The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-21 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONWN, SATURDAY _EVENING, APRIL 21, 1866.

measure, redeemed that side of the argument
from all but absolute and umitigated disgrace by
allying it for once during this debate with elo-
quence, temper, logic, tact, suavity, frankneys, and

has of late been sacrificed to peace, and we may find
the balance of power in Europe more safely and
securely readjusted after a - recourse to arms. If
only a general European war can put down the
iniquitous demands and arbitrary conduct of Prus-
sia, we say that such.an alternative is preferable to
allowing her to run riot in tyranny and annexation.

Affairs in America are samewhat threatening,
according to the news brought by the China from
New York, on the 12th inst. After a long course
of peace and prosperity the American States appear
to have suddenly entered most troubled waters, for
the perplexities and dangers of the Civil War have
left behind them the elements of a fresh combina-
tion. Political differences have, we know, always
run high in the States, and the differences which
reached a crisis at the election of ABRAHAM LIN-
COLN ll'ad been secretly fomenting for years. But
the difficulties of the present time are not such
as can be temporised with, or put aside.
There is a grand division between statesmen
and politicians on the fundamental principles on
which the government of the country is to be con-
ducted, and the questions which arise for conside-
ration are urgent and imperatve. The PRESIDENT,
unlike most holders of supreme power, is on the
side of constitutional government, of calm and
temperate legislation, of the exercise of that
benignant clemency which "blesseth him that gives
and him that takes." lie endeavours to heal the
breaches of the war, to bridge over the terrible
gulf which yawns between North and South, and
as he is nominally the head of a great con-
federation of the States, so he wishes to be
in substance the ruler over a united and

contented people. Mr. JOHNSON 15 statesman
enough to know that it is simply impossible for a
country to flourish under martial law, and he can
fully estimate the rashness which would sacrifice the
material and commercial prosperity of the most fer-
tile States of the Union to vindictive and fanatical
theories. He has obtained, besides, through his
long residence in a Border State sufficient insight
into the character of the Southern people of both
races, to be aware that it would be hopeless to put
the two races on immediate political equality, and
to deprive the whites of all their old rights as free
citizens of a free country, and to maintain such a
system without force of arms. To hold the South
like a conquered country is no unpleasant prospect
to the Radicals; wiser and calmer men perceive in
such an alternative the dismemberment of the
Union, and the disruption and possible overthrow

of American power.
The people of the States, however, must very
soon decide between the two issues, for the long dif-
ference between the PRESIDENT and his quondam
supporters has now come to open warfare. The
House of Representatives, as was expected, has
passed the Civil Rights Bill over the Presidential
Veto by a majority of 122 to 41 votes, thus just
clearing the necessary number. The Bill against
which so many sound and constitutional arguments
were brought is now, therefore, law, and it remains
to be seen how it will work, or if it will be allowed
to work at all. The PRESIDENT'S Veto has been over-
ridden, but he has openly declared his conviction
that the bill is dangerous and unconstitutional, so
that he will be justified in exerting all his influence
against it, and if he even confine himself to passive
resistance his power will be great. Much will no
doubt depend on the support which he gets from the
people. We cannot but hope that the American
public will see clearly how momentous is the
crisis, and how patent to the real interests of
the country is the Radical policy. If they gain one
point they will immediately attempt to carry others
more dangerous, more unconstitutional, until the
Southern people, as they fondly hope, are finally
trampled down and their property confiscated, and
the Radical party reign supreme in the councils of
Washington. The House of Representatives has in-
structed the judiciary committee to inquire if there is
probable cause to believe that JEFFERSON DAVIS and
others were implicated in the murder of President
LINCOLN, or are guilty of treason ; and, if
so, what measures are necessary to bring
them to speedy trial. Thus, not content
with resuscitating an almost forgotten scandal,
the Radicals have ingeniously interpolated the word
treason as if resolved to leave Mr. JOHNSON no loop-
hole to rescue their victim. But the PRESIDENT is
quite capable of defeating all their manoeuvres, as
he has repeatedly done already, by a bold, straight-
forward, and decisive step. Rumours are current of
a general amnesty, and there are also reports that
Mr. DAVIS is to be released on parole, or removed
to Richmond for the benefit of his health. If Mr.
JOHNSON resolves on proclaiming a general amnesty,
as he has the undoubted right to do, he will place
DAVIS beyond the power of his Republican foes,
whose stratagems will then be useless. The House of
Representatives cannot send to trial a man who has
received his pardon, and we shall not be surprised
if this solution of the problem be very quickly ar-

