The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-05 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JULY 5, 1866.

TRATION.

Recoil

erica.

The following is President Johnson's message to
Congress, relating to the Reconstruction Amend-
ment, and Mr. Seward's report therein referred to.
The message was delivered to the Senate and the
House of Representatives on June 22 :
" I submit to Congress a report of the Secretary
of State, to whom was referred the concurrent reso-
lution of the 18th inst., respecting a submission to
the legislatures of the States of an additional article
to the constitution of the United States. It will be
seen from this report that the Secretary of State had,
on the 16th inst., transmitted to the governors of the
several States certified copies of the joint resolution
passed on the 13th inst., proposing an amendment
to the constitution. Even in ordinary times, a ques-
tion of amending the constitution must be justly re-
garded as of paramount importance. This import-
ance is at the present time enhanced by the fact that
the joint resolution was not submitted to the two
houses for the approval of the President ; and that
of the thirty-six States which constitute the Union,
eleven are excluded from representation in either
House of Congress, although, with the single excep-
tion of Texas, they have been entirely restored to all
their functions as States, in conformity with the or-
ganic law of the land, and have appeared at the na-
tional capital, by senators and representatives, who
have applied for and have been refused admission to
the vacant seats. Nor have the sovereign people of
the nation been afforded an opportunity of express-
ing their views upon the important questions which
the amendment involves. Grave doubts, therefore,
may naturally :and justly arise as to whether the
action of Congress is in harmony with the senti-
ment of the people, and whether State legislatures,
elected without reference to such an issue, should
be called upon by Congress to decide respecting
the ratification of the proposed amendment.
Waiving the question as to the constitutional
validity of the proceedings of Congress upon the joint
resolution proposing the amendment, or as to the
merits of the article which it submits through the
executive department to the legislatures of the States,
I deem it proper to observe that the steps taken by.
the Secretary of State, as detailed in the accompany-
ing report, are to be considered as purely ministe-
rial, and in no sense whatever committing the exe-

cutive to an appeal or recommendation of the

amendment to the State legislatures cr to the
people. On the contrary, a proper appreciation of
the letter and spirit of the constitution, as well as
of the interest of national order, harmony, and
union, and a deference for an enlightened public
judgment, may at this time well suggest a doubt
whether any amendment to the constitution ought
to be proposed by Congress and pressed upon the
legislatures of the several States for final decision
until after the admission of such loyal senators and
representatives of the now unrepresented States as
have been, or as may hereafter be, chosen in confor-
mity with the constitution and laws of the United
States. "ANDREW JOHNSON.
" Washington, D.C., June 22, 1866."
"Department of State, Washington,
June 20, 1866.
"To the President—The Secretary of State, to
whom was referred the concurrent resolution of the
two Houses of Congress of the 18th instant, in the
following words That the President of the
United States be requested to transmit forthwith to
the executive of the several States of the United
States copies of the article of amendment proposed
by Congress to the State legislatures to amend the
constitution of the United States, passed June 13,
1866, respecting citizenship, the basis of represen-
tion, disqualification for office, and validity of the
public debt of the United States, and to the end that
the said States may proceed to act upon the said
article of amendment, and that he request the exe-
cutive of each State that may ratify such amend-
ment, to transmit to the Secretary of State a certi-

fled copy of such ratification"—has the honour
to submit the following report, namely :—That
on the 16th instant the Honourable Amasa Cobb,
of the committee of the House of Representa-
tives on enrolled bills, brought to this depart-
ment and deposited therein an enrolled resolution
of the two Houses of Congress, which was there-
upon received by the Secretary of State and de-
posited among the rolls of the department, a copy
of which is hereunto annexed. Thereupon the
Secretary of State, on the 16th instant, in confor-
mity with the proceeding which was adopted by
him in 1865, in regard to the then proposed and
afterwards adopted Congressional amendment of
the United States concerning the prohibition of
slavery, transmitted certified copies of the annexed
resolution to the governors of the several States,
together with a certificate and circular letter ; a
copy of both of these communications hereunto
annexed. Respectfully submitted.

" WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
" Department of State Washington June 15, 1866."
"To his Excellency the Governor
of the State of --.
" Sir,--I have the honour to transmit an attested
copy of a resolution of Congress, proposing to the
legislatures of the several States a fourteenth article
to the constitution of the United States. The de-
cisions of the several legislatures upon the subject
are required by law to be communicated to this
department. An acknowledgment of the receipt of
this communicatian is requested by your excel-
lency's obedient servant,

44 WILLIAM 11. SEWARD.
The accompanying paper is the certificate of a
true copy of the concurrent resolution proposing
an amendment to the constitution.

ALL COULEUR DE ROSE;
Or, a Change in the Times.

After an unusually long interval the new Ad-
ministration is, we believe, completed. Some
days must, indeed, yet elapse before the ordinary
course of public business will be resumed, but the
new occupants of the great offices of State are finally
chosen. A few of the Household appointments are
still vacant, but it always requires an effort of
reason to understand why Household officeri should
change with a change of Ministry, and there art: not
wanting persons who deny the necessity of the rule.
It is understood that on the present occasion two or
three posts usually considered political will not be
vacated, and the tendency undoubtedly is to mode-
rate the ancient rigour which made all the House-
hold go out and come in with the Whigs and Tories.
The public will be more concerned to know when
the new Administration will meet Parliament. We
have been deprived of a responsible Government
and the benefits of Parliamentary criticism long
enough, and some natural surprise may be
expected when it is stated that no Ministerial
explanation is possible before next Monday.
We understand that Lord Granville will this
evening, in compliance with a request of Lord
Derby, move the adjournment of the Upper
House till that day, and we presume a simi-
lar motion will be made in: the House of Commons.
It is, of course, impossible that the members of the
new Cabinet sitting in the llouse of Commons can
make their appearance there till after they have
been re-elected ; and as it is not expected that the
Council at Windsor will separate to-morrow in
time for Lord Derby to be present in the House of
Lords at the usual hour of assembling, the adjourn-
ment till Monday is inevitable. To that day, there-
fore,
,we must look forward for an authoritative
statement of the policy of the new Administration,
and such revelations of the efforts made to form a
Ministry on a wider basis as Lord Derby may be at
liberty to make. The failure of Lord Derby to in-
duce any of the moderate Liberals in either house
to serve under him necessarily compelled him to
have recourse to the members of his former Cabi-
nets, and to construct a new Administration out of
these materials, with the addition of two or three
of his younger supporters who have become promi-
nent since he was last in office. On the whole, he
must be held to have made a very tolerable Minis-
try. If we are not overwhelmed by the spectacle
of administrative ability presented to the country,
we see no reason to apprehend any discredit, much
less any mischief, from the way in which the public
business is likely to be conducted. The burden of
debate in the House of Lords must rest mainly upon
Lord Derby himself. Lord Chelmsford can, how-
ever, render efficient aid in Parliament, and his
former tenure in office showed him qualified for its
judicial duties. The Duke of Buckingham will bring
to the office of Lord President the habits of busi-
ness which caused him to be elected Chairman of
the London and North-Western Railway ;Com-
pany. Lord Carnarvon, as Colonial Secretary, will
have an opportunity of showing that he is capable
of greater things than reforming prison discipline,
and though we hope that no Jamaica insurrection
or Australian crisis will arise to try his powers, we
see no reason to doubt that he would on such emer-
gencies pursue the judicious policy of his immediate
predecessor. Lord Malmesbury proves his devo-
tion to his party by accepting the Privy Seal. In
the House of Commons the new Administration
will be remarkably strong in debating power, how-
ever defective in the number of its followers. Mr.
Disraeli resumes the position of leader of the house,
which is incontestably his. due. Our financial
system is now so much simplified that the Brea`

duty of a Chancellor of the Exchequer is to apply
the excess of revenue over expenditure which
is the natural result of the free growth of our
commerce and industry in the reduction of taxation,
and the House of Commons may be trusted to pre-
vent any such reduction being made in the interest
of class or party. In financial discussions Mr.

