The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-27 00:00:00

there be one thing more obnoxious than another in
the doings of the Prussians it is their cruelty. At
the time of their war with Denmark Lord DERBY
remarked in the House of Lords that he regretted
to find that the Prussian soldiers still disgraced
themselves by the exercise of that cruelty which in
the time of the general European war had called
forth the just condemnation of the Duke of WEL-
LINGTON. It is always the same in peace or war,
in success or defeat, while pursuing a tentative
policy, or while following up a victorious struggle ;
one thing appears more striking than another—a
true national characteristic—and that is cruelty.
The Paris journals have the sense and spirit
to expose some of this unseemly conduct, and
it is well that they should do so. The
Daglabet has given some distressing de-
tails concerning the manner in which the
Prussian authorities persecute the Danes of North-
Schleswig. This system is as unfair and unjust in
a legal sense as it is unworthy and ungenerous,
according to a moral point of view. The Treaty
provides that those natives of Schleswig who wish
to do so may return to Denmark, but the vindictive
oppressors who were forced to make this cession,
nullify its effects by declaring that they must take
their families with them, whether they are desirous
of so doing or not. The authorities have published
an ordinance, which goes even beyond this arbitrary
arrangement. It forbids the natives of Schleswig
to return to the Duchy after having quitted it, and
this in the face of the permission vouchsafed by the
Treaty of 1864 to change their place of residence as
often as they like during the next fourteen years.
If any native should reappear in the Duchy after
having been to Denmark he is to be expelled at
once, and thus it will be seen that these un-
fortunate individuals have not the privileges
accorded to foreigners, for these latter can remain
as long as they wish in the Duchy.
Surely no comment is needed to prove the in-
justice of this course, and it is, indeed, crowning
evidence of the want of faith exhibited by Prussia.
It is deeply to be deplored that this country should
have played so false a part to Denmark, and per-
mitted the unscrupulous authorities at Berlin to see
that they could do as they like. Our inattention
and indifference has brought a sad fate upon many
of the unfortunate victims of Count BISMARCK'S
aggressive policy, and at least we may hope that it
will remain as a solemn warning to all future gene-
rations of statesmen, and prevent them from letting
might get the triumph over right in so extraordinary
a manner. Had the English Government been firm
as they were hesitating, and as decided as they were
yielding, avery different state of things would have
ensued ; but, unhappily, it turned out otherwise,
and while suffering has been the portion of the
Danes shame undoubtedly appertains to ourselves.
No wonder that the Daglabet should record these
doings with horror, and indignantly demand that
some notice should be taken of the " cry of distress
arising from the unfortunate population." The Siecle
observes, in allusion to this, " France cannot be in-
different to the outrages referred to, for it was at
her demand that the article in the Treaty of Prague
was introduced "stipulating that the Danish popu-
lation of Schleswig should be consulted as to thei
wish to return to Denmark." Another in-
stance of arbitrary interference and of bitter
persecution is afforded by the Arenir Na-
tional, which states that the Prussian Government
has demanded with great eagerness, and has
actually obtained, from the Dutch Government the
expulsion of one hundred and fifty officers and
soldiers, Hanoverian refugees. What irritates one
in respect to the Prus,dans is that they go out of
their way to inflict injaries on others, and cannot
be just, far less generous, when they have gained a
great deal more than they expected at the outset.
After the decided advantages of last year
what excuse can be offered for the audacious at-
tempts now so persistently made to push things
beyond endurance, and to crush anew those al-
ready so heavily afflicted. The day of reckoning
must and will come, for all those violations of
honour, truth, and justice; and meanwhile the
game is not entirely in their own bands, for they
have made a powerful enemy in France, who watches
everything with suspicion, and who has already, in
the Treaty of Luxembourg, partly foiled the insi-
dious intentions of the Berlin Government, and
made it retreat within due limits.

The Democrats of America are taking fresh
courage, and are looking forward with hope and
confidence to the elections in the fall. The coun-
try, they flatter themselves, and not altogether with-
out reason, is disgusted with Radicalism in its
present form, and indeed the experimental legisla-
tion of the ultra-Republicans has cost the American
public dear. Rumours are abroad in Washington
that if Congress does not meet next month, the
condition of affairs, both political and finan-
cial, will induce the PRESIDENT to convene
an extra session in August. The PRESIDENT,
however, has not much reason to hope for
substantial assistance from STEVENS, ASHLEY, and
their associates. The difficulties complained of are
in great measure due to their legislation already,
so it is not very easy to believe that they would
undo their own work. The present unsatisfactory
state of the finances is clearly traceable to their
reckless expenditure in bounties and other totally
unnecessary channels. Unnecessary, that is to say
for the States, though turned to very good account
in keeping up the dominion of the Radicals.
Again, the depressed state of trade and
general dulness of business is mainly due to
the unsettled condition in which Mr. STEVENS
and his friends persist in keeping the Southern
States. The political bitterness and agitation is of
course clearly traceable to the same cause, and the
country may thank the Radicals for having intro-
duced a fertile source of discord into the South first,
as the people, white and black, were settling into
something like tranquillity. The perpetual con-
flicts between civil and military authority effectu-
ally prevent anything like stability or content
among the Southern people. The whole policy
of the Radicals would seem to indicate that
they wish or intend to irritate them into a
fresh rebellion, or at least to stir them up
to such open disaffection as will afford a plausible
pretext for wholesale confiscation. Louisiana has
recently been the scene of an animated dispute be-
tween the rulers, which ended in the removal of
Governor WELLS by General SHERIDAN. As we
heard by the last mail, Governor WELLS refused
to yield his place to his successor, whereupon Gen.
SHERIDAN compelled him to surrender. He has, it
is understooJ, appealed to Washington, and the
Cabinet have decided that General SHERIDAN ex-
ceeded his powers, the military officers in command
having no right to remove civil officers deriving
their authority from the Southern State Govern
ments. The case of Governor WELLS is not an
isolated one, as several other civil officers have been
dislodged by the invaders in different parts of the
South. But although the Cabinet has, it is said,
fully decided in their favour, there is very little
chance of their reinstatement. The Government is
not strong enough to vindicate the supremacy of
civil law, while from Congress itself, as at present
constituted, there is nothing to be hoped. The
Democratic party, as we hays said, ar6 beginning,