The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-09 00:00:00

the Northern L States as to the true state of
things in the old Confederacy. They are
both Ines of high reputation, who from the
conspicuot Is and responsible position which they
had owl' ied during the years of the Southern
struggle w ere well able to give an opinion of the
feeling and condition of the people, while they were
above the suspicion of personal or party interest.
The interest of the extreme Radical party is rapidly
dying out, -and in fact it is chiefly exercised in
Congress, wlere the next elections will probably pro-
duce a cons iderable change. The PRESIDENT can
afford to " bide his time " and defer many useful
and patriot is measures until he is better supported
by the representatives of the people. He is not
likely to have to deal with so refractory a body if
the present temper of the public mind is adequately
represented. Public meetings, we learn from the
news brought by the City of Boston from New
York on the 28th ult., are being held throughout
the country in great numbers for the purpose of
endorsing the PRESIDENT'S policy. A further in-
dication of the improved temper of the times is the
failure of the attempt to identify JEFFERSON DAVIS
with the assassination plot. We may hope that
the prolonged captivity of this illustrious man will
be shortly brought to a close, since it can answer
no good end to retain him in durance while the
whole aspect of affairs is changed, and the Southern
States have accepted their destiny. We are glad
to find that President JOHNSON has granted
Mrs. Davis the long-desired permission to visit her
husband. The persecution of one man, however
prominent his former position, is unworthy of a
powerful Government like that of the United States.
The Foreign relations of the States are assuming
a quieter aspect. Spain is evidently beginning to
feel that she has made a mistake in her aggression
on Chili, and it is semi-officially reported that she has
now requested the mediation of America. The
Fenians are subsiding into insignificance, and now
that the grand scheme of invasion has collapsed, the
old rivalry between O'MAHONY and ROBERTS is
again coming up. The parties most to be pitied
are the unfortunate dupes who have parted with
money for Fenian Bonds.

We see with great satisfaction that the House of
Commons has refused to give its sanction to the
virtual destruction of the beautiful and popular
Victoria-park. Lord JOHN MANNERS, Mr. HOPE,
and Mr. Alderman LAURENCE, especially deserve
the thanks of the working classes for their resolute
opposition to the unwise and unpopular measure.
It was proposed to refer the bill to a committee,
but Sir J. TnOLLOPE wisely reminded the House
that the committee had so power to examine wit-
nesses on oath, which made a serious difference
with a contested bill. So strong and unanimous
was the feeling that Mr. STANILAND, who had
charge of the bill, withdrew it, and the crowded
parishes of the East End may enjoy the sight of
trees and grass unsuffocated by smoke and sm ell.
Another subject that will very well bear inquiry is
the management of our water companies, and we
regret that Sir G. GREY should have induced Mr.
HANKEY to withdraw his bill. It is a poor argu-
ment to say ou behalf of a defective system that it
was established many years ago. Surely modern
improvements can effect something.