The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-12 00:00:00

We have of late years very often discussed and
considered the principles of our British Constitution,
and various plans for strengthening and amending
the ancient and time-worn structure have been de-
bated in Parliament, in the press, and on the plat-
form. A very original proposition to this effect has
just been brought under our notice, which com-
mends itself to the attention of the reader, not only
by the new and vigorous policy which it indicates,
but by bearing the name of a well-known colonial
politician on its title-page.' The Hon. JOSEPH
HowE,of Newßru ns wick, has oftendistinguished him-
self by the ability, good sense, and practical experience
which he has brought to bear upon some of the
difficult and complex questions arising between the
mother country and the colonies. He has always
been remarkable for his strong attachment to Eng-
land and the English institutions, and so far from
sharing in the theories of Professor GOLDWIN
SMITH and others, he would draw the bonds of union
sbeyl saat;d e
still closer, so that all the vast dominions of the
British Crsow of n
should form one great community,
p
indeedlaudbyanddi ffweraetenrc,esbuotf
usnoiiltead by and climate,
speak-
ing the same language, obeying the same laws, and
cherishing the same liberty. He does not see why the I
speaking colonies, provided they
gil'OsClal self-government, and allowed
:roesit:dlimstzEtno
the full regulation of their internal and domestic
affairs, should not be proud to continue linked to
iht they would the great free monarchy, from whichtheoymoerni;idneannyy
sprung. M H
r. OWE does not for
a m
the full right of colonies to break away and set up
for themselves, and would not dit from
them if they demanded it. But he does not believe
ttohadto, ifsof.airlTy
haendcokni:ideltyiotnr, ho says,
y h o l
wish
says,
is founded
on our daily experience that it is our interest
to keep together. The parental relation, so often
referred to as illustrating the policy that should
be pursued towards our dependencies, guarding
them when young, but leaving them when of full
age to start for themselves, does not, in his opinion,
illustrate the case. " The idea to be cultivated
should be rather that of a partnership which may
last for centuries, and need not terminate at all, so
long as it is mutually advantageous."

Haying started from the premises that it is the
interest of both England and her colonies to keep
together, gaining strength and riches from the
union, Mr. HOWE proceeds to consider in what man-
ner the whole empire can be best defended from
attack, or, in his own words, " can be so organised
and strengthened as to command peace or
be impregnable in war." Since the year
1855 the question of national defence has
constantly occupied the attention of thoughtful men.
France, Russia, and the United States grow with
our growth, and loom up before the mind of every
thoughtful British subject as standing menaces,
warning them to prepare for any eventuality." To
this list he thinks we may add Prussia, formidable
not so much from her actual strength as from her
influence in the United States, where the immigra-
tion of Germans has been as extensive as that of
Irishmen, and where the German element is there-
fore h
stronglytet
in le of
prominent.
thee
At r
imean
war,
Mr. HOWE re-
minds us, a very distinguished person said that our
free institutions were upon their trial, and he very

* " The Organisation of the Empire," by the lien
Joseph Howe. Stanford, Charing-cross.