The Sun. — 1866-07-19 (London, England)

ANDREW JOIINSON."  The Fourth of July was observed in the customary manner throughout the Northern States ; but not with much enthusiasm in the South, so far as heard from. The freedmen, however, in some sections, indulged in great rejoicing. No disturbance of the peace is reported. The following is the address of the Conservative members of Congress in favour of the proposed National Convention at Philadelphia :  " To the People of the United States.—Dangers threaten the Constitution ; the citadel of our liberties is directly assailed. The future is dark unless the people come to the rescue. In this hour of peril national union should be the watchword of every man. As essential to national union, we must maintain unimpaired the rights, dignity, and equality of the States, including their right of representation. After a uniform construction of the Constitution for more than half a century, the assumption of new and arbitrary powers in the Government is subversive of our system and destructive of liberty. At present eleven States are excluded from the National Council. For seven long months Congress has persistently denied them representation. Laws affecting their highest interest have been passed without their consent, and in disregard of the principles of free government.  " The representatives of nearly one-third of the States have not been consulted in relation to the great questions of the day. There has been no nationality surrounding the present Congress. There has been no intercourse between the representatives of the two sections producing mutual confidence and respect. In the language of the Lieutenant-General, ' it is to be regretted that there cannot be a greater commingling between the citizens of the two sections, particularly of those intrusted with the law-making power.' This state of things should be removed at once and for ever. Therefore we cordially approve the call for a National Union Convention, to be held at Philadelphia on the 14th of August next. We respectfully but earnestly urge our fellow-citizens in every State and territory in the interest of the Union and harmony, and in direct reference to the principles involved in this call, to act promptly in the selection of wise, moderate, and Conservative men, to represent them in said Convention, to the end that all the States shall be at once restored to the Union, the Constitution be maintained. and peace bless the whole country." Signed by Riverdy Johnson, James Guthrie, and forty others. The great fire at Portland, Blaine, has been one of the most disastrous that ever occurred in this country. The entire business portion of the city is in ashes, and the loss estimated to reach at least ten million dollars. Fifty buildings were blown up to check the progress of the flames, which raged for twelve hours, destroying a section half a mile in width and over a mile in length. Ten or twelve thousand people were rendered homeless, and have been quartered for the present in tents or upon the generosity of those whose habitations escaped. All the newspaper offices, banks, insurance companies, and wholesale stores have been destroyed. Subscription lists have been opened for the relief of the sufferers throughout the country. Firemen from adjacent towns aided the Portland force, but a high wind carried the flames through the city in spite of all their efforts.  Senator Lane, of Kansas, who attempted suicide last week, is yet alive, and his surgeon has hopes of his recovery. The ball passed through his head. General Lane is conscious, and has recovered his speech.  George Peabody has donated one hundred thousand dollars to the South Danvers Institute, Massachusetts. Mr. Peabody is about to make a tour of the Canadas.  Canadian journals state that the Ministerial crisis in England has materially damaged the prospects of confederation throughout the provinces. The Washington correspondent of the Herald states that General Grant has declared that he will not accept any nomination for the Presidency for the next term at least.  RIO DE JANEIRO, June 24. Advices from the seat of war are to the 18th inst. No more fighting had taken place, but sickness was making sad ravages in the army, the hospitals in Corrientes were full of sick and wounded, and the number was daily increasing. The 2d Corps) under General Porto Alegre, was to join the allies very shortly, and as it is 13,000 strong, principally cavalry, of which there is great want in the Ist Corps— it is expected that as soon it arrives something will be done. The conviction is daily gaining ground that Mitre is incapable of handling a large army ; at the battle of Fuyuty on the 24th May, General Ozorio virtually commanded. The fleet can do nothing till the army can operate.  Altogether the news is anything but satisfactory. In consequence of the commercial crisis, Mr. Paula Louza, the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, brought forward a bill authorising Government to permit the Bank to exceed the legal issue by eight thousand contos of reis to assist commercial firms, besides an unlimited amount for the treasury. The bill met with a great deal of opposition, and, after passing the second reading, its adjournment for 48 hours was proposed by M. Paula Louza. The bill will probably be withdrawn, as things are now more calm, and the worst is over.