The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-18 00:00:00

will withdraw from Mexico and co-operate with the
United States to restore a Republican form of
Government. The French EMPEROR, he adds,
favours the uncontrolled election of a Pre-
sident by the Mexicans themselves. Per-
haps he is not unnaturally a little sus-
picious cf the attitude which Mexico's powerful
and domineering neighbour may assume when once
there is a reasonable excuse for active interference.
The extreme prominence which is just now given.
to the Mexican question by the Government of the
States may possibly be due, however, rather to
their desire to divert the minds of the people from
domestic matters. Foreign affairs give them safe
subjects for that excitement and agitation which is
always going on more or less in America, and since
the Mexican question involves the two favourite
theories of America—Republicanism and the
MONROE doctrine—it tends to make the Go-
vernment popular if they. take it up
heartily. Fenianism is going out of fashion. The
need for the Irish vote is over, and that has no
doubt a good share in opening the eyes of the
Americans on both sides to their absurdities. Their
proceedings in Ireland, it is fair to admit, and the
extravagances of the leaders in the States them-
selves, have had a share in the disenchantment.
The condemned Fenians iu Canada have been re-
spited until the 13th of March, some say with a
view to giving time to hear from England, but
more likely to watch the course of events, and see
what position Fenianism is in by that time.
The intelligence brought by the City of Baltimore
is of course very little more than we had yesterday.
We learn, indeed, that the Alabama Legislature
has rejected the Constitutional Amendment, thus
adding another to the list of States who have re-
fused to accept the Radical ultimatum. But, in
fact, the Radicals have as yet said very little about
the Constitutional Amendment. They are intoxi-
cated with their temporary triumph, and would not
now be satisfied with the measures they proposed
last session. The opening of Congress was signalised,
as we have seen, by the introduction of extreme
measures, rendering the PRESIDENT almost a nonen-
tity, and showing the utmost vindictiveness towards
the South. But although such intemperance gives
but a cheerless prospect for the future, there is some
reason to hope that the Radicals may effect them-
selves what their antagonists have failed to accom-
plish. Like most parties who are arrogant and
eager for power, they are divided among themselves.
Their leaders in the two houses do not always agree,
neither can their followers always agree with them
or with each other. Then, notwithstanding the
large majorities which the dominant party
has succeeded in obtaining, there are many
persons of influence and intelligence who
object alike to their harshness towards the

South, and to their extravagant eagerness to push
the negro to political and social equality with the
white. Then the commercial circles are naturally
influenced by the depression of trade consequent
upon the unsettled condition in which the Radicals
persist in keeping the country, and all ranks are
well aware that the position to which Mr. STEVENS
and his associates are trying to reduce the Southern
States will be simply intolerable to free-born Ameri-
cans. No one really desirous for prosperity and comfort
wishes for another civil war, yet this is to what the
Radical policy is inevitably tending. Such signs
are discouraging in one sense, but hopeful in another,
inasmuch as the general disaffection may tend to
break the yoke which the Radicals are trying to
force on North and South alike.

