The Sun.
London, England, 1862-10-21 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 21, 1862.

a constant desire for liberty as for life, and it is also
to.doubt the unquestionable instances in our own
history where this desire has been displayed by
African slaves. That a government exposed to the
assaults of a merciless barbarian foe should so long
reject this irresistible alliance is among the ques-
tions which will excite the astonishment of future
ages. Do you"ask the reasons alleged against
this appeal ? They all resolve themselves into
objections of fact. The President by his proclama-
tion has already answered them practically; but I
shall take them up in detail. 1. The first objec-
tion, and most often repeated, is one which it is dif-
cult to treat with patience. We are told that such
an appeal will offend the border states, and that in
this moment of trial we must do as they tell us. It
is of course slavemasters who speak for the border
states e and permit me to say such persons continu-
ing to swear by slavery are not competent wit-
nesses with regard to it. Believing in slavery,
wedded to slavery, they are as incompetent
to testify when it is in question as husband
and wife are incompetent to testify for each
other. Just in proportion as we have fol-
lowed them thus far we have been misled, and we
shall continue to be misled so long as we follow
them. Their influence has been perpetual paralysis.
Nobody can counsel safety at this moment who ad-
heres to slavery or who fails to see slavery as the
origin and mainspring of the rebellion. is well
known that for a long time in England all the
efforts against slavery, led by Wilberforce and
Clarkson, were discountenanced and opposed by the
slavemaster in the distant islands. Be the propo-
sition what it might, whether to abridge, to miti-
gate, or ameliorate, there was always one steady
dissent. Put not your trust in slavemasters ; do
not harken to their promises; do not follow their
counsels. Such is the plain lesson of English his-
tory—of French history—of Dutch history—of
every history at this very moment ; and such also
is the positive caution of English statesmen. On
this point we have the concurring testimony of
three names, each of whom is an authority. It is
all embodied in a brief passage of a speech by Lord
Brougham :—" I entirely concur in the observation
of Mr. Burke, repeated and more happily expressed
by Mr. Canning, that the masters of slaves are
not to be trusted with making laws upon slavery;
that nothing they do is ever found effective
and that if by some miracle they but chance
to enact a wholesome resolution, it is always
found to want what Mr. Burke calls the exe-
cutory principle ; it fails to execute itself."
These are emphatic words ; and as often as I am
reminded of the opinions of slave-masters on our
present duties, when slavery is in question, I think
of them as a solemn warning, confirmed by all the
teachings of experience, early and late, in our own
country. 2. Another objection to this appeal is,
that officers in our army will fling down their arms.
Very well. Let the traitors fling down their arms
—the sooner the better. They are unworthy to
bear arms, and should be delivered up to the hiss •
ing and execration of mankind. But I will not
dishonour officers with the commission of the United
States by such an imputation on their loyalty or
common sense. As officers they must know their
duty too well, and as intelligent men they must
know that the slaves are calculated to be their best
and surest allies. 3. Another objection is that
slavery is a "side issue," which must not be touched
until the war is ended. But these wise objectors
forget that it is precisely in order to end the war
that slavery is to be touched, and that when they
oppose this effort they make a " side issue" in be-
half of slavery calculated to weaken the national
arm. 4. Another objection has its origin in pity,
that the rebels may be saved from a slave insurrec-
tion. God forbid that I should fail in any duty of
humanity, or tenderness even ; but I know no prin-
ciple of war or of reason by which our rebels should
be saved from the natural consequences of their
own conduct. When they rose against a paternal
Liovernment they set the example of insurrection,
which has carried death to so many firesides. They
cannot complain if their slaves, with better reason
follow it. But this whole objection proceeds on a
mistaken idea of the African slave. The story of
St. Domingo, so often quoted against him, testifies
