The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-30 00:00:00

DEATH OF THE HON. HENRY WINTER DAVIS
Of Maryland, died at Balti-
more Henry Pinteronthe3othult ay.,Dofpinse Balti-
moreumonia. He was well known
in the United States as a prominent member of the last
four Congresses, as an eloquent orator, and a staunch and
fearless defender of freedom. He acted in Congress as a
member of the Committee of Ways and Means, and as
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The
positivenesss of his convictions and his ardent tempera-
ment sometimes unfitted him for co-operating with those
who esteemed themselves Ins friends; but he did good
and emancipation in Mary-
land, to advocate their cause.
se r service c ei n t d
ao tyh
se
wc ahuesne of
wasfl oy apl
et
perilous
His marked abilities were recognised alike by his friends
and his opponents. He was born in Annapolis in 1817,
and was educated at Hampden Sydney College. In 1852
he published a book entitled
•" The War of Ormuzd and
Ahrinam in the Nineteenth Century."
DEATH OF MR. GERARD HALLOCK. Mr.
Gerard Hallock, the veteran editor of the New York
Journal of Commerce, one of the most respected and enter-
prising journalist., died in that city, at New Haven,:Conn.,
on January 4. One of the-kindest-hearted men, generous
to a fault, fond of doing good, Mr. Hallock was ever the
suggester and promoter of benevolence. His long life was
devoted to enterprises in the right direction, and while
differences in political and ecclesiastical points may have
at times led him into discussion with his fellows, his
purity of life and general bearing of charity towards all
were the notable features of his existence. He was born
in Plainfield, Mass., March 18, 1800. He graduated at
Amherst College in 1819, and established in 1824 the
Boston Telegraph, a weekly journal, which he united with
the Boston Recorder in 1825. He became half proprietor of
the New York Observer in 1827, and in partnership with
David Hale became proprietor of the New York Journal of
Commerce in 1828, which paper -he has continued to con-
duct until the present time.

any grievances at all. And though the principle of non-
intervention has gained much ;ground with the great
Powers of Europe during the last few years, it is far from
being the settled policy of those Powers even now. The
late Crimean war, the universal feeling of indignation
expressed at the recent conduct of Austria and Prussia
with little Denmark, and the close scrutiny with which
every move of the Emperor of the French is watched* is
proof of this. Indeed all the great Sovereigns of
Europe at, this hour sleep with their hands upon their
guns, knowing not what moment they may be called upon
to wage a war for the balance of power—for the fulfilment
of some "Holy Alliance," or for some private treaty.
America has ever kept signally aloof from all the broils
and struggles growing out of these treaties and alliances,
and has never in any way, directly or indirectly, interfered
with the affairs of any European country. Had the am-
bition for power and prestige by the Emperors and Kings
of the Old World been confined to their •own continent
there never would have been such a principle enunciated
as that known as the Mosnoz doctrine. But during the
early part of the present century, so grasping was Spain
that, not content with her already large possessions in
the New World, she rode rough-shod over several of
the small republics of South America, and did then what
she is trying to do now in Chili, force the weaker Govern-
ments to succumb to her outrages and demands. And when
the United States, in 1820, from the purest motives of
humanity and disinterested sympathy that ever actuated
any nation, proposed to England a treaty whereby those
two great Powers should throw the mantle of their protec- ,
tion over the struggling Governments on the western con-
tinents, as a matter of simple justice, England's Foreign
Minister eagerly accepted the terms of that treaty, and
England and the United States shook hands through their
Ministers —Mr. CANNING and Mr. Rum—over the great prin-
ciples—the protection of civil and religious liberty contained
in that treaty, which treaty is nothing more nor less than
the Monroe doctrine, called by this name because it was
inaugurated under the administration of JAMES MosnoE,
who was then President of the United 'States. The sub-
stance of this treaty can be stated in a single
sentence—it does not, as many erroneously supposed,
pr event the establishment on American soil of an Empire
or any other species of strong Government, provided the
people are consulted in the matter. It simply declares
that no foreign Prince nor Potentate shall force a Govern-
ment upon any people on that continent against the people's
wishes. The United States does not and never has pro-
fessed to dictate to any of her sister countries what form
of government they shall have. She only asks that they
be allowed to have a free choice in their selection of the
Government that is to rule over them. Now, can anybody
say that this is not fair, just, and honest ? Is there
any assumption, or injustice, or unnecessary interference
in these cherished sentiments of the American people ?
Manifestly not. I know the maxim applied to individuals
or nations, "Mind your own business," is a good one ;
but there are times when it is a man's business
to interfere. When a strong man sees a brother,
especially if he be a weaker brother, knocked down
or robbed by a ruffian, he would be a creature whom it
would be the basest flattery to call a coward did he not
come to the rescue and seek to relieve the suffering. Mexico
is the weaker brother of the United States. A Usurper has
been forced by foreign bayonets on her people. A Usurper,
who has characterised his reign by plunder, I!_y unprece-_
dented extr.v.1,—...., oy-tne-setting aside in his deal-
lea, with the Mexicans all the rules of civilised warfare,
and by his bloody decrees of extermination of all prisoners

