The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-11 00:00:00

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LONDON, SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1868.

The redoubtable THEODORE of Abyssinia, who
has succeeded among his other achievements in ex-
citing more comment in Europe than any of his
predecessors on the semi-barbaric throne, is safely
ensconced at Magdala. Happily the great anxiety
which was naturally felt on account of the captives,
on the first receipt of this news, has: been a good
deal allayed by the intelligence that he treats them
with marked courtesy, freely discussing the par-
ticulars of the British advance without giving the
slightest hint of his own intentions. It would seem
that he intends offering strong resistance, since he
is entrenching himself, and getting stores, &c.
Possibly be is relying on his big gun to keep the
obnoxious invaders at bay, but he has yet to learn
what can be done by a daring and well-directed
attack. He has had to change his plan of
defence, owing to an unexpected change in the
movements of the British. A blunder has been
made, accidentally, of course, in the selection of
the road from Antalo to Muzno. Colonel PHAYRE,
who is no incompetent or inexperienced judge,
selected the route by which the pioneer force
were to travel from Antalo to Muzno,
owing to incorrect information supplied him,
by WALDA YASONS, an Abyssinian chief. What
his reasons were for directing the Colonel to take
the longer instead of the shorter route are not cer-
tain ; but it has been suggested that the shorter
route led too near his own fortress ; and, again,
that he thought that the longer the army
was on the road, the more profit he and his
people would gain by furnishing supplies.
The march, according to WALDA's route, was most
arduous and tedious, and eight or ten days at least
have been lost by the mistake. The best proof of
the loss of time is that Sir ROBERT NAPIER by a
double march suddenly arrived at Muzno, leaving
every one behind him, and astonishing those who were
waiting there, and it is believed intends to keep to
the front. Of course in a strange country it is
❑ecessary to depend in a great measure on the in-
formation received, but it would be well, if possible,
to get it from more than one source, so as to check
one story by another. It is said, though we do not
know with how much truth, that a few hours'
ride by an exploring officer might have saved
the force all the delay and trouble, and
it would certainly be wiser another time to
adopt that course. At any rate Sir ROBERT NAPIER
is fairly en route for Magdala, and since THOWDORE
seems at present to think discretion the better part
of valour, we may yet come to terms without blood-
shed, and we may hear before long that the cap-
tives will be safe in the charge of their European
rescuers.

The intelligence which we receive by the Java
mail steamer respecting the progress of the Im-
peachment trial is full of interest, and we are glad
to find that the Senate has in some measure vindi-
cated its own character as an independent legisla-
tive assembly, and preserved something of the
dignity belonging to a high judicial court. The
Impeachment trial, as we know, recommenced on
March 30th, when Mr. BUTLER, formerly the
General of more notoriety than fame, opened the
prosecution in a long speech. We may easily guess
with what eager animosity and virulence Mr.
BUTLER would pour forth the vials of his wrath
upon the offending PRESIDENT. No two men could
be more diametrically opposed in character or in
sentiments. We all know what were General
BUTLER'S views with regard to the treat-
ment of the conquered Southerners, and even allow-
ing a good deal for the angry passions belonging
to civil war, we cannot suppose that had BENJAbIIN
BUTLER ruled at the White House instead of
ANDREW JOHNSON there would have been any
ground for complaint of his excessive leniency. Mr.
BUTLER, in his speech, declared that Mr. JOHNSON
had no authority to question the constitutionality
of the acts of Congress, but was bound to enforce
them. BUTLER, like other leading Radicals, seems
inclined to paraphrase the Grand Monarque's
famous aphorism, and to affirm that the Congress
is the Constitution. Whatever laws it makes,
whatever changes it introduces, whatever old tradi-
tions it overthrows, or fundamental principles
it outrages, its acts are still constitutional. What
is more, like CiESARIS wife, it is above suspicion,
and be who dares to question its constitutionality
puts himself in the wrong. These gentlemen had
better refer to their dictionaries and learn the mean-
ing of the word " President," which they appear
to believe means an inferior, not a superior—a
subordinate official, not the acting head of a State.
BUTLER contends that Mr. LINCOLN'S appointment
of Mr. STANTON was binding upon his successor, as
Mr. JOHNSON was only serving out Mr. LINCOLN'S
unexpired term. BUTLER objects to compliance
with anything like the ordinary forms of civil law.
The Senate, be says, during the trial, ought to be
governed by Parliamentary rules only ; and the
Chief Justice during the trial acted only as
presiding officer, without judicial powers. This
question, bowever, has been settled, and in
a manner which reflects credit on the
Senate. The day after BUTLER'S speech a
disi.ute arose 'respecting the admission of certain
evidence. Chief-Justice CHASE gave his decision
on the point, whereupon several Senators appealed
from it, and denied that he could claim judicial
powers. A division took place, in which the Chief-
Justice was supported by 31 against 19 votes, and
a rule was adopted giving him power to direct all