The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-20 00:00:00

fHE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 20, 1867.

ral gaol delivery of violators of the Prohibitory

be $69 50c., on which the interest would be about
one cent a day. Against this he calculates the in-
crease of property, taking the two States of New
York and Ohio alone, and he finds that if the rate
be continued for three years at the present ratio
it would be sufficient to pay the entire debt with
three hundred millions of dollars to spare. The
hardship to the labouring classes grows out of the
inflation of the currency, and all schemes for re-
pudiation involve an expansion, and therefore act
injuriously on them. It is suggested that a simple
solution regarding the 5-20's would be for Con-
gress to order a certain amount of the bonds to
be paid off in gold, and then to let any one try
to make a distinction between these and the re-
mainder. [W. E. is Mr. Endicott, a Boston mer-
chant.]
if the Nation is right, we arc wrong in asserting
that the excursionists in the Quaker City enjoyed
an agreeable and instructive voyage. " Nobody
who had any experience of human nature on a
journey," observes the Nation, " ever expected that
you could shut up together 60 persons of all ages,
sizes, and of various callings and antecedents, in a
steamer for six months, without making them miser-
able and their trip a failure." After a vast experi-
ence, we assert it to be possible with travelled persons
who have learnt in some degree to accommodate
themselves to circumstances, who have an acknow-
ledged leader. Had General Sherman and Henry
Ward Beecher accompanied the party as intended,
such leaders would have been provided. As it
is, we are told, the passengers have come back
furious. A committee was to have sat to consider
the applications for tickets, and to discuss the social
position, refinement, and culture of the applicants'
and, moreover, each had to provide a credit at his
bankers of $1,250. " The promised musical instru-
ments consisted," a mal-content informs the Nation,
"of a husky-voiced clarionet, a poor piano, and a
melodeon." The modified billiards' were disks of
wood on the deck, pushed about with forked poles ;
and the library was made up of a few hymn books
of the Plymouth collection, and two volumes of
Harper's IVeekly." Thus, reduced to their own re-
sources, the heavy hours were wiled away by cri-
ticism on fellow passengers ; materials being accu-
mulated by the critics in the simple way of lis-
tening at the key-holes. The remarks based on
such intelligence do not appear to have been
received in a " kindly or docile spirit," or to
have exercised any improving influence on mind
or character. The Nation hopes that this second
experiment of Mr. Oscanyan may prove a warning.
It recalls that of the year 1865, when he tried to
get up a similar enterprise, promising a large crowd,
"select society, and a variety of pure delights" on
board his steamer, besides the unusual facilities for
" seeing things" in the Levant, to be secured
through his " high connections in the East."
Weston has successfully accomplished his great
walk from Portland to Chicago, having reached his
destination on Thursday, the 28th of November,
at 10 a.m., doing his 1,2371 miles in 26 walking
days. He made five attempts while performing this
extraordinary feat to walk 100 miles in 24 hours,
but he failed each time—coming nearest on the
last occasion, when he made 86 miles in 21 hours
15 minutes. By this failure he loses $6,000 of the
$lO,OOO he would have otherwise woh. A Cleveland
paper gives the following account of him : --
"The ordinary physical laws which govern men are at
a loss when applied to him. He eats daily enough food to
sustain three ordinary men. He rarely, in the warmest
weather, or when walking fastest, perspires a drop. If he
grows nervous and excited he must either shed tears or
bleed at the nose. After the most severe exertion ho is
never out of breath. Pedestrians usually lag toward the
end of a day's walk. Weston is capable of six miles an
hour till he drops—if, indeed, it should ever happen. A
paradox throughout, wilful, timid, wayward, manly, de-
voted to principle, it is not strange that a man who sets at
defiance the ordinary weaknesses of the flesh should per-
form extraordinary feats. People from every walk in
life, from the village minister to the scape-grace school-
boy, whose father is a shoemaker, men, women, and chil-
dren, seem to share a common mania to get within
touching distance of 'the boy.' The carriages crush
and jam together, ladies scream, horses kick, but still the