to his humanity. It was only when Napoleon, in
an evil hour, sought to enslave him, that those
scenes of blood occurred which exhibit less the
cruelty of the slave than the atrocious purposes of
the white man. The African is not cruel, vindic-
tive, or harsh, but gentle, forgiving, and kind. Such
is authentic history ; nor does it appear, when the
slaves left their masters, on the appeal of the British
commanders, during our revolution, that they were-
guilty of any excess. It is true that labour was dis-
organised and that the whole community was weak-
ened; and this is what we seek to accomplish in
our rebel states. 5. And yet one more objection is
sometimes advanced. It is said that an appeal to
the slaves will cause them to overflow into the
North, where they will compete with other labour.
This ill-considered and trivial objection subordi-
nates the suppression of the rebellion to a question
of labour, when to a candid observer it is clear that
no such question can arise. There is no danger of
any such overflow into the North. It is precisely
the pressure of slavery, and not the license of free-
dom, that now causes the overflow that occurs. If
slavery were removed the Africans would go back
instead of coming here. Such are the objection of
facts, so far as any exist within my knowledge. If
any other has been made, I do not know it. I ask
you frankly, have I not answered them ? Without
the aid of the slaves this war cannot be ended suc-
cessfully. Their alliance is therefore a necessity.
In making this assertion I know well the responsi-
bility I assume, nor do I assume it lightly. But the
time has come when the truth must be told. Let
me be understood. War is proverbially uncertain,
and I will not doubt that fortune will again light
upon our arms. The force of the rebellion may be
broken even without an appeal to the slaves. But
I am sure that with the slaves our victory will be
more prompt, while without them it can never be
effectual completely to crush the rebellion. It is
not enough to beat armies. Rebel communities,
envenomed against the Union, must be reclaimed,
and a wide-spread region must be pacified. This
can be done only by the removal of the cause of all
this trouble, and the consequent assimilation of the
people, so that no man shall call another master. If
slavery be regarded as a disease, it must be extir-
pated by knife and cautery, for only in this way can
the healthful operations of national life be restored.
If it be regarded as a motive, it must be expelled
from the system, that it may no longer exercise its
disturbing influence. But the war which we wage
is not merely for ourselves, it is for all mankind.
Slavery yet lingers in Brazil, and beneath the Spa-
nish flag in those two golden possessions, Cuba
and Porto Rico, but nowhere can it survive its
extinction here. Therefore, we conquer for liberty
everywhere. In ending slavery here we open its
gates all over the world and let the oppressed go
free. Nor is this all. In saving the republic we
shall save civilization. Man throughout his long
hmpiaalsgerbhimage on earth has been compelled to suffer
e;enbuctalsled to
laveryb is the ;
it i s
heaviest
the
only
nbl uyrbdue
burden
ewhichn which
and he
our coonurnnt rayp
phya se
ohne
ne nt r
ye, cal le d
with tho butne
aa
nr.i t y Li
ne t
hiet r dt
rr oa
ipn,
all changed in raiment and in countenance like the
Christian Pilgrim, will hurry upward to the celes-
tialg
becauseate.lfthnufsalfaavreory. I
our exampletwas
vhaaisn tofa proclaim
iled,itis
simply
our unparalleled prosperity, the comfort diffused
among a numerous people, resources without stint,
or even the education of our children ; the enemies
of the republic simply said, " There is slavery ;"
and our example became powerless. But let slavery
disappear, and this same example will be of irresis-
tible might. Without firing a gun or writing a
despatch it will revolutionise the world. Therefore
the battle which we now fight belongs to the grand-
est events of history. It constitutes one of those
epochs from which humanity will date. It is one
of the battles of the ages—as when the millions of
Persia were driven back from Greece, or when the
Mohammedans, victors in Africa and Spain, were
arrested in France by Charles Martel, and
a cause Western
Europe was saved to Christianity. In such
no effort can be too great,no faith can be too deter-
mined. To die for country is pleasant and honour-
able. But all who die for country now, die also for
humanity. Wherever they lie, in bloody fields,