rived at.
The District Judge of Virginia has d!cided that
the peace proclamation did not, restore the Habeas
Corpus, though on what plea that can be suspended
in time of peace is not easily discernible. Mischief
is still brewing among the Fenians, large numbers
of whom are threatening the New Brunswick fron-
tier. MURPHY, the Toronto President, and five
others have been arrested in Canada w:
arms and ammunition. The Fenian con

vention is in session at Eastport, Maine,
the town being crowded with Fenians, and
several of their vessels, armed, in the harbour.
Several British gunboats, however, are off East-
port and Campo Bello with steam up and port
holes open. This menacing attitude is said to have
caused a hostile feeling among American sympa-
thisers with the Fenian came. These gentlemen
apparently consider that we should make Messrs.
STEPHENS and Co. a present of Canada. Anything
short of that is an unwarrantable assumption on our
part. The Canadians believe that the demonstra-
tions against New Brunswick are a feint to cover an
attack from Chicago, but at any rate evil has worked
good as it often does. The New Brunswickers
have grown sensible of their folly and imprudence'
in breaking up the Confederation scheme. The Go-
vernment has resigned owing to the action of the
Colonial Parliament in favour of confederation; and
the Governor, who, we know, has always strongly
urged its adoption, has sent for an opposition
member to form the new Ministry. The anti-Con-
federation minority in the Upper House have sent
in a protest against the Address to the QUEEN ill
favour of Confederation. There is great excite-
ment among the people, and we hope that the
threatening attitude of the Fenians will convince
the colonists how important it is that they should
act upon the grand old motto, " Union is strength,"
rather than by opposing a disjointed point to the
enemy, and weaken alike their own position and
that of the neighbouring provinces.

The Salters' Company have- resolved to present
the freedom of the guild to his Royal highness Prince
Alfred, who has consented to accept it. The document
will be presented in a box of the value of 100 guineas.—
City Press.
Mr. James Ellis, the originator of Cremorne
Gardens, being about to settle inAustralia, takes a farewell
benefit at the Strand Music Hall, on Tuesday.

,01V1 PARIS.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA.
VIENNA, APRIL 21.

In the next sitting cf the Federal Diet a com-
munication will, it is said, be made to the members
announcing that the question of disarmament is in
a fair way of being settled.

A proposition will be made •by Austria that the
motion of Prussia, in reference to a reform of the
Federal Constitution should be referred to a com-
mittee ad hoc.

P RUSSIA.
DANTZIC, APRIL 21.

A meeting of the Liberal Association of this town
was held here yesterday, when resolutions were
passed condemning the policy of Prussia.
A popular meeting has been held at Erlangen, at
which resolutions were adopted against war.

DISARMAMENT OF AUSTRIA AND
PRUSSIA.

PARIS, APRIL 21.

A telegram received here from Vienna confirms
the news that Austria, in replying to the Prussian
note of the 15th inst., has submitted propositions for
mutual disarmament.
The propositions are as follows :

That Austria and Prussia shall each restore their
military establishments to the status quo which
existed prior to the late defensive measures.
That the 25th April be the date fixed for mutual
disarmament.

Austria consents to disarm on that date, but is
even willing that Prussia should disarm only on
the 26th April.
The Austrian proposition is stated to have been
communicated confidentially to Paris and London,
where it has been cordially approved.

T LR K E Y .
CONSTANTINOPLE, APRIL 21.

The investigation Of the alleged conspiracy, said
,o have been promoted by Mustapha Fazil Pasha,

s proceeding.
Several arrests have been made.
It is generally believed, however, that the charge
is groundless, and the result of personal intrigue.