It appears that a new style is about to be tried
by the Berlin Government, and after oppressing
and injuring their opponents all that they could,
they now seek—by an affectation of goodwill and
an abundant display of courtesy—to make a good
appearance. The King of PRUSSIA went a station
on the line of railway to meet the King of SAXONY.
It is said that a very cordial meeting took place.
When that royal party reached Berlin a very grand
affair took place, the military bands playing the
Saxon hymn, and the Royal Princes and the chief
functionaries of State coming to do honour to the
royal visitor. All this seems very promising, no
doubt, but we may ask, What good will it do, and
what advantage will Saxony reap by the transac-
tion ? The whole thing reminds one of the senti-
ment uttered concerning the different treatment to-
wards the men of the present and past—" If I were
a statesman, I'd have the epitaph living, rather in-
stead of the epigram dead." So the King of SAXONY
would have fared better with his courtesy after the
terms of the Treaty of Peace had been signed, and
with more consideration before. We should feel
good confidence in all the expressions of good-will
on the part of the Prussians if they would condescend
to be a little more fair in the arrangements they
make. But when we find that self rules the day in
everything of a lasting nature and a definite char-
acter, we look with suspicion on acts of courtesy
that are made to take the place of substantial acts
of grace, and instead of looking appropriate as an
addition they appear contemptible as a substitute.
As for those unfortunate Hanoverian officers who
seem likely to be the chief victims of the war, we
are so
Therry for them, and they have
been
last news is that they have
unfairlyn d eed most
treated,
applied to the Prussian authorities at Berlin to know
what is to be their fate, and they have received
a reply
to the effect that the KING will consider
their position, and that the Governor-General of
Hanover will acquaint them with the result of the
deliberations in conformity with the instructions he
has already received. It is really too bad that these
officers should be sacrificed to Prussian greed, and
that they should be compelled to forego their hopes
of honourable distinction, in order that the sway of
KING WILLIAM should be complete in their king-
dom. It is this arbitrary mode of proceeding
that does so much harm to the reputation
of the Prussian rulers and statesmen, and
this total disregard of the feelings of those whom the
fortune of war or the chances of circumstances have
thrown into their power. It is contrary to the re-
cognised principles and the established rules among
civilised nations that such conduct should be wit-
nessed in a country like Prussia; and it is a great
mistake to think that any nation, however great,
rich, or powerful, can be independent of public
opinion. Sooner or later it will require support or
sympathy from without ; and woe betide the land
whose rulers have been devoid of consideration, and
whose people have aided and abetted them in their
work of spoliation.
The Chamber of Deputies in the annexation
Committee, yesterday, signified their approval of
the treaty between the Prussian Government and
the Grand Dude of Oldenburg, according to which
the latter renounces his claims to the Holstein suc-
cession, on condition that a small portion of the
territory of Holstein may be added to him, or an
indemnity of a million thalers.

-------
The military men of Germany will soon be at
their wits' end to know who is their master, and
to whom they should look for direction and
guidance. It seems that by the Constitution of North
Germany the military oath of fidelity to the King
of PRUSSIA will be combined with the oath of alle-
giance to the Sovereigns of the States to which the
soldiers belong. This will be very confusing, to
say the least of it, and the very fact of one rower

be ing so much more in the ascendant than the others
Will totally destroy the idea of union, and prevent the
supposed advantages of the combination from taking
effect. At any rate it is very unfair to the members
of the various forces, for it must tend to deteriorate
their character and detract from their efficiency
thus to find themselves at the beck and call of so
many leaders, and to feel that they had no definite
bead in their own legitimate sphere. The condition
of the German officers and soldiers will inevitably
suffer from all this mixture of authority, and we
can easily fancy that those who are able will retire
from the service rather than remain in so ignomi-
nious a state. With one thing and another there
is enough to consider in these changes and altera-
tions in Germany, and the more we reflect upon
their consequences the more do we doubt their
wisdom or their efficacy. The subject presses itself
upon the mind all the more from the fact that the
time is fast approaching when some of the most
notable designs will be put into execution. Last
Saturday the Conferences relating to the Con-
stitution of the New Confederation were opened
by a speech from Count BISMARCK, and
so we may fairly expect to see the system
fairly commenced. We wish for the prosperity of
Germany, and the good of other nations, as well as
for the sake of peace and the highest interests of
civilisation, and that we have a chance, distant or
remote, of something being effected that would be for
the gain of the States most immediately concerned ;
but we are afraid that this will not be an illustra-
tion of good coming out of evil, but that only too
soon the cloven foot of Prussian covetousness will
appear, and all fair-play and straightforward action
be put so far in the background that their influence
will not be felt.

News from Bombay, dated Nov. 25, tells us that
the Government of India has appointed a commis-
sion to report upon the famine districts in Orissa.
This is rather late in the day, still it is a move in
the right direction ; and if it will not be productive
of much benefit to the sufferers by the present
distress, it will at least, we may hope, garner in-
formation which may lead to preventive measures on
another occasion. If on the very first rumour of
approaching famine a commission of inquiry had
been appointed how much subsequent misery might
have been relieved, and how many lives
saved ! The grand Durbar held by the
Viceroy at Agra has been a great success. Sir
JOHN LAWRENCE well understands the value of
such ceremonies in impressing the Eastern mind,
and, however simple and unpretending may be his
ordinary demeanour, he knows when to assume the
full pomp and dignity of the viceregal power.