place of honour, a place sought by every vehicle, is close
to the right or left of the white hat dimly seen at times
through clouds of dust. We noticed ono aspiring female,
with a huge red-faced baby in her arms, driving a plethoric
old mare geared to a rheumatic buggy, while the colt,' a
graceles3 stripling, with a tail and mane knotted with
burrs, ambled behind. Notwithstanding baby, colt, and
the shouts of small boys, the woman held her place in the
procession for nearly ten miles. To keep the walker free
from the pressure of such a constant throng is a work of
herculean difficulty."
The Alabama Convention made an attempt to
disfranchise those who did not aid in reconstruction,
but the measure was defeated by a few votes. The
common-school system has been adopted, but
separate schools for blacks and whites prohibited.
All State officers—Judges and Executive—are to
be elected by the people; the present Constitution
remains for the most part, unchanged ; and Con-
gress will doubtless revise the Suffrage clauses.
The Louisiana Convention met at New Orleans on
Monday, the 25th Nov. ; two thirds of the delegates
are blacks. They commenced by appointing
coloured men to all the offices, with the single ex-
ception of the President, Judge Taliafero, a white
man of great influence. There was a close vote re.
garding the newspaper office the Convention was to
patronise for printing. The black New Orleans7'ribune,
however, gained the day by one vote over the white
Republican. Following the example of Alabama,
and not content with the large measure of power
thrust into their hands, they resolved in caucus to
remove the present State officers, and to elect a new
set. There must be something peculiar in the air
of New Orleans, as it appears to create a removal
mania, as it generates yellow fever. The resolution
is clearly illegal, and when General Hancock floats
off the mud bank, which we now learn he has done,
he will probably put his heel on it. It is scarcely
likely that Sambo will be permitted to do that
which one of the most renowned of Northern
generals was removed for attempting.
The Standard, in an article on Tuesday last on
recent purchases of territory by the United States,
observes, " that the notion of buying a whole coin -
munity en bloc, masters and servants, whites and
niggers, men, women, and children, just as if they
had been a herd of cattle, is hardly reconcilable
with the principle of a Republic, still less with that
of the Government of the United States. It is a
proof of how utterly the whole basis of the American
Constitution has been altered, when we hear not a
word of protest against the present purchase from
any of the Americans themselves." In the same
paper the following intelligence is given by the
Washington correspondent, writing on the 26th
Nov.:—" Mr. Seward's magnificent schemes for the
acquisition of territory have suddenly come to grief.
The House of Representatives, by a vote of 93 to
43, has suspended the rules, and adopted a resolu-
tion declaring that any further purchases of terri-
tory are inexpedient, and that the House will hold
itself under no obligation to vote money to pay for
any such purchases. Mr. Washburue, in offering
the resolution, said that he intended it as a warning
to Denmark and to all the world." It is no won-
der that people who read the Standard have con-
fused notions of American politics.
The Spring field Republican finds fault with the
Washington Government for allowing but $l,OOO
each to only ten members of a commission number-
ing 40, detailed for duty at the Paris Exhibition.
Alluding to the Reports of Committees that are of
real value, it speaks of those of Dr. Thomas W.
Evans on sanitary reforms, and of Colonel Norton,
of the Paris banking firm of Norton and Co., State
Commissioner of New York, who prepared a very
complete report on the materials of war exhibited,
which it describes as " a gem of its kind, illus-
trated with elegant sketches, and full of valuable,
graphic information. It holds also many practical
and appropriate points as to breech-loading arms,
field and heavy ordnance, projectiles, fortifications,
iron-clads, &c. Many other gentlemen have shown
the same praiseworthy enthusiasm as Col. Norton,
and have been willing to work for the Government's
good at the great Exhibition, even though not paid
one-half what their expenses must be. A few of
the State Commissioners have been sneaks, and, in-
stead of remaining at their posts, have rambled
about Europe, enjoying simply their dignities ; but
they belong to that class who say, pay, no
work.'"

