The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-02 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 2, 1868.

for office ; titer this fashion ? We should hear a
great deal of the want of reticence displayed by
certain gre xly politicians, and their greed for office
overcoming • their respect for constitutional usages,
and so on. It is scarcely likely that if we searched
diligently i a the records of " .Hansard" we should
find a par ,xllel for the conduct now pursued
by the header of the Opposition. Who,
this time last year, dreamed that the
month of May we aro now iu would find us
in the mids t of a struggle about the Irish Church,
and awaitin g with anxiety the solution of a Minis-
terial crisis: thereupon ? We believe that there
would be just the same silence about something
else. Mr. GiaIDSTONE'S resources are so many, and
his ingenuity so great, that he would have created a
question of vital import had none appeared ready
at baud. Mr. DISRAELI, as we said before, has
every reason on his side in adhering to the deter-
mination to remain in office until the new Parlia-
ment reassembled. A few necessary preliminaries
must be got through first, but they will not occupy
much time unless most particularly met by some
parties in the House. Why, then, cannot this
constitutional cause be taken instead of time
being wasted and expectations disappointed by the
persistent prosecution of Mr. GLADSTONE'S schemes
and devices. If he be not content with the Irish
policy of the Government next year, what will be
easier than to challenge it; but he wants to be first
and foremost to inaugurate the new Parliament
himself, and though he obstructed the passing of
the Reform Act of last year as much as possible, he
desires to appear as if the country owed it to him,
and actually to reap what others sowed, though
being in office at the culminating moment. Surely
the honour and patriotism of this House of Com-
mons have not fallen so low that he will be
permitted to carry out these selfish pro-
jects, and indulge in the realisation of
his ambitious aims. It is one thing to
affirm the Resolution about the Irish Church, and
another to follow Mr. GLADSTONE through thick
and thin in his perverse attempts to regain office at
any cost. Let the independent Liberals, who have
so often before been appealed to, and not in vain,
come once more to the rescue, and save, not the
Ministry—for the rise and fall of Cabinets is a
matter of minor importance compared with the
momentous interests at stake—but protect the
character of the House from reproach, and the re-
putation of their own party from the charge of
bidding for office as the sacrifice of consistency and
propriety.
At any rate, Mr. DISRAELI had better do his
utmost to frustrate the tricks and over-
come the obstacles that surround him.
He will have the sympathy of alt who
admire independence and value perseverance ;
and we still
him,
heho ma
_y
yetn owtweaitthhsetratt nsgtoarlml
, nthaeoddhdes
against
able t o have
the
right opportunityplae
e. T
of
The tactics
theof
b battle
fairly Mr.
GLADSTONE were defeated last year by the determi-
tnhaattio
the
eof s
athe e
result
yet
eLiberals,om e
toandp
as it m
s
gh
their exertions. We can imagine nothing more
through
ou be
partyo
unlik
haeltyt:
thiscond effortuce toat the strength
regaining office
o fthe
atLiberalyan
cost. This is not the first time that the leader
of party instrtuhgegllels,ouse of Commons
but
an instance of more
sent occasion furnishes really - has
inexcusable selfishness than any on record. Only
those who are hopelessly prejudiced in the matter
will refuse to admit that the circumstances in which
the Miuistry are placed are exceptional ones, and
that they have just claims to consideration. On no
party grounds, on no prudential motives, in no re-
ligious interests, but for the sake of justice, for the
love of fair play which is indigenous to this coun-
try, we hope and trust that the majority of the
House of Commons will stand firm under the pres-
sure now put upon them, and remain true to the
trust reposed in them by their constituents. No
man of spirit would owe the rise of his party to
the devices of faction, and the most ardent
opponent of Her MAJESTY'S Government on poli-
tical grounds may consistently support them in the
position they are now placed in. They stand at bay,
as it were, oppressed and hindered by the ceaseless
persecution of those who are greedy for office. The
general opinion throughout the country,will Certainly
condemn Mr. GLADSTONE should he, after all the
warnings he has received, exhibit a reckless deter-
mination to try the venture at any cost, and put
only one object before him, that of regaining office.

