The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-16 00:00:00

created by the enormous demand foimmr mthunitaxyty stores
created
and similar commodities, and the
Northern States from the horrorsofinvasipaotrin,ohtisavine
combined to render their loud-voiced
notwithstanding the vast amount
hitherto
of
suffering occasioned by the losses in
the war. American pride would, in such case, be most
unwilling to admit that it was baffled in an effort
on which it had concentrated all its forces ; and
neither side has yet reached that degree of ex-
haustion which humane politicians in this country
look to as the most satisfactory conclusion. An-
other solution is indeed possible, and the conviction
that possibility is merging into probability had, as
we yesterday observed, some influence on the origin
of this peace mission. - An opinion is gaining ground
in the North that French interference will not be
much longer withheld in deference to the peace-
loving inclinations of our Whig Cabinet and our
Manchester school, and the knowledge that deeds
and not words may be looked for from Paris has
stimulated the Federal leaders to endeavour to
patch up a peace before such intervention is possible.
The New York Daily News goes so far as to declare
that LiNcolj has to answer the question, whether
the North shall fight France in alliance with or in
antagonism to the South, and thinks that upon his
answer depends the future of American Republi-
canism. The French tricolor, says the same journal,
can already be seen on the horizon, and LINCOLN
would never have hurried to meet the peace com-
missioners had he not known that an armed Euro-
pean intervention in favour of the South was im-
pending. The same rumours are afloat in the South,
where the Richmond Whig mentions a report that
bearers of despatches from England and France had
arrived in Richmond. We may accept all such news
cum grano sans, but the foundation for it is sound
enough, and the connexion of France with Mexico
gives an opening which may be turned to account.
In the North there has been a slight change in the
tone of the Peace party. The Peace De-
mocrats in Congress hitherto refused to be-
lieve that the South would accept any terms short
of recognition, but they now consider that the diffi-
culty might be got over. The Radical Republicans
look on the conference with grave suspicion, and
LINCOLN'S secret journey has occasioned much un-
easiness, and a court of senators has been informally
taken to vote against any agreement with the South
that materially differs from the policy of re-union
and emancipation. All these precautions were, as
the event proved, needless, the Confederates having
been equal to the occasion, and having rested upon
that one imperative condition of peace, which we
trust they will never abandon. The hopes and fears
of the respective parties in both federations hung
with breathless eagerness upon those two steamers,
which, anchoring at Hampton Roads, bore the fate of
two great nations. The conference between LINCOLN
and SEWARD on the one hand, and the Confederate
Commissioners on the other, lasted four hours.
The steamers were lashed together during the inter-
view, but at dark the Conference broke up, the
boats separated, and the respective negotiators re-
turned to the Northern and Southern capitals. We
have not yet heard how the intelligence was received
in the two cities, but judging from the uneasiness
manifested in the Northern Congress, it will not be
unwelcome to the Federals, while we trust, in spite
of all cavils and dissensions, there are still enough
good men and true in the South to make the reso-
lute maintenance of the. national honour a subject
of general rejoicing. The Sentinel, DAVIS'S organ,
writing before the break up of the Conference,
says, that, in the event of its failure, dis-
cordant councils will be reconciled, and stout
earts and hands will then achieve what diplomacy

cannot secure.