The Sun. — 1846-10-23 (London, England)

LONDON, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1846.  While almost everything European assumes a gloomy and portentous aspect, while the friendly understanding between Great Britain and France appears to be destroyed, it is gratifying to receive pacific intelligence from any territory however distant, and front any Government however insignificant. The accounts received of the Ministerial jealousies occasioned by the ungenerous collusion of certain diplomatists from the Escurial and the Tuileries; the bloodless but unconstitutional revolution at Lisbon ; and the illiberal interference of the French soldiery in the political affairs of Switzerland, must unquestionably afford matter for sincere disappointment to every lover of international cordiality. Hence it is with a satisfaction altogether disproportioned to its bearing upon the happiness of mankind, that we receive accounts so singularly favourable from the River Plate. The warfare has been so versatile, and yet so sanguinary ; so intermittent, and yet so protracted ; so peculiarly local, and yet so generally calamitous in the countries surrounding that portion of the South American continent, that our gratification at the statements which have just arrived are enhanced the more we meditate upon the history of the Argentine States. Sincerely, however, as we are rejoiced at this information, we have become so habituated to the revival of hostilities in that unfortunate republic, that we must perforce con tinue somewhat incredulous until the intelligence brought by the last packet be explicitly corroborated. Supposing our informant to be authoritative, the peaceful mission of Mr. HOOD has been eminently successful. His negotiations have been graciously met, almost without a solitary exception. With ! General ORIBE and the Government of Buenos Ayres he is reported to have come to a satisfactory understanding. The necessary preliminaries have also been concluded between the British Plenipotentiary and General Rosas. Within three months a new President is to be nominated by a general election. When the correspondence, from which this gratifying intelligence is gleaned,was dispatched, hostilities were suspended, the forces appertaining to the squadron under Admiral INGLEFIELD were all disembarked, the blockade of Buenos Ayres was only nominally sustained, matters were all in such an intermediate position that both parties would be prepared for any emergency, that the declaration of peace or the resumption of hostilities would take neither by surprise. Flattering, however, as this in formation is superficially, we can discern something like insincerity in other particulars. The Council of Monte Video are still disunited in opinion ; an insurrection was reported to have broken out in Corrientes and Entreßios ; and it was rumoured that these two provinces, together with Paraguay, evinced a disposition to declare their independence, and, by so doing, to commence the dismemberment of the Argentine States. Every species of rumour, indeed, appeared to be afloat at the departure of the dispatches ; everything indicated the dubious nature of the pending arrangements.  Whether Mr. HOOD be actually successful in his endeavours, or whether the murderous and desultory warfare of past campaigns be revived and emulated to an indefinite period, it will be equally manifest that that bloodshed was commenced in error, and has been continued with impolicy. As far as the present Government is concerned, an attempt to force civilisation upon a country like this portion of the South American continent is a positive calamity to the recipient, and an indefensible cruelty on the part of the donor. Peace and enlightenment are benignant spirits, requiring no such devillish enforcement as that of the bayonet or the congreve rocket. Slavery is scarcely to be eradicated by the charge of battle. The generous principles of free trade are not to be promulgated by the sound of a cavalry bugle. And yet such are literally the notions which have originated this crusade against the cities of La Plata• While British prowess is being baffled month after month under the batteries of those Spanish• Americans, and while the military vassals of ROSAS are pursuing their desolate and bloody course, the unoffend • ing merchants of the eastern hemisphere continue to be most seriously affected. The only positive advantages of this warfare are, advantages to such freebooting captains as