The continuation of the Impeachment Trial at
Washington shows more and more clearly the
animus of the prosecutors. No shadow of impar-
tiality is kept up, no pretence of a ease, for the pub-
lic interests maintained ; the bitter hostility and
personal greed of office are the only moving springs
of action. We have often commented on the
manifest injustice and unreasonableness of re-
fusing to hear evidence whichbears
plainly
upon the case, and this system of persecution is
being kept up more strenuously than ever as time
goes on. There is a manifest dread of eliciting too
much, a fear lest the defence should make their
cese so strong as to render conviction impossible,
and thus the truth is sought to be hil rather than
brought to light. The more closely does the evi-
dence objected to affect the case, the more decidedly
is it repulsed, provided
.always that it is favourable
to the accused. The Chief Justice, in pursuance
of the Constitutional and judicial course he has
from the first adopted, generally decides teat the
testimony may be received ; but when put to the
Senate, the majority almost always is found on the
side of the Radicals. We have nowsomevery glaring
instances of this shameful system of repression.
It will be remembered that the PRESIDENT'S counsel
put forward Mr. Secretary WELLES, who had im-
portant evidence to offer respecting the Cabinet
consultations on the Tenure-of-Office Bill. It is
manifest that if the PRESIDENT contemplated the
infraction of the laws, his consultations with his
own Cabinet must tell powerfully against him. If
the Managers really believed that Mr. JOHNSON
had been guilty of half the offences they charge
against him, they would not be so apprehensive of
hearing the evidence of those who were most likely
to know his intentions and fathom his designs.
The Senate refused to receive the testimony of
Secretary WELLES, but we now find by the intelli-
gence brought by the Russia on the 18th ult. the
defence renewed the attempt to bring him forward.
Chief Justice CHASE decided as usual that the testi-
mony was admissable, as indeed why should it not
be? The Senate, by 26 against 20 votes, over-
ruled this decision, and by the same vote rejected
the testimony of the Postmaster-General, who was
prepared to prove that the Cabinet had advised the
PRESIDENT that the Tenure-of-Office Act did not ap-
ply to Secretaries of State appointed by Mr. LINCOLN.
Mr. EVARTS announced that this ruling exclude 1
the testimony of Messrs. SEWARD, M'CJLLOCH,
BROWNING, and others, which the defence had in-
tended to offer. Thus a whole body of witnesses,
the best qualified from their position to know the
whole truth of the case, are summarily rejected
without any definite reason. Very much depends
on the attitude assumed by the PRESIDENT in

his Cabinet and on the conduct of Mr. STANTON
himself when he was a member of it.

But a still stronger instance of the injustice of the
Managers is given in the suppression of Gen. SHER-
MAN'S evidence. It will be remembered that after he
had given some evidence which was very damaging
to the Radicals respecting the transactions at the
War-office the case was adjourned, and while
it was standing over, SHERMAN was privately
examined by the Managers, since which no more
has been heard of him. This is so marked, con-
sidering the position of the General, that it could
not be altogether overlooked even in the House of
Representatives, biassed as it is ; and we find that
a resolution was introduced providing that a com-
mittee be appointed to investigate the reports of
the Managers who refrained from examining Gen.
SHERMAN during the trial in consequence of the
result of a preliminary examination. No vote,
however, was taken upon this resolution, as natu-
rally the majority are unwilling to inquire too
closely into such proceedings. Another move,
which was certain to be opposed by the predomi-
nant party in the Mouse, was a resolution boldly
offered by Mr. ROBINSON, a Democratic mem-
ber, to recall the Managers and rescind the
Impeachment proceedings. This resolution was
pressed to a vote, which decided against it by 91 to
18. Happily these numbers belong to the House
of Representatives, not to the Senate. The respec-
tive strength of the rival parties is anxiously dis-
cussed, and speculation is rife concerning the issue
of the trial. The results of the recent elec-
tions have not been without their influ-

cues on many wavering minds. It is
not without significance that the Radical gains,
such as they are, are southwards, where the reign
of terror still lingers and the ingenious registration
system keeps out the white voters, while the De-
mocratic gains are in the North where the intelli-
gent convictions of the people make themselves felt.
Thus the Republican party have succeeded in
carrying South Carolina by the large preponderance
of the negro vote. The new State Constitution
has been ratified, and Radicals elected to most of
the offices. On the other hand, they have lost
Connecticut and Michigan, and in the town elec-
tions throughout the Northern States the Demo-
crats are constantly gaining ground. It is
therefore very probable that some of the more
prudent and less vehement Republican Senatoramay
oppose the deposition of the PRESIDENT. Some
may be influenced by the prevailing feeling in their
States, as the Senators of Oregon, Connecticut,
West Virginia, and New Jersey ; while others,
whose views are moderate, and characters fair and
just, may reasonably take exception to the manner
of the trial. It is thought that SPRAGUE, of Rhode
Island, who is the son-in-law of Chief Justice
CHASE, will probably vote with the Democrats on the
final verdict. The Democrats themselves are twelve
in number, and the addition of seven Republicans
will enable them to carry the day, as two-thirds of
the Senate must convict to remove the PRESIDENT.
It is therefore possible enough that America may be
spared the disgrace which has threatened her, and
the now rapidly approaching termination of the
trial is looked, for with intense and increasing in-
terest both in Europe and America.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

AMERICA.

