The Sun.
London, England, 1865-07-28 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY, JULY 28, 1865.

--411.

The Austrian Reichsrath makes a favourab e
appearance when contrasted with the Prussian
Chambers. The latter presented a series of alter-
cations and discussions alike injurious to the con-
stitution and undignified to the nation, whereas in
Vienna a much more happy state of things has
supervened. Yesterday both Houses of the
Reichsrath were closed, and universal satisfaction
seemed to prevail. The speech on the occasion was
quite- a congratulatory one, and thus presented a
striking contrast to the conclusion of the represen-
tative assemblies of the Prussians. The Archduke
LCDWIG VICTOR read the address, which commenced
by acknowledgment of the " patriotic zeal and inde-
fatigable activity" that had been displayed by the
members. With one thing and another, they have
had -to decide upon several important subjects
during this session, but doubtless in the ceaseless

whirl of passing events some of these may have
been forgotten. A glance at this address will serve
to refresh the memories of those who are not quite
au fiat in these matters, and they will find that the
period that has been occupied by the sitting of the
houses has not been profitless and uneventful. On
the 'contrary, it may be affirmed that it has been
momentous as concerns public affairs, and highly
creditable to those who have taken part in the
discussions. Commercial matters have occupied a
considerable time, and great progress has been made
in this important item. The Austrians have improved
very much in this respect of late years, and taken
a stride that has surprised many who were accus-
tomed to their tardy management and prejudiced
views on such subjects. The general prosperity of
the country has testified to the advantages of such
schemes of commercial intercourse and trade, and,
therefore, the members of the Reichsrath have ap-
propriately devoted much time to their furtherance
and fulfilment. A treaty has been entered into
with the States of the Zollverein that has received
the Imperial sanction, and promises well for the
future. A well-grounded hope is expressed in this
Speech that " this Convention will materially add
to the welfare of the country," both by the exten-
sion of industrial powers and intelligence, and by
the exercise of the advantages which it opens.

The wants of the Administration have been met
by the Budget of 1865, which end was attained by
the united efforts of both Houses. In this respect
likewise we may observe a difference between
Austrian and Prussian management, for the Budget
was the stumbling-block in the deliberations that
took place between the Ministers and the Deputies,
and at last the KING has adopted the unconsti-
tutional course of sanctioning the proposals rejected
by the Chambers. In Vienna we find, on the other
hand, that they have contrived to frame and pass
a measure that has afforded universal satisfaction,
and completely answered the expectations of its
authors. Economy has been the prevailing feature
in the efforts made by bothllouses, and it is here
mentioned that it could not be carried to a greater
extent, without " weakening the strength of the
monarchy at home, as well as its position abroad."
When the domestic matters have been duly com-
mented upon, the address goes on to say that the
preservation of European peace will be the " con-
stant endeavour," as it has always been the aim, of
the EMPEROR'S Government. The relations with
Prussia are rather in an awkward state just at
present, but the difficult subject is got over very
successfully in the speech before Us. It is intimated
that the EMPEROR will, in conjunction with his
illustrious ally the King of PRUSSIA, " strive to
conduct the Schleswig-Holstein question to a ~olut-
ion compatible with the interests of entire Ger-
many, and with the position of Austria in the Ger-
manic Confederation." It is worthy of notice that
we do not meet in 'the passage that touches upon
this important topic, with the expression of a hope
that the desired result will be gained, still less is
there a glimpse of expectation visible. It is signi-
ficant, also, that the interests of " entire Germany"
arc specially put forth, that being an aim quite
beyond the margin of Prussian policy. The neces-
sary regard to tLe position of Austria is also
neglected by the Berlin schemers ; and hence, con-
ciliatory as it may sound, this mention of the
Schleswig-holstein subject in the speech is capable
(4 a construction anything but friendly.
Much will depend upon the manner in
'hich the intimation is received in Prussia,
and the light in which they read the expression
there. They may consider them as a warning and
take heed to their ways, or they may look upon them
as a mere Ministerial declaration to keep up appear-
ances at home without compromising themselves
abroad. The address concludes with the expression

