The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-08 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 8,186 g.

like a memoria technica for figures, and my memoria
technica for education would be that the most jUdi-
cious course is to expend what would not exceed
half of that which is so deplorably costly under our
poor laws." This is not, however the point at issue,
but is the admittance of a dangerous charge,fand
one that will never be popular among us. Better
be slower in our course if the steps that we take do
not lead us astray ; and we may rest assured that
anything we do that interferes with the native in-
dependence of our race will be a retrograde move-
ment, and not one of progress. We have ample
evidence in the pages of history of what our un-
lettered forefathers achieved, and let not our modern
wisdom and the allurements of these latter days of
intellectualism seduce us to forget the privileges
they gained for us. The spirit of these fathers
might well rise in judgment upon us if we consented
to follow in the wake of nations that are destitute
of all free spirit, and cannot understand the prin-
ciples upon which our Constitution rests. A native
independence is a lesson that once learnt should not
be forgotten, and all the lore of the sages, and all
the wisdom of the philosophers cannot compensate
for its loss, or give satisfactory reasons for its dis-
appearance among us.

The Hungarian Diet is progressing with the
address in reply to the Royal Rescript, and yester-
day the members were elected to form the Com-
mittee. They were composed of several persons,
headed of course, by M. DEAL It is said that a
great many of the Left took no part in the decision,
which shows that it is pretty generally understood
that a temporising policy will be the best, although
some more energetic spirits will have their say, and
make their fight regardless of consequences, and
unmindful of considerations which should re-
strain them. We should hope that all diffi-
culties in the matter of the Address were now
removed, or at all events in a fair way of being so,
and that so far we may expect a better state of
things to ensue for Hungary. At the same time we
must reiterate our wish that the Vienna Govern-
ment will exercise care and caution in their dealings
with that kingdom, and above all that they will not
hesitate to make timely concessions. This will be
their only, wise, and safe course, and if they do not
perceive it, we are sure they will hereafter, sooner
or later, repent it. It is very important at this
critical juncture that a good understanding
should prevail between the EMPEROR and
the Hungarians, and all that tends to
strengthen this sentiment should be encouraged.
We think that by this time it is pretty generally
understood how little of real freedom will be en-
joyed by those States which have lately been an.
vexed to Prussia, and we may fairly conclude at the
same time that those kingdoms and principalities
which are by the terms of the treaty connected with
the Berlin Government have also much to lament.
The last intelligence from Dresden informs us that
a loan of four million thalers has been contracted
by the Saxon Government with several parties.
This is to meet the heavy demands made by the
Prussians, and it is very disgraceful that
such should be the case. Surely, with one con-
trivance and another, and under various pre-
texts, they have managed to monopolise a con-
siderable share of power to themselves, and they
might for decency's sake exercise a little moderation,
and not become plunderers as well as persecutors.
This quality seems, however, to be totally wanting
in the conduct of BISMARCK and his friends and
allies, and it will soon be very difficult, if not im-
possible, to estimate the full amount of the losses
which have been inflicted upon the German people,
the injuries they have suffered, individually and
collectively, through the unscrupulousness and
cupidity of the statesmen of Prussia.