they will be remembered as the heroes through
whom the republic was saved and civilisation esta-
blished for ever. But there are duties elsewhere
than in bloody conflict. Each of us, in his
place at home, by his best efforts, can do
something, not only to sustain the soldier
in the field, but also to sustain that
sublime edict which will be to the soldier
both sword and buckler, while it gives to the
conflict all the inspiration of a great idea. In this
hour of trial let none of us fail. Above all, let
none of us go over to the enemy, even should
his tents for a moment be pitched in Faneuil Hall;
and do not forget that there can be but two parties
—the party of the country, with the President for
its head, and with emancipation for its glorious
watchword ; and the party of the rebellion, with
Jefferson Davis for its head, and no other watch-
word than slavery."

Mr. Sumner spoke about two hours, and was fre-
quently applauded, and subjected to occasional in-
terruptions from his opponents.
Upon the conclusion of his speech a loud call was
made for George Francis Train, who, with many of
his friends, was present.

Train took the platform, and, after refusing to
yield it, was carried off by the police, who were in
attendance.

7IIE LIFEBOAT PROCESSION.

A complete ovation was given yesterday to the
lifeboat which was drawn, on her transporting
carriage through the principal streets of the metro-
polis to the river side. The lifeboat stood on its
carriage at the western entrance of the International
Exhibition all the morning, and was visited there
by a large number of persons- The boat was built
by Messrs. Forrest, of Limehouse, and the carriage
by Mr. J. Robinson, of Kentish-town. The boat
has a beautiful light and handsome appearance. Its
sides are painted a light blue, and its bottom and
keel white, and about four inches from the top of
bulwark is an oval rim or fender, a bright red, all
round the boat, to which are slung loops of rope to
assist iu saving life in case of shipwreck. On the
blue bows beneath, on the shield of an heraldic de-
vice, is written " National Life Boat Institution,"
while in the circle round the shield are the words,
" Supported by voluntary contributions." Each
side of the boat is fitted with five rowlocks, and one
on each side close to the rudder. There are ten oars
—half of them blue and half of them white—for
propelling the boat, and two long ones for use in
the stern rowlocks to assist in steering or otherwise
in the working of the boat. The stem and stern
are alike, with the exception of the gear for fixing
the rudder at the stern. The inside of the boat is
painted white. The head and stern are filled in
with large air cases, and air boxes run round the
sides of the boat under the side seats. Each seat
for the rowers is made to accommodate two men
rowing in a line, and there are raised slabs on the
seats, giving them their exact place for sitting.
Just inside, all round the boat, are lines with floats
to assist in saving life. From the deck leading to
the bottom of the boat are six large tubes fitted
with valves on the deck so as to let through the
water that may be shipped, but to let none up from
under. A neat, compact, prettily constructed brass
pump is fixed in the boat for emptying her in case of
leakage. Two masts and rigging are provided for
sailing. The carriage is a very important adjunct to
the lifeboat. It is a simple but admirable con-
trivance, consisting, in fact, of nothing mere than a
long pair of beams, forming a groove to carry the
keel of the boat, the groove being fitted with large
rollers to enable the boat to be easily launched off
the carriage into the sea. This groove or keelway
is of course set upon axletrees, the whole running
upon four strong heavy wheels and fitted with shafts
for two horses. The boat is fastened into the car-
riage in a simple, easy way for transit, and may be
run for miles along shore, or if necessary over coun-
try. The stern is next the shafts of the carriage,
and therefore when the boat arrives at its destina-
tion the horses and carriage are backed as far as
necessary into the sea, the boat unfastened from
the carriage, the carriage by a simple mechanical
contrivance is tilted, and the boat runs down the
rollers of the keelway into the sea; the men are al-
' ready seated with their hands upon their oars, and
the moment she is launched she is away.
The procession was admirably conducted through-
out, under the able management of Captains May-
nard and Brown. It was headed by about 50 of
their men belonging to the Royal Naval Reserve,
with their colours and their admirable brass band.
The boat was drawn from the Royal Horticultural
Gardens to the Kensington-road by some volun-
teers. Here four magnificent horses were attached
to the carriage. The procession then passed by
Hyde-park along Piccadilly, down St. James's-
street, Pall-Mall, and Charing-cross. Grand ova-
tions were made opposite Northumberland House,
the Admiralty, and the Board of Trade. The boat
then turned back and went up Regent-street, Port-
land•street, and the New-road to the City, thence
across to Shoreditch, and ultimately reached Lime-
house in safety. Everywhere large crowds of people
followed the procession. It was a pleasing trait in
the character of the men comprising the Royal Naval
Reserve force to respond so liberally to the call for
volunteers to accompany yesterday the procession.
They were thus ready to sacrifice a day's pay as
their mite to promote the objects of so great and
noble an institution, whose lifeboats have, within
the last two years and a half, rescued 740 sailors,
many of whom, probably, were either their relatives
or fdrmer mates.

