The Sun.
London, England, 1869-07-12 00:00:00

THE N7/GILOES IN VIRGINI.i.

It i 3 undouhtedly . remarkable fact that at the recent
election in Virginia tl . negroes supported the Democrats,
who opposed their o iancipation and enfranchisement.
The blacks have nevek deserted the Republicans before.
But it appears that they took care to make a g iod
bargain for themselves. They voted fur the Democrats
only on a solemn promise that all the recent laws in favour of
negro freedom and negto suffrage shouldbe preserved intact.
They- likewise, -it &g ears, secured a private promise of
sef .-ty from the artnedtands which now threaten them, and
considering that thereigroes are in a rninorityin the " Old
Dominion," they certlinly acted sagely in making peace
with the predominant party on these substantial term;
iIIE RECIPROCITY TREATY.
The renewal of the teciprocity Treaty between Canada
and the United States will greatly benefit one institution
which needs benefit=-the Grand Trunk -Railway of
Canada. By the tem& of the former treaty, which
expired in March 18G6, wheat, grain, and live stock of all
kinds were admitted into the United States duty free,
and as these commodities are the stapleproduce of Canada,
the Grand Trunk did an immense business in transmit-
ting them to the frontier. The suspension of the treaty
stopped the traffic,. and lost the company several thou-
!Ands a week, which ft will now regain. Assuredly the
prospect of this railway getting a little relief from its
miseries is gratifying.
THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC RAILROAD.

; Mr. Thomas Magee, who has been a traveller by the
Great Atlantic and Pacific Railway, contradicts the state.
mints which have been published respecting the fatigue
of a journey across the North American continent.
The weakest invalid would, he thinks, be strengthened
by the delightful expedition, in which - there is a
constant succession of novelties. He describes with
enthusiasm the beauty and variety of the scenery
through which the railway passes. Even on the
great plains, the home of the wild buffalo, where there is
a sameness about the journey, the air is peculiarly exhila-
rating. After leaving the plains, the Rocky Mountains
are reached. The scene from Sherman, the point of
greatest altitude on the entire lino, which is 8,212 feet
above the-levet of the sea, is one -which can never be for-
gotten. Further •on is the great valley of Utah,
with its shining. Salt Lake, the Sierra Nevada
mountains, in drowsing which an altitude of over 7,000 feet
is attained in a distance of 112 miles, the descent of which
is so rapid that steam' is altogether shut off the breaks
partially iipplied. The cars are most cOmfortable, the
sleeping arrangements in perfect order, and forty-eight
persons can dine at one time in the elegantly fitted dining
:car. A compaCt kitchen is fitted up with every contri-
vance for preparing food quickly and well. There
are ice--boxes. -and provision- cellars, in which
fresh' milt and other edibles are packed. Wine,
tea; coffee, and fresh milk are at command, and, at
the reduced rates. The ourney from New York to San
Francisco can now e made for £25. £5 will cover all
incidental expenses. Mr. Magee, who has several time■
made the journey vid Panama, declares the railway to be
far less fatiguing tli.an the steamers of the tropics.