The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-18 00:00:00

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LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 1865.

The rapid passage of the China, which has occu-
pied only eight days and a half, has not left us long
in expectation of fresh American news. We
have by her mails intelligence up to March Bth, and
although nothing positively decisive can be gained
from it, yet the general impression given confirms
our opinion that military matters are on the whole
more favourable to the South than the Federals
would like to admit. There is, too, to all appear-
ance, some mystery about SHERMAN'S movements
which does not look very promising for the Federal
arras. The reports respecting him are conflicting,
and are almost entirely founded upon conjecture.
The accounts which lef t
New York on the morning
of the Bth of March tell us that nothing had been
heard direct from SHERMAN since the 17th of Feb-
ruary ! Surely a singular hiatus, since SHERMAN
could easily communicate with Washington by
sea
if his inland position were at all as favourable as
the Federals try to believe. But from the tot.d
absence of direct communication, and the move-
ments of Admiral DAHLGREN, as well as other indi-
cations, it appears that the triumphant march of the
Northern commander has at last been checked, and
that his troops have experienced more than one
serious reverse. A, Federal naval expedition has
been sent against Georgetown, South Carolina,

which succeeded in capturing the city. Admiral
DAHLGREN reports that he attacked this place be-
cause it afforded the best opportunities of commu-
nicating with SHERMAN, in case it became desirable,
before he entered North Carolina. This looks
rather as if he wished to cover SHERMAN'S retreat
to the coast if necessary, and it is significant that
the Admiral's official despatches state that he has
sent a naval force up Black River, on which George-
town is situated, to communicate with SHERMAN,
who was believed to be about 12 miles inland.
Georgetown is about 50 miles to the north of
Charleston ; but according to the general intelli-
gence received, it is quite uncertain in which direc-
tion SHER3IAN'S army is. Whether or no the Go-
vernment has more particular information is of
course impossible to say ; but highly important
despatches are said to have reached official quarters
from General GILMORE. The only thing certain
about SHERMAN is, that he was at Columbia on the
17th ult. ; and while some report him to be at Fay-
etteville and others at Florence, the Herald asserts
that he is 60 miles above Wilmington, while
the latest advices from that city state that
his reported junction with SCHOFIELD is
untrue, since the latter has met with frequent
resistance, and is only ten miles from Wilming-
ton. It is evident that he has met with a serious
repulse, and has found it: impossible to make head
against his opponents. Meanwhile, to carry off
the public uneasiness respecting SHERMAN, Mr.
STANTON has circulated a statement to the effect
that a great battle had been fought at Charlotte-
vine, on the 2d inst., between SHERIDAN and
EARLY, in which the Federal General succeeded
in capturing General EARLY, his staff, and his
whole force of 18,000 men! After this splendid
achievement SHERIDAN was reported to be march-
ing rapidly on Lynchburg, whither LEE had hastily
despatched reinforcements. English readers, how-
ever, will not fail to remember that EARLY and
his staff have already been captured several
times ; but, sti7ange to say, the next mail gene-
rally finds them at large again, and they will
scarcely need to be told that very little faith is to be
placed in this unauthenticated story, which is be-
lieved in New York to be a little " sensation" move-
ment on Mr. STANTON'S part to increase the public
enthusiasm at the rejoicings of the 6th.
We are not surprised to learn that the execution
of Captain BEALES has excited the greatest indig-
nation in Richmond. It was, in fact, a judicial
murder, as poor Captain BEALES himself said
when led to the humiliating gallows. The Fede-
rals have often shown how completely they disre-
gard the amenities of civilised warfare, and the
pretence of calling a recognised and properly ap-
pointed officer a spy, was merely an excuse for
wreaking their vengeance on an antagonist. If all
who carry out the orders of their Governments
in attacking or destroying the enemy's property
were to meet the same fate, all the generals of the
North would be hung to-morrow, for the worst of
the Southern raids, and the devastations of the
Alabama and Tallahassee to boot, do not approach
the damage and suffering inflicted by the desolation
of the Shenandoah.

As likely to bear an important influence on the
European relations of the United States, we may
notice the expulsion of the Federal Consul from
Matamoros, in tonsequence of his non-re-
cognition of the Mexican Government. The
Imperial Commander-in-Chief visited the Confede-
derate General at Brownsville, Texas, and an-
nounced that his Government would shortly recog-
nise the Confederacy.
Meanwhile we must wait patiently for further
news before we rightly ascertain the state of
affairs in the Carolinas, though there is every reason
Lv cuppuse that the Confederates have the best of It.

A temporary hindrance has been put in the way
of the grand Confederation of British North Ame-
rica, a delay which all parties interested in the wel-
fare of the colonies must regret. New Brunswick
has opposed the measure by defeating the Confede-
ration candidates by a large majority, possibly
owing to some jealousy as to surrendering any local
privileges or dignities which that colony might
possess from its natural position. There was sure
to be a good deal of difficulty before a matter of
such vast importance, and affecting such compli-
cated interests, could be fally completed. Local
jealousies, individual influence, and many other
causes were morally certain to interpose
at some stage or other of the proceed-
ings. It was only marvellous that the
inaugurative steps should have been taken so quietly
and promptly. That it should have been so was
doubtless mainly due to the pressure of events and
the keen insight which the Canadians, from their
geographical position, naturally had into the affairs
and sentiments of the States. New Brunswick is
likely to read the signs of the times, and is
probably more afraid of being overshadowed
by the superior importance of the larger colony
than of being invaded by the Federal troops. Wise
men will overlook the less danger in the larger, and
if the colonists would take the trouble to consider
what would be their position in the event of an
American invasion, they would not be disposed
to neglect the source of so much strength
and vigour as the proposed union of the
provinces. There is little doubt that such
views will yet influence them, and that the scheme
will eventually become a reality. The Attorney-
General has announced to the Canadian Parliament
that the Government will still pass resolutions in
favour of the measure, ask the vote of the supplies,
and adjourn Parliament immediately, so that
the members of the Government might pro-
ceed to England to confer with the Home
Government respecting the national defences
and other pressing matters. An extra sum-
mer session will be called, when the Canadian
Ministers will submit the results of their mission to
the Parliament, and we trust by that time that the
obstacles which at present delay the completion of
important a measure will be happily
so disposed of.

