The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-15 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1867

The question which Mr. WYLD last night put to
the noble lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs was
one which is deeply interesting to many, and indeed
is important in its political significance. The hon.
member inquired if it was true that the King of
ABYSSINIA had refused to comply with the QUEEN'S
request that he should liberate the captives, and
whether, in consequence, the English engineers,
who were to have entered the KING'S service, had
returned to England ? and, thirdly, what further
steps were to be taken by the Government to
obtain the release of Mr. RASSAM, Consul CAME-
RON, and the other captives ? Lord STANLEY
made answer that it was impossible for him to say
whether the KING had signified his refusal, because
they had as yet no answer from him on the subject,
but it was certain that some time ago the QUEEN'S
letters had reached him, and also that the prisoners
were not released. As for the engineers, Colonel
MEREWETHER suggested that they had better come
back, and the Government consented to the pro-
posed arrangements, believing that under the cir-
eunntances it would not be safe for them to go into
the interior. On the 16th of April Lord STANLEY
wrote to the KING, stating that the long " detention
of these prisoners caused him great regret, and say-
ing that unless they were liberated immediately the
presents which had been prepared and sent out
would not be delivered. Beyond this no further
information has been received."

This Abyssinian question was one of the most
troublesome among the many inconvenient legacies
which their predecessors in office left to the pre-
sent Government, and we confess it has come
to a pass, at which it is much easier to dis-
cus the difficulties of the case, and to lament the

fate of the prisoners, than to propose a plan of
action, or to discover a remedy for the evil
that exists. Earl RUSSELL managed as Madly as
possible in offending the KING, by not sending an
answer to his letter, and the unhappy prisoners
themselves seem to have been guilty of great. im-
prudence at first, but all that does not meet the
difficulty of the present position. Row are these
men to be extricated, for their painful confinement
has become a matter of great moment, and it seems
as if we ought not much longer to have an answer
delayed. The inconveniences of proceeding to
extremities are too well known to need recapitula-
tion, and the loss of an expedition against the KING
would be great, and it might even fail of attaining
its immediate object of releasing the captives, be-
cause the irate KING might cause their destruction
before the arrival of succour. But how can we go
on much longer, allow this state of things to con-
tinue, and submit to the insults heaped upon us,
and the injuries inflicted upo❑ our fellow-country-
men and the subjects of our Sovereign ? Besides
all these considerations, there is another which is of

paramount importance.
Consul CAMERON is the representative of England
in the place where he has suffered so much indignity
and inconvenience, and it is not at all suitable that
he should be thus treated with scorn and contempt.
If we cannot protect our Consuls in these remote
regions, we had better not send any out there ; but,
at the same time, having done so, we are bound to
see that they return in safety. It will never do to
have a precedent established by these men pining
away in captivity, and being destroyed by the fury of
theirpersecutors. Lord STANLEY has displayed much
discernment, and exhibited so firm a spirit of deter-
mination in many difficult questions already, that it
is not unlikely he may see a way out of this matter,
consonant with all dignity and suited to the exi-
gencies of the case. We hope he may succeed in
effecting the liberation of these unfortunate cap-
tives ; but if he should fail in doing so by friendly
persuasions, we feel convinced that the noble lord
will see that the time has come when other expe-
dients must be resorted to, and that the honour of
England cannot permit her to remain for ever
passive when her subjects are maltreated, and all
remonstrances on their behalf set at defiance.

All who take an interest in American politics,
whatever their particular views, will learn with
satisfaction the release of JEFFERSON Davis from
his long and tedious captivity. Even admitting
the illegality and disloyalty of the secession of the
States—an admission which a large party in this
country have always been disinclined to make—it is
absurd that the offence should be visited specially
upon one man, however prominent his position.
JEFFERSON DAVIS was indeed the most conspicuous
statesman of the short-lived Southern Republic, but
he was merely the representative of the feelings and
wishes of his people. He was their chosen leader,
their elected President. The Confederacy was
never under his absolute control and guidance.
He never filled the office or exercised the authority
of a Dictator—in fact his Government was too
constitutional for a time of trial and disturbance.
The final break up of the Confederacy was
mainly due to the refusal of the planters to ac-
cept the suggestions of JEFFERSON DAVIS and
General LEE ; and, had he been the man
to carry out his own convictions in defiance of other
considerations, he might never have seen the inside
of Fortress Monroe. Whatever his administrative
capacity or his foresight as ruler, the career of
JEFFERSON DAVIS is identical with the Southern
cause. It was at its acme in the palmy days of the
Confederacy when it was overcast with the drooping
fortunes of the Southern armies. Why, then, should
Mr. DAVIS alone be made to suffer for the errors,

if errors they were, of millions? He rendered, no
doubt, great services to the Confederacy, but Gene-
ral LEE rendered still greater. Another PRESIDENT
might have been chosen, but after JACKSON'S death,
it would not have been possible to have replaced the
Southern Commander-in-Chief. Yet LEE is living
in retirement, free and respected, while DAvis is the
object of constant and virulent attack. Thanks to
President JOHNSON, his position has, indeed, been
of late considerably improved, and had it not been
for the ascendancy of the ultra-Radicals, he would,
no doubt, have been long since released on bail.
This is what has at last been actually done after all
these tedious delays and repeated disappointments.