suring the Court that there Was bp truth in what
he said, but admitted that all that Sergeant Cole
had said was correct.

The Assistant-Judge said that when he read the
depositions he was of opinion that, if the case was
made out, it would be the duty of the Court to pass
the most extreme sentence, which was 14 years'
penal servitude; for it was bad enough when a
female could not walk in the public streets without
being robbed in the middle of the day, but when
an assault was committed in addition it became a
matter of great aggravation. Taking all the cir-
cumstances, however, into consideration, the Court
would not exercise the power which it possessed,
but would sentence the prisoner to be kept in penal
servitude for five years.
As the prisoner was about being passed from the
dock to the staircase leading to the cells below, he
rushed towards the witness Gordon, raised his foot
and attempted to kick him, but the House of Deten-
tion officer, Keeley, seized him by the throat, and
just at the right moment prevented him from car-
rying into effect what would have been a serious,
if not a fatal, injury.
Henry Fowkes, 21, soldier, was indicted for steal-
ing a watch, value £B, the property of James Wil-
natt, from his person.
The prosecutor and a friend, bath medical stu-
dents, met with the prisoner and some other soldiers
on the night of the Ist of October, in the Haymarket,
and wentwith them and some girls into a public-
house in the neighbourhood, where they had ale
and refreshments, remaining for a considerable time.
After leaving the house they went towards Rupert-
street, it being then nearly 2 o'clock in the morning,
when the prosecutor missed his watch. He accused
the prisoner of robbing him, and gave him into cus-
tody. He protested his innocence, and no watch was
found. The prosecutor and his friend, Mr. Herbert
Davies, both admitted they had been drinking, and
did not give a very clear account of the transactions
of the evening.
The Jury retired to consider their verdict, and
after an absence of two hours returned a verdict of
not guilty, upon which the prisoner was discharged.
The Assistant-Judge called up the prosecutor and
his friend, and told them that, under the circum-
stances, he did not feel justified in allowing their
expenses, the case having arisen from their own im-
proper conduct in the night, and especially, though
they had sw, rn to having seen the robbery com-
mitted, because the jury did not believe them.
John Spicer, 26, was convicted of stealing a titler
of sugar, value 145., the property of Charles Chris-
topher Grils. _ _

Dunnaway, 129 H, proved that the prisoner was
a trainer of young thieves.
The Assistant-Judge sentenced him to be kept in
penal servitude for three years.
(Before Mr. Payne.)
John Kennedy, 18, was indicted for attempting
to steal a watch, the property of Thomas Shirley_
The prosecutor was in Hyde-park at the Garibaldi
meeting on Sunday the sth of October, and while
in a crowd he felt a tug at his watch. He looked
round and saw the prisoner with his watch in his
hand, but it was still attached to the guard-chain.
He gave the prisoner into custody.
The Jury found the prisoner guilty, and two for-
mer convictions being proved against him,
Mr. Payne sentenced him to be imprisoned and
kept to hard labour for two years.