The Indian Government have invited tenders for
a public works loan for Bombay, to the amount of
sixty lace. This looks as though the public
works were t) be pushed on vigorously, and
we hope that such will be the case, since
there can be no question of their beneficial effect
upon every department of Indian life. Trade and
commerce more especially will be stimulated by
the increase of the means of communication, which
will alike benefit the cultivator of the interior and
the merchant at the ports. Public health is good in
Bombay and the weather cool, so that we may
hope the year will close on an Indian Empire under
favourable conditions.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FRO3I OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
Pan's, Monday Evening.

A private despatch from Pesth announces the
adoption, pure and simple, by the Lower Chamber
of Hungary, of the project of the address to the
Emperor of Austria.
It is stated from Florence that M. Fondles,
charged with a mission from the Italian Govern-
ment to the Pope, has already been received by his
Holiness. The Italie says that its information from
Rome enables it to augur favourably of the result of
M. Tonello's mission.

A private telegram from Berlin gives some par-
ticulars of the project of the constitution to be com-
mon to the States of the Confederation of the North
which is to be submitted to the envoys of the dif-
ferent States assembled in that capital. The Diet
(Reichstag), which will be convoked periodically,
will be composed of 22 States. Out of a total of
43 votes, Prussia is to have 17, Saxony 4, Meek-
lenbourg, the Duchies of Oldenbourg and Bruns-
wick, each 2, and the rest of the other States, each
1. • The decisions of the States will be taken by a
majority. The Hanseatic towns are to preserve
their privileges of free ports. The soldiers com-
posing the Federal army are to take the oath_ of
fidelity to the King of Prussia.

The papers are much occupied with the speech
of Victor Emmanuel. The articles which have yet
appeared respecting it speak of it as a calm, mode-
rate, and conciliatory document.

Several of the journals express deep dissatisfac-
_

tion at the analysis supplied to them through the
Havas agency of the speech of President Johnson.
The complaint is, that although this analysis is
explanatory enough in regard to the relations of the
Union with England, it does not say a word about
the point most important to France—the affairs of
Mexico, and the view of the President in regard to
the mutual feelings of that country and the United
States.

On placing the remains of Cardinal Richelieu at
the disposal of the Archbishop of Paris, the Minister
of Public Instruction, M. Duruy, made the follow-
ing speech :

" Monseigneur—l place in youi..hands what re-
mains to us of a great man, whose name is always
here present, because he pacified and aggrandised
France, honoured letters, and constructed this
house (the Sorbonne), which
.has become the sanc-
tuary of the highest studies. The University and
the Academy accomplish a filial duty in joining
their homage at the foot of this tomb, which will
never again be violated."

The Archbishop replied—" Monsieur le Ministre,
I thank the Government of the Emperor for having
had the idea of restoring to the Sorbonne the
precious remains which your Excellency is kind
enough to intrust to me. I venture to con-
hgraavtiunntacyhoedu, your Monsieurnam
name
t thiso l Ministre,
workof repara-
tion,orf
and I am happy at the task which I fulfil at
this moment. lam not astonished that so many
personages of eminence have thought it an honour
to be in attendance at this.
expiatory ceremonial.
It is the wisdom of the present which comes to pro-
test against the inexperience and the
errors of the
past. It is an act of high morality and a really
social act of policy. It is good to show that vio-
lence does not succeed in the end,
,but that right
always finishes by succeeding in right. What the
fathers overthrow the sons restore. Man tou rages,
but time avenges. Great example for the present
generation, which will not refuse to understand that
it ought to perform the good work of good sense
and moderation, and not the work of anger and
blind violence. I ask of God that it may be thus,
and that the destinies of France maybe for ever pro-
tected against those unhappy vicissitudes when
strength insults and proscribes, without right being
able to make itself recognised, and to establish
liberty, and without men being able to increase in
moral grandeur."
_ _ .

Arrangements are already being made at. Warsaw
to organise pleasure trains from that city to Paris on
the occasion of the Great Exhibition. The railway
company undertake all the details of the journey at
a moderate price.
Mr. Charles Goodwin, who has an establishment
for the sale of sewing machines at Paris, has muni-
ficently placed at the disposal of the Empress no
less than 178 of those useful and excellent machines,
to be distributed under her Majesty's supervision
among poor worknaen. The idea is that a work-