The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-25 00:00:00

in consequence of the suspicious signs which they
observed. Preparations had been made which show
how greatly the fears and the doubts of the autho-
rities were excited, for they concentrated nearly all
their forces near the capital. It is very fortunate
that the Italian Government should have used such
diligence, for thereby they have in all probability
prevented greater confusion, and more extensive
losses ensuing in all directions. Saturday, the 28th,
was fixed for the grand coup to take place, and
hence the stoppage has not been much too soon.

The Official Gazette of Florence of last night
says that the agitation by which it has been sought
" to impel the country to violate international
stipulations, far from calming down, has become
stronger and more audacious." Accordingly the
Ministry resolved to fulfil its duty and keep its
" pledged word," after having uttered a frank 'and
decisive declaration. No one can blame them for
doing this, but, on the contrary, they deserve praise
and encouragement for the manner in which they
have executed a painful and irksome duty. A
large number of volunteers took the road to the
frontier during the last few days, where, adds the
Official Gazette, depots of arms had been made, and
where other arms followed them. General GARI-
BALDI took the direction of the same frontier by
way of Sinalunga, and henceforth the meaning of
the movement was all too plainly revealed—the
Government finding itself in the position that
either it must allow treaties to be violated, and the
honour of the nation sacrificed, or else it must, at
any cost, protect the majesty of the law. The
Ministry, in this emergency, decided upon the
wisest course to adopt. Those volunteers who
were on the road to the Roman frontier
were desired to return to their homes, and
General GARIBALDI was summoned at Sinalunga to
retrace his steps, and upon his refusal he was con-
ducted to Alessandria. As might be expected some
excitement was created in consequence of these pro-
ceedings, and a large crowd paraded Florence last
night, shouting "Release Garibaldi;" but tranquillit y
was quickly restored upon the troops being called
out. There are good grounds for hoping that the
capture of GARIBALDI will put a stop to the move-
ment altogether, and, if so, little or no harm wi.l
have been done. The most likely explanation
of this strange affair is that GARIBALDI was
mistaken in the estimate he formed of his enter-
prise. There was nothing to justify his attempt
either in a political sense or upon the grounds of
the success that lay before him, and the lovers of
order and justice must rejoice that he has failed so
signally. At the same time one feels regret that so
distinguished a man should so delude himself, and
listen to the suggestions of ill-informed and mis-
chief-making persons. Let us hope that one good
may eventually result from this untoward circum-
stance, and that GARIBALDI may learn more wisdom
for the future, and that his friends may persuade
him to abstain from making any more such un-
warrantable attempts.

Rumour in America is busy with the PRESIDENT'S
future course. The political barometer is evidently
held to indicate an approaching crisis of some kind,
partly from the resolute action lately taken by Mr.
JOHNSON, and partly perhaps from the gradual
change in public feeling. The New lork herald
says that it is reported in Washington that the
PRESIDENT intends to prorogue the present Con-
gress as an unconstitutional body. This would bring
matters to a crisis, and would of course array against
the Government the whole strength of the Radical
party. Mr. JOHNSON would no doubt be able to
bring forward valid reasons in his own behalf. The
representatives of a given number of States claim
to represent the whole nation, and legislate for the
unrepresented States, not only without being autho-
. izeti Lo act tor them, but in open defiance ut
wishes. This faction of a Congress is not content
with carrying on the business of the State after the
fashion of ordinary times. Its members are subverting
the whole form of national government, increasing
the popular burdens, and pursuing a course of policy
which cannot fail to leave serious traces on the
history of the nation. Under their auspices in a
time of peace the sword of the general has been
allowed to outweigh the panoply of civil law, and
men have no longer been able to rely on the ancient
safeguards of civil liberty and public right. It may
well be suggested, therefore, that the opinion of the
whole nation should be taken on such proceedings,
and that a body which is clearly unconstitutional
should be arrested in its course until some better
guarantee is obtained that Americans are prepared
to convert their cherished Republic into a military
despotism.
It was said also that the PRESIDENT had deter-
mined to recommend that the closing of the regis-
tration in the South be deferred until the Ist of
October, or sixteen days after the mail left New
York. This would allow time for the working of
his amnesty proclamation, and would in:consequence
completely change the proportion of black and
white voters. It is evident that in any case the
Government intend vigorously to uphold the civil
supremacy proclamation. A writ of Habeas Corpus
was granted in Lagrange, Tennessee, under it, and
Secretary BROWNING has transmitted the proclama-
tion to his subordinates, with instructions to con-
form to it. It is high time that the dignity of the
law was vindicated, since under the recent manage-
ment there have been continual riots and disturb-
ances, and these if put down by the strong band of
military power produce in their turn serious conse-
quences. If the PRESIDENT can succeed in a bold
move, and displace the present Congress from their
ill-gained and ill-used power, he may be able to
inaugurate a new and better era than America has
witnessed since the war.

The North German Parliament does not seem to
be getting on very well, what with one thing and
another. The discussions that took place concern-
ing the address in reply to the Speech from the
Throne partook somewhat of an angry character.
Count BISMARCK protested against the proposal that
was made relative to the mention of the " release of
Luxembourg," declaring that Luxembourg presents
the same territorial relation as before, and that
Prussia had only yielded up the right of gar-
risoning the fortress. Can anything be more
absurd than this ? And it shows that nothing can
make this crafty statesman allow that he is in the
wrong, or that any of his plans are failures. As
for his observation that the " neutralisation of the
fortress compensated for the relinquishment of the
right of garrisoning it," all we can say is that if
this is the truth it seems very strange that so much
fuss was made about the matter. Count BIS3IAnc K
made some unmeaning platitudes about the length
of time which it took to settle the affairs of North
Schleswig, which are not very likely to impress
those who can believe the news. It seems really
quite a farce to find that this Parliament should
profess to foster and further the cause of liberty
while all the time the Berlin authorities are under-
mining all freedom, and acting in the most abso-
lute manner. A blank space appeared the other
day in a Cologne paper because the powers that
be objected to the proposed insertion which had
been sent from Electoral Hesse, and did not meet
the approval of the censor. Thiti is a notable in-
stance of freedom, it must be admit cd, but ia-