The Sun.
London, England, 1866-06-22 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 1866.

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The opening of the Canadian Parliament on the
Bth of this month has enabled Lord ➢loxcx to give
public expression to the feelings of the Government,
and their view of the Fenian disturbances. The
Parliament assembled for the first time at Ottawa,
the new seat of Government, a circumstance which
gave especial interest to the assembly. In all pro-
bability the Parliament of Ottawa will yet play an
important part in the history of the world. Its
influence on the great Western hemisphere is not
to be inzasurel even by the present position
or progress of Canada, since we have as
yet only read the first chapters of her
national history. The recent disturbances have
abundantly proved that the Canadians inherit
the spirit and the patriotism of their race, and it

only needs energy, enterprise, and perseverance to
develope the natural wealth of:their country and its
magnificent capabilities. The British North
American provinces contain within themselves the
elements of an empire, which might throw the
proudest nations of Europe into the shade ; while
the population, whatever their national defects or
shortcomings, are saved from many of the in-
ternal dangers which have weakened their great
neighbour by their attachment to the old constitu-
tional traditions of the mother country.
They have not had to contend against
the evils of internal conflict, or the predominance
of reckless factions, but have accepted England as
their model, and have endeavoured to imitate her
form of Government and manner of legislation.
Like all young states they have had difficulties to
strive against, and have always the shadow of a
powerful neighbour in their close vicinity,
but the dangers and alarms of the last few years
have proved in the end advantageous to them, by
rousing the
national spirit and calling out in them
the self-reliance and decision, the independence
and patriotism, which might otherwise have
sluinl3ered too long. the lone, continuance of
the
directed attention to the
advantages of the Confederation
although this was fur a time delayscheme, and
delayed by the influ-
ence of Feniani,ln in their New Brunswick scheme,
final adoption is only a matter of time.
The address of Lord MONCK at the inauguration
of his Parliaimmt in its new and magnificent
habi-
tation waz therefore something very different from
the ordinary platitudes of similar occasions. Re
had to report to them the official proceedings during
the recess; which included the convocation of the
Council of Trade representing the different pro-
vinces. The proceedings of this body, and the
result of its deliberations on the commercial affairs
of the country are, to be laid before the Par-
liament. The changes of the last few years have
greatly affected the trade of Canada, and although
it is very probable they may subsequently tend
to increase and develope it the transition state

requires attention and forethought. " It has now,"
said Lord Mores, " become still more impera-
to open, by an extension of the trade of
country with other nations, new markets
.or the varied products of our industry."
He has, therefore, with the approval of the Home
Government, sent:a deputation to the West Indies
and to Brazil, with a view of ascertaining the best
means of extending commercial relations with those
countries. In this the Canadian Government has
done wisely, since the American provinces
like the mother country, must look for their
wealth and influence to commerce, not to war. They
have shown, indeed, that they do not lack for
martial spirit if occasion requires ; but the real secret
of fortune and success with a land of such vast
natural resources must be found in the less noisy but
more solid and substantial resources of trade and
commerce. The monopoly of the Hudson's Bay
Company cannot be suffered to continue much
longer, so that the extent of vast and fertile land
open to the enterprise of the colonists will before
long be greatly increased. The termination of the
Reciprocity Treaty, like the raids of the Fenians,
will probably be of good service to the Canadians
by driving them to extend their commerce in other
directions, and to open up new channels for the
export of their products. The Americans will be-
fore long find out their mistake; but, in the mean-
time, the Canadians cannot afford to wait
their leisure, and their commerce is far too
important to be despised. Lord Mons observed
in his speech that its results during the past year
had been so satisfactory that the revenue had been
largely in excess of the estimate, so that he had
been enabled to provide without inconvenience for
the heavy and unexpected charges entailed upon the
country by the recent events. Naturally the pre-
parations which have been thought necessary for
the defence of the country have been costly enough,
but, as Lord MONCK has reminded his hearers, the
events which had occurred just prior to their meet-
ing gave additional proof of their neces-
sity. The Governor - General warmly thanked
the people for the spirit and readiness
with which they had responded to his
Proclamation, and while expressing his regret for
the loss of some of the gallant volunteers, he con-
gratulated the country that the first note of danger
should have shown their mettle. "The entire
people," he added, " have been thoroughly aroused
by recent occurrences, and it must now be apparent
to all that the whole resources of the country, both
men and means, will at any moment be cheerfully
given to repelling any invasion of their homes."
This is of itself a powerful protection to the colo-
nists, and it shows that they are well worthy of
the cordial co-operation promised them by the
British Government.

