The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-16 00:00:00

constitution, after after passing through committee, stood
thus:—"Representatives shall be apportioned among
the several States which may be included within this
Union accordingto their respective numbers, count-
ing the whole number of persons in each State, ex-
cluding Indians not taxed, provided, whenever the
elective franchise shall be denied or abridged in any
State on account of race or colour, all persons therein
of such race or colour shall be excluded from the
basis of representation." This amendment was voted.
in the House of Representatives by a majority of
120 to 46. It goes to the Senate, which is even
more Radical than the Lower House. Being passed
by a vote of more than two-thirds in both houses
the President has no power of veto left to him -11
the Constitution. He has next to refer it to the
Governments of the States, of which three-fourths
must accept it before it can become law. As it is
aimed directly at the political extinction of one-
third of the States of the Union, it is hardly possible
that this resolution can ever have legal force. Mean-
hile it seems to be admitted that, except in amend-
ing the Constitution, this Northern Congress has
full powers to pass what laws it pleases for the belle-
fit of the South. Mr. Thaddeus Stevens and his
friends are hurrying through Congress with allP°s-
- speed two measures which are intended for the
benefit of the blacks to the detriment of the whites
of the South. One of them, introduced first by Mr.
Howe in the Senate, admits the negro to all the
rights of citizenship—not, however, including the
franchise, which has been denied to him by several
of the Northern States. A more objectionable bill
is that of the Freedman's Bureau, which proposes
to maintain the blacks at the expense of their late
masters, and on land to be obtained by the con-
fiscation of their property. Except in an arbi-
trary way, by military force, these enactments eau-
, not be carried out without the consent of the Legis-
latures of the States in which they apply. The same
may be said of the wholesale bill of confiscation
which Mr. Stevens keeps in reserve as the next of
his thunderbolts, and which, we doubt not, he can
pass through a house which seems prepared to do
his bidding in everything. The Radicals seem to
be hurrying on, by every means in their power, to
another armed collision between North and South.
Regardless of the vigorous protest of the President
of the Republic, disdaining to listen to the pruden-
tial and patriotic counsels of Mr. Stewart in the
Senate and Mr. Raymond in the Lower House, ad-
vising a course of conciliation and compromise- as
the only rational method of healing the wounds of
the past, they look on the triumphs of the Northern
armies as a victory for their theories, and argue that
to the conqueror belong the spoils of the van-
quished. Not content with floating their " stars
and stripes" to the frontier of Mexico, they would
humiliate and utterly break their enemy by placing
the foot of the negro, once his. servant, on his pros-
trate neck.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

MANCHES TER—THuRsDAr.

Our market this morning was fairly attended; The
driest samples of English wheat sold rather freely at the
currency of last week, and the same may be said of foreign•
Flour sold slowly, without alteration in value. Oats and
oatmeal met a dull sale, but wero not lower. Beans and
Indian corn were unchanged.

BIRMINGHAM—THURSDAY.
At this day's market there was a moderate supPl9 f 0
wheat, which sold readily at fully the eurrency of this daY
sen'night. Barley 6d. to ls. per qr dearer. Oats less ill
request, but no cheaper. Beans and peas unaltered.

BRISTOL—THURSDAY. -
Our market to-day was thinly attended. English when.;
was in short supply, the samples generally being damp and
out of condition ; for dry parcels last week's prices were
readily obtained, and occasionally rather ex.oeeded ; other
kinds difficult of disposal. Foreign held with •firrilnesSli
but inquiry very limited. Malting barley in good demanut
and ls. per qr. dearer. No change in grinding qualitiee.
Oats in larger supply than for a long time past, and values
on ex-ship parcels gave way from 3d. to 6d. per qr. Indian
corn dull. Beans without alteration.