The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-15 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1866.

- -s

The great excitement which attended the Reform
debate last month has certainly completely died
outs: At home and abroad new questions have
arisen of engrossing interest, and so soon as it was
ascertained that the Government did not intend to
make any alteration in theif own position, and that
the Cabinet would remain the same, men turned
their attention to fresh fields and pastures new,
and were glad to leave the well-worn subject in
peace. In truth, we have all heard quite enough,
for a time at least, about the virtues an defi-
ciencies of our representative system. The
arguments on both sides are now worn threadbare ;
eloquence, humour, learning, and logic have been
exhausted on the subject—even the threats of revo-
lution, if the popular wishes are denied, and
anarchy if they are granted—have lost half their
terrors by constant iteration. And yet, notwith-
standing all these " words, words, words "—not-
wirhstanding the confidence with which all parties
have spoken, and the alarming extent of Parlia-
mentary statistics, and the length of time during
which Reform and representation have been under
discussion, Mr. DISRAELI declared last night, amid
the cheers and laughter of the House, that
it was his painful conviction that none of
them rightly understood the subject; neither
the country, the House, nor her MAJESTY'S
Government themselves ! There is very likely a
good deal of truth in this sweeping assertion, but
the question is whether we shall gain any wisdom
by waiting till another year, If time assisted our
deliberations we ought certainly to be very well in-
formed by this. If there is any particular en-
lightenment to be derived from changing seats,
both parties in the House have tried the right
and left of the Speaker since Reform came
under debate. We have had war and peace,
prosperity and adversity, without coming to
a conclusion ; so there are not much grounds
for hoping that 1867 would bring any special
illumination in its train. The fact is that the
point on which our knowledge is deficient is expe-
rience, and until we have tried the practical
working of any new electoral system under
the altered circumstances of the country, no one
can definitely say what the exact result will be. If
figures and statistics would help us we should be
learned enough already, but there is a growing con-
viction in the public mind that it is quite time that
something was done as well as said about constitu-
tional reform. Candidates at contested elections
may, indeed, regret a popular topic on the hustings,
about which declamation is so very easy and action
so very indefinite ; but most people will be very
glad to have the ghost of Reform laid for a
little while, and space and opportunity given
for other improvements in our legislation
to be discussed. It is quite evident
that Parliament has trifled long enough with
a question of great national interest and im-
portance. As Mr. DISRAELI candidly said last
evening all parties have got into a scrape, and
the best thing they can all do now is to
unite their efforts to get out of it. It is with titis
feeling that many Reformers, who cannot heartily
approve of the Government measure, have given it
a kind of conditional support, feeling that it was
imperatively necessary that Parliament should keep
its pledges.

As for the manner of disposing of the Redistri-
bution question, it is an easy way of getting over
an unpopular thing. The difficulties which would
have attended any comprehensive scheme of disfran-
chisement maybe inferred from the opposition which
even this partial measure has called forth. Every
member whose constituency is threatened with a
change or modification naturally opposes the inno-
vation. The task of the Reformer is easy enough
so long as he only theorises aliout the rights of the
people, but when he comes to deal practically with
the inequalities of our representation, up start such
a host of obstacles that he is very apt to give up in
despair. It is only a few theorists who think to get
over these perplexities by basing the representation
on numbers. Such a principle is totally foreign to
the habits and inclination of our people, and would
altogether defeat the objects of popular representa-

tion amongst us. It has often been saidcinpriteafleri-s
refer-
ence to a neighbouring state that the a
the country, but he who would understand England
and the English must net confine himself ex-
clusively to the metropolis or even to the great
towns. Mr. GLADSTONE himself has been an
eloquent defender of small boroughs, and they
scarcely needed Mr. DISRAELI'S able advocacy last
night. It does not follow that we are to retain
nomination boroughs or revive the glories of Old
Sarum and its fellows, neither should party interests
be consulted in their retention. The great
objects to be gained are a fair field for competi-
tion, and an adequate representation of our
busy various life, social, commercial, religi-
ous, professional, industrial, and agricultural.
The House and the country will have plenty of time
to deliberate upon the details of the new measure
duringptrhoveeirialexe: fiortnight, and ample opportunity
will be
billiii:
CAR
or
as at least
given in committee for any minor alteration
is now accepted, and is likely, in answer to Mr.
DvirELL,
:appeal, to b e
settlementrec ei ved
owithf
a difficult and
important question.
temporary but the general principle of the

A sort of lull seems to have follows 1 on the ez-
citement that prevailed to so great a degree on the
continent the last few weeks. It would seem as if
no party cold make up their raindg, (Away wut tie

do, and were unwilling to incur the responsibility
of commencing the contest. It cannot be said,
however, that ri.ifairs are in anything like a promis-
ing condition, although they do not seem so con-
ducive to war: as was anticipated last week. No
doubt the celLebrated speech of the Emperor NA-
POLEON at Auxerre has done much to keep
Prussia from making the first onset, and has
thus given time and opportunity for others to
form their plans and projects. One state-
ment has proved to be correct which was
repeatedly contradicted at the time of its first ap-
pearance—namely, the existence of an understand-
ing between Prussia and Italy. Last Saturday a
conditional treaty of alliance was signed between
these Powers; one of the articles is to the effect that
neither Prussia nor Italy shall contract a separate
treaty with Austria in case either is attacked by that
Power. This is very absurd, and of course would
greatly add to the eomplication of affairs in any at-
tempt to come to terms. It is an ingenious device
on the part of the Berlin Government to increase
the difficulties of Austria, and occasion her per-
plexities in the shape of various hostile powers ;
but, like many other such manoeuvres, it may
eventually turn against the originator of the
scheme. The fact is, that Count BISMARCK'S
policy is so crooked that it is impossible to divine
what his next move will be, and all that lookers-
on can do is to conjecture his motives and distrust
his professions. The part of the affair most to
be regretted is that the Italian Government
should have allowed themselves to be cajoled by
the unscrupulous Minister of Prussia, and forfeit,
in a great measure, the respect and sympathy
entertained for them in.this country.