of a hope that the best results may ensue by the
" common treatment of the rights, duties, and in-
terests which are the same in all the provinces."
There is reason to believe that the adoption of such
a course will form a " firm tie of union between all
the peoples of the Empire." If the statesmen of
Austria follow the wise course that is here indicated,
the result will no doubt be most satisfactory.
It may certainly be affirmed that in many respects
this speech at the close of the session of the Reichs-
rath has been a very successful one, and has adverted
to labours that have been carried on with assiduity
conducive to the general interests of the country,
and important as testifying to the progress of the
community in commercial enterprise and extended
trade. The only plan in the affair, if there be one,
is the allusion to the Duchies of Schleswig-Holstein,
but as that knotty point is not likely to be speedily
or satisfactorily settled, it was impossible to make
mention of it in the list of successes at home or
abroad. The motion, of which notice was
given, was yesterday brought forward in
the Federal Diet and referred to the Com-
mittee on Holstein affairs without discussion.
The introduction of this new proposal into
the matter will, no doubt, tend greatly to complicate
the affair. The demands here made are reasonable
enough, although it is not likely that Herr VON
BISMARCK will accede to them in any respect, or
with any modifications. The incorporation of
Schleswig with the German Confederation is about
the last thing to suit the purposes of Prussian policy,
and, in fact, will be so inimical to them that its
mention alone will occasion the refusal of the whole
of the requests made. It was not to be expected
that under the circumstances the Federal Diet
would much longer remain quiescent after the many
affronts it had received.

The aspect which the negro question has assumed
in America is becoming more and more unsatisfac-
tory. The rapid diminution of the number of
blacks has become so remarkable that men are
sepiously speculating whether the great social and
political problem is not in a fair way to settle itself
by the extinction of the ill-used and ill-fated race.
In New Orleans, and its vicinity, the negroes are
dying off so fast that the local journals have been
discussing the chances of extinction. In the
Southern cities the registries show the extent of the
terrible mortality among them, but in the woods
and wilds they perish unknown and unnumbered.
The sudden removal of the protection, as well as
the restraints of slavery in a time of deartt and
scarcity, has produced most disastrous results. The
negro has always been stigmatised for his laziness,
but now, if he is willing to work, he has not the
opportunity. All outlay is stopped by the severity
of the official restrictions, and the seizure of property
which has already begun further paralyses the
energies of the Southern States. If the freedman
is inclined to stay and work for his former master,
who can scarcely find food for himself and his
household, he is glad enough to be relieved from the
charge of keeping him. He wanders about in search
of food and work until he ends his miserable life in
the woods of Carolina, or in some of the Southern
cities.

