The New York herald., 1866-11-28

and heavy. Lard was moro active and nrm. Freighis
were quiet and steady. Whskey unchanged.
Oar Foreign and Domestic Troubles and
Rntanglements.
A few short weeks ago the national horizon
seemed completely clear and sunny. The diff.
ferences between the President and Congress
had BEEN decisively adjusted BY an over
whelming popular vote. Public opinion at the
North and the South was drifting towards uni
versai amnesty and impartial suffrage a. the
true basis Of reconstruction. Tho English
orators and organs appeared disposed to settle
the Alabama claims promptly and justly. The
Emperor Napoleon had promised the with
drawsl Of the French troops from Mexico in
November. Macmillan was upon the point Of
abdicasing. An informal alliance between
Russia and tho United States had been cele-
brated In countless bumpers Of toe and cham
pagne. There was even some talk Of securing
for this government an island In the Mediter-
ranean, with the consent Of all the European
Powers, ~ depot Of naval supplies. But oil
Of . sudden several small clouds began to
darken this serene sky and a subtle coldness
was felt In the air. Rumors Of critical compli-
cations with England crept into the news
papers. The French circular denouncing Rus
sia and the United States as dangerous Powers
was read in . new and threatening light.
Maximilian was practically superseded by
Marshal Baxaine, and the French troops were
not withdrawn. One Power after another pro-
toatod = sua;ust our curcho N ~ a MaJgta.~~c - =
island. A sensible and ominous change had
occurred in our foreign relations.
Whether this change was the result OF
the approach Of the meteoric showers
described in the HERALD telegram from
Greenwich. and which Queen Victoria was
reused from her royal bed to see, or
whether new holy alliance between the
French and British governments produced
this remarkable effect, 1t is not necessary at
present to discuss. Sufnce II to say that we
are upon the eve Of startling events, diplomatic
or military, and that President johnson may
nnd II expedient to add few more words to
his annual message, now announced as ready
for the printers. England Is laundering amid
q sea Of troubles and is likely TO turn against
us at any moment in desperate photographic.
John Bright and his faction are preaching re-
form, but they really mean revolution and de-
mocracy. The Fenians, armed, organized and
disciplined, with James Stephens at their head,
are pledged To rebellion before next January.
Canada, through her leading men, her clergy
and her public meetings, il declaring for an
nexation with this country. The interference
Of our government in behalf Of the condemned
Fenans has been courtcously received by the
Canadians; but the English press, forgetting
the ofhciousness Of England during our civil
war, Is already growing and grumbling at the
various dishes Of humble pie which We have
recently placed before the British lion. The
demand which Secretary Seward has made for
the immediate payment OF the Alabama claims
is answered by the appointment Of q packed
and prejudiced commission morally certain TO
decide against ua In q word, England Is in
frame OF mind extremely favorable TO hostill-
ties; the government has all the pretexts re-
quired In our endorsement OF the Fenians and
our demand for The Alabama damages, and the
only point TO be decided Is whether France
will act with Great Britain, since the latter
Power has become too cowardly TO act alone.
France 10 In scarcely better domestic con-
dition than England and is equally anxious
tor some foreign complication 10 divert at
.en.ioa IRON home Affairs Napoleon has