The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-18 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY OTENIMI, JULY 18, 1868,

t the evening sitting, and great dissatisfaction
was expressed in many quarters at the
changes that were wrought in the year
1865. The Chairman of the Admiralty
committee said that they had proposed some
changes which would render the benefit of the
hospital more attainable. It seems that the claims
of the merchant may have been passed over, which
is certainly to be regretted, but it was objected a
year or two ago that the vast sums expended were
not proportionally given to those most deserving of
them, and, perhaps, the reorganisation has been
carried on in too parsimonious a spirit. It is at
all times difficult to settle the affairs of so com-
plicated an institution, but it would be well
not to pass over the merchant seamen ; and
they have, besides, the claim of having contri-
buted largely to the hospital. Lord MAYO, in
answer to a question on the Land Tenure Commis-
sion, declared that the improvement in the condi-
tion of Ireland was vtry great, and all industries
are prospering. The Poor-law (Ireland) Bill made
very little progress, because so much diversity of
opinion prevailed, and at last only three clauses
were passed ; but altogether the House got through
a good deal of work during the few sittings that
were held.

The news which reaches us from New York by
the Scotia, bearing date July 7th and Bth, is not
without importance. The Presidential election is
growing nearer, and although the excitement has
not yet reached its full height, it is growing more
definite, and the plans of each party are becoming
more clearly arranged. On every side is heard the
statements of rival politicians, the " platforms" of
possible candidates, the arguments for and against
the leading men of either side. Those who wish
to put their views prominently forward write
letters, in which they introduc3 the po-
litical questions of the day, and as these
are summed up in a very brief compass we have the
same topics continually discussed. The suffrage
question, the reconstruction of the Southern States,
the manner of paying the national debt, and the
taxation of bondholders, these are the all-engross-
ing questions on which every man must declare his
thoughts, wishes, and intentions, before he can enter
the lists as candidate for the Presidency. Mean-
while the Conventions are hard at work, and Radi-
cals and Democrats, soldiers and sailors, and a good
many other classes of the loyal Unionists, are
busily discussing the conflicting claims of the seve-
ral candidates. The soldiers and sailors have se-
lected a new Presidential candidate for themselves
in the person of General HANCOCK. They support
the payment of the bonds in currency with full pro-
tection for nationalised American citizens abroad.
The Democratic Convention of New York, the
summary of whose platform we received soma days
back by the Cable, put the restoration of the
Southern States prominently forward in their pro-
gramme. They advocate their immediate re-
storation to the Union, and a general
amnesty to all political offenders, and
they include in their general recommendations the
settlement of the suffrage question by the States
for themselves, and the abolition of military rule.
It must be admitted that the theories of the Demo-
crats are more in accordance with the old constitu-
tional doctrines of the United States than the
schemes of the Radicals. The abolition of military
rule in a time of peace is surely a wise and consti-
tutional measure, while the maintenanc3 of the old
State rights is one of the best guarantees for the
liberties of the peaple. The weak point
of this platform is with respect to the
finances, and we are sorry that th / should uphold
the payment of the debt in currency. It must not
be supposed that this is exclusively a ll,!mocratic
scheme, since the II tilical leaders have many of
them gone further. There have not been wanting
advocates of total repudiation, but we are gl to
find that this di,cre !ital.& doctrine 11 is found no

favour among Americans generally. The credit
and character of the country are worth far more,
even materially, than a few millions yearly ; and
however long the paym_nt of the bonds is
deferred there is no reproach attaching

to the State provided the interest is faithfully dis-
charged. The Americans, unused to debt, soon
grew impatient under their burden, aud, chafing at
the unaccustomed weight, sought only how they
might soonest get rid of it. But !f they choose to
try the costly amusements of oldor States—stand-
ing armies and war on a gigantic scale—they must

put up with the consequences. If once the present
crisis is got over, and the Southern States really
reconstructed on national principles, an in-

cubus will be removed from the enter•

prise and induAry of tho country, trade
will revive, and the vast and fertile territories
so long lying waste and ;desolate will once more
prove a:source of wealth and strength to the Union.
The Convention at New York arraigned the Re-
publican party " for corruption and oppression,"
and thanked Mr. J OHNSON for his patriotic efforts
in resisting the aggressions of Congress ; further it

complimented Mr. CHASE for hisimpartiality on the
Impeachment Trial. Mr. CHASE, we find has been
publishing his opinions on the suffrage question,

which he recommends that each state should
settle for itself, which is one way of
evading the obstacle which his advocacy of the
negro places in the way of his nomination by the
Democrats. This will probably be the final solu-

don of the negro difficulty, as without doubt i

would be the wisest.

Some prominent New York Democrats have been
,rying to ascertain whether President JonNsos

would accept a nomination to the Presidency. Mr,

JOHNSON replied that he would accept a nomination
only if accompanied by the unequivocal support of
his efforts to dJend the Constitution against

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LATEST INTELL IGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

PORTUGAL.

LISBON, July 17 (Evening).

The Minister-id crisis still continues. Senor
Anslemo Braamcamp, Councillor of State, is said
to have been sent for by the King, and is expected
to be able to form a new Ministry.