The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-09 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

THIS DAY.—Morning, h. m.—Afternoon, 12h.
To-3loußow.-3forning, 12h. 45m.—Afternoon, lh. 14in.

Tb:
Zit t
.7\71)

LONDON, MONDAY, JAN. 9, 1865.

--4, -

The arrival of the Cuba serves in some respects
to confirm the intelligence previously received,
although there are several points which qualify the
first impression. It seems on the surface as if the
fortunes of the North were altogether in the ascen-
dant, but a little closer supervision proves that
things are not as bad for the Confederates as their
adversaries profess to believe. A temporary suc-
cess is enough to fill the North with exultation, and
in the first excitemeut of the triumph they do not
always pause to examine too closely into the
grounds of their rejoicing. Their leaders, well
aware of this, do not scruple to make the most of
their news if it be good, and if it be bad they keep
it back, clip and trim it until the public receives but
a very small share of its due portion. Sometimes
indeed a canard is set afloat which is altogether a
canard, and has the barest foundation in fact, but
it often passes muster, at least for a day or two, and
answers the purpose of its promulgators. This has
not been the case with the capture of Savannah,
which the North has some reason, for rejoicing over,
as
,it is a decided triumph for them; and although
the Southern papers, according to the last mail, had
predicted its
fall, still its capture is no doubt a step
gained by the Federals. It would have been a still
greater achievement if the
opposing army had not
made good its retreat before the entry of the Fede-
rals, but HARDEE succeeded in removing his whole
force across the river, where he
Savannah, Albany, and Gulf now protects the
Railway,twwillhlb.
ehaSnHER
MAN is endeavouring to destroy,
Ic
im-
portant gain to the Confederates if they
succeed
keeping that line open, and HARDRvs in
the Savannah will serve to centralise "
~utumAac s
efforts in that direction. Previous to his _ evacuation
of Savannah HARDEE destroyed the navy yards and
the ironclads, but the Federals gained possession of
150 guns and -30,000 bales of cotton, valued at

8,000,0001. In face of this success SHERMAN will
_ probably become hero of the day, the most popular
general of the North ; but President LINCOLN'S
half-jesting observation, that no' one knew where

he would come out, is true in both ways.

It is ye

uncertain what the ultimate result of his grand
march may be, although he deserves credit for the
boldness with which he planned and the skill with
which he effeeted it. The broad waters of the Sa-
vannah still roll between him and Charleston.

Should he make that his object he will have to work •
his way across, opposed by HARDEE'S troops.
Should Augusta be his aim, he will have to •
march some distance northward, and in
either case before he reach his object HARDEE
will probably be reinforced by BEAUREGARD.
HOOD'S retreat is probably made the most of, but
nothing very definite comes from Tennessee. We
learn, however, that a Federal brigade in pursuit
of him had been repulsed, and that he was reported
to be moving on Bainbridge. The great point of
interest is now Wilmington, and, as yet, the news
is favourable to the South. A furious attack has
been made upon Fort Fisher, below Wilmington, on
the 24th ult., by the Federal fleet, consisting in all
of fifty vessels, when a fire averaging thirty shots
per minute was kept up from one o'clock until night.
BUTLER succeeded in landing a force between the
fort and the city, and assaulted the former, but he
was repulsed with considerable loss. Three hundred
tons of gunpowder were to be exploded close to the
fort, and it may be surmised that this had some
connection with the shock as of an earthquake felt
about the same date at Newburn. It is evident
that BUTLER received a complete repulse, for the
rumour was current in New York that the whole
expedition had returned, and gold advanced in con-
sequence. The Government contradicted this re-
port, asserting that only one vessel had returned to
Fort Monroe. The retention of Wilmington is a
most important consideration for the Confederates,
as, if that were captured, it would greatly facilitate
the Federal designs upon Charleston, which would
be placed between two fires. The Southerners are
consequently concentrating their forces there, and
the troops which left LEE'S army for an unknown
point undoubtedly tookthe direction of Wilmington.
The Southern Commander-in-Chief has little to
fear from his Northern rival, GRANT having so
greatly weakened his forces lately by the Wilming-
ton expedition. GRANT is getting so weary of the
hopeless inaction before Richmond that he has ap-
plied for leave to conduct the war from Washing..
ton, which request was refused by LINCOLN. GRANT
naturally feels the contrast between the inglorious
ease of his position as General of a corps of
observation, as the Petersburg army has been
styled, and the fame newly acquired by
SHERMAN. Ile has reason. for uneasiness, for
his fate will probably be that of his predecessors.
A fresh name and fresh successes will catch
the popular humour, and all the achievements and
labours of the past will be forgotten. Whatever
claim the Federal Generals may have upon the gra-
titude of their country, they have certainly not re-
ceived very active tokens of it. SHERMAN'S star is
now in the ascendant, and GRANT, all chance of
competition for the Presidency over, will be thrust
aside when the moment comes when it is advisable
to appease the popular irritation at the statu quo of
the rival forces at Richmond.

