The Southland Times. THURSDAY SEPT. 15, 1864.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 46, 15 September 1864, Page 2

The Southland Times. THURSDAY SEPT. 15, 1864.

The mail just to hand by the Aldinga, supplies us with a further history of the American war. The events recorded are of importance, both as , regards . their present effect and their significance of what we may expect in the' future. The Confederate cause is still in the ascendant ; and it would appear that in ths Northern States the politics of the peace party are gaining ground.- The Federals made two attempts to capture Petersburg, a city twenty miles south of Richmond, but were obliged to retreat with a loss of eight thousand men. In Georgia the Federal General Sherman was defeated with a loss of five thousand men.. The Confederates invaded Maryland, and defeated General "Wallace ; and General Lee, at the head of fifty thousand troops, penetrated within six miles of Washington, but eventually recrossed the Potomac, laden with immense booty. That this undeviating success on the part of the Southerners would go far to influence the Federals favorably towards proposals for peace was naturally to be looked for, and it seems negotiations were actually begun, but were eventually bt'oken off by the extravagant demands of the North. But the fact that negotiations were attempted is very significant. We have then the resignation of Mr. Chase ; the call for further loans, and more volunteers, who did not appear very ready to come forward ; the openly expressed intention of the Western States to secede ; and lastly, a wide spread movement in the North in favor of separation, notwithstanding the failure of the proposals for peace. So far as we are able to judge from the meagre outline of events before us, the termination of the war is drawing near. The war in Denmark is at an end. The Danes retreated from Alsen, losing 3,000 men. The Danish Ministry resigned, and the first act of their successors was to send a flag of truce. The latest telegram is to the effect that peace is restored ; Denmark losing Baris Lauenburg, and Sehle&wig - llolstein, and the islands m the North Sea. The anticipations thai Britain would be involved m war with some of the European powers have providentially proved without foundation. Mr. Diskaeij's motion for a vote of censure on the Government for their Dano- German policy, was lost after a lengthened debate, and in the House of Lords a counter-vote was carried by a majority of nine — a victory for the Ministry which was but little looked for in some quarters. The items which most closely affect j New Zealand colonists, are the second reading of the Guarantee Loan Bill, and the fact that a notice of motion has been given in the House of Commons to the effect that the troops shall be withdrawn from New Zealand should the war not quickly come to an end.