Disraeli will be assisted by Sir Stafford Northcote,
who may find in his own office at the Board of Trade
some things to be done in the way of railway legis-
lation which Mr. Milner Gibson never suffered to
ruffle his composure. Mr. Walpole and General Peel
return to the posts they have twice filled with suc-
cess, if not with distinction ; and Mr. Henley, as
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancashire, will, undis-
turbed by official duties, be able to exercise the singu-
lar power of colloquial debate in which he is unri-
valled. The appointment of Lord Stanley to the
Foreign Office must prove satisfactory to all except
those who advocate a generous sympathy and encou-
ragement of popular movements wherever and how-

ever they may be occasioned. The only objection
to the appointment is that Lord Stanley is removed
from the position of Secretary for India, for which
he was so eminently qualified, and in which Lord
Cranborne will have to show that an efficient debater
can also be an efficient administrator. Mr. Gathorne
Hardy is, like Lord Cranborne, a new accession to
the Conservative Cabinet, and it seems possible that
in his place at the Poor Law Board a round peg has
for once been fitted into a round hole. Lord Derby
is fortunate in being able to retain the services of

Sir Hugh Cairns iu the House of Commons, where he
is almost as indispensable to his party as Sir Roun-
dell Palmer was to the late Ministry, and Mr. Bovill
has fairly earned the position of Solicitor-General.

The Irish appointments, as finally made, will be ac•

cepted without dissatisfaction, and if Lord Naas does
not attempt the ambitious policy of which Mr. C.

Fortescue has lately been the spokesman, he

will probably not be required to introduce into the
house measures so hastily concocted as some which

have been under the conduct of his predecessor.

In the present state of the House of Commons ii

is, of course, out of the question that a Conserva.

tive Government should do more this Session than

carry on the administration of affairs, and we do no

regard it as at all probable that it will ever be in a

position to pass beyond this modest function. The
Liberal Government has been broken up, partly
through the bad management of its leaders, partly

through the divergence among the sections of the
Liberal party produced by a determined attempt of

one of them to gain the mastery ; but it is evident
that in Opposition the warring sections will approach

again, each division will know how much must be
conceded to the others, and a return to office may
be expected as the crown and reward of re-esta-

blished unity. In the meanwhile—in the transition
period—it is essential that the nation should be re-
presented with dignity abroad, and that the func-
tions of Government should remain unimpaired at
home, and the Administration which Lord Derby
has formed promises to secure these results. It is

a possible consequence of the accession of a Con-
servative Government that it may develope a policy
sufficiently moderate to recommend itself to the
continued support of the country, but the prospect

of such a result is remote. The new Cabinet may be,

and we believe is, well fitted to discharge the ordi-
nary business of Government, but it is too little in
accord with the majority of the House and with
public opinion to afford much hope of a prolonged
existence. Several of its members possess great con-

structive ability, but there can be little scope for
its exercise. We accept Lord Derby's Ministry as

an interregnum, affording the best opportunity of re-
constructing a Liberal Cabinet, and we are thankful
that while it serves this purpose, and cannot easily

exceed it, it also presents an appearance in itself so
thoroughly respectable.

NAVAL ENCOUNTER IN THE ADRIATIC.—Our
Malta correspondent, under date June 29, states
that a telegram to Rear-Admiral Kellett from Captain
Rowley, of her Majesty's iron-clad steam corvette Enter-
prise, lately despatched from Corfu to Ancona and Pola, to
watch the naval movements of the belligerents, reports
that ou the morning of the 27th Juno, 17 Austrian iron-
clads (some 10 more than they aro known to possess—pos-
sibly some error in the transmission), encountered the
leading Italian fleet off Ancona, when shots were ex-
changed, but at such a distance as to be productive of no
effect. Tho Austrians made off for Pole, and the Italians
returned•to Ancona, but an engagement may be shortly
looked for.
REGISTRATION OF VOTEF.S.—Poor rates and
assessed taxes duo previously to the sth January last must
be paid on or before the 20th instant, to entitle a voter to
be on the next register. The lists of the last registration
are now on the doors of all churches and chapels.

THIRD EDITION.

SUN OFFICE, 7 o'CLocK.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.--This Day

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
NEWMARKET RACES.—Tms DAY.
Nerino match is off.
MATCH.
Mr. W. G. Craven's Musa (Goater) 1
Mr. R. Ten Broeck's La Sorrentina...(Fordham) 2
Betting-5 to 4on La Sorrentina.
MAIDEN PLATE.