Now that the day is definitively fixed for the
meeting of Parliament, it naturally occurs to the
mind to reflect upon the duties entailed upon those
who are to take part in its deliberations, and still
more upon those who are to lead the van and direct
the progress of affairs. ;it is high time that the
period of stupefaction into which our Legislature
has fallen should cease, for it is alike unworthy
of the country and the events which are oc-
curring around us. Tyrants, usurpers, rulers
of the worst description, all have 'their admirers,
compared with these dastardly sem-blances
of authority, these counterfeit presentments of
royalty. It would appear as if our far-famed
Parliament was destined to rival this inglorious re-
nown, this responsibility without influence, and this
position without advantages. In the midst of
stirring events, such as mankind has rarely wit=
nessed, the representatives of the people who should
be the foremost in the world are supposed to do
absolutely nothing, but fold their arms and let
things take their course. All reforms at home are
in abeyance, because the affairs abroad are so en-
tangled ; but of what use we are in effecting the
severance of the Gordian knots that confound and
of ict our brethren in other lands, it would puzzle
the most astute to tell us. Our Foreign Secretary
has told the nation to rest and be thankful, which
may be a safe and convenient, but is, undoubtedly,
a very one-sided policy to pursue. Our Prime
Minister has declared that we could have done
nothing if we had gone to war, which is, cer-
tainly, very encouraging, and reflects about equal
credit upon the valour of our forces and the dexterity
and efficiency of our administration. Yet there
may be some who are wearied with this lame and
impotent conclusion to all our ancient glories and
well-known achievements. Are we to sink into a
fourth or fifth-rate power, after towering aloft
amid the empires of the world through centuries of
well-won triumphs? Shall it be a matter of indif-
ference to foreign countries whether our Parliament
is sitting a not, because they know that nothing
will ensue from its deliberations that can influence
opinion or change the current of affairs. How
different would things be now, had our Ministers
only assumed their proper place. It is no exaggera-
tion to say that we might not now have to deplore
the destruction of Denmark, or to bewail the con-
tinuance of the war that is decimating the Anglo-
Saxon race across the Atlantic. It is now too late,
unfortunately, for words of wisdom or decisive acts
to do anything for the maintenance of the rights of
Denmark, but it is not too late,for some effort to be
made on behalf of the Confederate States struggling
for independence, and maintaining the conflict with
a courage and constancy that is worthy of their
forefathers. Why, in the name of common sense,
are we to recognise other states of less importance,
and omit to do so in the instance of the Confede-
rates ? Their position is better by a great deal
than that of the Emperor MAXIMILIAN of Mexico.
Political reasons ought to have nothing to do with
matters which rest on the broad basis of truth. In-
termeddling constantly with the affairs of other
people is a mistaken course to pursue, and one
that never brings much credit to either party,
but that is quite different from leaving wrong to be
perpetrated because we are too tame and too timid
to do our part. If our Government follow the wise
and natural course which by precedent they are
authorised to do, they will effectually put a period
to this distracting war, and save the best interests
of humanity. Besides the immense advantages that
will accrue abroad, at home we shall experience the
benefit of a relief to the overpressed manufacturers
of Lancashire. It has been the fashion to point to
their sufferings, and say what a sacrifice we were
making in the cause of right. Is it in that cause,
thing not used for a party
or is that, high and holy
erY, is not its name taken in vain to suit party ends
and Perverse purposes ? It is quite time that our
Ministers assumed a direct and definite policy, and
that Our Parliament resume its place amid the great
councils
of nations There was a time when the
sound of our vords went out into all lands, when
-
the nations, and kind
eds, and peoples, and tongues
were eager to learn
-what turn
the beneficial course
of our mercy would
presage of the offended •
vtimene:eanarecec,hgediatnniay, and
be said, and we are to
our-
selves at this period of our
ahinuisdatnot to
ye r
stlreef
gone
ofbnolerei
hatnhdae
majesty of our wrath. Old
orn
toeld
find
dejected, of no use to the oppressed, of no account

