The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-16 00:00:00

other. There is no attempt at armed resistance on
the part of the Southern people. There
can therefore be no possible excuse for
the arbitrary exercise of military authority,
and certainly the military commander has no more
right to interfere with the orders of the civil go-
vernor or to attempt to supersede his authority than
the civil governor would have to give directions to
the troops. America has always dreaded a stand-
ing army, but now she has it she does not appear to
be sufficiently careful to restrain its acts or influence.
The chief military evils left by the war are
the irresponsible power of the military gover-

nors and the marauding of scattered deserters

and wayfarers, which • the generals, powerful
though they are, do not trouble themselves
to check. In the case of Mississippi, where
Governor STARKEY had thought it desirable to form
militia companies to prevent the depredations of
negroes and guilleras, General SLOCUM has gone as
far as to order all citizens posessing arms to deliver
them up to the military authorities. This is an out-
rageous piece of petty tyranny, and is virtually
leaving the people's property in the hands of the
gnerillas. On the occasion of the forced removal
of the prisoner from trial by civil law, Governor
STARKEY telegraphed to the PRESIDENT to ask for
his return ; but it seems that Secretaries SEWARD
and STANTON had decided previously that the mili-
tary authority must remain to a certain extent
supreme in Mississippi, especially in cases of ill-
treatment of negroes. This, however, is a most
uncertain and unsatisfactory method of govern-
ment. The limits of civil and military authority
should be clearly laid down. The laws for the pro-
tection of negroes should be insisted upon, and no
one should be suffered to hold a civil command who
will not carry them out ; but it is impossible to
restore the order and prosperity which will be
the best security for the negro as for the
white man if military despotism is main-
tained. It is thought that in consequence
of such open defiance of his authority Mr. STARKEY
will resign. It is said that the killing of negroes by
the whites continues to be common throughout the
South, and shows how cruel was the forced and
sudden change to the unhappy blacks. Had the
laws been modified, the lives of the blacks protected
and their family ties respected, and further traffic
forbidden, the great change might have been brought
about by degrees. The black man would have
grown gradually accustomed to freedom and used
to depend upon himself. By the time he was actually
thrown on his own resources he would have known
how to provide for his family, especially if the pay-
ment of wages had been insisted on for some time
before the actual emancipation, so that the freed-
men should have some money in hand to start with.
Having been designed as a military measure rather
than as a philanthropic effort no regard was had
to the consequences to the negro, but he was sud-
denly thrown on his own hands in a time of social
disorder and political convulsion, when white
men hardly knew how to live. Forced upon
the unwilling whites they treat him with
indifference, if not with cruelty, and the
Government finds itself in a position of consider-
able perplexity. Mr. JOHNSON will find his burden
grow heavier instead of lighter, unless he treats the
Southern States as he would treat the Northern
ones, and remembers the painful and humiliating
position in which they are placed, and the bitter-
ness which must linger among a defeated and im-

poverished people. The grant of a free pardon to
JEFFERSON DAVIS would go far to pacify the Con-
federates, and every now and then the President
receives a reminder of the interest felt in the fate of
his illustrious prisoner. A petition on his behalf
has just been presented to President JOHNSON by
the ladies of Hollyspring, Mississippi, and it would
be a graceful and gracious act on the part of the
chief magistrate of the people to show mercy to a
fallen but distinguished foe. Let us hope he will
accept the opportunity.
The proceedings of the Fenians are likely to
give rise to some uneasiness. Ireland is now the
great object of. their ambition, and guns and men
are to be sent thither. Archbishop KENRICK, of St.
Louis, has acted boldly and patriotically in openly
declaring the Association to be illegal and immoral,
and refusing to admit members of the brotherhood to
the Sacraments of the Church. The Archbishop
very sensibly declared that the conduct of the
Fenians was likely to endanger the relations be-
tween England and America. It is time that per-
sons of recognised position come forward to denounce
the proceedings of this riotous brotherhood, who
are holding meetings throughout the Southern
States, and who will find plenty of turbulent
spirits to support them. Mr. JOHNSON, in taking
leave of the Colombian Minister, expressed his
desire to preserve peace and free institutions. To
do this he must be more enlarged and liberal in his
views, having regard not to the prejudices of Re-
publicans or Democrats, but to the natural wants
and wishes of the great body of the people.

It is curious to compare the two proclamations
that have recently been issued with respect to the
management of the unfortunate Duchies. Lieute-
nant-Gen. Von MANTEUFFEL has just put forward
the principles upon which the new regime is to be
based. As might be expected from our past expe-
rience of the amenities of Berlin rule, the Circular
is short and anything but conciliating. It comes
to the point at once, and sets before the annexed
Duchy the laws by which, in future, it is to rule its
course, and measure its standard of efficiency. It
is no light thing at the present juncture to pass
under Prussian rule, and those who are evil disposed
need wish their enemies no worse fate. In this pro-
clamation we find that matters are not minced, and
no false gloss and fair semblance are imparted to
the mention of the manner in which affairs are to
conducted. The people of the Duchies are informed
that they are transferred to a separate administra-
tion, under "the authority of the King of PRUSSIA."
This last fact speaks volumes as to the expectations
which are to be formed for their management. The j
Lieutennant-General goes on, however, to affirm
that governinent by Prussia " signifies justice, public
order, and the advancement of the general pros-
perity." It is certainly something new to hear that
Justice forms a component part of Berlin rule, and
as to the general prosperity being promoted by such
an
mar kv e tont Prussia
occurring
as the transfer of rule from Den-
that is also a most astonishing cir-
cumstance. The real meaning of the whole affair
is, however, doubtless made manifest in the passage
which mentions that the new Governor will regard
the interests of the community, and in return will
expect obedience to his Majesty's commands." No
doubt he will take very good care that his expecta-
tions are realised, and for that purpose will call to
his aid all the assistance which the laws
can give him,
lenity being shown
There is no probability of more
backed by the force of arms.
to these lately acquired subjects than has been ex-
hibited in the treatment of those born under the
sway of the Kings of Prussia. All the minor
arrangements are being completed with respect to
the Government of Schleswig, and those who fancy
that the State will speedily be emancipated from the
contest of the Prussians are very much mistaken.
In both cases the inhabitants of the Duchies will
find they have as much chance of getting rid of