It has, therefore, become evident that the Govern-
ment must do something. They have incurred the
responsibility by the abrupt and enforced liberation
of the slaves, and by the wilful destruction of
Southern produce, and the severity of their confisca-
tion clauses. The $20,000 exception clause has
completely arrested enterprise in the South, and the
establishment of the Confiscation Department at
Richmond has given a form to men's fears which no
assurance of official justice and moderation can alter.
No one attempts to deny the melancholy condition
of the negro at present, and indeed the accounts are
so unanimous that it would be impossible to do so.
It is little more than a mockery of sympathy and
humanity to talk about giving the franchise to the
negro while he is perishing of want and sickness. A
series of regulations has just been issued on the
subject, in which it is ordained that regular con-
tracts shall be necessary between master and ser-
vant, employer and employed, and the Government
farms will give employment to as many negroes as
possible. A monthly report is to be henceforth
published on these Government farms ; but however
successful they may prove they can only support a
very small portion of the whole body of the negroes,
and what is to become of the remainder is now
a question more pressing than the restoration of the
Union, or any other political problem.
The Washington Government has work enough
before it ; while the condition of the finances is
sufficient to puzzle the most indefatigable and inge-
nious of financiers. The high price of the common
commodities of life is a natural consequence of
waging a gigantic war ; but the most alarming part
of the history is, that while in the North large sums
have to be paid for simple necessaries, in some parts
of the South the necessaries are not to be had.
Famine and pestilence threaten the afflicted dis-
tricts, and, without doubt, it is the duty of the
Administration to take immediate steps to provide
against them. Unhappily, the policy to be pur-
sued, and disputes of rival factions, occupy much
more of the attention of the PRESIDENT and his
Cabinet than the pressing questions of life and death
in the Southern States. So far from endeavouring
to restore tranquillity, to reassure the minds of the
people, and to encourage the revival of trade
and the import of food, the Federal Government
has done all in its power to keep up the uncer-
tainty and anxiety which is doing so much mis-
chief. While no one knows whose property is
secure, or how much he may really call his own,
he is not likely to expend his capital or to under-
take new and costly works. Every great question
remains unsettled until the meeting of Congress,
which is expected very shortly to take place ; but
how far wise and moderate men will approve this
extreme measure remains to be seen. Anything like
a wholesale measure of confiscation would bring
ruin upon so many families in the already impo-
verished Southern States that the consequences
would be such as no one could contemplate un-
moved. We must hope that President JOHNSON
will judge more mercifully and more wisely than to
persist in a course which will produce such alarming
results.

It is very much to be doubted whether great occa-
sions of public festivity do not give as much pain as
pleasure to the sensitive feelings of the Corporation
of London. Whatever be the object in question,
or the event which it is intended to celebrate, there
is always some drawback to the rejoicing or the
satisfaction of the good citizens of London. " //
n'y a pas de rose sans opines," says the Frenchman,
and the English version of the proverb must cer-
tainly have' been studied on the eastern side of
Temple-bar ; for the firstbusinesosr ofcetlheberaCtoioir-,
Cor-
poration after any ceremonial
-
is to find out the blunders andproclai
them to the world A large. The mem-
bers do not belong to the bandlikoef
then worldameless
martyrs who suffer in silence ; they
at large to know the wrongs of the Common
Council of London. The information is sometimes
very necessary, for the innocent public often be-
lieves everything to have gone off well and all parties
to be satisfied when the collective wisdom of the
corporation Rea, grave cause for displeasure and

offence. The laying the foundation-stone of the
new Bridge at Blackfriars was supposed by the
uninitiated to have been very well Tanaged, and
an interesting ceremony was thought to have passed
off well. But we now learn how mistaken was this
conclusion, for two grievous errors were committed;
errors so unpardonable in their nature, and so
serious in their consequences, that it is only won-
derful that the foundation-stone remained in its
place. The Common Council were not invited to
a dinner given by the Bridge-house Committee, at
Guildhall, to the Lord Mayor and others, and no
carriages were provided for them in the procession
formed to lay the stone of the Bridge. Can we
hope that the Bridge will prove a success after such
an inauspicious beginning ? Mr. Deputy BONE
already sees the shade of the New Zealander in the
distance, but his chief regret is that that adven-
turous savage will find an incorrect account of the
proceedings of July, 1865, in the ruins of the
Bridge. Perhaps it is not yet too late to remedy
the error by inserting an erratum in some other
part, say the keystone of the centre arch, to set
the minds of future students right. Such an
instance may well serve to convince us how little
we can rely on history ! The gorgeous robes and
stately figures of the 200 members of the Common
Council were actually missing from a pageant, in
which, joking apart, they ought certainly to have
been, but the question is whether the fault was not
their own rather than that of the committee. They
were invited to come in due state, and might cer-
tainly have provided their own carriages if they
attached any importance to the occasion. They
are determined not to be left out next time, and
have already issued strict commands about the open-
ing of the new bridge, whose first stone has just
been laid, but they would have shown more regard
to their own dignity by being less punctilious in
the matter, and by joining heartily and unostenta-
tious in a great work of a public character.