The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-26 00:00:00

two districts, each with two members, and the
thirtieth seat is to be given to London University.
Various other points for the improvement of regi-
stration in counties and diminishing election ex-
penses were added, and the scheme for dealing with
cases of proved corruption elicited the approval of
Mr. GLADSTONE. Altogether the plan of the Go-
vernment, as yesterday indicated by the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, offers, as we have said, a good
practical foundation upon which the House of Com-
mons, if really desirous of satisfying the country,
may raise a comprehensive and liberal measure.

The intelligence transmitted yesterday through
the Atlantic Telegraph is highly important, and
affords us further reason to hope that the aspect of
American politics is undergoing a salutary change.
The house of Representatives has refused to pass
the Tariff Bill, and has referred it to a committee,
which is virtually disposing of it altogether. The
common sense of the public has, no doubt, exercised
its influence over the members, and the perception
of the serious dangers which threatened American
commerce became too general to allow of the mea-
sure, as amended by the Upper House, becoming
law. The amendments, so-called, consisted, in
almost every case, of additional duties, until the
Tariff, as finally submitted to the house of Repre-
sentatives, assumed a prohibitory character. There
was a strong opposition against it, especially on the
part of the -Western representatives, but at one
time it was more than probable the interested pro-
moters of the scheme would succeed in pushing it
through Congress. Happily the attempt has failed,
and the news will give great and general satisfaction
in English as well as American circles. The amend-
ment which specified that the Bill should come into
force immediately on its passage through the Houses
instead of not coming into operation until the first
of April would have actually affected the cargoes
now being shipped for American ports, and must,
therefore, have entailed heavy losses on European
merchants. We congratulate the House of Repre-
sentatives on their rejection of the obnoxious mea-
sure, and hope that it may be accepted as signifi-
cant either of a change in the Radical policy or of
a growing conviction on the part of the leaders
that it will not do to try the public patience too
far.

Regarding the aspects of Southern affairs we find
the Missouri Legislature has refused to submit the
amendment disfranchising rebels to the people for
ratification, an instance of national spirit, which few
impartial Northerners will be disposed to condemn.
At the same time there are indications of a possible
compromise between the opposing parties, leaving
out, of course, such extreme and unreasonable men
AS SUMNER and STEVENS. The PRESIDENT has
agreed with the" Southern Governors upon a new
plan of reconstruction, which the more moderate
Radicals are, it is said, not indisposed to accept.
This scheme, which was laid before the Senate about
a fortnight ago, advises a Constitutional Amendment,
changing the basis of representation, and excluding
the more active Confederates from Federal office.
This would be very different from the oppressive and
tyrannical details of the former measures, and as
it is :quite evident that both sides must yield
a little if a compromise is to be effected, it does not
appear to exact too much from either. The American
people generally are growing weary of the present
unsettled and disastrous state of things, and are be-
coming sensible of the danger of continuing it for
two or three years longer. The extreme Radicals,
who rave about impeachment and martial law, have
lost much of their influence in and out of Congress,
and we trust that the rejection of the obnoxious
tariff may be accepted as an indication that a wiser
spirit is beginning to prevail in the national
councils.