rL.k&e,:easslg...ka a_pameAvhich_will live in hispiry
Poor Mexico ! bleeding at every pore, panting for poaco
and security, and groaning under the oppressions of the
merciless tool of the French EMPEROR, reaches out her
hands, for aid to her old friend and neighbor the United
States. And the United States would be false to her
history, false to the treaty of 1820 and false to the
genius of her institutions, to the spirit of liberty, did
she refuse support to Mexico in this her time of need.
But there are other reasons why the people of America feel
so deeply sensitive on this Mexican question. They say
that the invasion of Mexico and the placing of MAXIMILIAN
on the throne there was a part of the late rebellion, that
nothing of the kind would have been thought of had not
the United States been engaged in a terrible life-and-death
struggle—that NAPOLEON 111. took a mean advantage of
us, and walked into Mexico through the back-door of our
weakness, and that the rebellion will not have been fully
crushed till MAXINIILIAN is driven out. These views are
hold by Generals GRANT, SHERMAN, and SHERIDAN, and
many other of the first men in America. Indeed the
reason for the Emperor of the FRENCH going to America
was so clearly defined in his celebrated letter to General
FORRET, viz : " to extend the Latin race, and thereby
check the advancing power and growth of Republicanism
on the American Continent," that it is useless to argue
them. And the whole press in England and throughout
Europe unfriendly to the United States (and nearly the
whole press was so till the surrender of Genekal Lee),
boasted of the fact, and glorified themselves over it, and
were never weary in telling the American people that the
expedition which placed MAX in Mexico was an insult to
them—that it was meant to be an insult by its great pro-
jector (as it unquestionably was)—and in taunting them
again and again over it. It is really marvelloushow these
newspapers have changed their tone since the col-
lapse of the rebellion. Now, the expedition was
only, it was said, to "collect a few debts," only a
little harmless affair, in which the United States
were asked to join " etc., etc." But the Americans are a
sensitive people, and despit2 all the good feeling which, till
recently, has always existed between them and France,
they can never forget the course of France when she
deliberately, knowingly, and maliciously violated the
MONROE doctrine.

But says the Emperor, through his Foreign Secretary,
to Mr. SEWARD, " We are willing:to withdraw our troops,
but we want some guarantee from you as to your future
conduct towards MAXIMILIAN." Ah, but, Mr. Emperor,
you did'nt ask your guarantee when you placed him there.
Why be so particular about guarantees now ? And
what business is it to France whether we recognise
MAXIMILIAN or not? Are not the States the best judges
of the matter? And have they yet asked for any instruc-
tion from NAPOLEON as to the course they shall pursue on
the Mexican question ? No ; yet he assumes to dictate to
them by urging them to recognise MAXIMILIAN, as if every
nation had not the right to regulate its own diplomacy.