The Persia brings us intelligence from New York
on the 28th, brief, but suggestive in its character.
The Governor of South Carolina in his message to
the State Legislature strongly opposes the Constitu-
tional Amendment, so that there is evidently no in-
tention on the part of the leading Southern States
to accept the terms dictated to them by the
Radicals. They are probably of opinion that
if they made the unwelcome concession they
would be no great gainers, since there is no sort of
guarantee that the Radicals would agree to
the admission of the Southern Representatives
when it came to the point. The wording of the
Amendment is cautious on this head, and only
undertakes to consider the propriety of restoring
their political rights to the Southerners, not to ad-
mit them unhesitatingly to the national assembly.
It would be easy under any circumstances for the
leaders of the party, when once they had carried
their point, to plead the elections and other changes
as an excuse for delay; but, in truth, there is no
pledge given, and probably when the South had
made the sacrifice of feeling and the confession of
weakness demanded, representation would be as far
off as ever. The Radicals love political power too
well to be willing to surrender it, and as the acces-
sion of any number of Southern members would
strengthen the Democrats, and would besides be ad-
mitting the thin end of the wedge, they will cer-
tainly put off the evil day as long as they can. It
would be the more important, as the PRESIDENT
favours the Democratic side, and therefore the
party inside the Congress would have powerful
support out of doors. If the Democrats and
Southern members together could form a party
strong enough to support the PRESIDENT'S veto the
Radical influence would be greatly curtailed, and
there would be less reason to apprehend ex-
ceptional and extravagavant legislation. So
long, therefore, as the Radicals can keep the
Southern Representatives out they will certainly do
havecertainly
so ; and if the ex-Confederate States are to wait for
a political equality until they obtain it from the
some
justice or the moderation of their adversaries they
will have
no time
indications longereations toof
improved wait. A s yet
temperw e
in the Radicals. BUTLER, of questionable fame,
who, having missed a reputation in the field, is
ambitious of obtaining one on the
platform, appears
to have assumed a prominent position among their
leaders. He has just been hara • ngumg an audience
at Brooklyn, urging the impeachment of the
PRESIDENT, whose office he is desirous of filling.
General BUTLER President of the United States
What a prospect for North and South, for America,
and for Europe ! Certainly Mx. JOHN MonnissEv
would be his most appropriate Senator. The only
consolation for European diplo violists would be
that General BUTLER is less remarkable for achiev-
ing victories than for profiting by them when gained
by other people. It is difficult to believe that any
great political party should willing ly accept the aid
of such a man, and it augurs ill 1•or the future of
the Congress that the Radicals
hould do so.
There are no indications that their leaders intend
in any degree to moderate their programme,
indeed TIIADDEUS STEVENS is reports d to have said
latterly, " I was Conservative last sßesion ; I shall
be Radical hereafter." Possibly this was merely a
piece of political bombast, such as _kmaricans of all
parties indulge in occasionally; but if it means that,
emboldened by the result of the elec' tions, the Radi-
cals mean to push matters still fu tither than they
have hitherto done there will be mischief. The
South have hitherto waited patientlly for the good

pleasure of the North, but as the months and years
go by without their obtaining their political
rights they can hardly be expected to remain
quiescent. They have increased reason for uneasi-
ness and irritation as they see the years of Mr.
JOHNSON'S term of office slipping by, and have no
security that the next President (even if he be not
BUTLER) may not be a violent Radical. The in-
consistency and absurdity of neither allowing the
Southern States to govern themselves nor to have a
voice in the Federal Government is so manifest that
it is logically indefensible. Nations are not to be
treated like refractory children and deprived of cer-
tain rights or pleasures by way of punishment.
If, as the Northern party contended, during the
war, the Southerners had no power to break the
Union, the Northerners themselves have no power
to break it, by assuming direct control over eleven
of the Federated States. But it is no matter of
theory or constitutional doctrine. It is a struggle
for political power, and the Radicals who find it
difficult to rule a party, or rather a faction, aspire
to be the irresponsible governors of the wide domains
of America. It is easy to foresee the end of such an
attempt should they gain a temporary success. That
which the power of England could not achieve, nor
the genius of LEE and JACKSON failed to accom-
plish, will be effected by traitors within the camp,
and the nineteenth century, amid other startling
changes, will witness the disruption as it witnessed
the rise of the great American Republic.

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, Dec. 8.

The official Gazette of to-clay publishes a letter
of the Emperor, dated the 4th inst., and addressed
to the Minister of War. His Majesty takes note of
the resolutions of the supreme military tribunal,
according to which an inquiry should be instituted
into the conduct of Field Marshal Benedek and
Generals Henikstein and Krismanie during the
late war. His Majesty, however, orders that all
further judicial proceedings against these Generals
or any other general or officer of the staff on ac-
count of similar accusations, should be entirely
dropped.

TIIE VOTE IN NORTH SCHLESWIG.
' BERLIN, Dec. 8.

A deputation of inhabitants from the town of
Hadersleben was received yesterday by Count Bis-
mark. In reply to their inquiries the Minister
stated that the popular vote in North Schleswig,
whether these districts are to belong to Prussia or
to Denmark, will be taken, but not until after the
consolidation of the state of affairs generally in the
Elbe Duchies.