The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-12 00:00:00

sures.

The Hungarian Diet still pursues its labours, but
very little progress seems to be making so far as
we can judge as yet of the proceedings taking place
there. Yesterday the Committee brought for-
ward their draught of 'an address, in reply
to the Royal Rescript, and it seems to be
couched in most expressive language, and to con-
tain some home-truths which it would be well for
those in high places to consider. It calls attention
to the great dangers which are now arising from
disunion at home and complications abroad, and
urges upon the E3IPEROR the " immediate, complete,
and unconditional re-establishment of the constitu-
tional state of things." The reason alleged for this
is that any further delay in tke adoption of this
course might probably tend to render an agree-
ment between Austria and Hungary impossible.
Such a conjunction is not impossible, though it may
as yet be improbable ; but, at any rate, it is not
difficult to see the justice of these arguments. It is
a sign of the good intentions of those who have
prepared this address that they are calm and col-
lected in their demeanour, and use no vehement
language in giving utterance to their views and
sentiments. They state all they desire in plain terms,
and do not offend the prejudices of any one by their
word.s, as too often happens in the case of those who
are excited or interested in the cause they ad-
vocate. This address promises to consider the ques-
tion of common affairs so soon as the Diet shall
have been empowered to adopt resolutions that have
the force of law. So far this seems fair enough, as
is the intimation that they only wait until the Com-
mittee of Sixty-seven shall have brought forward
their report. All persons who are now so unfortu-
nate as to be under sentences for political offences
are entreated for in this address that an amnesty
may be accorded to them, and we think that such
would be a wise and a generous thing for the
EMPEROR to do. We do not yet despair of Hun-
gary emerging from the cloud she now lies under,
and eventually proving as great a source of strength
to Austria as she has lately been the reverse ; nor
do we think that the EmrEnort will be so mistaken
as to forget that conciliation often gains far more
than force, and that the wisest policy is to insure
the goodwill of all whom he rules over.

We have of late years very often discussed and
considered the principles of our British Constitution,
and various plans for strengthening and amending
the ancient and time-worn structure have been de-
bated in Parliament, in the press, and on the plat-

form. A very original proposition to this effect has
just been brought under our notice, which com-
mends itself to the attention of the reader, not only
by the new and vigorous policy which it indicates,
but by bearing the name of a well-known colonial
politician on its title-page.* The Hon. JOSEPH
HowE,of Newßrunswick,has ofteudii3tinguished him-
self by the ability, good sense,ancl practical experience
which he has brought to bear upon some of the
difficult and complex questions arising between the
mother country and the colonies. He has always
been remarkable for his strong attachment to Eng-
land and the English institutions, and so far from
sharing in the theories of Professor GOLD WIN
SMITH and others, he would draw the bonds of union
still closer, so that all the vast dominions of the
British Crown should form one great community,
separated indeed by differences of soil and climate,
by leagues of land and water, but united by speak-
ing the same language,
cherishing the same liberotbye.y.
iiinegdtoheze
notsam seeleawwhs,yatnhde
most distantEngligh_speakinglo
are admitted to local self-government,
o ,pranviddy
allowedthe
the fullregulationul their internal and domestic
affairs,
proud to continue linked to
should
odnot e
b f e
the great free monarchy, from which
Mr. HowE does not for a moment deny
the they originally
sprru fullhle
right of colonies to break away and set up
for themselves, and would not withhold it from
otlg.
them if they demanded it. But he does not believe
that, if fairly and kindly treated, they would wish
to do so. The conviction, he says, is founded
on our daily experience that it is our interest
to keep together. The parental relation, so often
referred to as illustrating the policy that should
be pursuA towards our dependencies, guarding
them when young, but leaving them when of full
age to start for themselves, does not, in his opinion,
illustrate the case. " The idea to be cultivated
should be rather that of a partnership which may
last for centuries, and need not terminate at all, so
long as it is mutually advantageous."
Having started from the premises that it is the
interest of both England and her colonies to keep
together, gaining strength and riches from the
union, Mr. HowE proceeds to consider in what man-
ner the whole empire can be best defended from
attack, or, in his own words, " can be so organised
and strengthencd as to command peace or
be impregnable in war." Since the year
1855 the question of national defence has
constantly occupied the attention of thoughtful men.
" France, Russia, and the United States grow with
our growth, and loom up before the mind of every
thoughtful British subject as standing menaces,
warning them to prepare for auy eventuality." To
this list he thinks we may add Prussia, formidable
not so much from her actual strength as from her

influence in the United States, where the immigra

tion of Germans ha:., been as extensive as that o
Irishmen, and where the German element is there.
fore strongly prominent.

At the time of the Crimean war, Mr. HowE re-
minds us, a very distinguished person said that our
free institutions were upon their trial, and he very

* " The Organisation of the Empire," by the Hon.
Joseph Howe. Stanford, Charing-cross.