The Sun.
London, England, 1868-09-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 17, 1868.

of drawing him forth. General ROSECRANS re-
cently addressed a letter to General LEE upon the
state of public feeling in the Southern States. He
asked the Southern General to procure from the
other Confederate leaders who were known to re-
present the feelings of the people of their States
a full expression of their views upon the political
questions of the day. General ROSECRANS then
went on to ask whether General LEE could hope for
peace and prosperity under the Congressional
scheme of reconstruction; and whether, if the whites
were all enfranchised and allowed to control their
section, they would treat the negroeskindly, and simi-
lar queries. Gen. LEE thereupon held a conference
with the principal Southern Ieaders—BEAUREGARD,
ANDERSON, and ECHOLS, and ALEXANDER STEPHENS.
It must have been a curious and interesting spec-
tacle to see these distinguished " brethren in arms
and rivals in renown," who had borne the brunt of
so many battles, and shared in the hopes and for-
tunes of the once flourishing Confederacy, assem-
bled to discus the altered future of their people.
One and all, however, they have unhesitat-
ingly accepted the situation, and instead of
fruitlessly striving to restore the past, they
are willing to render their country truer
service by bridging over the gulf which separates
North and South. In reply to General ROSECRANS,
General LEE has drawn up a statement, which he
has himself signed, and which the leaders whom
he consulted have endorsed. This statement, bein g
the first document of any kind which the Southern
commander has put forward since the close of the
war, is regarded with much interest in the States,
and the Conservatives hail it as a sign that General
LEE intends to emerge from his long retirement and
give his countrymen the benefit of his services.
General LEE begins by saying that he believes
the people of the South are sincerely desirous
of peace and restoration to the Union. He does
not think it possible that the country can prosper
while the mass of the intelligent men are disfran-
chised, and the control of the Southern Govern-
ments is left in the hands of the negroes and a few
whites. General LEE does not add, as he might
have added, that the whites who are thus favoured
are not very favourable specimens of the commu-
nity, nor are they to be trusted even to represent
their fellows. Their partisanship for the blacks is
in many cases their principal recommendation, and
their personal claims are too often predominant.
The Northern people, General LEE believes, regard
the questions of slavery and secession as finally
settled by the war, and they have no disposition to
re-open them ; they will, if left to themselves, treat
the negroes with justice and kindness. The re-
establishment of slavery ended is so manifestly im-
possible that we could hardly imagine the Southern
people could in any case indulge in such a vision,
while the attempt to restore the Confederacy at the
present juncture would be little shirt of mad-
ness. It is peace that the country needs—peace
both North and South ; and without peace and
internal confidence the prosperity of the Southern
plantations can never return, for the capital which
the States so much need for their re-establishment
will never flow into a disorganised and disturbed
community, where might is right. Peace, accord-
ing to General LEE, who ought to speak with know-
ledge, is the great blessing now sought by the people
of the Confederacy. They have, he says, the
greatest interest in maintaining a good and
stable Government that will protect their
property, and under which they can go
to work with the confidence that what
they accumulate by their labour will be secured for
themselves and their children. Ile adds that the
South, as well as the North, is desirous to advance
the common interests of the country, irrespective of
the causes which for a time divided the North and
South, and resulted in the Reconstruction Acts.
IVe may hope that this calm, temperate, and
truly patriotic letter of General LEE'S will not he
without its weight in the election struggle. In
face of such an exposition of the situa-
tion, made by such a man, who would never
stoop for party ends to deliberately disseminate
falsehood, the Radicals of the North can hardly ob-
tain credence for their extravagant and injurious
statements. If the Southern States were the hot-
bed of rebellion, and the life of a loyal white would
not be safe under the rule of unenfranchised whites,
General LEE would assuredly not have deliberately
affirmed that peace was the great wish of the
Southern people. Let us hope that this wish may
find its echo in the North, and that the long and
weary struggle may come to an end at last.