The Court of Richmond has released Mr. DAVIS on
bail to appear in November next. We may hope
that this is a preliminary to his being set at liberty

altogether. The Government of the United States
has many dangers to fear within and without, but
very certainly the freedom of JEFFERSON Davis
will not enhance them.

The Supreme Court has discussed the appeals of
Georgia and Mississippi on the ground of want of
jurisdiction, the real state of the case being that
Mr. CHASE has no wish to embroil himself with the
Radicals in view of the approaching contest for the
Presidency. To interfere with the action of the
boasted Reconstruction Bill would be to identify
himself with the policy of the PRESIDENT, and to
forfeit the support of the Radicals. Mr. CHASE, it
is pretty well known, has a mind to try his fortunes
at the White House, and is therefore very glad to
get rid of the troublesome petition from the South
on the excuse of a point of law.
According to the news brought by the Bremen

from New York on the 2d, the Democratic party is
steadily gaining ground, their candidates for the
Mayoralty and for the city Judgeship at Baltimore
having been elected by large majorities. The
Judiciary Committee, we learn from the same

source, were to resume the impeachment investiga-
tion on the 3d of May, but the interest attaching to
their proceedings seems to have died out.
The Mexican news is all uncertainty. The New
York papers affirm that a despatch has been received
from the agent of JUAREZ, which stated that MIRA-
MON was dead, the Imperial forces disbanded,
MARQUEZ completely defeated, Queretaro c tptured,
and the EMPEROR in concealment. All this must
be received with reserve, but there seems little doubt
that MAXIMILIAN'S brief dream of power is over.
Mexico has little to hope from the triumph of
JUAREZ, since it seems that ORTEGA has found ad-
herents, and that CANALES, who has declared in
his favour, was besieging Matamoras. The pro-
spects of that beautiful and fertile but distracted
country are as hopelessly overclouded as ever. The
people have become so accustomed to a condition of
chronic warfare and rebellion, of intrigue and plunder
that it would be difficult for the wisest and

most judicious ruler to maintain his ascendancy

over them. If be tries a just and constitutional
administration be will be defeated by those whose

interest it is to scheme, and agitate, and conspire.
If he attempts to govern with a strong hand the land
is full of soldiers of fortune, who will answer the first
appeal to arms. Mexico may serve as a warning to
its great and powerful, but no longer united neigh-
bour. America is distracted by factions, and torn by
the intrigues and straggles of rival place-hunters and
bidders for power. She is far removed, indeed,
from the anarchy and desolation of Mexico, but she
is no longer what she was, and it behoves all who
really have the fortunes of their country at heart
to exert themselves to restore and uphold the
wavering doctrines of Constititionai freedom and

authority. The abuse of the power of Congress,
although apparently it is an error on the side of
liberty and free government, will inevitably tend,
as in all former instances on record, to the
assumption of irresponsible power by some daring
and unscrupulous spirit. The break up of the
Union, which would probably result from such an
event, would be a far less evil than the overthrow
of those Republican principles which the citizens of
the West have always cherished. America has had
enough of war and contention for this century at
least. Let her turn her attention to those arts of
peace and industry, without which no people can
be really free, great, or prosperous.

It is very satisfactory that Colonel BARTTELOT
should have obtained the object of his effort last
night, and that a select committee should have been
agreed to to inquire into the operation of the malt
tax. For many reasons it is as well that this
should be done. The subject has long been one of
difficulty and inconvenience to many, and nothing
can be wiser or more politic than to set doubts and
difficulties at rest by a full inquiry into the matter.
The Government were sensible in not opposing the
demand, and Mr. DISRAELI showed very good
reasons for so doing, when he said that " the
time during which discussions had taken place was
a long one, and the extravagant views which were
taken on the subject by both sides rendered it very
desirable to have the matter thoroughly investi-
gated." The right hon. gentleman was of course
in an ackward position in this matter, because
many of his friends and supporters were among the
enthusiastic advocates for the total abolition of this
tax. He, however, showed that he had not him-
self been led to any extreme in the case, and had
not used the expression that the tax was a
burden on the agricultural interests. He
said that the Malt Tax was a restriction on
the industry of the producers of barley, and
went on to declare that it might not be politic or
expedient to remit the tax, although it mightreadily
be laid down that it was a considerable restriction.
Colonel BARTTELOT succeeded in showing many ad-
vantages might be derived from the labours of the
Committee ;—among other things he cited the
advisability of the Committee proving how far it
was advisable to replace the tax by a tax on beer ;
and, also, they might illustrate how the working
classes would gain by the abolition of this
tax in consequence of the adulteration in
beer being checked. We do not believe
that the day is near at band which will witness the
repeal of this tax, but it may be modified with
great advantage, and no doubt the present Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer will do something in this
direction if he remains long enough in office to have
some favourable seasons as well as unfavourable

