The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-28 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, NOV. 28, 1867.

It seems that the Canadian Parliament is likely
to have an anxious session. We learn by the in-
telligence brought from New York on the 16th by
the City of New York, that 111r.APGEE has urged the
continued suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act in
Canada, on the ground that there might soon be
another Fenian invasion. We know that the PRESI-
DENT has with some imprudence restored to the
Fenians the arms taken from them during their for-
mer attempt upon Canada, and consequently they
will not lack one very important part of the
necessary preparations. There are, however,
two considerations which may modify the
zeal and cool the courage of the sup-
posed invaders. It is possible that they may
not find the subscriptions which have hitherto en-
riched their treasury flow in quite so fast. The
Irish labourers and servant maids, who were so
easily excited by the glowing portraits of the
Hibernian Republic to tender their hard-earned
shillings, may have by this time awakened from
their dream, and in America, as in England, money
does not at this juncture circulate so freely as here-
tofore. Again we have yet to see the effect of the
recent trial and execution of the Manchester offen-
ders. It is possible that this unromantic termina-
tion to the daring escapade may alter the heroic
aspect in which Fenianism has been represented to
its dupes. At any rate Mr. M‘GEE's proposition
may be a wise one as a matter of precaution, and
the lx_st preservative against another Fenian raid
will be the knowledge that the Canadians are on
the alert and will repel the invaders with vigour and
promptitude.
The trial of Mr. DAVIS, according to the latest
intelligence, has been postponed until March. The
date had been too often fixed and refixed to induce
any one to suppose that it was really so close at
hand. The ex-President will not suffer from this
last adjournment, since the change in public feeling
is doing much to improve his chance of a fair and
equitable trial.
_ _

Among other noticeable signs of the times in the
States is the advance of Free-trade doctrines. The
Washington correspondent of the New York Times
eays that there promises to be a strong pressure
upon Congress to secure a large reduction of the
tax on cotton and woollen fabrics. Commissioner
WELLS is understood to be in favour of a reduc-
tion, if sccorupanied by a corresponding reduction
in tariff rate. lle also, it is said, recommends the
the repeal of the cotton tax. The majority of
manufacturers now admit that the increased
tariff has injured rather than benefited
them the inevitable end of all such mo-
nopoly. If the new Congress will introduce
the principles of free trade into the commercial
legislation of the States they will do immense ser-
vice, and help to revive in a great measure the pro-
sperity of the country. Among the other disas-
trous effects of the Radical policy, we may include
the exorbitant tariffs of late years, though the
Democrats are by no means without blame in this
respect. We must hope that American manufac-
tureis generally have learned by experience how
fatal are the effects of such narrow and short-
sighted legislation, opposed as it' is to the very
spirit and nature of Congress, and most imminent
to the interests and capacities of a great and
wealthy maritime nation.
We learn through the same channel that, accord-
ing to the last act.:ounts received from Porto Rico,
the late hurricane has producel most devastating
effects. There have been in all three hurricanes,
but the last has been the most destructive of the
three. One thousand houses are in ruins and three
thousand buildings have been badly damaged. An
immense number of cattle have been killed ; the
cane crops are utterly destroyed, and the fields swept
bare. it is no wonder after such statements that
the account adds that the loss is incalculable. It
will be probably some time, even in that region of
rapid
.growth and rapid destruction, before Porto
Rico can recover from such a shock.

It is a great satisfaction to find that the Prussian
Diet has insisted upon reversing an act of great
injustice, and that the triumph of might against
right iu the case of Herr TWESTEN• has been of
short-lived duration. In yesterday's 4'.ttilag of the