The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-10 00:00:00

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LONDON, SATURDAY, N6V. 10, 1866.

Lord Mayor's-day is always welcome to the citi-
zens of London, and to others besides, for it breaks
through the monotony of this dull season of the
year, and affords some interest and excitement.
Last night the chief event of the even-
ing's entertainment was, of course, the speech of
Lord DERBY, and the noble earl did not disappoint
his hearers. Perhaps few of his predecessors of late
Years have had a more difficult task than the noble
lord who has so lately become Premier ; but he ac-
quitted himself of the duty with success, and we
should think his speech would afford satisfaction to
men of all shades of opinion who rank the interests
of their country above the mere end of failure or of
party triumph. The Lot
d Alayor, in proposing the
toast of her MAJESTY'S Ministers, gave a brief but
impressive description of the feelings and sentiments
with which they welcomed those who were entrusted
with the responsible task of conducting her MAJESTY'S
(government. He said that they always welcomed
the Ministers with cordiality, whatever might be their
politics, and, alluding to the spirit which animated
them, observed, " We admire the patriotism which
prompts men of the highest standing in the country of
the fairest powers of mind, of refined taste and mag_
nificcnt fortunes, to forego their case and the gratifi-
cation of those powers and tastes, and for love of
country to dedicate all to its service." With the
frankness which always distinguishes him Lord
I) EIZBY expressed himself, on the part of himself and
of his colleagues, much gratified "at the more than
cordial reception that the toast had received, but
added that they did not regard the fact as an indi-
cation of political significance. They understood ,

that the manner in which they were received was
the generous expression of English feeling, which
always desires to cheer and encourage those who, in
what they believe to be the interests of the country,
take upon themselves onerous and laborious duties,
and endeavour to fulfil those duties to the best of
their ability." The noble earl drew an interesting
parallel concerning the functions of the Lord Mayor
and the Government, both having just entered on a
new career of office, and both feeling that in the dis-
charge of their arduous duties they must seek for
their best support in the " confidence and goodwill
of their fellow-countrymen."
No one can be surprised that the noble lord re-
fraiLed from giving any explanation of the
intentions of her MAJESTY'S Ministers re-
garding the details of their future policy, but
in taking a general survey of things he
had to touch upon many calamitous events, all
more or less crowded into this year, and forming
as glaring a retrospect as any public man could
dwell upon. In some respects, however, the clouds
seem to have dispersed, or to be in a fair way of
dispersing, and the noble lord was able to con-
gratulate his hearers that in spite of the " mone-
tary pressure which had brought ruin on some
and distress on many, the public credit was un-
impaired, and the revenue maintained itself, and
the commerce of the country was never on a
better foundation and more sound and healthy.
As for public events,. two wars have been con-
cluded which partake of that most distressing cha-
racteristic--civil war. The great Republic across
the Atlantic, it is true, still suffers greatly from the
effects of the prolonged struggle, but Lord DERBY
entertains the hope that the Government of this
country and that of America will act in such a spirit
of forbearance that the awkward subjects of conten-
tion, created by the war, may be settled in a satis-
factory way, and not only remove all " remnants of
bitterness, but place on a better foundation than
ever our relations with that great country to
which we are bound by so many ties of in
terest and regard." Respecting the merits and
results of the war in Germany Lord DERBY was
silent ; but, as for Austria and Italy, he expressed
a hope that, since by the cession of Venetia a burden
was taken off one, and a province long desired was
given to the other, that they might derive mutualad-
vantages ; and to Italy especially he gave excellent
advice, when he said that, fearing no foreign foe,
she should now devote herself to the development
of her resources and interests. It is indeed in this
brighter future opening for Italy that we of this
country can see the only cheering prospect of the
late continental war, and the- only chance of any
satisfactory reminiscences hereafter appertaining
to it. The noble Earl then turned to consider
our achievements, and while admitting that we had
no military glories to boast of, he declared with truth
that peace had its triumphs as well as war, and in
the course of this year we could point to a triumph
of more gain to the human race, and more to the
credit of our country, than any war, however suc-
cessful. " I allude to that great triumph which has
been achieved by British science, by British skill,
by British perseverance, and British energy, by
which we have maintained our claim to exercise
dominion over the sea, and combined in intimate
and enduring bonds the great continent of Europe
and America, between which we have succeeded in
annihilating time and space." The Atlantic Cable
is indeed a trophy to boast of, and the more so as it
is entirely due to the energy and enterprise of our
own countrymen.

The noble earl made an amusing allusion to the lau-
rels the volunteers had reaped this year, and their great
achievement in occupying the capital of Belgium ;
and, putting aside diplomatic prudence, Lord DERBY
announced that next year they thought of invading
the capital of France. We may all concur in the
opinion of.the noble lord that it will be well if these
and similar invasions are all that Europe will be des-
tined to see for many years to come, and which, by
exciting sentiments of mutual respect and esteem,
are a " better security than anything which kings
can offer or statesmen desire for the general peace
of the world—so happily expressed in the words
' Peace on earth, and goodwill to men.' " In con-
cluding his interesting speech, Lord DERBY said
that he would not continue the parallel he drew at
first since in speaking of the Lord Mayor's
predecessor ; he did not think it would be expe-
dient to dilate on the merits of those
who had been the predecessors of her
MAJESTY'S Ministers. Referring to the present
worthy occupant of the civic chair, Lord DERBY
expressed his confident expectation that when the
time arrived when he must relinquish his high posi-
tion he would not have disappointed the expecta-
tions formed of him. " 1 don't mean to suggest
any comparison between the period of your tenure
of office and ours, but when you have to say to ,
your fellow citizens valete, you may add with con-
fidence et plaudite." We think we may go further
than the noble Premier, and venture to predict that
when he and his colleagues retire from office, be the
term of their tenure long or short, they will be
followed by the respect of all and the admiration of
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confident i night delivered
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hat
the best interests of the country are safe in their
hands, and that they will act in asp spirit worthy of
those who conduct the affairsofthisgreraetcecivoemd-,
com-
munity. Mr. DISRAELI, who was very well
made some interesting remarks, chiefly relating to
the connection between the City of London and
the House of Commons, for which he returned
thanks. After stating that the City of Lon-
don had for generations co-operated with the
House of Commons in building up the great
fabric of public might and popular liberty, he ob-
served that he hoped " the great deeds they had
accomplished might not be forgotten, but remem-
bered and repeated in this country. They had
been, and they only could be, acomplished in a land
which was blessed by Parliamentary and municipal
institutions. Individuals may form committees, but
it is institutions alone that can create nations." The
entertainment of last night was one of the most
brilliant and successful that has taken place for
years, and may be considered to inaugurate hope-
fully not only the career of the Lord Mayor, but of
her MAJESTY'S Ministers.

We learn, by the Atlantic Telegraph, that the
Radicals have carried all the elections with the ex-
ception of Maryland and Delaware. This was only
what was expected, but it is a significant fact that
Maryland should be one of the exceptions. The
trial of the Baltimore Police Commissioners =-
Unties, and no doubt is entertained that the Gover-
nor will remove the Commission. The fervour of the
Radicals is considerably modified, and whether they
found the facts of the case to be really too strong for
them, or whether they were averse to be drawn into
ahrnaovs
ie: conflictiproeentnrweabtieedi from
theoyn a purely local question, they
theo
vextravagant
uarn. d
et e
cnoaubnl e-
se l for the Commissioners, whoatfirrigsth,titofw
remembered, denied the Governor's
juris-
diction in toto, have now pleaded not guilty. The
determination of the central authority to support
the local power has no doubt carried weight, and
the Radical leaders are probably to) shrewd to be-