Law. The advocates of drink seem to be moving
with energy in support of delirium tremene, as the
Pall-Mall Gazette says, in allusion to a new weekly
called the Scottish Advertiser, "announced from that
focus of Scottish inebriety, Glasgow," The Lushing-
tons of Maine and other New England States have

hitherto imbibed their alcohol in cellars driven

underground by the indignant cry of the teetotallers.
General Neal Dow has just returned to America
from " stumping" England in the cause of total ab-
stinence. During his absence there his been a

great backsliding in his New England strongholds,
and the temperance apostle has no sooner quitted
the shores of Oil England than the Scottish
Advertiser arises to counteract the attack the

dealers in spirituotut liquors and colt pantos, Ito, it
says, are " constantly assailed, not only by the fair
weapons of fair argutnent, but by the grossest exagge-
rations; teetotallers havi;ig reduced their assaults to a
system, and their slanders to a science." The pro-
jectors count upon a hearty support in this popular
and useful field of action. The Pall-A lull considers
the name to be a servile plagiarism from the Horning
Advertiser, and suggests the Early Purler, which
" would combine a connection with the poWerful
English organ to which Messrs. Parlane and
M'Callum seek to affiliate themselves with a suffi-
ciently clear indication of the spirituous and com-
posite nature of the interests our newly-born con-
temporary proposes to advocate." The Manchester
Alliance News has an excellent acrostic and telestic
on Neal Dow, which will be found in our miscel-
laneous column, and Frank Leslie has one of its
most telling pictures, the Saturday night prepara-
tions of the Irish at the whisky vaults for their
Sunday's entertainment.
The San Francisco Bulletin alludes to the pro-
bable transfer of the Australian steam line from
'Panama to San Francisco on the completion of the
Pacific Railroad. Referring to a letter written by
Mr. Crosbie Ward, the original promoter of the
Panama Line, giving the figures and the reasons
which make the change desirable—as they appeared
in our columns some weeks ago—it speaks of that
gentleman as being in Australia. We are sorry to
say that Mr. Crosbie Ward died last month in Lon-
don, and our contemporary, though right in other
respects, is so far in error.
On Monday, the 25th November, Speaker Col-
fax announced the committees in the House of
Representatives. Mr. Schenck, of Ohio, is ap-
pointed Chairman of the Committee of Ways and
Means, to the astonishment of all, as no one was
aware of his knowledge of finance. Mr. Garfield,
of Ohio, who was second on the committee last
year, and looked to the chairmanship this, was re-
moved to that of Military Affairs. Mr. Thaddeus
Stevens remains Chairman of the Committee o n
Appropriations ; but as he is not likely to prove
strong enough to serve, Mr. Washburne, of Illi-
nois, will in effect act as chairman. The constitu-
tion of the Ways and Means Committee is said to
favour high tariff and inflation, and Mr. Colfax de-
fends himself by stating that such is the temper of
the house, and it is his business not to represent his
own views, but thoseof Congress.
The blindness of the Radical leaders to the change
of opinion in the United States is not surprising,
when they have failed so egregiously in ascertain-
ing the feeling of their own House, instanced
by their calculations as to the division on the
question of Impeachment. On the 27th of
November a careful count was made, which
gave a majority of ten against Impeachment.
The leaders, Messrs. Boutwell, Lawrence, and
Ashley, considered that they were certain to carry
the motion. Now that we know there were 57
Yeas against 108 Nays, we may well wonder how
any doubt ever existed on the spot.
Recent events in Italy appear to have stimulated
emigration, and the drift is to the United States.
It is something new for Italians as a nation to take
to emigration, but the movement is so marked that
it cannot be overlooked, and may perhaps be taken
as a sign of reviving energy with greater freedom.
The route is via Hamburg or Bremen ; and during
the last three weeks upwards of 4,000 have passed
through Germany to take shipping to America.
The fall in the price of gold has been heavy in
New York, and shows a growing confidence both
in the political future of the country and the finan-
cial legislation of Congress. A large amount will
be disbursed from the Treasury on the Ist January
on 5-20 coupons, and a loan of £1,900,000 con-
tracted in 1847 then becomes due. The shipments
to this side will increase, as a considerable portion
of the sums are owned in England.