Mr. HENNESSY is doubtless actuated by the best
intentions towards Poland, but it is to be questioned
if he is wise in his attempts to further the cause of
that unhappy country in the House of Commons.
On the whole, he acted very sensibly in withdraw-
ing his motion, for no possible good could have
resulted from pressing it to a division. Indeed, in
some respects positive harm would have been the
consequence, for the fact of his being defeated
would have led to mistaken conclusions by the
different parties concerned in the matter. The
Russians might have thought that the sympathy of
this country was on the wane, and the Poles might
have felt irritated and disappointed at the occurrence
of so unfavourable an event. Although the pur-
pose of Mr. HENNESSY'S motion would not have
produced the effect he desired, had it been
acceded to, it will be found upon the perusal of his
speech that it contains much which is true, and
much which explains matters to the uninitiated, so
that it cannot be said that the hon. member's effort
of last night was all lost labour and did no good
service to those whom he so eaaerly d2sires to aid.
It is not likely that at this period of the affair any-
thing
that is done or said in England will have any
effect upon the Goyernraent of St. ketersburg, or

else it might fairly be supposed that even Russian
indifference NI muld be moved by the shame of having
its deeds exposed, and its relentless course of policy
commented upon. Nothing seems to alter one iota
the plans pursued by the Government of the CzAR,
whether or not foreign nations interfere, whether
or not the Poles Succeed in their resistance, alike the
savage acta are continued, and the fierce system is
pursued with unabated vigour and vehemence. The
object of Mr. HENNEsn's motion was to propose
that in consequence of Russia having violated the
engagements into which she had entered by the
Treaty of 1815, this country should abstain from
any further payment of the Russo-Dutch Loan.
The hon, member was very emphatic in his observa-
tions respecting the policy of Russia, and in all
that he said on the subject we cannot but fully con-
cur. The course pursued by Russia towards
Poland is a lasting disgrace to her, and
lowers the character of her people for ever. Innate
cruelty and deep-rooted vindictiveness seem to
pervade the notions of the emissaries of
the CZAR, both civil and military, and their
conscience appears quite as impassive as their feel-
ings are callous. Many would be only too glad to
believe, as Mr. HENNESSY does, that any change
could benefit Poland, but the experience of the past
does not confirm us in the opinion he expresses in
this passage, "If any change should occur in
Europe to cause war between Austria and Russia,
the first result would be the independence of Poland."
Unhappily, we have too much reason to fear, that
this generation will not witness the emancipation of
Poland, and there is no kindness in indulging false
hopes, and holding out delusive expectations. Mr.
HENNESSY concluded by quoting some eloquent
words of Lord LYNDHURST, which were very ap-
propriate. The noble lord declared that "to treat
crime with silence was to participate in its guilt,"
which is a sentiment that all right-minded persons
will concur in. Such a charge cannot be laid to the
account of this country, for all sympathy with the
Poles has been constantly testified, and if nothing
now seems done to show it, it may be the best ser-
vice that we can render to them in the long run, for
these manifestations should always be kept within
due limits if we do not intend to mislead the objects
of our regard respecting our intentions. Lord
PALMERSTON'S speech contained some very true ob-
servations, although doubtless its tone appeared
cold to the partisans of Mr. HENNESSY. Due con-
sideration should be taken of the noble lord's posi-
tion, and of the great effect which his words pro-
duce. He was decidedly against the proposition
respecting the Russo Dutch Loan, and showed
good reasons for his non-approval thereof. He
said that we might take up arms, if we
thought that the treaty was violated, but
that it would be unworthy of this country to change
our plans in order to put money into our pockets
which we have stipulated to pay to Russia. The
obligations to do this are totally distinct
from the question of Poland, and there-
fore the arguments of Mr. HENNESSY, so far as
this is concerned, fall to the ground. Lord PAL-
MERSTON also said, which was true enough, that
the subject of Poland had already been so fre-
quently discussed in the House that there was no
possible doubt respecting the opinions entertained
of the conduct.of Russia. It will be as well to drop
the question of Poland, for a time at least, because
no good can possibly accrue to that suffering nation
and gallant people; and it would be most deplorable
if any new attempts at insurrection were made upon
the strength of our legislators taking up the
subject of Polish wrongs anew. Several hon. mem-
bers concurred in the sentiments of Lord PALMER-
' STON that the subject had been sufficiently com-
mented upon, and it was prudent of Mr. HENNESSY
fa abstain from proming his motion to a division.
It seems to be a recognised fact that from one cause
and another this country can do nothing to aid
Poland, but not the less should all influential per-
sons be to make a decided protest against the policy
of Russia and to reprobate a course of action which
has retarded the progress of civilisation in Europe,
and been a scandal to the communities of Christian
States. It should check the pride of those who
boast of the progress of the present day to reflect
that we can do nothing to stop the preparation of
as great a wrong as any that the dark ages wit-
nessed, or to mitigate the evils that a gallant
people are forced to endure. No one can regret
the difficulties that the Russians are getting into
with their own affairs when they reflect upon the
misery that they have occasioned to others by their
ruthless proceedings and unflinching practices of
cruelty.