NEW YORK, May 1.
The Cunard Steamship Siberia arrived out at 4

p.m. to-day.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Closing prices :—Gold, 139 f. Sterling Exchange
on London, 110. Five-twenty United States Bonds,
108 k. Ten-forty Bonds, 103 k. Illinois, 146. Erie,
711. Cotton—Middling Upland, 32f. Petroleum
—Standard White, 28. Flour—Extra State, $lO
20c. Corn—Old Mixed, $1 15c.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, FRIDAY, May 1.

The Emperor's speech at Orleans is now the great sub-
ject of speculation. Innumerable reports are spread
abroad respecting it. One states that M. Rouher has ob-
tained the Emperor's promise that the speech shall be
decidedly pacific ; another declares that the optimists will
be put to confusion by words recalling the celebrated
speech at Auxerre two years ago. Every circumstance
that can make for or against peace is scrutinised with
eagerness. The article in the Debats has called forth
divers criticisms. The Constitutionnel, in a conspicuous
paragraph, declares that its contemporary has been " in-
exactly informed" with regard to the disagreementalleged
to exist between M. Rouher and Marshal Niel. " Before
the commission on the Budget, Marshal Niel confined
himself to asking for the credits which would enable
him to maintain the armaments of France at the same level
as those of neighbouring Powers, and M. Rouher did
not contest this necessity. Moreover, nothing was said by
the two Ministers to give reason to fear that the peace of
Europe is menaced." The France also criticises the article
in the Delacts, and complains that Government should be
compelled, like another Sisyphus, to be for ever rolling
back the stone of suspicion. The France Addis that the
present armaments are rendered necessary by the con-
stant improvements in the art of war, and that they need
excite no apprehension.

The commission on the Budget still withholds its report,
and it is no secret that this delay is caused by serious
differences among its members. Nine of the members are
said to be resolved to demand reductions of the military
estimates ; and it is even said alt they insist upon
50,000 soldiers being sent home. They plainly told M.
Rouher that his emphatic assurances of peace were not
sufficient for the commissioners, since the Emperor might
at any time set aside his Minister and decree war on his
own responsibility. M. Rouher, probably, does not object
to this opposition, inasmuch as it strengthens his demand
for a peace policy. But hitherto the Emperor has sup-
ported the Ministers of War and Marine in their enormous
Budgets.
A military paper announces :—" Notice has been issued
that the soldiers at present serving, as having been drawn
for their own account, and who since they entered the
army hare become eldest sons of widows or supports of
families, are to be immediately sent to their homes.
These men will receive unlimited leave of absance, but
that circumstance does not mean complete liberation,
as they will still be included in the effective of
their regiments, and the names of soldiers absent on
furlough on any other ground than that of the six months'
usual leave must still appear in the monthly returns. The
number of men in this position amounts to about 3,600,
and, in addition, 8,600 at present en conga' remain so, 5,600
belonging to the class of 1863, and 3,000 concluding their
term of service in 1868. This makes a total of 12,200,
who will remain with their families unless unforeseen
events should arise." It will be noticed that this is almost
exactly the same number of troops as that of the Prussian
soldiers who have just received furlough.
While the Emperor is thus resolved upon spending the
full amount upon war, education suffers, and the commis-
sion on the Budget is refusing M. Duruy a vote of
£B,OOO for increasing the notoriously insufficient salaries of
the professors in the superior schools.
It is stated that serious differences have arisen between
oit Government and that of Tunis with respect to the
Tunisian debt. The Libertd declares that our consul
hauled down the French flag on Sunday, and suspended
diplomatic relations with the Bey. The same paper inti-
mates that England and Italy have had something to do
with this quarrel.
Some of the journals state that Austria and Prussia
have agreed upon a solution of the Schleswig difficulty,
which they will offer for the acceptance of Denmark. If
the latter country refuse to accept the arrangement, I
presume that Prussia will wash her hands of the matter
and retain the whole of Schleswig.
Baron Budberg has taken leave of the Emperor. lie
returns to Russia, and, though ho has offered his services
to Prince Gortschakoff, has not received any other
appointment.
The debate on Free Trade and the Commercial Treaty
is fixed for the 11th inst. It is expected that MM.
Berryer and Thiers will both make powerful speeches in
behalf of protection.

