The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-25 00:00:00

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LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1866.

We are not surprised that the disturbances on
Monday evening should have formed the subject of
discussion in both Houses of Parliament last even-
ing. It is some time since the metropolis has been
disgraced by such proceedings. From whatever
motive they originated, or with whatever object
they were planned, the wanton destruction of pro-
perty and the renewal of the disturbances yesterday
have unmistakably stamped the whole affair with the
character of a reckless riot. Those gentlemen who
last night chose to come forward as the champions
and advocates of the rioters, did not
take the trouble to inform us what the
residents in Great Cumberland-street had to
do with Reform excepting to wish most pro-
bably that its exponents would begin by reforming
their own manners. Broken windows, trampled
flower beds, midnight disturbances, and all the other
paraphernalia of ordinary street riots, have no parti-
cular affinity that we are as are of to the extension of
the franchise and the introduction of the ballot; and
we can only regret that Mr. LAYARD, Mr. MILL,
and some other gentlemen, should by their ill-advised
language have encouraged the notion of their iden-
tity. Working men who are anxious for political
privileges have every reason td complain of the as-
sumption that the riots and disturbances, which
every respectable man must regret, are in any way
associated with their efforts. They must be
perfectly well aware, in spite of the high-
flown language of Mr. MILL, whom we are
sorry to see forgetting his own doctrines about
Liberty, that the sympathies of the friends of law
and order will be strongly enlisted against such
breaches of the peace. Mr. MILL, in his very able
essay 04 Liberty, claims full license for every
individual in words and acts, so long as he does not
interfere with the rights of others. If Mr. MILL
thinks that this
premise was secured on Monday
evening we can only fear that he has forgotten his
logic. The language used by Mr. LAYARD may
probably find favour in the eyes of the mob, but his
explanation of the affair can hardly be accepted by
the common sense of the public. He asks what more
natural place than Hyde Park could be selected for a
meeting of the kind? We should say any open space
in the neighbourhood of London, such as one of the
heaths or commons or Primrose-hill,not apark laid out
with cost and taste in the midst of busy thorough-
The working men, who, with their families,
are in the habit of resorting to the park on summer
evenings will see for themselves next Sunday what
these gentry have done, and will be able to judge
how far they were actuated by a desire to extend
the principles of their order, and how far by the
pleasure of a riot. An open air meeting of
such a size is at best but a farce; only
those in the immediate vicinity can bear the
speaUrs, and any thing like candid discussion is
impossible. The fact is that it was intended as a
demonstration of physical force to overawe the
inhabitants of the west end by the numbers of the
east, and those who attempted to get up such a de-

fares.

monstration in defiance of the prohibitions of thelaw
are very much to blame. Mr. BRIGHT'S conduct in
inciting the people to a proceeding which was almost
certain to terminate in a breach of the peace was
deservedly censured in the house last night, and we
hope that the unpleasant experience of the last two
days will teach those who set themselves up as
leaders a little more sense and discretion another
time. It is perfectly idle to pretend that anybody
who likes may use a public park for any purpose
which he pleases ; and this is the only point at
issue, seeing that no one disputes the right of
public meeting elsewhere. Mr. DISRAELI last
evening declared that he looked upon such
meetings held at the proper time and place " as one
of the great political safety-valves to which we should
trust ;" but he justly added that "if held at
improper times and places, instead of being
advantageous to society, they will assuredly
lead to tumult and disturbance." This no one
can dispute, and we have had ample evi-
dence since Monday evening of the class of per-
sons who persist in defiance of the law. Unfortu-
nately something worse has resulted from the affair
than angry words or broken railings or smashed
windows. One life at least has been lost, and many
persons seriously injured, to say nothing of the num-
bers who have found their way to the police-courts
in consequence of the outrages. It:is altogether a
lamentable and disgraceful affair, and respectable
men of all parties should unite in supporting the
authorities in their efforts to restore public order,
instead of endeavouring to give importance to a dis-
reputable riot by identifying it with the popular side
of a great public question.

