The Sun. — 1866-06-23 (London, England)

THE " ANGLO-AMERICAN Trams." National life has no hereafter beyond this world, and Providence has ordained that the sins of a nation should he expiated on this earth, where the sins were committed. History is merely a detailed account illustrating the truth of .this statement, and perhaps the most memorable instance is to be found in the present position of Germany, following so closely on the iniquitous dismemberment of Denmark. But an affair has occurred within the borders of our own Empire, which, in a small way, equally illustrates the truth of our assertion, and it is to this event that we would direct the public attention. Not many months have elapsed since lawless men from the Southern States organised in the Canadian territory the most unjustifiable raids into the United States. Canada looked placidly on while buccaneers endeavoured to establish piratical cruisers on the American lakes, and gangs broke into the States of the Union on a mission of murder • and plunder. It is no wonder that the action of the Canadian people excited the greatest indignation away, and the state of affairs became totally among the Americans. These few mouths passed changed. The great war which had threatened to split the Union into halves was at an end. The Northern people had triumphantly carried out the objects for which they had taken up arms, and in the peaceful solution of political difficulties left by the war, found little time to give that attention to the designs of an unprincipled baud among their people, but not of their people, who had styled themselves Fenians. These designs were no less than to make war against the British Empire, and to base their operations from the United States. The Canadians found the same stye of organisation threatening their own quiet homesteads from the United States which but a few short months before had threatened the homesteads of the Union from Canada. What wonder if Americans chuckled a little at the strange turn events had taken, and looked on--half in compassion, half in amusement—at the terror and anxiety of their neighbours over the border ? The Republican giant, however, was satisfied with the victories he had achieved and the manhood he had shown—now acknowledged by all the world. In the hour of his triumph he was not in the mood for petty jealousies and petty spite, and the action of the American Government iu the emergency is worthy of the mighty nation it represents. NO sooner had the Fenian bands committed themselves to an unlawful act than Uncle Sam stretched forth his great arm —and crushed them. The whole frontier bristled with American bayonets, and the greatest of American generals hastened to the spot to direct the operations. The President put forth a Proclamation, and the Fenian chiefs were at once arrested. Now, here is an example how loyal nations should act towards each other, and we feel sure it will not be lost on the British people. In England's long career she has committed and suffered for many mistakes, and among the greatest of these mistakes has been her sluggish action in the matter of the piratical cruisers which the Southern States managed to get to sea from these shores, as well as the St. Albans' raid affair, which has been so fitly punished at Fort Erie. Of all nations in the world England is that one which should most jealously suppress piratical and brigand expeditions, for she is the nation most exposed to their depredations both on sea and land. The American people have taken most noble revenge —and one which will do them the highest honour in history. But if Providence has ordained that nations should be punished here on earth for their sins, the converse of this is also true ; and it has been decreed that the good deeds of a people.; should meet 'with a great and prompt reward. The action of the American Government was as wise as