The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-15 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

T►LTS DAL—Morning, 10h. 35m.—Afternoon, 11b. 20m.
To-Monitow.-Morning, h. m.—Afternoon, 10h. 12m.

• gal
1111
•47...4141./OPPLIA UM
4,,. _

LONDON, 172.11).4Y, FEB. 15, 1867.

The Speech of the EMPEROR, on the occasion of
the opening of the French Legislature, is always one
of the most noticeable events of the political year,
and, as it might be expected, the one of this session
is neither deficient in interest nor excitement. So
many events have occurred since this ceremony took
place last year that it was only natural people should
wonder how this difficulty would be got over in the
EMPERORS' speech, or that dilemma satisfactorily
explained. On the whole we may say, confidently,
that the EMPEROR has extricated himself with his
usual dexterity from the snares and pitfalls which
were around him, and despite of failures abroad
and distress at honte, despite also of the irritation
experienced by many influential Frenchmen and a
large portion of the population at the course of in-
action pursued by their Government, this master of
politics has contrived to make out that France has
only abstained from entering into the stormy arena
of war to suit her own purpose, and that even thus
she has not been disregarded or is treated with
contempt. In the first place, the EMPEROR falls
back upon his old doctrine of fatality to explain
the startling and sudden changes that have taken
place in Germany ; and hence he illustrates that
they have realised the predictions of the First
NAPOLEON at St. Helena, when he said that, sooner
or later, by the force of circumstances, the agglo-
meration and concentration of the same nations

must take place; adding that, after his fall, and the
disappearance of his system, there could be no other
great adjustment possible but the confederation of
great nations. The present EMPEROR thinks, then,
recent events in Italy and Germany have paved the
way for the realisation of this " vast programme of
the union of the European States in one single con-
federation." How far this may hereafter prove to
be correct or not it is as yet impossible to deter-
mine altogether, but so far as circumstances haire
hitherto taken place it seems as if there was some
truth in the prediction. Certainly the changes
and alterations that have been going on of late in
nations of the Continent bear out partly, at any
rate, the notion of old things passing away, and of
the introduction of special forces and changed rela-
tions ; but the real question at issue is how far
these works are being done in a right spirit.
We do not believe that the Prussian Government
are sincere in their profession about the fulfilment
of the great plan of unity, but perhaps it is not
to be wondered at that the French EMPEROR
should be more sanguine in his expectations as to
the result, since the present Prussian policy is all
that meets the approval of the French in its
fundamental principles, and promises to fulfil some
of their old ideas of national regeneration, and other
similar schemes. The Emperor NAPOLEON appears
to be quite satisfied at the part he played '
in the recent struggle, and declaring most
emphatically that " they have been impartial wit-
nesses of the struggle which has been waged on the
other side of the Rhine," and yet so strong was the
power of France that she had influence enough to
arrest the conqueror at the gates of Vienna. Al-
though some may think that is merely the bom-
bastic utterance that may look well in a discourse,
it contains,, nevertheless, a good deal of truth in it ;
and we make no doubt that, had not the influence
alluded to by the EMPEROR been exerted, the Aus-
trians would have fared far worse. The French
may also congratulate themselves that they have
been mainly instrumental in effecting the great work
of the completion of Italian independence.
The Mexican Expedition was the bete noire of
this Speech, and it was speedily disposed of in a
few sentences, which did not betray any symptoms
of hesitation or useless regret. The idea was an

elevated one which inspired him and his people
to undertake the task, but an untoward concurrence

of circumstances made it advisable to extinguish
the scheme in question. Neither does the • East
seem to offer any likelihood of disturbing the
serene state of things upon which the EMPEROR
holds so much self-complacency, and such
happy anticipations for himself and his people.
Rome even does not daunt the courage of this de-

termined politician; and the French, he informs his
bearers, have faithfully executed the Convention of
the Fifteenth of September. He does not see any
danger which is likely to accrue to the Government
of the Holy Father in this new phase into which it
has entered, but considers it will be maintained by
its own strength and the veneration which is felt by
all. The Convention between France and England
is all that can be desired, and it becomes " daily
more intimate by the similarity of our policy, and
the multiplicity of our commercial relations." All
the other Powers of Europe are in a state of com-
plete amity and good understanding.
We now come to the most interesting part of the
discourse, so far as French sympathies are con-
cerned, and the EMPEROR seems to surpass himself
in the zeal with which ho enters upon the
consideration of the changes whicl-- he has
deemed it advisable to make in French Insti-
tutions. " Assured of the present, confident
of the future," he thinks that the hour has

arrivod when he may fulfil the dearly-cherished

expectations of his people, and to inaugurate those
changes which have been so long and so anxiously
looked for: He thanks the Senators and Deputies
for their confidence in leaving to him the direction
of the right moment at which to introduce these
changes, and also for their good faith in waiting for
their fulfilment. Their profound devotion to the

institutions of the Empire has determined him to
adopt the " liberal measures which lay in the minds
of the Senate, and to meet the aspirations of the
Corps Legislatif."

The influence of a nation depends, says the EM-
PEROR, upon the number of men it is able to pay
under arms, and neighbouring States impose upon
themselves heavier burdens than any which the
French are called upon to make ; and hence an ear-
nest hope is expressed that there will be no objec-
tions raised to the bill about to be laid before the
House on the subject of the organisation of the
army. Particular stress seems laid upon this
by the EMPEROR, and, no doubt, many will
draw their own conclusion from it and the energy
with which the attention is called to it. " The
conditions of war being changed require the in-
crease of our defensive forces, and we must organise
ourselves in such a manner as to be invulnerable."
Such are significant expressions at the present time
it cannot be denied, and Prussia will, no doubt,
interpret them as such. The concluding words of
this remarkable Speech are very much to be ad-
mired, and it is especially worthy

notice that the EMPEROR says that " Hitherto
in France liberty has only been ephemeral:,
He now trusts, however, that he and his Parlia-
ment may be enabled to make a broader applica-
tion of great principles, and to increase thus the
glory and greatness of France. He invites them
to march with him with a firm step in the " path
of civilisation," and that their progress there may
be a safe and a satisfactory one, will be the ardent
desire of all the disinterested nations of Europe.