Mr. C. Alexander's Midwife (French) 1
Marquis of Hastings' Duchess (Cannon) 2
Count Batthyany's Beauclerk (Smith) 3
Zest, Rinderpest, Lady Blanche f, Nine Elms,
Aerolite, Busy Body, Vice Versa, Delium, Thetis,
Stewardess, Chignon, Stodare, Annie Laurie c,
Ferina, Prairie Flower, May Bell, Nightshade, and
Hatter also ran. Betting-5 to 4 agst Chignon, 3
to 1 agst Hatter, 100 to 15 agst Beauclerk. Winner
not mentioned. Wou by a head. Chignon left at
the post.

MATCH.
Sir F. Johnstone's Charles II (Parry) 1
Mr. J. B. Morris's Miss Bateman (Fordham) 2
Betting-5 to 2on Miss Bateman. Won by a
head.

CHESTERFIELD STAKES.
Col. Pearson's Achievement (Custance) 1
Baron Rothschild's Hippia (Wells) 2
Mr. T. Jennings's Sweet Home...(H. Grimshaw) 3
Moleskin also ran.

PLATE OF 50 SOVS.

Cecrops
Pirate Chief .................................
Magpie.........................................
Twelve ran.
HANDICAP SWEEPSTAKES.

Effervescence... 1
Usher 2
Lincoln Green

Six ran.
SUMMER STAKES.

Star 1
Dalesman
Four ran.

CITY BETTING--THIS DAT.
000DWOOD STAKES.
4to 1 agst Special (taken and offered)
Bto 1 agst Midia c (taken)
Bto 1 agst Nu (taken)
14 to 1 agst Black Prince (taken)
20 to 1 agst Bradamante (taken)
20 to 1 agst Potomac (taken)

TURF AGENCY OFFICE,
100, Jermyn-street, St. James's, LONDON.

MIS. SYDNEY SMITH (Member of Tatter-
sall's) executes COMMISSIONS (by letter only)
on all the principal races throughout the season, from £1
upwards, on receipt of cash or Post-office Order (payable
at Piccadilly office). COMMISSIONS as usual at starting
prices on the day of a race at all the principal meetings.
For further particulars and prices, see the advertisement in
The Sportsman newspaper every TUESDAY and SATUR-
DAY. Price Current published DAILY, and forwarded
on receipt of stamped directed envelope.
N.B.—lt is particularly requested that ALL LETTERS
containing CASH be registered.
The Sporting Life, Aug. 20, 1864.—" We are satisfied that
all intending backers of horses, who may have been for-
merly in doubt whom to trust, will, without fear or hesita-
tion, send their commissions, to any amount, to 100
Jormyn-street." ,

Sudden Death of the Marquis of Lansdowne.
(This Day.)

We regret to announce that the Marquis of
Lansdowne expired this afternoon rather suddenly,
for although his lordship had been suffering from
ill health for some time no serious apprehensions
were entertained respecting him. The cause of his
lordship's death was a fit of apoplexy, and it was
stated that he died at his club. The deceased was
50 years of age.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS—This EVENING.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a second time :—Swansea
and Clydach Railway, East Norfolk Railway, Lancashire
Union Railways, Ilalesowen and Bromsgrove Branch Rail-'
ways, Brecon and Llandovery Junction Railway, London,
Brighton, and South Coast Railway (Various Powers),
Vale of Neath Railway (transfer, &c.), Caledonian and
Scottish North-Eastern Railway Companies, Caledonian
Railway (Lanarkshire, &c., Branches), Forth and Clyde
Navigation, North British Railway (Wishaw, &c.,Branches),
Swansea Vale Railway, Rhyney Railway, Great North of
Scotland Railway, and Manchester Division Petty Sossions
Court.
The following bills were read a third time and passed :
—Salisbury a,nd,Yeovil Railway, Bridge of Allan Railway,
Caledonian Railway (Greenock and Gourock Extension),
Walker and Wallsend, Union Gas, and Great Eastern Rail -
way (Additional Powers).
The standing order 178 was considered and dispensed
with in respect to the South-Eastern and London, Chat-
ham,
Dover, and Lewes, and Brighton Railway Bill.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE.

Earl RUSSELL said that in consequence of a commu-
nication he had received from Earl Derby he begged to
move that the house should adjourn, as far as public busi-
ness was concerned, until Monday.
Lord BROUGHAM., in seconding the motion, took
occasion to express his horror at the course pursued by
Prussia in respect to the existing hostilities, and he also
strongly condemned the conduct of Italy. He further
expressed a hope that the negotiations for an armistice,
which the Emperor of the French had proposed would
be successful, and the further calamities of war pre-
vented.

