The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-13 00:00:00

cipal leader of the extreme Republicans no longer
thinks it worth his while to modify his declarations
or to affect anything like equity or justice. The
sudden confiscation of Southern lands without the
excuse of a fresh outbreak would be so outrageous
and unreasonable that even the Radicals, strong as
they are, could hardly hope to carry it through
Congress. The Southern people know now what
they have to hope or expect from Mr. STEVENS and
his associates. Even if they submit to the ob-
noxious Reconstruction Act, they will not be re-
garded as members of the Union, so far as political
rights are concerned. So far from being permitted to
send representatives to the national assembly, and to
have a voice in their own legislation, they are to be
treated as if they were actually in arms against the ex-
isting Government. THADDEUS STEVENS, violent and
vindictive as he is towards the South, is by no means
the most extreme Radical in his views, so that we
are left to speculate upon the projects of those who
go beyond him, unless indeed he is trying to outbid
his more unscrupulous fellows. The publication
of such a letter looks almost as if the Radicals wished
to provoke the South into some exhibition of dis-
content or disloyalty. They can hardly suppose
that the Southerners will bear patiently w th such a
prospect. The condition of many parts of the
South is still lamentable. In the interior of
Georgia the destitution is described as general,
and thousands of persons are said to be in danger
of actual starvation. No part of a great nation can
be long in such a condition without the effect being
felt, more or less, throughout the other parts.
America has to thank the Radicals for having pro-
longed the evil influence of the war, by damaging the
produce and checking the enterprise of the South,
and thus affecting directly and indirectly the
trade and commerce of the North. The relations
between black and white are, on the whole,
improving. The Virginian Legislature has made
an appropriation for the educatian of children, irre-
spective of colour. Mr. PEABODY'S noble gift has,
we may hope, set an example which may stimulate
the whites of the South to liberal efforts in the
Cause of education, and may remove the reproach
which has so long attached to them for their neglect
of the best interests of the negro.

The new military Governments of the South
have already got into some difficulties, and,
judging from their recent actions, they arc
inclined to introduce some new features
into American politics. A Richmond paper
has received a " a first notice" from General
SCHOFIELD, with an intimation that upon a repeti-
tion of the offence it would be suppressed. Cer-
tainly the article which called forth the General's
ire was very intemperate, but it is something very
new for any one to find fault with the intempe-
rance of American journalism. So much for the
freedom of the Press ander the Reconstruction Act.
Another difficulty has arisen with the firemen of
Charleston. The American firemen, as is well known,
belong to regular organisations and mix a good
deal in politics. The Charleston firemen, it seems,
have been in the hahit of marching in procession
through the city with flags, among which the illus-
trious " stars and stripes" were omitted. General
SICKLES, who commands the district, thought this
omission of sufficient importance to stop the parade
on one of these occasions, and to issue commands
that the Union flag should be carried in front of
the column with a guard of honour. The men
agreed and the parade was resumed, but the
guard could not have been very attentive,
since a man was subsequently arrested and sent to
gaol for mutilating the flag ! But the stars and
stripes which have hitherto been pretty well able to
take care of themselves are thought by General
SICKLES to need further care and protection. He
has, accordingly, issued orders to the effect that
every person in the column shall salute the colours
by lifting his hat three times before he reaches the
colours, and carrying his cap uplifted as he marches
past to an equal distance on the other side. A Demo-
cratic j ournal is very indignant at this, and talks about
GESSLER. Another dispute under the Reconstruc-
tion Act has occurred in Georgia, but the subject
was also trifling. Still these trifles are significant
alike of the difficulties which attend such a form of
government and of the dangers which threaten in-
dividual liberty of speech and action under it.

The approach of the Presidential contest is begin-
ning to excite all parties, and the names and merits
of possible candidates are eagerly compared and can-
vassed. General GRANT is still highly popular with
the people, but the Radical party, who once looked to
him as a powerful, ally are now apprehensive that
he will lose them their victory. lie is by no means
committed to the extreme views advocated by
STEVENS and ASHLEY. What if he should prove to
be another JOHNSON, and when once he gets the
reins of power in his hurls remembers that be is
PRESIDENT, and forgets that he was a Radical.
The Radicals are not likely to get much sympathy
from this side of the Atlantic, but the result of the
election will be watched with deep anxiety.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM. OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Sunday Evening.
There was a Cabinet Council yesterday at the
Tuileries, under the presidency of the Emperor.
The Empress was present at the Council.
Prince Napoleon Jerome and the Princess Maria
Clothilde received yesterday at their palace, Palais
Royal, his Highness Prince Toukoungava Minbor
Tago, the brother of the Tycoon of Japan. They
also gave an audience to take have to Baron Penedo,
appointed Minister of Brazil in England.

The Jioniteur has the following news :
" The transport Aube for Mexico has arrived at
Brest. This vessel brings back to France a de-
tachment of the 12th Regiment of Chasseurs, which
forms the last portion of the troops belonging to
the expeditionary army sent there some years ago.
All the troops have been landed in perfect health.
" The London Conference assembled yesterday
(Saturday) at five in the afternoon. The telegrams
from that city anticipate that the treaty for the re-
gulation of th,3 question of the Grand Duchy of
Luxemburg would be signed during the sitting.
" The House of Lords of Prussia has received a
Ministerial letter, declaring that the Constitution of
the North could not be presented to it until after
the second reading by the Chamber of Deputies,
which was appointed for May 31. M. de Bismarck
expressed a hope that the Upper Chamber would
approve of the motives by which the Government
had been actuated, so that no person could hereafter
contend that the Constitution had not been adopted
by legal means."
It is stated from Berlin that some communica-
tions have been exchanged betwee❑ the Prussian
and French Governments, which commenced on the
part of the Cabinet of Berlin, who complained that
armaments had been continued in France after the
publication of an article in tie Moniteur stating that
they had been discontinued. The explanation made
upon the subject by the Marquis de .Mustier is said
to have been quite satisfactory to the Prussian Go-
vernment.

It is believed in well-informed quarters that the
Prussian troops will evacuate the garrison of Lux-
emburg within a month, although it is said that
Prussia at first asked for a delay of two months.
As the plan for the reorganisation of the army is
about to undergo discussion, some particulars of its
present constitution, translated from the Annuaire
Militaire for 1867, will be useful. The present
Minister of War is Marshal Adolphe Niel, who was
born at Buret in 1802. Some of the most eminent