The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-25 00:00:00

Government in adhering to their old rules. Had
Venetia been got rid of and Hungary set free, how
different would be the position of the 'EMPEROR I
just now. He would be free to act and to
dictate i
terms to Prussia, instead of being compelled to
defer in so many ways, and to sacrifice too often
the interests of his people and the claims
of justice to his unscrupulous ally. It has
long been urged upon him by well-wishers and
advisers that he should pursue this bold course, but
he has as yet found the task too hard or too dis-
tasteful to attempt it. Notwithstanding the pro-
fessions that have been so largely made by Herr
Von BISMARCK if ever Germany succeeds in free-
ing itself from any of the trammels that now im-
pede its progress and prosperity, it will be to Austria
and not to Prussia that the nations of Europe must
look for the lead. There is more nationality and
more spirit among the Austrians now than among
the Prussians, and they have rulers who are more
alive to the necessities of the age.
The Presse at Vienna states that there has been
a telegram from Berlin stating that Prussia had
declared to Austria in the last despatch that she
expected all the German Governments that had
armed themselves would countermand their said
armaments the same as Austria did. This is very
likely true, and is
just an illustration of the arbi-
trary course that is generally pursued by Prussia.
Never satisfied with the especial request just made
being granted, she is always on the look out
for some addenda to the proposal, which
materially adds to the difficulty of its
accomplishment. At any rate we may safely con-
clude that a week or two will see the question of
peace or war settled for the present at all events,
and meanwhile the deliberations of the various
meetings and assemblies will go on. Just as every
one supposed, that a period was being put to the
long-debated question of the Duchies, the subject
has sprung up again into fresh life and vigour.
The only striking change is that Herr BISMARCK'S
position does not seem nearly so secure as it was
during the recent deliberations on the subject.

The arrival of the City of Paris from New York
on the 14th inst. tells us that affairs in the States
are progressing quietly. President JOHNSON is
apparently not desirous to provoke his adversaries
to extremities, and is possibly not sufficiently secure
of the temper of the people to feel that he can rely
upon their support. Without in any degree re-
tracing his steps, he has remained quiescent, and is
seemingly waiting to observe the effect of his for-

mer acts before he proceeds further. The Radicals

had succeeded in fomenting a good deal of excite-

ment among certain classes, and had busily em:
ployed themselves in stirring up a party to

ask what was the use of the war if the rebels

were to share the privileges of loyal Unionists.
Suchqueries, easily enough disposed of on paper, are
yet mischievous and troublesome when asked by an
illogical crowd, and in America it is unfortunately

not difficult to overbear the calmer and morereason-

able portion of the community. The Radicals have
at present a temporary advantage from the unfor-

tunate constitution of the Congress. The majority
which they possess in both Houses, especially
in the House of Representatives, renders
them as dangerous in a legislative sense as

they are violent and intolerant. Fortunately
a change is near at hand, and so plainly have they

shown themselves in their true colours during thelast

'ew months that they must have disgusted all who

are really anxious for the prosperity and tranquillity
of the country. The municipal elections now going
on show, it is said, increasing Democratic strength,
which augurs well for the Congressional changes
when they take place. The rumours of an amnesty
proclamation are denied, the PRESIDENT having
stated that as the peace proclamation was simply a
declaration of his policy, it did not terminate mar-
, tial law. This is one of the incidents which indicate

that Mr. JOHNSON is not disposed to proceed to
extremities, or to provoke an actual collision
between the Executive and the popular representa-

tives. Of the Civil Rights Bill nothing more is
heard; but another resolution has been introduced
into the Senate by Mr. STEWART, to the effect that
a constitutional amendment should be passed, pro-
hibiting any distinction in matters of civil right or
suffrage among the people on account of race,
11 colour, or previous servitude, repudiating the rebel
debt, and ignoring all claims for compensation on
account of emancipated slaves. This resolution has
been referred to the Reconstruction Committee, but
it will probably not proceed much further.
•The question of the fisheries so long a source of
dispute and contention seems likely again to give
us some trouble. Thanks to the folly and perti-
nacity of the Americans in insisting upon the ter-
mination of the Reciprocity Treaty, the whole
question which has been at rest since 1854 has
been again reopened, and threatens to be as
troublesome and mischievous as ever. The sin-
gular perversity of American politicians with re-
spect to this treaty was the more remarkable, be-
cause its provisions were greatly in favour of the

States. The British colonists, indeed, were
largely the gainers by the definite settlement of
the question, because it was a fruitful source of
strife and dissension between the fishing populations
of both countries, and threatened more than once
to embroil the Governments. The Reciprocity
Treaty permitted American fishermen to
take fish of any kind, with the exception of
shell fish, on the coasts and shores, and in the
harbour's, creeks, and bays of the British colonies,
while British fishermen were allowed the same lati-
tude with regard to. the United States north of a
certain latitude. As the Americans profited the
most by this arrangement, they agreed to admit
some of the products of the colonies duty free.
Thus by a happy system of quarantine ac-
commodation both parties were satisfied, and
the source of disturbance was removed.
The value of these fisheries to our colonists is,very
great, indeed they form the principal source of
wealth to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. The
cod alone, exported from the latter yearly, is
reckoned at a million sterling, while the exports
from Nova Scotia amount to nearly three-quarters
of that sum. It is not likely that they can look
very calmly on any
interference with so profitable
we hope, however, that the
an industry.
both countries will not allow
Governments of
unsettle condi-
the matter to remain
in an
the Border States are no
don. The Americans of
doubt just now irritated by the projects and pre-
tensions of the Fenians, but at IVashington and New
York they should be wiser. A war with England
Would be a very costly mode of diverting
the attention of, the people from internal
affairs, and the fishermen of Maine especially would
gain very little by it. President JOHNSON has sent
a message to Congress embodying a report from
Mr. SEWA.
RD, stating that it was intended to send
an adequate naval force to the fishing grounds
to protect American interests. This is a very
superfluous and irritating
precaution, and bears so
much the aspect of a menace that it •
is likely to pro-
voke the very outbreak which it
professes to avoid.
The State Department, we are assured, sees at
present no reason to apprehend a collision. There
is, therefore, no excuse for any such preventive or
protective measures, FOraiblY, however, it is a