Tho motion was then agreed to.
REPORT OF OUR CONSULS.

Earl RUSSELL laid on the table reports recently re.
ceived from our consuls abroad in reference to commer-
cial matters.

The house then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—THIS EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
HELSTON ELECTION.

The report of the committee appointed to try the merits
of the petition against the sitting member was brought up.
It stated that Mr. Campbell was not duly elected. The
return was amended by the Clerk of the Crown, and

Mr. BRETT took the oaths and his soat for Holston.

Mr. LOWE, as chairman of the committee, stated that
the returning officer had received the Speaker's war-
rant, requiring his attendance before the committee,
but an intimation had been received from him to the effect
that his presence was not required. The committee
thought there wore matters connected with the late elec-
tion that required explanation, and therefore he moved
that the report be further considered on Thursday
fortnight, and that the returning officer be required to
attend at the bar of the house en that day.
Colonel W. PATTEN thought the report of the com-
mittee had better first be considered, and after that it
could be determined whether the returning-officer should
attend.

This suggestion and the motion for the consideration of
he report was agreed to.

THE PRUSSIAN ARMY.

Mr. VIVIAN gave notice that on Tuesday, thealstnht,iehne
attention
had ask the Secretary for War whether his ,
had been called to the success of the Prussian army, and
also whether it was intended to adapt the needle gun,ir Aie a
had led to those successes, to the British army.
THE BANK OF ENGLAN Dtb.e
what communication had taken place
Mr. WATKIN asked the Chancellor ofbetwee
his letter and to
and the Bank of England in reference
the continuance of the discount rate of to
10
per cent. by therf
EXCHEQUER —That
Bank ? tbehe
considered official, had
coniThmounCicialtAioNn,CELLOß of
his noble friend at the head of the
of England.
had,
1 company with the Governor and Do-
twweelineidchhinsil:elf and the Governor of the Bank
taken place be
Government
or
of the Bank, given attention to the matter,
puty-
but. thGde°tivieetrtzeir the honourable gentleman alluded to ex-
point up to which it took effect, which point
ex-
plained
had not been reached. With respect to the rate
nf discount the Government had exercised no
influence on the establishment with respect to its dis-
counts. In the course taken since the issue of the letter
the Bank of England had acted on its own judg-
ment, and had not been influenced by any Government
considerations with respect to its banking operations. It
was not for him at that period to pass any opinion on the
steps that had been taken, and he might say that he had
not arrived at any judgment different to the authorities at
the Bank.

THE WAR IN GERMANY.
Mr. B. COCIIRANE begged to ask the Under Secretary
for Foreign Affairs whether he had any official informa-
tion relative to the statement that had appeared that after-
noon in the newspapers relative to the defeat of the
Austrian array and tile cession of Venetia.

Mr. LAYARD said the Government had received a to
gram announcing the defeat of the Austrian army ; and
with respect to the statement in the newspapers relative tci the cession of Venetia the Government believed it wus
correct.

QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, DUBLIN.
Mr. LOWE complained that, notwithstanding the pro-
mise that nothing with respect to the Queen's University
should be done until the house had had an opportunity ~.)f
expressing its opinion, ho should like to know wl-,y a
new charter for that university had not already received
the signature of her Majesty ?
Mr. FORTESCUE said it was quite true that a supple..
mental charter giving powers to confer degrees had been
signed by her Majesty, but it had been thought that,
no objection would be taken to the course the Government
had taken iu the matter.
THE ABYSSINIAN PRISONERS.

Mr. WHITESIDE then asked if any information had
been received by the Government with respect to the
Abyssinian prisoners ?

Mr. LAYARD said a gentleman was now on his 'way
to this country from Abyssinia, and had arrived rt Con-
stantinople. Ho believed that one of the great objects of
his visit was to see that this Government would not exact
reprisals for matters that had occurred in that country. The
prisoners, ho believed, had all been released, and treated with
great kindness, and he believed in a short time the mission
and the prisoners would quit the country. The relatives
of all the parties had been made aware of the favourable
intelligence.