The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-11 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY E VEINING, SEPITAIBEIZ 11, 1563.

TEE v
.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE-- This Day,

Arming the Negroes by the South.

(From the Index.)
Without placing absolute credence in the startling
intelligence brought by the -Hibernian, it is safe to
simulate upon it, if not an actual fact, at least as an
event which has recently entered into the range of
immediate probabilities. We have, in the various
rumours that preceded this last direct announce-
ment, so many indications that the question of
arming the slave population has been under
careful and serious consideration in the Confe-

derate counsels. It is also certain that the
same subject has been frequently discussed by
the Confederates and their friends in Eu-
rope within the last few months. The South-
ern mind, therefore, on both sides of the ocean
has been ripening for this step, and, if not
already taken, is prepared to take it. Intelligent
observers of the struggle have long been aware that
as a last resort the South possessed an element of
latent strength which, whenever called forth, would
at once shift the numerical superiority to the side
which has heretofcrc been the weaker, and thus end
the conflict. Those who knew the temper of the
Southern people knew that if the alternative were
fairly presented between independence and the
maintenance of negro slavery, it would not hesitate
an instant to sacrifice the latter to the former. The
choice made, it is not in the Southern character to
resort to half-way measures. If the measure be-
came expedient it would be carried out thoroughly
and without delay. If negroes were to be
armed, the arming would be en masse. The
chief obstacle lay not in any fear of the use
the negroes might make of their arms ; on that
subject, except in the few localities where the
negro has been corrupted by long contact with the
Yankees, no Southern man ever entertained a doubt.
The difficulty was in the repugnance which a proud
nation, regarding the bearing of arms as a privilege
and an honour, must necessarily feel in extending
that privilege and that honour to a servile race. But
at the call of patriotism the Southerners would sacri-
fice this repugnance, as they have sacrificed property
and life, without hesitation and without vain regrets.
Our only reason for doubt, then, is that we do not
believe the stress of military necessity so great as
to warrant the use of this last, though infallible,
reserve. At the same time it must be remembered
that the South is led by men who will not wait
until driven by necessity to resort to a measure
which they foresee that the public safety may re-
qu:re.

The force which the South can thus suddenly
throve into the scale, ensuring prompt success, is
easily available. Five hundred thousand would,
indeed, comprise nearly the whole number of able-
bodied negroes within the jurisdiction of the Con-
federacy, but these could be spared with less detri-
ment to agricultural pursuits than any equal pro-
portion of any other labouring population. The
South has abandoned all its usual staples. Nothing
is now asked from the soil but food. For the pro-
duction of this, black female labour will suffice ;
and in health, hardiness, and strength, the females
of the African race far exceed the peasant women
of continental Europe. The rich lands of the cot-
ton region are easily tilled, and the young and
aged who cannot fight can grow corn and tend
cattle. Nor is there any serious difficulty
in organising this force. In the South, unlike the
North, the relations between the white man and the
black are well defined, and are accepted by both
without question ; they rest upon a reciprocal con-
fidence and a perfect understanding of each other's
character. The white man, therefore, will not feel
degraded or in an anomalous position in command-
ing negro troops. If the discipline of the planta-
tion is less rigorous than that of the camp, it is
nevertheless an admirable preparation for the lat-
ter, and has moreover the merit of furnishing,
ready to hand a class of efficient non-commissioned
officers, accustomed to the exercise of delegated
authority over those of their own colour,
and to the responsibility for their good
behaviour. Even the scarcity of arms is
no insuperable obstacle. There ere, probably,
enough of fire-arms for a select corps of negroes,
already familiar with their use; and as for the
others, it may be doubted whether they would not
be more effective in the field with the more primi-
tive weapons which the blacksmith's shop on every
plantation could readily forge out of the imple-
ments of husbandry. A hundred thousand negro
pikeman or scythemen would probably be a more
formidable body for immediate service than the same
number of raw recruits entrusted with unwonted
weapons. There is no doubt, also, that the most of
the negro levies would be quickly thrown across the
Northern border, where at worst they would have to
meet foes no better armed or drilled than them-
selves. As for the negro's courage, when supported
and led by his master, not against him, we have
never entertained a doubt. The Confederate negro
troops will be as much superior in steadiness and
effectiveness to the black levies of the North, as the
Sepoys under European officers were to the muti-
nous hordes of Nana Sahib. Besides, what the
negro lacks in that intelligence which characterises
the white American volunteer, he more than supplies
by implicit obedience and insensibility to danger,
and he thus possesses the very qualities which
professional officers are prone to consider the
highest of the soldier. If the military importance
of such an enormous accession to the numerical
strength of the Confederacy is almost beyond
adequate comprehension, the political and social
aspects of the measure assume even more gigantic
proportions. It is the most complete scheme of
emancipation that visionary ever dreamed of, and,
though we cannot disguise the terrible danger of
thus subverting at one blow the whole social fabric
of a great country, it is undeniable that the experi-
ment, if it has to be tried, is tried in this form with
immensely superior practical prospects, and under
fewer disadvantages.

