSON DAVIS, and is waiting
to consolidate his position and become stronger
in his support. It must not be forgotten that he
has very great difficulties to contend against, espe-
cially where his quondam friends and partisans
(the Republicans and Radicals) are concerned. Ho
may wish to try the temper of the people by this
preliminary movement, and to hear what Congress
has to say on the broad question of the relations
between North and South. It is not surprising
that the hopes of Mr. DAVIS'S friends are consi-
derably brightened by recent events, or that
the delegation sent from South Carolina to '
plead the cause of the ex-President is sanguine of
success. North Carolina has decisively disposed of
Slavery, and Alabama has directed the local Courts
to admit negro evidence Pending the decision of the
State Legislature on the point. This is really a
matter of great importance, both in principle and
practice, and the advocates of negro suffrage would
do much better to make this question a sine qua
non, instead of insisting upon political privileges,
which would be really useless to the negro in his
present position. President JOIINSON addressed
a regiment of negro soldiers in Washington
a few days since, and told them that." Liberty"
meant freedom to work, and to enjoy the
produce of their labour, and that now that
they were returning to peaceful life they must
show their fitness for freedom. It is to be hoped
that the disbanded soldiers having been more
under discipline lately will learn better how to
accommodate themselves to their changed position.
The Freedmen's Bureau, we are glad to see. has
stipulated for the admission of the evidence
of negroes in cases in which they are concerned,
and we hope that this condition will be insisted
upon in every re-constructed State. Mr. JOHNSON
has promised a deputation from Kentucky that
martial law shall be repealed throughout that State,
the Negro troops withdrawn, and the abuses of the

Freedmen's Bureau corrected. This will, therefore,
be a good opportunity for insisting on the admis-
sion of negro evidence. The PRESIDENT has shown
on several occasions shis anxiety to establish the
supremacy of Civil Law, and he has, therefore, good
right to stipulate on the removal of an injustice so
flagrant and so inconsistent with the pretensions
of a Republican Government.

It is never very long before the benefits of Free
Trade make themselves felt by any country which
adopts them. Year by year, as the sure test of
practical experience removes prejudices and class
objections, the circle of its advocates grow wider
and wider. In several of the continental nations,
which were formerly most opposed to the theory, a
gradual enlightenment is taking place. The com-
mercial classes find that they are being left behind
in the great race, and that their narrow-minded
anxiety to secure their own interests to the exclu-
sion of all others, ends by defeating itself. The
example of France may, we hope, do much good,
but if proof were needed of the excellence of the
system, it could surely be found in the unparalleled
prosperity and buoyancy of English commerce.
Free Trade commends itself so powerfully to Eng-
lishmen, both by inclination and experience, that it
is surprising it should have been so long neglected
by our large and important possessions in the north-
west. If the British American provinces had
adopted the principle of Free Trade towards all the
world, there can be no question that their progress
would have been as rapid as it would have been
striking. The Provinces are so rich in natural
wealth that they need but little outlay of labour or
capital to develope immense sources of national
wealth, while the encouragement which would be
afforded to emigration by a different system of ex-
ports and imports would supply one of their great
needs —hands to do the work that lies waiting for
them. As it is there are very great obstacles in the
way of an interchange of goods, even betwen the
colonies themselves. Canada, New Brunswick,
and Nova Scotia, have each a separate tariff
and a different system of custom houses.
It is at once manifest what hindrances
this must put in the way of an interchange of com-
modities between the States, a fact the more to be
regretted, as in many respects they could supply
each other's wants. In St. John and its vicinity
there are two cotton manufactories, which, after
supplying the demands of the home market, stand
idle during a great part of the year ; whereas, with
free dealings between the Provinces, there would be
demand enough to keep them constantly in full
work. Of course, if the great principle of Confe-
deration were fully carried out, the interchange of
goods would be much encouraged ; while, if the
present high tariff imposed on imports from this
country and foreign nations were removed, there
would be an immense extension of the area of ens
tomers. There is no natural reason why the British
American Provinces should not make as rapid a
progress as the United States made a hundred years
ago. Their natural advantages are very great ; their
people come for the most of a race not deficient in
either energy or ability ; they possess the advan-
tages of free government and a wise and liberal
constitution. The scheme of Confederation would
supply much of what is lacking, and a general sys-
tem of free ti ado would go far to do the rest. It
would encourage the establishment of manufactories
and mills, which would bring in capital and labour,
while the general rise of the country into notice and
importance would draw to its shores that tide of
emigration which is so much needed. Plenty of
strong and willing hands are needed to clear the
backwoods, but when this is done the resources of
the soil are immeasurable. The American war,
which in one form or another has threatened the
British Provinces with so many dangers, is
now actually producing some good effects, and
is likely to do more. The burden of taxation is
growing so heavy in the States that living has be-
come very dear, and consequently men starting for
a new country will naturally turn their faces else-
where. The Americans themselves are beginning
to show their appreciation of the advantages of a
country not blessed with thelegacy left by a gigantic
war, and American capitalists are looking north-
wards, buying lands in New Brunswick, with the
view of establishing mills and factories. So great is
the difference in the expenses that they calculate in
true American phraseology to undersell their coun-
trymen in the States, even after paying the high
duty on goods crossing the frontier. If Americans
come into the field there will be no lack of energy
or of speculation, but Britishers must not suffer
themselves to be outdone on their own soil. The
Provinces are, it is true, making progress, and, the
annual returns of New Brunswick show a consider-
able increase, it is said, on the imports of the pre-
ceding year. Still the development of the colony,

like those of its neighbours, has not been at all pro-
portionate to its capabilities. There is room for a
much more rapid and not less steady progress.
ALEXANDER wished for new worlds to conquer, but
here they are lying idle, and the conquerors will
not come, though the only weapons they need are
industry and enterprise, and the field is open to all
who are willing to enter it.

The anniversary dinner of the Colchester Con-
servative Club was held on Wednesday, and some
noticeable speeches were made. Mr. MILLER, the
Conservative member for Colchester, made some
observations on the leading topics of interest which
the present day affords, and he took a hopeful
view of things, especially as regarded the prospects
of his party. As for the seats which they had lost
at the general election, he considered that the
majority on the Ministerial side would be very con-
siderably diminished when the searching scrutiny of
committees tried the validity of certain elections.
It is true that such a result often ensues after any
great struggle has taken place, so that the hon.
member's remarks are not so out of the pale of pro-
babilities as some may suppose, and he may prove
to be more a true prophet than a prejudiced partisan.
Mr. MILLER denied the truth of the assertion which
some people persisted in making, that the Conser-
vatives were opposed to all kinds of change, and he
did not object to improvements when they were
needed. lie thought also that a " lull " was some-
times a great advantage to a country like ours, be-
came it afforded a chance of our turning attention
to matters of a " social, moral, educational, and a
sanitary character ;" and certainly at the present
juncture many of these are needed, especially the
latter. The calamity of the cattle plague and the
threatened invasion of the cholera have disclosed
our ignorance and carelessness to a frightful extent,
and it would almost seem as if we courted
the approach of these evils by our shameful neglect
of needful precautions, and our violation of proper
rules of health and due regard for the public safety.
It will be well if the new Parliament inaugurates
its career by making some regulations in this
respect, and instituting reforms which are so much
needed. So much should not be left to the judg-
ment and responsibility of private individuals ; and
if in some important cases, such as the drainage of
small houses, inspectors were appointedwtoouilndsibset
upon proper care being taken, much good
done.

In the traffic of cattle, also, there are many evils
which the law should interfere to rectify, and the