The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-22 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, FEB. 22, 18G6.

From the intelligence brought by the Hibernia
from New
York on the 10th we may infer that both
parties are anxious
having
to get over the French-American
crisis without b
recourse to the costly and
dangerous alternative of war. We need not indeed
accept unreservedly the statements of the New York
Tribune, that the liate
a final
DE MONTHOLON and Mr.
SEWARD have had
it
was
interview upon Mexican
affairs, at which
had given
positively understood that
the French EMPEROR
, i AxminaAN' t
orders for the with-
of
the
drawal of his troops,
leaving o
his
own resources. The tone
pee üblic mind is,
however, decidedly pacific, and
the
Government of the United States hayaertak.which the,
avow the Bagdad affair, and even to taken
to
dis"
punish those
suspected of complicity in it, seems to indicate
an
anxiety on their part to avoid an open rupture with
the Government of France. If they have reason to
believe that. the nteEnon is willing to withdraw
his forces without unnecessary delay, they may well
feel seine annoyance at the unprofitable struggle
which is likely to precipitate matters, and to give
overnment of France ground for complaint.
The Federal commission appointed to investigate
the affair have made their report, in which they
throw the blame upon General e —fIAWFORD. Colonel
REID, his adjutant, has been arrested for complicity,
and Captain SINCLAIR of the Liberal army has
also been arrested for violating the neutrality
laws of the United States. The States Marshal is 1
disarming all parties at Brownsville and in the
neighbourhood •
) and not too soon, for a Frwachl

the G

~
man-of-war has arrived at the mouth of th
Grand, and it was reported that 2,000 Frenchteroßopios
were expected, though this is inconsislttenwtilwl with the
rumoured withdrawal of the forces.
ad-
vantageous for France and America alike to settle
the dispute amicably, and though no one in their
senses would be inclined to endorse General WEIT-
ZEL'S assertion, and declare " Mexico not worth
fighting for," still if the restless spirits of the army
choose to accept that form of resigning sour grapes
it will matter little to their superiors.
A somewhat amusing instance of the manner in
which the Americans construe that doctrine of in- '
ternational neutrality which they preach so loudly
to other nations is mentioned in the Hibernian's
summary. The New York police one night
arrested a man with a waggon-full of arms and
ammunition. O'MAlloxv claimed the property as
belonging to the Fenians, and the man, arms, ammu-
nition, and all, was discharged. As the Fenians
openly declare their hostile intentions towards a
friendly Power, the United States Government had
better look at home before they address any more
polite remonstrances to our Foreign Secretary.
There are indications of trouble for Spain, who
is likely to be a serious loser by her aggressive con-
duct towards Chili. Intelligence from Panama of
the Ist announces that Peru has concluded an
offensive and defensive alliance with her gallant
little neighbour, and has declared war against Spain.
Three Peruvian frigates and two corvettes had left
to join the Chilian fleet, so that the blockading
squadron will not be in a very enviable position.
Valparaiso is closely blockaded, and it was thought
that an attack on the city was meditated. Probably
the Spanish commander, finding the tide of fortune
turning against him, had resolved to try a bold
stroke to recover his lost prestige. It was hoped at I
Lima that the other South American Republics
would join:the alliance against Spain; and, if so, we
trust they will abide by the resolution of the Chilian
Ministry, and refuse to lay down their arms until
they have obtained a satisfactory guarantee from
the aggressor. If, whenever the Spanish exchequer
gets low, the Madrid Government seeks to replenish
it at the expense of one or other of the Southern
Republics there will be little peace or prosperity for
them. It would be far better to seize the oppor-
tunity, and by firm and united action teach the
Spaniards a useful lesson, and prevent the repeti-
tion of aggression and defiance on such paltry
pretexts.