The Paris correspondent of the Times describes a very
=satisfactory state of things in France. He mentions
;he report that the Ministers are at open or secret war
with each other, and that the Ministers of Finance, the
Interior, Marine, and War are banded together against
the ever-increasing preponderance of the Minister of
State, and that the last, upheld by the Ministers of Com-
merce and Justice, and supported by the Emperor, is doing
utmost to bring back the Marquis tie Lavalette into the
7iabinet. He failed once before, when he sought to place
;he Marquis at the Foreign Office ; he now seeks to put
him over the Ministry of the Interior, so as too cntro the
elections, which he wishes to bring on next Octberl , and
n
to conduct in a reactionary sense—aware that, if he suc-
ceeds, he will be master of the s'tuation. There is a
Zeneral feeling of irritation against M. Rouher, for it is
said that the Emperor has virtually abdicated in that
Minister's favour, and that he and his party form a sort
of Regency. Meanwhile, the Ministerial organs are all at
loggerheads, M. Rouher's journals, the Patric and the
Pays, discrediting the Epoque, which is known to be
inspired by the majority of the Cabinet.

The adverse critics complain no less of the foreign policy
of the Government. They point out that France, which
established Italian unity, has estranged Italy ; having
permitted the unification of Germany, now wants to undo
it ; that with a nation opposed to war, large armaments
are going on. It is feared that the English success in
Abyssinia will be urged as a z easow why France should
recover the prestige lost in Mexico. Astonishment is felt
that M. Rouher, like M. Guizot in 1847, and the Emperor,
who sees only with M. Eouher's eyes, should perceive
none of the " dark spots" in the horizon.

The funeral of Marshal Narvaez was a very imposing
spectacle. The body was laid in "an elegant coffin."
The pall-bearers were great peers. The catafalque was
loaded with orders and decorations. The army has gone
into mourning, and so has the Official Gazette. Dissen-
sions has already broken out among the reconstituted
Ministry. •
- -

The Times publishes correspondence from Abyssinia up
to April 1, nearly a fortnight before the taking of
Magdala. The same tale—of difficulty in marching, of
bills, ravines, absence of roads, and of splendid scenery— is
repeated. There is not a bit of excitement in it from be-
ginning to end, and the writer himself speaks of things as
being so dull that he, like Mark Tapley, felt it a " credit
to be jolly." The health of the troops was excellent, but
the weather was dirty, and the wonder was that the troors
were so well. A disturbance of rather a serious character
has taken place at Antalo. One village or tribe of Abys-
sinians appears to have managed to monopolise more of
the lucrative privileges of selling to the Couunisariat and
carrying for the army than another tribe thought fair ;
so the injured party mustered in strength, well armed,
plundered the bazaar of their rivals close by the British
camp, and, flushed by their easy victory, shouted out that
chey would now plunder the British themselves. How-
ever, the appearance of a few of the 3rd Light Cavalry on
the scene sent them at once scampering over the plain in
great confusion, and the free fight ended without any more
serious result than a few broken heads. Still, it was
'thought as well to increase the garrison at Antalo, lest
there should be another more elaborate row, and so part
of the 45th (Sherwood Foresters) and of the 3rd Native
Infantry were at once sent there.

There is a good deal in clothes, ,after fall, pace Mr.
Carlyle. So long as the Hungarians were oppressed by
Austria all classes of them clung to the national costume
as one of the best ways left to them of asserting their
nationality. Now that this is admitted, and that they
have a Hungarian Parliament and a King of Hungary,
they are beginning to adopt Paris fashions, the ladies
wisely selecting the most picturesque portions of both
and combining them into one charming costume.

A Vienna journal, the Debatte, asserts that the French
Government has proposed an alliance between Austria and
the Western Powers to establish a common fleet in the
Levant, for the purpose of preventing the communications
between the Greek and the Cretan ports, by which the
Cretan insurrection is kept up. It is not likely that our
Government would venture to propose a course that would
be intensely unpopular. Nor would Russia quietly
submit to what she would deem an interposition in the
affairs of Turkey.
Australia, if the correspondent of the Post is to be
trusted, is engaged, or rather engrossed, in the subject of
a grant to Sir Charles Darling. It requires no less than six
columns of the "fashionable journal" for the Mel-
bourne correspondent to prove that the Duke of Bucking-
ham meant nothing by his letter to Sir J. H. Manners
Sutton, the said letter being regarded by the Tines
as a sanction by the Home Governa a,t to the
Darling grant. It is suggested that the note in
question was signed by the Colonial Secretary at the
request of an official who, to speak plainly, got at
the " blind side" of his grace. The question, it will be
seen, is still an open one, as the discussion in the Lords
was postponed on account of the vote against Ministers in
the House of Commons. It will also be observed that the
duke strongly condemned the grant in question, though
doubting the expediency of continuing the Australian
dead-lock on account of it—a fact which gives a colour to
the fiugge§tjon of the PO4O correspouckut,