The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-01 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1865.

Affairs in the South are still in a transition state,
and very conflicting elements are at work, pro-
ducing turbulence and uncertainty. There can be
no doubt that LEE and DA \ls have been very much
hampered in their designs and movements by the
vis inertim of self-interest and prejudice. It would
seem at first sight that a country possessing at the
same time a civil leader of sound administrative
ability, and a military leader of undoubted genius,
would be certain of speedy success, but the IligitorY

of the last six or eight months tells a different story.
It shows how the best laid plans may be defeated,
and the most skilfully designed combinations frus-
trated by opponents inferior alike in ability, saga-
city, and patriotism to their leaders. Mr. DAVIS
has throughout the whole of the struggle acted
with so much regard to constitutional law, and has
shown so little inclination to assume despotic autho-
rity that his words should carry weight when he
assures his people that the moment for active and
vigorous measures has come. There has been for
some time a want of unity and self-devotion in the
councils of the South which has delayed the passing
of those painful but salutary measures which would
strengthen their arms in the field. There has been,
of course, no less dissension and division in the
North, but there LINCOLN, restrained by no scruple,
has put down all opposition with a strong hand, and
the unhappy critics of his administrative ability
have usually repented their blunder in Fort
Lafayette. DAVIS has always shrunk from any
arbitrary exercise of his authority. He has
allowed open abuse of him to appear in
the columns of some of the journals, he has
permitted covert depreciation and angry criti-
cism in other quarters, and has endeavoured in
every way possible to show his respect for the Con-
stitution. He has, therefore, a right to the confi-
dence of his people, and when he asks for the alte-
ration of the Militia Loan or the suspension of the
Habeas Corpus Act, he deserves to be met in a
frank and patriotic spirit. It is likely, however,
that neither of these measures would prove so un-
welcome as the proposed impressment of the negroes.
This it is which renders the suspension of the
Habeas Corpus Act so obnoxious, and from which
the selfishness of the large plantation owners
shrink. The slaveholders forget that by this
selfish line of policy they incur the probable
loss, instead of surrender, of their negroes. The
Confederate Government would give them full com-
pensation, whereas the Northern generals will take
good care to appropriate their property without any
payment. But, in spite of all their opposition, the
days of the " domestic institution" are numbered.
Slavery is doomed, and the feeble opposition of a
few interested parties will only lead to their own
ruin ; it will never succeed in retarding the in-
evitable event. Slavery has for long years been the
source of the weakness of the South, and those who
have the most sympathised with the Confederates
in their gallant struggle will be the most eager
to see the great drawback to moral and
social progress removed from their midst.
The Confederate Congress adjourned sine die on
the 18th, after the President's recommendation
to suspend the Habeas Corpus Act had been ap-
proved by the House of Representatives but rejected
by the Senate. We fear that Senator FOOTE is not
the only member of the Upper House who prefers
self-interest to his country's good. It seems,
however, that the writ of habeas corpus has been
suspended apparently without waiting for the per-
mission of the impracticable senators. Possibly the
PRESIDENT and his advisers thought that in such a
crisis the assent of the popular representatives was
sufficient. The Secretary-of-War at Richmond has
also authorised the raising of companies of coloured
soldiers for immediate action, but we are sorry to
find that he does not favour emancipation. Without
this half the advantage of the measure will be lost,
as the moral gain will be forfeited and the slaves
themselves, who, whatever their owners may think,
are not machines, but human beings, will not care
to fight as slaves without any hope of freedom.
The military news is still conflicting and uncer-
tain, but we shall hear something decisive before
long. One point, which is of some importance, is
the statement that General LEE has himself assumed
the command-in North Carolina, sending JOHNSTON
and BEAUREGARD to Richmond and Petersburg.
This is wise strategy. LEE is undoubtedly the pro-
per person to confront SHER3IAN, and we hope that
at last some decided resistance will be offered
to the invader. LEE'S headquarters are said to be
at Raleigh, so that he intends to hold that
city, if possible. The evacuation of Richmond is
possible enough, but in the present position of
affairs the surrender will not be a vital loss to the
Southern cause. SHERIDAN has reached White
House, and boasts largely, as usual, but the Rich-
mond papers declare that he has failed in his pri-
mary objects, which were to capture Lynchburg,
destroy the railways, and unite with GRANT. The
Sentinel records that a division of SHERMAN'S army
had attacked HARDEE, and had been repulsed with
great loss, which is very likely. It was rumoured
in the North that SCHOFIELD had joined SHERMAN,
and that together they had occupied Goldsborough,
but there is no confirmation of the report, which is
probably without foundation. Altogether the mili-
tary news is favourable to the Confederates, espe-
cially since the presence of LEE in Carolina will
give fresh vigour and spirit to the troops, and pro-
bably reverse the order of SHERMAN'S march.

The news concerning the Lock-out is not at all
satisfactory, and it would seem as if the struggle
would not be over until much suffering and loss
have resulted. Lord LICHFIELD has taken great
pains to adjust the affair, and it is most lamentable
that his efforts have not been more successful. The
men in the last consultations that have taken place
have been very greatly to blame, and any further
trouble that ensues will unquestionably be their
fault. Lord LICHFIELD made a written proposal to
the masters of North Staffordshire, " unconditional
arbitration," which was accepted and signed by
them, but when he proposed the same to the men, it
was unanimously rejected. Such conduct defies
criticism rightly to pronounce upon its character,
and the opinion of the public will assuredly go
againit them. They will lose greatly in sympathy
by this obstinate demeanour. Lord LICHFIELD
very truly declared that his proposal
was a reasonable one, and he further
warned the men that by their persistent
refusal, they would damage their cause with the
public, who -would give their verdict against them ;
his lordship also expressed his great disappointment
at the failure of his negotiations with the men
when he met the masters again. The meeting with
the men at Hanky lasted for five hours, but no
arguments could shake their determination or alter
their course, and the unanimity of their refusal
testified to their minds being made up on the sub-
ject. A fairer proposal could not have been made
than this one of Lord Lic lIFIELD'S. The men were
to resume
the disputed
work and
thdeis draw their wages upon account
ti
pcuonte:elndping
oiutspaorftitehs esqhuoeusltdionhaavte issuebeen
between
settled by " arbitration." In thus holding back
from this wise and comprehensive scheme the
operatives have put themselves and their cause
at a disadvantage, and displayed a false
principle, and a wrong feeling that will
not readily be forgotten by those who witness
its effects upon themselves and others. It is satis-
factory to notice that from Newcastle the intelli-
gence is more cheering, and the lock-out has been
brought to a close. The various works are being
re-opened, and thus the sad position of affairs in
that locality has been so far terminated. This oppor-
tune resumption of work in the North, however,
only proves still more how faulty is the course that
has Inert adopted in Staffordshire, and teatifieß,