In internal affairs the negro question has again
come uppermost. A deputation of coloured men
visited the PRESIDENT, and urged upon him the right
of the negroes to representation, seeing that they are
taxed. Mr. JOHNSON, who is never afraid of avow-
ing his opinions, declared that he had always been
the friend of the black man, but that he believed
the Southern negroes would not be benefited by
enfranchisement, for it would breed a war of races.
The question he averred was one for the people to
settle, and it would be tyrannical for him to force a
decision upon them. The coloured deputation, as
may be supposed, were not at all satisfied with this
plain speaking, but it represents the opinion of
most moderate and unprejudiced men nevertheless.
To another deputation, expressing approval of his
general policy, the PRESIDENT is said to have
replied that he intended to adhere to the policy laid
down in the annual Message ; adding that he was
not a candidate for re-election, desired no office, and
could afford to do right ! If the majority of
American statesmen could act up to this prin-
ciple whatever their views, it would be fortunate
for themselves and the country. We hope
Mr. JOHNSON will maintain his independence and
straightforwardness, for one term of official duties
conscientiously fulfilled will give him a higher place
in the record of American statesmen than half-a-
dozen re-elections obtained by subserviency to the
intrigues of party.

At the present time few subjects can be so profit-
able for study or so appropriate for inspection as
that of the negro. What with the recent circum-
stances that have taken place, and the extraordi-
nary and absurd course pursued by some persons in
reference to them, it seems difficult for the unini-
tiated to come to a correct conclusion or to form a
fair judgment upon abstract matters relating to the
blacks. Among those publications which throw
light upon this question must be mentioned a paper*
that has lately been read before the Anthropological
Society of London, which contains much to interest
and instruct. In his preface the author truly states
that the occurrence of the Jamaica rebellion will
cause Englishmen to be brought face to face with
the negro. This paper was well received by a
numerous meeting in St. James's-hall on the first of
this month, and the writer declares that such a de-
monstration leads him to hope that he has brought
forward his facts opportunely, "and that the shal-
lowness and impiety of those who have dared to
compare the wretched GORDON with St. STEPHEN,
nay, even with our SAVIOUR himself, will be in
the future thoroughly understood." A com-
prehensive view of the condition and cha-
racteristics of the negro are here met with ; and
it is curious to dwell upon the fact that the negro
race has always been the same in its features and
attributes. Thousands of years before the Christian
era, before the people of this country were known
of as rude savages, the sculptures of ancient Egypt
show us the " well-known features of the negro,
pourtrayed with a fidelity and truth which leave
not a doubt of his identity, as being, in fact, the
counterpart of the African of the present day."
Then we find that the close connection with
civilisation which he enjoyed at that time
in no way improved the negro, and he
was then a menial. One fact is mentioned here as
showing the wide difference that exists among
races. CESAR tells us that the ancient Britons
were so savage that they were not even fit for
slaves. This, as we stated, shows the " great gulf
between the European and other races."

Looking at the negro as he appears in Africa,
where he is certainly free from those influences
which, it is said, do him so much injury, we find
the testimony of the enlightened men who have
travelled there, and have had much to do with the
black race, agrees with the opinion of those who
have had dealings with them, and they concur in
stating that there is an almost " total absence of
all those attributes which enable other races of man-
kind to advance in civilisation." On the other
hand, unanimity prevails respecting the " innate
i cruelty" of the negro, his brutality when excited
or misled, and his " inbred sloth." " The most
1 notorious vices seem to be his portion, and they
are strangers to every sentiment of compassion, and
awrhc eat: ll
ea:
abnydthßeunreTmolz
fttod.
lelixtuzipl.e of the corruption of man
tifile rleactetnertloyf mwandoenlby declaresS P E li E
t,
" This opinion is confirmed
are two distinct creeds touching the African race
hßatAtKhEerno,
in England—that of those who know him and those
who do not. " Ignorance, not knowledge ; senti-
mentality, not sense, sway the practical public
mind." FRANKLIN, the philosopher, gave
it as his opinion that the negro is best
when " held to labour" by better and wiser
men than himself, and with this view BURTON coin-

* The Negro in Jamaica. By Comman2.er Beclford
R.N. TruNaor and Co., Paternoster-row.