The Governor-General, after referring to some
important public measures to be submitted to the
Legislature, concluded by expressing his well-
founded hope that the next Parliament which
should assemble at Ottawa would not be confined
to the representatives of Canada alone, but would
include members from all the British colonies.
Immediately after the Governor's speech the bill
suspending the Habeas Corpus Act was introduced,
and passed through both houses without discussion ;
and thus, in spite of wars and tumults, the Parlia-
ment of Ottawa has opened under encouraging
auspices of political unity and patriotism.

Notwithstanding the time that has passed we are
still quite uncertain of the movements of the Aus-
trians, and no decisive engagement has taken place.
'The contest seems likely to commence by an en-
gagement between the Prussians and the Federal
troops in the vicinity of Cassel. The former are
endeavouring to surround the lianoverians at Got-
tingen, and the troops of the Federals are hastening
to relieve them. The chief object to which the
attention of Austria is directed seems to be the
capture of Silesia, and in a short time there can be
little doubt that that province will be the scene
of a struggle between the two great German
Powers. Marshal BENEDEK'S address to the
army is very good, and seems to be replete with
spirit, and to inspire confidence by its trust. " Every
man, without distinction of name or position, shall
be promoted whenever he shall distinguish himself
on the field of battle." It may turn out that the
Prussians have gone too far in their attempts to
seize so many places, and that they may find them-
eelves surrounded, instead of cutting off the retreat
of others as they intended. Great reliance must
be placed upon the strength of Austria, whose
forOes are all prepared, and when concentrated
upon any given point will be sure to do
great damage to the adversary. The Saxon
troops have now entirely evacuated the
kingdom of Saxony, and will of course join the
Federal forces. Dresden is now in the hands of the
Prussians, who consider it a great prize evidently,
and are engaged in throwing up earthworks before
it and erecting batteries. News reached Paris yes-
terday of au engagement having taken place, in
which the Prussians were defeated, but subsequent
despatches that arrived afterwards seemed to con-
tradict it ; it adds greatly to the anxiety and ex-
citement of those who are watching events that all
details connected with the Austrians seem so un-
certain and confused for some time after they
reach us.

Under these circumstances it is cheering and
encouraging to dwell upon the spirited addross of
Marshal BENEDEK, and to note those passages
in which he refers particularly to the need for the
determination that exists. If his plans are carried
out, and his advice followed, there can be little
doubt that success will crown the efforts of his
troops. His resolve that the troops shall not go to
the field of battle unnecessarily laden is an excel-
lent one, and does credit to his judgment. His
object is that they " may throw themselves with
rapidity upon the heavily - laden enemy."
The officers also are to discontinue their
scarfs, and the ,c useless insignia of their rank,
which but renders them too distinguishable in
action." Marshal BE,/,rEDEK. has
great confidence
in his own troops, while at the same time he has
prescience enough to understand the disadvantages
which impede the cause of the enemy. One por-
tion- of their forces consists of troops of the line,
comprising young men not inured to fatigue and
privations ; and another division contains those
who are doubtful and dissatisfied, and " rather '
than fight against us will prefer the
downfall of their Government." It is quite
impossible to divine the tactics of Marshal BENE-
DEK, and time can alone disclose them ; but
the probability seems to be that he is meditating
some counter-movement of his own, and the war
may soon take a different direction to any that the
Prussian commanders at first dreamed of. If this

be not the case, it is difficult indeed to decide what
causes the delay of the Austrian troops in o
to the rescue of the Saxons. They must surely have
some motive, or else their conduct is extraordinary
and mistaken in the highest degree.
Circulars seem to be the order of the day every-
where, and accordingly we meet with one from
the Hanoverian Government, which is very much
to the point, and sets forth the conduct of Prussia
in its true—light. The case of .war-created
by
Prussia is charactori&ed az an illegal and arbitrary