But, says the EMPEROR, in his Speech last Monday,
"the United States were invited to join us in the expedi-
tion," which planted Imperialism in Mexico, as if that
was any reason for our non-interference at the present
time. Yes, Mr. Lino's was invited to take part in that
unholy crusade ; but he spurned the offer, and earnestly
protested, in the name of the American people, against the
occupation of Mexico by the French. As well might mid-
night robbers ask the clemency of the Lord Mayor of Lon-
don, when brought up for trial, on the ground that they
invited said Lord Mayor to join them in their plundering
schemes, as for France to seriously plead this absurd
invitation as a bar to American interference. And to cap
the climax, the EMPEROR dwells on his belief in a
SUPREME BEING, which fact the world will be intensely
interested in hearing—and says that "America will be
appeased by the frankness of our declarations."
What declarations? Surely the EMPEROR must have
meant this for a joke. I look in vain through his whole
speech for any declarations at all on the subject of Mexico,
further than that he, the EMPEROR, "is arriving at an
agreement with MAXIMILIAN, whereby the time will be
fixed for the withdrawal of the French troops." Arriving
at an agreement—but it may take twenty years to make
that agreement—and then the time " fixed" may be twenty
years more. And those aro the declarations of which he
boasts. But when we Atnerieans were engaged in a great
war NAPOLEON did not use to talk in this evasive way
about Mexico; but it is evident something troubles his
conscience now, as it has not beeetroubled before—
"When the Devil got sick,
A monk was he ;
But when the Devil got well,
The devil a monk was he."

The EMPEROR feels that he is in a very critical position.
He evidently thinks to retire from Mexice now, after the spicy
correspondence which has passed between his Government
and the United States, it would be looked upon as disgraceful
and cowardly; and, on the other hand, to remain there is
to incur in all probability a war with the United States.
Like the man who was holding on with both hands to a
bear's tail, it won't do to let go, nor it won't do to hold on.
NAPOLEON would really be entitled to some sympathy in
his present delicate and dangerous position if he had any

Besides, what would the Southern States gain by rebel-
ling again ? If the late war has taught us anything, it has
shown that two Governments cannot exist on the territory
of the United States, and that any section, however
strong, cannot resist successfully the overwhelming power
of at once the freest and strongest Government in the
world. No, should such a war break out, the Southern
States would be the first to respond, all past quarrels
would be forgotten, Generals LEE and JOHNSTON would be
given commands alongside GRANT anil SHERMAN, and united
as one man they would drown in the sea of oblivion all
by-gone differences, and think of nothing and fight for
nothing but the dignity and honor of the re-united States
of America. And so far from fearing or dreading such a
war, I believe President JOHNSON thinks that nothing
would hasten re-construction so soon, or cement the Union
more firmly, than a war for Mexico ht the present time.
The South, by her valor on new battle-fields in defence
of the old flag, would win for herself a place more
honorable than she has ever yet held in the family of
States.

But men say America has a largo debt ! Has Prance
no debt ? America's finances are in quite as healthy a
condition as those of Franco, while her resources aro
infinitely greater. France has no gold or silver mines,
nor cotton-fields, nor rich prairies, nor coal, nor petroleum,
all which America possesses in inexhaustible quantities.
The United States having just come out of a great war, in
which were enlisted at the North and South over 3,000,000
men—a greater number than England, France, and Russia
put together, ever raised inono war—is in a better petition
to protect her honor than she has over been before. Secre-
tary STANTON reports that ho has on hand army stores
enough to last three years ; while the navy reports a
greater number of ironclads and gunboats than the com-
bined navy of France and England together. Again,
France in a war with America would labor under the great
disadvantage of having to fight 5,000 miles away from
home, and in American waters. If it be said we have no
army left, having mustered out 800,000 men since last
July, letbut General GRANT sound the cry," To arms!" and,
as if by magic, that whole great army, with as many more
recruits, if necessary, would rally to the rescue instantly.
If it be said American soldiers are not equal to French
soldiers, I point them to a hundred blood-soaked battle-
fields, and say—that not at Marathon, not at Thermopylae,
not at Waterloo, when the Old Guard marched into the
jaws of death; and perished rather than surrender, was
displayed more of true heroism, more sublime courage than
was displayed at Antietam, at Gettysburg, at Chanchellors-
vine, and at the battle of the Wilderness.
Unquestionably the great mass of the American people
would regret another war at the present time,"or rather
they would regret the necessity for it. The policy of the
United States is peace, but not a dishonourable peace ;
and there is not a man or woman that has an American
heart but would rather endure poverty, taxation, and loss
of friends for forty years than submit to a national insult,
or the violations by a foreign power of their most cherished
principles—the principles enunciated by JAMES MONROE.
Of course, we as Americans should prefer that "the
nephew of his uncle" should withdraw his troops ; and
h.ux,An_art_mtcs. MAIL' is in my mind only
a question of time. The first Napoleon, when In the
very. zenith of his glory, sat on hie horse one bright
morning in front of his great army, and for the first I
rcut‘r
he rose up in his stirrups, and cried " Behold the city ,
of Moscow—it was time." The NAPOLEON of our day I
would do a wise thing if—standing as he does on the
high pedestal reared to the first min of Europe—lie I
should proclaim to the world, " Behold the evacuation

of Mexico —it was time."