It was naturally to be expected that in both
Houses of Parliament Ministers should be called
upon last evening to give what information they
could furnish respecting the latest development of
Fenianism. The alarm excited among the sober
citizens of Chester had scarcely subsided when news
arrived of fresh disturbances of a more serious
nature in Ireland. In reply to the inquiries made
by the Marquis of CLANRICARDE last evening in the
Upper House, Lord DERBY stated that the infor-
mation which the Government possessed was meagre
an d'unsatisfactory, having been received by telegram,
but professed his readiness to communicate whatever
he knew. It seems from the accounts given to the Lords
by the noble earl, and to the Commons by Mr. WAL-
POLE, that the telegraphic wire between Malow,
Killarney, and Valentia, were cut on Wednesday
afternoon, but that they were subsequently repaired,
and watched by a patrolling guard. At 11 o'clock
on Wednesday night came the news of an attack
upon the coastguard station near Cahirciveen, and
of a mounted policeman, with despatches, being shot
at and robbed of his arms and his horse. It was
further stated that the mob were marching upon the
town of Killarney, which is about 40 miles distant
from Cahirciveen. Upon receipt of this alarming
intelligence orders were immediately telegraphed
for the movement of troops by express trains from
Cork, Tralee, and the Curragh, for the protection of
Killarney. The arrival of these troops naturally
gave great relief to the inhabitants of the town,
who had previously been under great apprehensions,
owing to their defenceless state. The authorities
have succeeded in arresting oae of the supposed
Fenian chiefs, who was proceeding t) take the lead

of the insurgents, with strongly criminating papers
—a piece of indiscretion of which Fenians, it would
seem, are often guilty. Under these circumstances
Lord NAAS thought it advisable to proceed at once
to Ireland, which he did yesterday morning, a
movement which will no doubt greatly facilitate
the speedy repression of the disturbances.
Lord DERBY, it is satisfactory to find, has no
reason to believe that the outbreak is more than
local, though directions have been given for increased
vigilance in every direction. It is encouraging to
know that there has as yet been no outbreak in any
other part of the country, neither has any sympathy
been shown for the proceedings of the insurgents.
AB we hear the inhabitants of tho towns manifested
great uneasiness, and there seems to be no disposition
to favour the malcontents. We trust that Lord
DERBY'S anticipations of a speedy repression of the
outbreak will be realised, and that these mischievous
conspirators may before long reap the reward of
their reckless and dangerous folly.

It was only to be expected that the House of Re-
presentatives would carry the Nebraska Bill over
the PRESIDENT'S veto, and accordingly the intelli-
gence to that effect, transmitted by the cable, will
not take any one by surprise. The Radical party,
with their customary inconsistency, are admitting
as States districts with no more population than an
English town, while they are excluding provinces of
the size of all England. Colorado, numbering no
more inhabitants than Carlisle or Chester, is to
send two Senators to the Upper House, while the
Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia, and all their
neighbours, are to be left totally unrepresented.
The PRESIDENT could hardly have been expected to
sanction such flagrant inconsistency even without,
the negro suffrage condition, to which he justly took
exception. It is quite possible, however, that the
very extravagance of the Radical policy may end
in defeating itself. The Tariff Bill has just passed
through the Senate after au excited session of 15
hours. The numerous amendments made to the
bill as it left the Lower House have nearly all greatly
increased the import duties, which were already
heavy enough as the bill originally stood. As the
Senate has improved it they are almost prohibitory
in some instances standing at 250 per cent. An
attempt was made to reduce the duty on coffee, tea,
and sugar, and also to place on the free list books
printed in foreign languages, and books, maps, &c.,
published previous to 1840, but all such efforts were
fruitless. The Protectionists carried everything
before them, to the serious damage of American
trade and commerce, and to the intense mortifica-
tion of the Western representatives. It is this
significant fact that augurs ill for the Radicals, since
one of the Western members expressed the truth
when he said " the West did not want that tariff,
and would not remain quiet under it." Not content
with their victory, the Protectionists have arranged
that the bill shall become law at once instead of wait-
ing until April as at first arranged, and the Western
men are unable to cope with the New England
interest. It is evident, thee, that the Eastern mem-
bers, by their greed, are offering the Western party,
who will suffer heavily by this tariff, a strong in-
ducement to favour the re-admission of the South
to Congress, because they now realise the fact that
the national assembly, as at present constituted,
is no representation at all. It is an irrespon-
sible body, whose acts have no reference to
the prevailing interests of the general public,
and so far from reflecting the various
sections of opinion and feeling which must
exist in every large body politic, it is composed only
of one narrow and intolerant faction, which ap-
pears incapable of enlightened legislation or of the
smallest exercise of that forbearance and conciliation
demanded from all rulers and legislators.
lt is reported that the PRESIDENT and his friends
are preparing a new scheme of reconstruction,
which will admit the South to representation with-
out giving them too much weight in the adminis-
tration. It is designed to meet the views of the
large middle party, and is said to be intended for
the Conservative platform at the next election. The
Radicals are in a very awkward position with re-
gard to this important question, as STEVENS'S
elaborately prepared scheme has failed, and ASH -
LEY'S intolerant effort has been equally unsuccess-
ful. The facts are against them, whatever their
ingenious excuses of leaving the Southern States
in a condition of destitution and misery which is
absolutely appalling.