The city of Frankfort seems destined to play a
most important, and by no means a pleasant part
in this war. The Prussians have been forced for
appearances sake to maintain some kind of order
during their recent rapid marches through Germany,
but it seems that we are to have an end of the
reticence which has been so loudly vaunted. The
conduct of the Prussians respecting Frankfort is
disgraceful, and it seems hardly to be credited that
at the present day we should witness such a viola-
tion of national laws. There is no earthly reason why
so heavy a contribution should be forced upon a city
that has already contributed so largely to the
support of the Prussian forces. It is said by the
last accounts that the Chamber of Commerce has
resolved not to pay the twenty-five million florins
demanded by General MANTEUFFEL. The whole
city have supported this determination, and declared
that it would be preferable to submit to pillage.
The city of Frankfort has asked for the interven-
tion of the Emperor NAPOLEON and the English
Cabinet in its behalf. The EMPEROR has received
the request cautiously, and we trust that he will
exercise his influence with effect, as it cannot be
said that this is a question which mate-
rially affects the policy of Prussia. Our
own Cabinet may likewise remonstrate with
the Berlin Government, and it will be rendering
them a good service to prevent them committing
themselves by so flagrant an act as the destruction
of a city to suit their purposes of vengeance.
Should the intimation referred to by the Prussian
Government come to pass, it will be long, indeed,
before the Berlin Government can persuade the
States that its intentions are good and its purposes
honest. We expect, on the contrary, that instead of
being an exception to the rule, the course adopted at
Frankfort may be regarded as the inauguration of the
new system that will be in vogue at Prussian head-
' quarters. In consequence of no notice having been
taken of the demand, the Prussian Commandant
has put an execution int 9 the town. A large num-

ber of troops are billeted upon the Senators r.nd
principal inhabitants. No doubt this latter ar-
rangement has been made on purpose to annoy
those who have principally offended the authorities,
as it is well known that Prussian officials can be
most spiteful when they have the opportunity. It
looks as if the ruthless conqueror had imposed this
extravagant sum in order that it might afford them
a pretext for destroying the place, and, at all events,
of damaging it considerably. They doubtless
knew that a refusal would be made to such
extravagant claims as those set forth, and were glad
to seize the pretext for a quarrel.

The naval engagement which has recently taken
place at Lisa has produced some good effects for
the Austrians ; and, although these may be only of
a secondary nature when compared with other
events, still they are not without their significance.
The municipal authorities of Yara have sent an ad-
dress to the EMPEROR, in which they declare that it
is the wish of the Dalmatians that the late encounter
may cement more firmly their connection with
Austria. The Em PEROR replied to this communication
that he never could permit so worthy a portion of
his empire to be separated from the Austrian
peoples. It is not likely that any division of pro-
vity.le would desire to be united to Prussia after the
recent disposition they have evinced, but it is satis-

factory that so steady an expression has been
elicited.

It is not yet decided when the Conference for the
Treaty of Peace will take place. The Patire, in
discussing the preliminary measures likely to be

taken, states that a small neutral town in
Germany will most probably be selected.
Now that Italy has given her unwilling
consent, we may fairly conclude that there will now
be most certainly a cessation of hostilitiq. In any
sense of the word it is to be regretted that the per-
sistence of Austria should have prevented the assem-
bling of the Conference in Paris a month or two
ago. At that time Prussia could not possibly have
claimed so much as she has now determined to do,
and the balance of power in Europe might have
been much more fairly adjusted. As it is, all we can
hope is that the influence of France may prevail, so
as to prevent the wishes of the Berlin Cabinet from
being carried out to the extremity. It is evident
that the Emperor NAPOLEON has been most instru-
mental in bringing about an armistice, and there-
fore we may well expect that he should do some-
thing effectual in the arrangements now ensuing.
The French periodicals do not seem satisfied with
the conduct of England, and La Presse contains
an article which seems to intimate that the people
of this country regard the recent triumphs of Prus-
sia with satisfaction. In this article there are,
however, some forcible remarks as to the
importance of the movements now in agita-
tion at Berlin, and adds that it may be a

matter of indifference to a German whether his laws
are made at Berlin, instead of at Vienna, Cassel,
and Hanover, " but it is not indifferent to any
Power that an order from Berlin can put in move-
ment:one million soldiers instead of five hundred thou-
sand ;" and states moreover that if the bond which
attaches North Germany to Prussia be more or less
firm it will have the same effect upon the neigh-.
bours of Germany and complete absorption." It is
the truth contained in these remarks that makes us
doubtful as to the EMPEROR giving so easy an assent
as some suppose to the proposals of Prussia..
He must be prescient enough to know the full im-
portance of the new position to which Prussia
aspires, and to recognise more especially its signifi-
cance respecting himself. If he now agree to the
terms we have heard of it will not b: so couleur de
rose PM the Frueajang. guppoo after 41 in the long