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

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

THIS DAY.—Monaing, h. m.—Afternoon, 1211. 15m.
To-Molt-Ito vs'.-IViorning, 12h. 45m.—Afternoon, lh. 14m,

------ ..___.
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. He 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 state 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

auling 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- I
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
afflict 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 or 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
I 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,
or IS that high and holy thing not used for a party
etY, is not its name taken in vain to suit party ends
Parliament and
perverse purposes? It is quite time that our
Ministers a
tantaedenat
rdesirumecte itsand definiteplace
l
ace am the great
councils of nations- There was a time when the
policy,
and
that our P
sound of our words went out into all lands, when
the nations, and kindred s,
turnand peoples, and tongues
were eager to learn
of our mercy would take, and the beneficial course
d
to tremble at the
presage of the offended majesty of
our
wrath. Old
times are changed, and old manners gone with a
vengeance, it may be said, and we are to fuld our-
selves at this period of our history left forlorn and
dejected, of no use to the oppressed,
of no account