Sir STAFFORD NORTHCOTE has received some
rough treatment from those who came to hear his
opinions, but the right hon. baronet was quite a
match for the unruly spirits he met with, and set
an example to other candidates by refusing to an-
swer some impertinent questions that were at last
addressed to him. We suppose it may be partly
the fault of those who introduced so bitter a feel-
ing into the debate at the close of the session that
many untoward practices have prevailed during the
preparatory meetings that have been held through
the country, but be it what it may, it is
no credit to those who take advantage of
the matter to cause confusion and create
excitement. In reference to the Reform question,
Sir S. NORTHCOTE observed that the Conservative
party had nothing to be ashamed of in respect to
their conduct in that matter, for they made the best
settlement that it was in their power to make '6 on
a question of great difficulty and delicacy, and one
which it was impossible longer to leave unsettled."
This is a very good epitome of the affair, but it
seems to be the dodge just now in certain quarters
to decry the utility of all that has been done, and
to affect that to all intents and purposes the work
of last session, in respect to the representation of
the people, might as well have been left;alone alto-
gether. This is simply absurd to say the least of
it, and as unjust to the Government as it is insult-
ing to the constituencies of the country. It may
also be added that it reflects upon the character of
the House of Commons, because people may well
ask, Why was the measure passed if it was neces-
sary to take it to pieces again and recommence
afresh ? There is no saying to what lengths men
will not go when they are jealous, and know that
they have played their cards badly. The Liberal
party will not relieve itself by playing a
double game, and acting with duplicity to
the constituencies. Either they stand before the
country pledged to give effect to the measure which
has received the sanction of Parliament or not. In
the former case they have no business to sneer at
it ; and in the latter they are answerable for agree-
ing to it at the time it passed. Respecting the
Irish Church, Sir S. NORTHCOTE complaieed of the
hearty manner in which Mr. GLADSTONE had taken
up the question of disestablishment, after he him-
self had confessed that it had been breeding in
his mind for years. A subject of such diffi-
culty and importance should not, he said,
be approached " rashly and hastily." An immense
number of questions were put to the right bon.
baronet, to which he replied, until some extreme
ones appeared, and then he very properly declared
that he came to answer those put in a bona fide
spirit, and not to meet statements of an insulting
character. Sir S. NORTHCOTE said that he did not ob-

ject to the admission of Dissenters to education at
the universities ; but he did not approve of persons
being admitted to endowments which were intended
for another commission, though Dissenters might
appropriately enjoy any endowment made for
themselves.

LATEST INTELL LGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

CORRESPONDENCE PROM PAM&

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT 4
, PARIS. WEDNESDAY, September 16.

M. Guizot's article in the _Revue des Deux Monde., has
repaid anticipation, although it contains nothing new or
startling. It is a calm and temperate view of the political
situation, administering sweeping condemnation to none,
but chewing clearly to whom the responsibility must fall.
M. Guizot believes that the French Government sincerely
desires peace—it says what it thinks. He then proceeds
to find a solution to the question why, in the midst of the
most profound material repose, the public mind is
harassed, and business is hampered, by an obstinate feeling
of anxiety. Reviewing the state of Europe, the veteran
statesman concludes that peace is desired all over Europe,
not excepting France. England's jealousy of her powerful
neighbour has ceased, and she is sincerely pacific ; the war
fever of France was quenched by the First Napoleon. M.
Bismarck has no desire for a conflict with France, and
"Russia is peaceful because she cannot be warlike. "Of all
the rulers of France, the Emperor Napoleon is un-
doubtedly the one man whose duty and responsibility on
the question of peace or war are at present the greatest.
Between the str.rs of order and peace he has lived and reigned
since his accession." At first order had to be restored ;
but, this done, Napoleon 111. gave full sway to his warlike
star ; he waged two plausible and successful conflicts in
the Crimea and Italy, and a visionary and unfortunate war
in Mexico. " This is a great deal ;it is enough, in my
opinion, on the partof Napoleon 111. to discharge the debt
he owed to the name and example of Napoleon I. I have
no hesitation in stating that such is the feeling in France,
and I am greatly mistaken if such is not the feeling of the
Emperor himself. In 1855 I had the honour of an
interview with him.
time of the Crimean war ; Sebastopol was not
yet taken, and the issue might appear uncertain.
My academic duties fulfilled, the Emperor was good
enough to detain me, and talk over the state of affairs
in the Black Sea. He shewed himself preoccupied above
all respecting the issue of the war, the various ways there
might be of getting out of it, and the diplomatic arrange-
ments it would be necessary to take in order to prevent
the necessity of beginning so risky an undertaking over
again. I was struck with the perplexity of his mind,
with his prudent anxiety, with his moderation—l will take
the liberty of saying with the modesty of his desires and
his views. I left him, carrying away with me the convic-
tion that if he had readily entered upon war he would still
more readily make peace." M. Guizot adds that he can
see in France no party, no individual, that can overthrow
a puce policy. It depends on the will of the Emperor
Napoleon, and on him alone. The real or apparent inde.
cision of the Government is the root of the anxiety. M.
Guizot is 'willing to allow that if war were inevitable the
Government ought to adopt an expectant attitude ; but
on the great question as to whether there is to be a war or
not, the Government ought to be able to form an opinion
and act upon it. At present it does not. M. Guizot
thinks war is not probable, and he therefore recommends
that the army of France be reduced to a peace footing, after
having ascertained by diplomatic means that the example
would be followed. It is a fine article, well deserving of
consideration.