with the oppressor, high and dry, while the waters
of progress flow in other and more favoured direc-
tions. Unless the session of 1865 afford more satis-
factory proofs of perseverance, and more beneficial
efforts for the benefit of mankind, it may well be
said that the prestige of the Parliament is over, or
at all events, under a cloud which obscures its lustre
and seriously compromises its reputation.

In the military intelligence of Saturday there ap-
pears a case of peculiar hardship, and also one which
serves to illustrate very forcibly the great errors
that are made in the administration of affairs in
regard to disabled soldiers and seamen. It was only
the other day that attention was called to the case
of three men who were left totally destitute upon
the ship's company being paid off, and had it not
been for the timely charity of their mates they
would have been left to starve. So much for official
justice ; mercy seems indeed quite out of the ques-
tion. With regard to the incident in question,
Thomas Martin, 34 years of age, has served for
twelve years and a half in various regiments of the
line, and during that period has shared the perils of
the Crimean campaign, not escaping from them un-
injured, for he was severely wounded in the right
foot at the taking of the quarries. In consequence
of his wound he has become blind, and is discharged
as unfit for further service. All that has been done
to recompense him for his long services has been an
award of 6d. a day pension, for the term of
fifteen months, after that period he will be entirely
without resources. Now this man has earned
golden opinions from his superiors, his discharge
ticket is marked " good," while his valour in the field
has been testified by his gaining Crimean and
Turkish medals with clasps for Alma, Inkerman,
and Sebastopol. It is monstrous to reflect upon
that he is to be sent off to drag on the remainder
of his days in misery and destitution. To break
the fall, to compromise their niggardliness, the
authorities dole out their meagre sum for a short
period, and then in the name of a grateful
country, they bid the sufferer to " starve,"
for it amounts to that in so far as they
are concerned. Can nothing be done to pre-
vent such wanton treatment of our naval
and military defenders ; must they peril their lives,
sacrifice their comfort, expend their strength, and
undergo fatigue and suffering, in order that such a
doom should at last reward their efforts and crown
their toil? When he has once entered upon his
arduous career, a soldier has no choice but to obey
the word of command. He may be sent to where

the 4 c sun gilds Indian mountains, and his setting
bears flames on the Atlantic isles ; " but home,
kindred, and the ties of friendship must all be
renounced if need calls or expediency demands. If
a man has worked well and done his best during

the time of his probation, it is a shame and a scandal

that he should be thus turned adrift, and those in
head-quarters ought to be ashamed of themselves,
It matters not what dogmas and creeds they obey
the fact is before us and the truth palpable, and
they are unworthy trustees of the nation's purse
and degenerate representatives of the nation's
honour, if they will persist in acting thus, in
defiance of the claims of justice, the dictates of
good feeling, and the voice of humanity. It is
always sad to think of the destitute even when such
suffering has been mainly brought about by mis-
conduct and imprudence ; but in this case it has
been praiseworthy conduct which has led to the evil.
Men who have done their duty in the station and
in the circumstances in which they find themselves
are deserving of commendation, and it is the
bounden duty of all who are placed in authority
over them to take care that a due regard for their
wants be entertained. At all events, it is incum-
bent upon them to provide for their declining years

or afflicted term of life, and not to leave them

utterly destitute. It is time that the attention of the
public was called to this theme, for woful and
wicked neglect goes on that should not be tolerated
for a moment. When we think upon the vast sums
spent on trifles, wasted on lavish expenditure, and
thrown away on unnecessary arrangements, while
men like THOMAS MARTIN, prematurely aged, cut
down in the pride of their strength, and blighted in
the vigour of their maturity, are left to starve, it is
difficult to reconcile such inconsistency, or to pal-