THE ARCHBISHOP OF DUBLIN.—His grace is
sinking slowly. In addition to the ulcer in his leg his grace
has been attacked by other maladies calculated to weaken
his constitution, which had once been very robust.
THE LATE LORD PLUNKET.—An interesting
anecdote of the late Lord Plunket, recalled to the
narrator by the recent erection of a statue to his memory
in the hall of the Four Courts, Dublin, is published. "E.
T. M'Donagh," who has furnished Saunders's News-
Leiter with the particulars of that episode, says :--" When
the late Lord Plunket was Attorney-General for Ireland
its
slow deceased father had a suit-at-law dragging on
slow length between the Rolls Court and the Court of
Chancery. It was at long-run set down for final hearing,
and the Right Hon. the Attorney-General was engaged as
leader with a fee of £lO 102., and a brief sent to his house.
The opposing leader was the Right Hon, Mr. Laurin; also,
Messrs. Crampton and Green (afterwards judges). The
cause was two days at hearing. I happened to be at the
time in Dublin, and about mid-day walked into the Court
of Chancery on the third and last day of hearing. I was
then very young and buoyed up with wild enthusiasm of
effervescent spirits. I listened for a short time to one of the
opposing counsel (Mr. Crampton), who happened to be ad-
dressing the court on behalf of the defendants (my father
being plaintiff), and without a moment's reflection or pre-
paration I took from my pocket a small cross, which I
grasped in my right hand, and tt e words, hoc Signs
rincis' on my lips, I stood up and solicited the honour of
being heard for a few moments. The court, the bar, and
all were taken as if by electricity ; the honour I sought for
was at once acceded to me, in a sweet, mill voice from the
bench, from the lips of a thin, delicate man (Lord Man-
ners). I was stating the unvarnished tale in so telling
manner, that one of the defendant's urged on counsel to
compel me to sit down. 'You shall not,' replied Mr. Phut'
ket, 'you would do a disgraceful act—the lady must be
heard out,' and sure enough I was heard out. At the con-
clusion of my address my head reeled, my eyes swam, and
the scene before me was chaos—that chaos I shall never
forget. On my leaving the gallery from whence I left the
court I was met by counsel, who told me a decree was
pronounced in my father's favour, and that the Attorney-
General wished to see me at his house the next
morning before court hour. Oa awakening the next morn-
ing, the events of the previous day appeared as a dream to
me, but on becoming conscious, I was soon on my way to
Stephen's-green, where the late Lord Plunket then resided.
I was speedily in presence of the great and good man, who
jocosely complimented me on my debut at the bar, handed
me back his fee of £lO 10s., and told me, should I ever
require a friend in court to call on htm.' My reply Was_
God bless you, sir, I hope I shall soon see you Lord Chan-
cellor.' He sailed that day fur England, and
when next he
was in court it was as Lord Chancellor of Ireland:.
A singular disturbance took place a few days
back at Taragona, in Spain, on the occasion of a bull-fight.
In place of one of the bulls inscribed on the programme, a
harmless bullock was introduced into the arena. stormA '
of indignation immediately arose. The public pelted both'
bullock and toreadors, and finally broke into the ring sad
killed the animal with enormous stones,

The Duke of Newcastle on the Volunteer

Movement.

theay,
° SecondlVear e BAd itnhies
tDrautki
veeo
BNatetwalciaosntlereviewedof
Notts
addressing them close of the
review, the noble Duke observed that although the
battalion had displayed great efficiency in she
movements through which it had
been put, he must
remind the members of what he had
said at South-
well last year—viz. that they did not ay the
which cient attention to company drill, su
lwas essen-
tial to their efficiency. Alluding to the volunteer
movement generally, his Grace remarked hope
that not only the members of this battalion, but the
spectators by whom I am surrounded, and those
with whom they are associated, will not falter
in 'their endeavcurs to keep up this most admi-
rable, and I may say thoroughly independent, volun-
teer force. You all know how the movement
originated, and I am sure you feel with me that
an institution like the volunteer force was not ori-
ginated in a panic, and that it ought also not to be
continued in a panic. (Hear.) It was originated
for the security of the country, and from our expe-
rience of it we shall all be prepared to say that it
ought to be maintained. It is true that, as com-
pared with the position of the corps when first
established, the volunteers are now in a better state,
for Government now renders certain aid to batta-
lions, but there are certain continuous expenses to
be met, and which expenses are rather on the in-
crease. It is most desirable that those who, from
a variety of circumstances, cannot join the force,
should show their countenance of it by subscribing
to or enlarging their contributions. Government
contributes much more largely now than it did a
little time ago, but, notwithstanding this, volun-
teers have to meet expenses in the providing of
new uniforms and renovating the old ones,
which can only be met by increased aid from the
friends of the movement. In some instances lam
afraid the annual subscriptions to the expenses of
volunteers are less than they ought to be. The
volunteers throughout the kingdom have shown a
disposition for military duty far beyond what could
possibly have been expected; and I am of opinion
that at present time they are just of as much value
to the country and as greatly required as when
they were organised, five years ago. The object
was to provide a force the efficiency of which would
be such that, should the necessity arise, the standing
army might safely be employed in any service and
in.any place, whilst the defence of the country would
be adequately and most safely left to the volunteers.
Some wise people have said that they do not see
any good in the volunteer movement. They say
they never thought we should be invaded, and they
say that such was their opinion when the move-
ment commenced. These people, who, I may say,
speaking vulgarly, are called " 'inkers," were very
silent when the formation of volunteer corps was
mentioned, but they are now exceedingly bold when
they do not apprehend danger. lam of opinion
that the volunteer force has proved an incalculable
benefit to the people of this kingdom. I was not
one of those who expected when it was organised
that an invasion was about to take place; but con-
sidering the peat and the extensive possessions we
had in all parts of the world, and the vast interests
at stake not only as regarded our own but future
generations, I regarded it as most imperative that
the force should be established. I trust the volun-
teers, and also their friends, will be impressed with
the necessity of maintaining the volunteer corps in
an efficient state, and that no feeling of dissatisface
tion will be allowed to check their admiration of it