ones. At any rate, it is a gain in the cause of pro-
gress that this committee should havebeen appointed,
and it will afford many an opportunity of under-
standing the subject who are confused with conflicting
statements, and perhaps not sufficiently informed in
the matter. To check the adulteration of beer
would be a great advantage gained, and we are not
without hope and expectation that the committee
may be enabled to devise some means for attaining
this end, which they can confidently recommend to
the Government to follow.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Tuesday Evening.
The official communication made yesterday to
the Chambers on the part of the Government, of
which I sent you an account in my letter, has ex-
cited great satisfaction among the press and the
public generally. Sime of the papers are enthu-
siastic in the highest degree. I see but one excep-

tion to this joyous feeling at the maintenance of
peace—that of the Avenir National—which seems
still to have some misgivings, and insists upon the
truth of a report which has been circulated, that
Luxemburg will continue to form part of the Ger-
man Zollvereiu. The Avenir National says :—" The
Customs frontiers at this time are real frontiers.
To leave to Prussia the direction of the interests
of national commerce would, in reality, be to leave
to her the sole direction of important affairs. The
Conference, in making such an arrangement, would
only have finished its labour by leaving Luxemburg
as Prutsian as it was before. The fortress will fall,
it is true, but in its place the Powers have raised
another less capable of attack, their guarantee of
neutralisation."

Le Temps applauds the Convention, but wishes to
see the treaty followed by a general disarmament.
According to the Gazette de France, Prussia had
only one object in view, that of obtaining the con-
servation of Europe in the position which she has
obtained for herself in Germany. It believes that
Prussia has perfectly succeeded in the object which
she had in view.

The Presse says that the honour of France is
maintained, but it expends a little ill temper upon
the unskilfulness which, it says, has been in this
stance displayed by M. Bismarck.
The France is delighted that France has obtained
a triumph without a sanguinary war or any pertur-
bation in Europe. The step taken has not even
troubled the great Exhibition which now exhibits
its marvels in the Champ de Mars.
A serious calamity has occurred at the village of

Louesmes (Cote d'Or). During service the foun-
dations of the church gave way. Twelve persons
were seriously injured, and ten were killed. The
Sub-Prefect went to the spot immediately and ren-
dered all the assistance in his power. Medical men
were also promptly in attendance. The Empress
has sent I,ooof. for the moment, and has promised
to send such a further sum as may be required.

There was a fair attendance at the Chantilly
Races on Sunday.
A melancholy and mysterious affair is in course
of investigation by the authorities. The circum-
stances, as far as they have transpired, are these :
A young man of 20, Ernest X., after an absence of
a week, which he said he had passed in the country,
came home to his parents, who reside in the Fau-
bourg St. Germain. He was pale and haggard,
and saying that he was very ill he went to bed.
Three days afterwards he died, and the medical
attendant was unable to form any opinion upon the
cause of death. Shortly before he died Ernest
complained of severe internal pain, and when upon
the point of death in his delirium he pronounced
the names of several of his companions. He
seemed to imagine that he was still in company
with them, and cried out " I forgive you. You have
murdered me. What a misfortune at my age." At
the earnest desire of the father a post mortem
examination of the body took place. The operation
enabled the surgeons to pronounce that death had
been caused from internal injuries in consequence
of violent blows upon the stomach. This led to fur-
ther investigation, and it was discovered that Ernest
and four friends of about his own age had made a
bet with some others that on every day of a week
they would inebriate themselves with various strong
and rebellious liquors, and that they would finish
their Bacchanalia❑ orgies on the Sunday, closing
the week by drinking a large quanity of punch
composed of kirch, absinthe, cognac, rhun, white
brandy, and other liqueurs of peculiarly intoxicat-
ing character. The programme of this foolish wager
was carried out to the letter, or, more strictly speak-
ing, to the spirit. The five young men passed the
Sunday at the house where one of them resided in
drinking 'and uproarious festivity. Not a
drop of punch remained. The liquor had
the effect of making them quarrelsome.
They fought, and kicked, and danced together
until, overcome by drinking and exhaustion, they
all fell asleep. In the morning when they awoke
they had but little recollection of what had passed,
and they parted in a friendly feeling, aftqr shal;ing