Another source of contention has been found
concerning Hanover, and the dispute thereupon
threatens to rival in intensity and exitement the
debates on Saxony and her armaments. It is said
that a Prussian despatch, in the form of an ulti-
matum, was sent to Hanover last week, summoning
the Government to explain the military measures it
has lately adopted. This news has been positively
affirmed, and in connection with this subject we may
mention that the official Wiener Zeitung yesterday
defends the conduct of Hanover, and denies the
assertions of the Nord Deutsche- Zeitung that
it has provoked Prussia to commence hosti-
lities by its armaments. It would really
seem as if no State or kingdom had a
right to arm except Prussia, and that any other
Power doing so afforded her a pretext for
fault-finding, and was an excuse for hostilities. In
many respects it will be a great advantage if this
cloud pass away from the horizon of German poll-

tics without war breaking out ; but, on the other
hand, it will be vexatious if nothing is done to
change the arbitrary course of Prussia and modify
the policy of its Government. It will only be a
patched-up peace that ensues if there be no decisive
check put upon the oppressive foreign policy of
Prussia. She bids fair to tyrannise over the whole
of Germany without scruple or consideration.
It is now believed that a perfect under-
standing exists between our Government and
and that of France on the awkward subject of
Continental politics, and hence many infer that the
chances are on the side of. peace. They may be so,
but we would warn those most immediately con-
cerned not to trust too implicitly to favourable
signs, because there is an under current in
German politics that it is difficult to stem, par-
ticularly at this juncture. How can we account
for the moderation of Herr BISMARCK, supposing
he thinks the danger over ? The best conditions
may only impose upon those who are entangled in
his meshes. Prussia at war at this time will
certainly be at a disadvantage ; but if a sort
of truce take place, the Berlin Government
may perhaps think that they can have their own
way after all. At any rate, it behoves the other
Powers of Europe not to be led away in their desire
for peace into any compromise of the principles of
honour, truth, and justice, which were all cruelly
sacrificed in the Dano-German war, and in the
despicable treaty which succeeded it. Peace is a
great blessing, but it may be purchased too dearly ;
and it is certain that unless a check be put
upon the pretensions of Prussia, the calm
that will follow this stormy interlude will
be but transient and illusory. Let not the
secondary States of Germany relax their
vigilance, for if they do they may be taken un-
awares, and lose the advantage. They have now
gained in being prepared for emergencies. Austria
will also do wisely to come to a settlement about
Venetia, and to niake good terms with Hungary,
so that the next disturbance may find her in a
better condition, both at home and abroad. Which-
ever way we look at it as regards the treaties of
peace or the machinations of war, Prussia is the real
stumbling-block in the way of all improvement, and
the INIARPLoT of the nations.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, Monday Evening.
There is no new fact of importance, but abun-
dance of reports and speculations, in the Paris
and German papers relative to the position be-
tween Austria and Prussia. The following from
the Siecle, as to the state of feeling in Italy,
however, must be read with interest :

" All the letters and information we receive
describe the enthusiastic admiration with which
the Italians are animated in this supreme moment.
It is a national burst, similar to that with which
France would be convulsed at the cry of " The
country is in danger," to repulse the coalition of
kings. The voluntary enrolments multiply. The
workman leaves his workship, The father of the
family quits his children. The students of the
University of Padua have suspended their studies,
and leave for the battle field, singing patriotic
songs. Even some of the deputies abandon their
duties in the Chamber to take part in the struggle.
The differences of party are effaced. The Mode-
rates and the ultra Conservatives shake hands.
The Government of Victor Emmanuel has given
proof of its conciliatory disposition by plac-
ing Garibaldi at the head of its volun-
teers, and in investing five Garibaldian
Generals with the command of half of the five first
divisions in activity. The last trace of the ancient
order of things which divided the Peninsula into
various States is about to disappear. A manifesto
of General Belluomini, Commandant of the National
Guard of Florence, states that the city will be from
henceforward confided to the National Guard,
that the army will soon repulse the attack of a
foreign Power, and that the accomplishment of
Italian unity will soon be effected. Indeed, adds
the Steca, it may be said that all the portions of
Italy are now united into one.
The Gazette de le Croix condemns in strong terms
the proposition made to the Diet by Saxony, and
says that nothing is now left for Prussia but to act
with firmness and energy for its own preservation,
meaning, of course, that she must go to war imme-
diately. As to Austria, the Nouvelle Presse Libre
calculates that she has now an effective army of
500,000 men,
_ _

From Frankfort the account is that there is much
alarm and uneasiness in that town, as well as in the
other towns, where great, numbers of soldiers have
arrived. The military preparations and demonstra-
tions continue throughout the whole extent of the
German Confederation.
A formidable iron-clad vessel has just been com-
menced on the stocks at Cherbourg, to be called
the Suarez ie to be bit on a new model, And
_