The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-21 00:00:00

lIIGII WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

Taxs DAY.—Morning, 11h. 36'n.—Afternoon, L. ro
To-Moßßow.-Morniug, 12h. Bm..—Afternoon, 12h. 33w

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LONDON, FRIDAY, SEPT. 21, 1866.

The usual autumnal dinners are beginning to be
held throughout the country, and, as might be ex-
pected, the Conservatives are rejoicing over the
recent triumph of their party. The members of the
Lewis Conservative Association have some cause for
especial rejoicing, since their organisation has only
been in existence about sixteen months, and they
are able to boast of a pretty formidable gathering.
It is true that in place of Parliamentary represen-
tatives the meeting could only claim defeated can-
didates ; but, judging from the success that has
attended their recent efforts, and the impetus which
has been given to Conservative energy throughout
the country by the change of Ministry, it is not
very likely they will long occupy such a melancholy
position. The present member for Lewes, Mr.
BRAND, has fallen somewhat into disfavour with
his constituents concerning Newhaven harbour, and
therefore Sir A. SLADE'S charitable hope that he
may be forced to vacate " his Lewes shoes " at
the next election is not altogether a visionary
one. The fact is that Lewes, like other
places, has found that it has not profited
much by Liberal professions, and begins to think
that a change of hands at the reins may do more
good than harm, especially as the strong tendency
of public opinion is in favour of progress and reform,so
that there is little actual danger of a reactionary
policy. Mr. Cums-riE one of the Conservative
candidates, is evidently half a Reformer, although,
in common with his associates, he denounced
Mr. BRIGHT and Mr. BEALES. " All Con-
servati'ves'" he said, " are ready to support
any measure of real reform. They particu-
lArly wish that question
to be settled. They
wish to see the honest and industrious artisan
having a vote. They are tread of him ; they
believe that there is no other workman in the
wolli equal to the English workman, and they
would be glad to give him a voice in the govern-
ment of his country." This is straightforward and
manly language, and we should be glad to believe
that it represented the feelings of the majority of
the influential Conservatives. Whatever may
be the points at issue of detail or the diffe-
rences as to the representation of classes,
the Conservative party must adopt the
principle of giving the working man a
vote if they hope for a tenure of power. Mr.
RAIKES, on Wednesday, in speaking of Lord PAL-
MERSTON's popularity as Premier, said shrewdly
enough that he believed it was partly due to his
satisfying the real wishes of a large class of poli-

ticians who liked to talk a good deal about Liberal
principles, while in their hearts they were averse
to any change or interference with existing institu-
tutions. But such half-hearted Liberals must not
be accepted as really representing the feelings of
the country. On the contrary, so great is the
disgust excited in the minds of earnest and
thoughtful men by the abuse of Liberal professions
that they have gone out of favour, and an absolute
Tory has more chance of success in some quarters
than a professing Liberal who has no practice to
recommend him_ We should be glad to see both
sides address themselves to really practical ques-
tions, for they have been fighting about words
and phrases long enough. The disturbances
of the year and the disappointments of
the Session have at least brought all
parties to acknowledge two things—one, that there
is a wide-spread demand for Reform ; the other,
that Reform must be comprehensive without being
Democratic. The great vice of our present system
is unquestionably that of bribery and corruption,
and the records of our election commissions must,
one would think, put to shame any further talk
about the merits of open voting. If the Conserva-
tives can make up their minds to abandon
their old prejudice against the Ballot—which
the Whigs, for their consolation, have abused as
heartily as themselves—and show the country that
they are really anxious to remove this scandal from
our representative institutions, they will gain im-
measurably in the opinion of all honest men, and
show themselves to be genuine Reformers.

The triumphal entry of the Prussian troops into
Berlin took place yesterday, and of course the
greatest enthusiasm prevailed ; and no doubt the
day will long live in the recollection of those con-
cerned in the affair. Count BISMARCK has been
raised to the rank of General, though what military
services he performed it is difficult to st ; but it
may be presumed that the voice was taken for the
deed, and he has certainly rendered considerable
service to the army, and brought the military or-
ganisation of Prussia to a high standard of perfec-
tion. If success be a proof of merit, there can be
no doubt that the present Prussian Premier
is a very deserving individual, and so his
countrymen think. It is so far satisfactory
to notice that public expectation has been
realised by the proclamation of an amnesty; it is, at
all events, a step in the right direction, and we hope
it may indicate a more favourable state of things.
At any rate it will afford a gain to some parties,
and this may be regarded with satisfaction. It is
curious to look back to the time when Herr von
BISMARCK was summoned from Paris in consequence
of the house rejecting by a large majority the pro-
posal to reorganise the army. He has kept this
purpose in view ever since, and has had of course
great obstacles to contend against in the course
of his labours ; and now, it may well
be asked, what object has he gained by his
extraordinary and extravagant pursuit of conquest
at any risk or hazard ? He has made enemies in all
directions, and greatly offended a Power which may
in the long run prove too much for him. The tide
of affairs may soon turn, and then what will be-
come of all those who now rule with such arbitrary
power, and give themselves such airs ?
The French will have viewed this triumphal return
of Prussian troops into Berlin with feelings of any-
thing like satisfaction. There has been so much
to excite and irritate them of late in various events
that have taken place that this will be as it were
the completion of the matter, and, combined with
what has gone before, produce a very awkward state
of feeling. The EMPEROR, as yet, can keep the
impatience of the French in check ; but the question
is, How long can he do so ? If the Berlin Govern -
inent go on as they have begun, we do not doubt
that in a short space of time the outraged feelings
of the nation will become too strong for him to
control it any longer.

Much as there is to rejoice at in the peace which
now reigns over Europe, there is also much to ap-
prehend in the future, and therefore we
may well look with suspicion on what takes
place in various quarters. Had the Prus-
sians conducted their actions in an upright
fashion, no one would have interfered with them
in any way, or passed any remarks upon their ac-
tions ; but as it is impossible for any one to refrain
from expressions of discontent, even if their utter-
ance does no good, those who believe that the
Prussian conquests are now consolidated, and that
nothing remains for the Government of King
'WILLIAM to do but to make the most of their bar-
gain, may find that they reckon without their host,
and that they may find out too late that
they have made a rash venture. We should
always look with doubt upon all great achieve-
ments that rest upon the ruin of others ;
and who can say that there is any lawful excuse to
be given for the destruction which has been created
far and wide by the lawless work of the Prussians ?
When the Emperor NAPOLEON went to war in 1859
he had a lawful object before him, and there was
no ground of just complaint against him ; but, as
it now is, can we say that the war, whose glory
reached its culminating point yesterday in the
parade of Berlin rejoicings, was one of those things
which deserve censure instead of applause, and
that those who swelled the triumphant train of the
conqueror might have blushed to be seen there if
they possessed any lingering remnant of self-respect?