Naval and Military Intelligence.

The iron-cased frigate Royal Alfred, 18, 4,045
tons, 800-horse power, got up steam and worked her
machinery yesterday alongside Portsmouth Dock-
yard. To-day slle will make a preliminary con-
tractors' trial of her machinery off Spithead, in
readiness for her trial at light draught of water over
the measured mile in Stokes Bay.
The Conqueror, screw line of battle ship, 2,845
tons, 500-horse power, Capt. W. G. Luard, arrived
at Spithead at 3 p.m. yesterday, from China, and
on anchoring exchanged salutes with the Victory,
the flagship in Portsmouth-harbour of Admiral Sir
Michael Seymour, G.C.8., the Admiral Command-
ing-in-Chief of the port and district. The Con-
queror has brought to England the battalion of
Royal Marine Light Infantry that has recently been
on special service in Japan, and a number of in-
valids, naval and military. The Royal Marine bat-
talion embarked for service in Japan at Plymouth
in December, 1863, under the command of Lieut.-
Col. Suther, and arrived off Yokohama, Japan, in
June, 1864, where it landed and encamped. In the
following August the battalion re-embarked in the
Conqueror, and proceeded with the allied fleets to the
inland sea, where it was present at the bombardment
of the enemy's batteries at Simonasaki on the stll of
September, 1864. On the following day, the bat-
talion was landed under the command of Lieut.-Col.
Penrose as part of the allied force placed under the
command of Lieut.-Col. Suther, R.M.L.I, (Lieut.-
Col. Adair, third Lieut.-Col. of the Royal Marine
forc.e, commanding the second battalion under Col.
Suther on the occasion), and participated in the
destruction of the forts and storming of the stock-
ades. In October the battalion arrived at Yoko-
hama, where it was disembarked, and formed part
of the garrison of that place until August, 1865,
when it was re-embarked in the Conqueror, and
left for England under the Command of Lieut.-
Colonel Penrose, its late commanding officer, Col.
Suther, C. 8., having previously obtained leave to
proceed to England. On the passage from Yoko-
hama to Hongkong, the Conqueror experienced a
terrific typhoon, to repair the damage inflicted by
which a stay of three weeks was necessary at the
last-named port. The battalion has brought to
England as its " lawful prize of war" two brass
field-pieces captured in the attack on the stockade
at Simonosaki. Having left behind in China and
Japan about 100 volunteers, the present strength of
the battalion is 26 officers, three staff-sergeants, 25
sergeants, and 350 rank and file. The Legation
guard of Royal Marines, who have been in Japan,
since March, 1863, for the protection of her Ma-
jesty's Minister and the Legation, have also re-
turned to England with the battalion in the Con-
queror.
His Netherland Majesty's screw steamer the
Watergeus (6 guns), Commander Escher, which
put into Falmouth with partial damage and short
of fuel on the 30th of December, resumed her voyage
to Java from that port on Saturday morning, after
repairing and coaling.

The spring half-yearly changes of quarters of the
Foot Guards will take place on the Ist of March.
They are as follows :—Grenadier Guards. —lst bat-
talion from Wellington Barracks (the head-quarters)
to St. George's Barracks, and a detachment to
Chelsea Barracks ; 2d battalion, from Windsor to
Chelsea Barracks ; 3d battalion, from St. George's
and Chelsea Barracks to Windsor. Coldstream
Guards.-Ist battalion from Chelsea Barracks (the
head-quarters) to Wellington Barracks, with de-
tachments to Kensington Magazine and Bucking-
ham Palace Barracks ; 2d battalion from the Tower
to Shorncliffe Camp. Scots Fusilier Guards.—lst
battalion, from the," old wing" of. the Wellingtqn
Barracks, Kensington Magazine, and Buckingham