Hate the neglect that injures the service, does a
potent wrong, and a cruel injustice to the sufferers,
and tarnishes the fair fame of the country itself.
Such gross and culpable mismanagement is about as
unwise and impolitic in their department as can
well be effected in our State departments. We
know that the praises and plaudits of home and
country are paid to the soldier, and atone for many
hardships, as it has been truly said—
" The Senate's thanks, the Gazette's pompous tale,
With force resistless o'er the brave prevail."
But what effect is likely to be produced by the cold
and harsh treatment referred to ? Without soldiers
there can be no Generals, no brilliant victories, no
captured cities ; they are the mainstay and support,
the stronghold of defence, and the tower of refuge.
Why, then, are they to be cast away as useless
lumber of less account than the beasts that perish,
because official perversity and parsimony wills it to
be so. Many motives may urge those who can, to
insist upon a change, but there is one which is para-
mount to all other considerations, and renders their
mention unnecessary—it is a positive wrong to
allow things to remain as they are.

Mr. CARDWELL'S despatch relative to the pro-
posed confederation of the British North American
provinces will probably be read with satisfaction
both in this country and in those parts of her
MAJESTY'S dominion's which it more especially con-
cerns. It expresses the satisfaction with which the
Imperial Government has received the details of
the proposed Constitution, and the cordial assent
which they give to the scheme as a whole. In this
they are likely to be supported by the great body
of the English people, for not only is it a matter
upon which the colonists themselves may fairly be
concluded to be the best judges, but its advantages
and recommendations are at once patent to a casual
observer. The increased strength which such a
union will give to every individual colony, and the
vast benefits which all will gain from a concentra-
tion of their common resources in time of danger,
cannot fail to be apparent, and indeed the quick-
sighted Yankees seem at once to have detected
them, and to have been irritated at so prudent and
far-sighted a movement. The Colonial Secretary
pays a just and well-deserved compliment to the
temper and judgment of the delegates who have so
successfully got through the very arduous and re-
sponsible task of framing a Constitution. Not only
was it necessary to consider the general good, but to
consult the local interests, and it needed no small
amount of tact, and sagacity, and public spirit to
complete such an undertaking. It is true that the
resolutions have yet to undergo the test of passing
through the Legislatures, but on the whole there is
little doubt they will receive fair and candid exami-
nation. Mr. CARDWELL thinks it necessary to take
exception to two points, and he has reason on his
side. The first merely relates to the prerogative of
mercy, which should certainly, according to consti-
tutionaliprinciples, be vested only in the representa-
tive of the Crown. The other point is of more
practical importance, and relates to the constitutionl

of the Upper House, which the delegates propose
to consist of a fixed number of members elected for
life. Mr. CARDWELL very justly observes that with
an assembly whose members can neither be changed
nor increased there will be no means of restoring
harmony between the two Houses in case of a de-
cided difference. Tho free young States of Northern
America are not likely at present to get into diffi-
culties about a Reform Bill, it is true, but other
questions may arise where a modification of the
Upper Assembly may become indispensable to the
proper working of the*Constitution. Many other
minor points will, of course, have to be modified or
altered before full harmony is arrived at, but the
broad outlines are sketched, and they promise a
noble result. It is no slight task to mould the con-
stitution of the people who will before long play a
prominent part on the world's stage. Another cen-
tury may see the worn-out despotisms of Continental
Europe completely thrown into the shade by the
young Anglo-Saxon States. England needs to play
the part of a careful and tender parent in this crisis
of their fortunes, teaching them to profit by her
own experience as well as by her present example,
so that they may start untrammelled on their course,
and prove themselves worthy of the great destinies
that lie open before them.