The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-02-06
Queen VictorIa's speech-Lord Derby . Ps.ics'
Foreign aud Home.

Foreign aud Home.
The British Parliament reassembled in LoI-
don yesterday. Queen Victoria opened the
adjourned session with a speech from the
throne, which we have reported by the Allan
tic cable and publish to-day. Taken as an
indication of the future policy of her
Majesty's advisers, or read either as an
expression or their acceptance Of the
great changes which have been accom-
plished by war on the continent. or
q declaration Of their present attitude towards
foreign Powers, the royal message, penned by
Lord Derby, is as noncommittal as premier
could readily make IT or popular sovereign
wish to speak it
Queen Victoria sets ont With the pleasing
assurance that her relations with foreign
Powers arc on friendly and satisfactory
footing" and Immediately disposes of conti-
mental questions with the hope that the
"war in which Prussia, Austria aud Italy have
been engaged may lead to the establish
ment d durable peace in Europe" The
literal Interpretation Of this sentence appears
to US to be that England ia pleased at the
royal Guelphs of Hanover, with their crown,
are acknowledgement that France gained
nothing by the war in Germany, and that the
Venetian people have asserted their franchises
and Independence from Austria.
The paragraphs of the speech which most
concern the American people are those
which relate to the Alabama claims
and other Questions pending" between
England, theS United States and the
con federation OF the British North American
provinces. With regard to the American
claims, The Queen says she has suggested to
the government OF the United States mode
by which the questions pending between The
two countries arising out OF the civil war may
receive an amicablo solution" stating that
if this suggestion" be met in spirit similar
to that in which it has been rendered it viii
"remove all grounds Of possible misunder-
standing and promote relations of cordial
friendship" This royal suggestion is no
doub. embraced in the proposal for an inter-
national commission OF juris.s, mentioned some
time ago, empowered to examine the accounts
and strike balance--a plan which was a. the
time regarded as scarcely up to the prompt
payment ideas entertained by the people of
the United States towards Great Britain.
A bill win be submitted to Parliament for
the confederation Of the provinces of Canada,
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, under such
conditions Of union as viii "give strength to
the sovereign provinces as members OF The
same empire and animated by feelings Of
loyalty to the same sovereign" results which,
if-obtained, will be OF great service to her
Majesty's subjects over the border. and c0nse-
quently pleasing to our citizens.
Looking at home, the attention Of Psrlia-
ment is directed to the subjects Of reform, the
organization Of the trades unions, the Fcnians,
army and navy and the public health. The
members Of the House Of Commons are ear
nestly requested to consider the subject of re-
form, with a view to the extension of the fran
chse; bat II is not particularly clear whether
the subject will come before them as an
"open question" or in the form Of Cabinet
measure.
The Fenian movement is treated ss having
progressed TO a certain extent by the "per-
severing efforts" Of INSCRIPTIONS" agitatOrs
and conspirators ]" but the danger is now
passed and the habeas corpus may be restored.
Ireland is to have . land tenure adjustment
bill, with compensation for the tenants Inn
provements, measure which, in our opinion,
will extinguish the conspiracy and prevent
the organization Of others Of like nature.
The plan Of trades unions confederation in
England is TO be inquired into by royal COM
mission, tho character Of which, a. outlined by
the Queen, will be slightly inquistorial, and
the proposition for which may go far to ncn-
tralize the effect of the Derby reform plan in
the eyes Of the workingmen and laboring
classes, and create new danger by an official
attempt to .emporize with the people.
Engl,nd win not act alone in the East. In
conjunction with France and Russia she is now
negotiating with tho view OF satisfying the
Christians and maintaining the integrity of the
Sultan's government OF one and the same
moment.
Queen Victoria failed, in conjunction with
Napoleon, TO reconcile Spain and the republics
Of Chile aud Peru. These countries arc still
at war, and the efforts of any friendly Power
an invitation perhaps to tie United States-in
mediation, II more successful, will be very
agreeable to the allied sovereigns.
The English army and navy are to be In
creased, the poor are condolcd with In their
suferngs from cholera and storms, the factory
system is to be overhauled and reformed, and
the care OF the rights Of the millions Of her sub
jects is solemnly committed by the Queen 10
the wisdom and discretion Of the assembled
representatives Of the nation.
Tho Currency Resolution Of thu House
Agninss Contraction.
Our national legislators ore evidently making
great progress in correct views Of the currency