The Emperor was greatly pleased with the result of the
Var election. M. Pinard was forthwith complimented on
the result. The telegraph was immediately in requisition
to inform the successful Minister of the Interior of the
excellent impression produced at Biarritz by the news
from Toulon. It is said that the Minister of Foreign
Affairs telegraphed the result to all the French embassies
and agencies abroad. It appears that in the city of
Toulon the Opposition had the advantage. There, M.
Pey.iuc polled only 3,980 votes, whilst M. Dufaure
obtained 4,988.
I said yesterday that not a copy of La Lanterne founa
its way into France. According to a Belgian paper, a
printer has republished all the numbers of the obnoxious
journal in very small type, on very thin paper, and
large numbers are being imported into France in watch-
cases. They are certainly not read in public.
The Constitutionnel has published an estimate of the
vintage for 1868, in which it is concluded that the quantity
will be up to the average, and the quality good. The
writer, however, does not pronounce in favour of cheap
wines. The stock in hand is small, and the demand for
the produce of the present year is in consequence very
considerable.

A stange story is told of the Emperor of Austria's visit
to Galicia. The Austrian Ministers, Baron Beust included,
knew nothing of the project until it had been finally
resolved upon. The influence of the Hungarian and
Polish parties succeeded in gaining the consent of the
Emperor.
The Patrie believes that the interview between the
Emperor Napoleon and the Queen of Spain will not take
place. At Laqueito, however, the important event is
confidently relied on.

THE WEATHER TABLE.-THIS DAY.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS.

Extreme See
Thursday, f 1 F. 1
Sept. 17, B. T. 0 W. ;1 to F. D. W It. to
8 a.m. 12 9
Nairn
Aberdeen
Leith
Shields
Scarborough 29'89f. 51 jlO S.E. I 1 2 N. 'en:lo'o'o2 2
Yarmouth 29'862. 52 49 W.N.W. 2 4 N.W. c.b. 3
Helder
Cuxhaven
Skudesnees
Ardrossan 29'96. 50 47 S.E. 2 2 E. c.f. 2
Greencastle 29 82f. 53 49 E. 4 4 E. o.
Holyhead
Liverpool 29•832. 54 150 E. 2 1 E. o. 1
Valentis 29'571. 60 58 S.E. 4 6 S.S.E. o.rc 0'34 3
Cape Clear 29'slf. 60 59 S.E. 6 5 S,E. f.m. 0'54 4
Roche's Pt. 29'59f 58 157 E. 6 7 E.S.E. r.o. 0'35 5
Penzance
Plymouth _ 29•602. 63 61 S.E. 4 7 E.N.E. C. 3
Weyrno uth 29'67f. 65 62 E. 19 5 E.S.E. o.c. 5
Portsmouth 59'712. 61 57 E.S.E. 5 5 S.E. o.c. 4
London 29'81f. 59 55 E. 2 3 E. c.ro o'ol
C'peGrisNez 29'79f. 59 50 E. 4 3 N.N.E. o. 2
Brest 29'49f. 59 55 S.S.E. 5 4 S.E. r.o. ? 3
L'Orient..
Rochefort ?29'Bos. 66 62 S.E. 5 4 S.E. c. 1
Biarritz
Corunna —
Paris -
Strasbourg — _
Toulon - 4
Heart's Con-
tent (6 a.m.
local time) 30•525. 52 51 S.E. I 1 S.E. o. 3
EXPLANATION.
Barometer corrected and reduced to 12 deg. a sea level. The letter

lON.
Barometer correctet. deg. a sea level. The letter
r., rising; 1., falling; s., steady—indicate direction of moticn of the
mercury within last 14 hours. Thermometer exposed in shade.
Extreme Force with Its Direction during last 24 hours. Z.—calm
Weather; b.—blue sly; c.—clouds, detached; f.—fog;
I.—lightning hazy o.—overcast, dull; r.— rain; a.— snow;
t.—thunder. Bain-tall. snow or hail (melted) during last 24 hours.
Sea disturbance.