INTERNATIONAL LAW OF PRI VA-

TEERIN G.

The war between England and Abyssinia may
again raise the question of privateering. If cruisers
bearing letters of marque from King THEODORE can
legally issue from any port and prey on British
commerce, the speculation will be too enticing for
some adventurous spirits to refrain. It is alleged
in New York that commissions have been applied
for from the Emperor of ABYSSINIA to fit out such
vessels, and proceed iu his name against the trade
of the invaders of his country. Were such a step
taken, the Alabama question would receive further
complications, and perhaps lead to very serious re-
sults. The law regarding privateering is at pre-
sent in an incomplete and unsatisfactory state. The
Declaration of Paris, April 16, 1856. agreed to the
following points :—That privateering should be
abolished ; that neutral property under an enemy's
flag, not contraband of war, should be exempt from
capture ; that enemy's property under neutral flag
should be equally exempt ; that a blockade to be
binding should be effective. The Maritime Powers
of Europe, excepting Slain, adopted these, but the
United States refused to join. The Government
at Washington desired that the third point
should be extended to exempt al private property
from capture. The principle was advocated in a
Circular Note, dated July 28, 1856, by Mr. MARcY,
and was favourably received both in Paris and iu
London. Before, however, any practical measure
could be based on the theory, a change of public
feeling occurred both in England and in the United
States, and the subject continued to be discussed until

Mr. Buc lIANAN'S Presidency, when the negotiations
were broken off in consequence of certain concessions
referring to the right of blockade being demanded
by his Secretary, Mr. CAss. In 1859, at a great
meeting of shipowners and merchants at Bremen,
the principle advocated by the United States was
adopted, and warmly supported in Germany,
France, and England. It is possible that the Bre-
men resolution might have been favourably re-
ceived by all Governments but for the outbreak of
the American War. When the Washington Cali-
net saw that the rebellion of the Southern Confe-
deracy was inevitable, they resolved to accede to
the four points of the Paris Declaration without
reservation, but in separate conventions, and for-
warded instructions to the Embassies abroad to that
effect. The march of events, however, was too
quick for the slow process of diplomacy, and the
question dropped. Hitherto England has been
opposed to the change. Her immense fleet of fast
vessels gives her an advantage in acting against
the commerce of her enemy. But, on the other
hand, her enormous trade, spread over the seas,
makes her peculiarly vulnerable to the attack even
of an insignificant foe. It is urged by those who
oppose the exemption of all private property from
capture that it is unwise to deprive war of any of
its losses and terrors. When nations engage in
hostilities, the citizens must make up their minds to
bear the penalties. As it is they are too prone to
quarrel, and it is advisable that breaches of the
peace of nations should be accompanied by disas-
trous waste to the warring countries, and thus a great

weight be thrown into the scale of moderate coun-
sels and concessions. It is also alleged that the
most effective weapon of weak maritime States
would be lost with the change. But this is scarcely
in keeping with the course taken by the English
Government, which has, on the whole, although the
strongest of maritime Powers, opposed the prin-
ciple. Again, it is urged that necessity knows no
law, and when a nation fights for existence all
considerations are subordinate to self-preservation.
This means that cruisers on the high seas will pay
little attention to such resolutiousl but adopt high-

A. O. Brewster has published a petition addressed
to Governor Bullock of Massachusetts for a gone-