The Sun.
London, England, 1865-11-20 00:00:00

of Mr. G. W. GORDON. It appeared from

many things which transpired that this
individual was not only mixed up in the

matter, but " was himself, through his own misre-
presentations and seditious language addressed to
the ignorant black people, the chief cause and
origin of the whole rebellion." It became impera-
tively necessary, therefore, to decide at once on the
policy to be adopted with respect to this man, and
all must acknowledge that he has met with his
deserts. Nothing but stern decision and severe
rendering of justice can avail at such a crisis as the
one referred to, and the offended majesty of the
law must be vindicated in every possible manner.
It was stated by many persons that if Mr. GORDON
were dealt hardly by a general outbreak would be
the consequence ; but Government very wisely con-
sidered that it was right and fitting, since the poor
men who had b een misled suffered condign punishment
that the chief instigator should not escape. "I at
once took upon myself the responsibility of his
capture," writes he, and he deserves great credit for
so doing. The Governor thinks that a great part
of the evil is due to the letter of Dr. UNDER-
HILL, and to the meetings which were held
in consequence of that letter. The people were
told that " they were tyrannised over and ill-
treated, were overtaxed, were denied political
rights, had no just tribunals, were misrepresented
to her Majesty's Government by the authorities and
planters," and exciting and seditious language was
constantly used; and, finally, the people were " told
plainly to right themselves, to be up and doing, to
put their shoulders to the wheel, to do as the
Haytians had done, and other similar advice."
It is indeed not to be wondered at that under such
sinister influences these ignorant men should have
been misled, but no language can be too severe
which censures their instigators. They were guilty
of the crime of murder in its most revolting form
and under the most cowardly attributes, for nothing
is so base or contemptible as to incite others to the
commission of deeds of violence and outrages at
which humanity shudders. General EYRE mentions
those to whose agency and influence he attributes
the baneful course that has been pursued, and they
comprise members of the Baptist persuasion and
political demagogues, who, having "no character
or property to lose, make a trade of exciting the ig-
norant people," a few persons of education,
who find it to be their interest to ac-
quire an influence over the black people by
stimulating their evil passions, some Baptist mis-
sionaries, and, lastly, a section of the press which
" disseminates seditious doctrines and endeavours
to bring into contempt the representative of the
SOVEREIGN and all constituted authority." The
General adds, that while it is his duty to point out
" how mischievous has been the influence of a few
of the Baptist ministers, or of various members of
that persuasion, it is equally his duty and a pleasure
to have to state that he belieVes the large majority
of the Baptist ministers have been most anxious to
support the authorities and to teach their people
to be loyal and industrious." There is great truth
in the remarks made in that passage of
the despatch which alludes to the " just severity"
which has been exercised as a " merciful substitute
for the much larger measure of punishment which
would have had to be executed had the rebellion
been allowed time to gather head and extend itself."
There can be no greater mistake made in such cases
than for the authorities to pursue a timorous course,
and, in the present state of affairs in Jamaica,
nothing but the adoption of the most vigorous mea-
sures are likely to prevent further trouble and
future sufferings for all parties. If anything
could add to the iniquity of the conduct
of these insurrectionists, it would be the
consideration of the needlessness of their
discontent, and the utter groundlessness of their
complaints. The blame chiefly rests with those who
incited the blacks, but nothing can exculpate them
for giving heed to the seditious doctrines that were
broached to them. It is greatly to be regretted that
any one in this country should have gone so far as to
I palliate the crimes committed by the insurrec-
tionists in Jamaica, and to declare that it is all
owing to their mismanagement. In the first place,
that would be no excuse for crime ; and, secondly,
the argument is untenable, because in reality the
negro in that island is in many respects a most fortu-
nate individual, and possesses many advantages which
the inhabitants of this country in the lower ranks
do not enjoy. The Colonial Government will have
a difficult task before them, but if they display
firmness, judgment, and moderation where
possible, there will be no doubt as to the
result ; and it is to be hoped that the sum-
mary justice which has overtaken the ring-
leaders will be a warning to the negroes, and there
will be no further appearance of the insurrectionary
tendencies which have occasioned so much disaster,
but which have, fortunately, been checked more
speedily than we had reason to expect, judging of
the extent of the evil.

The Africa, from Boston, brings us news from
New-York up to the 9th inst. It seems that active
efforts are being made on behalf of JEFFERSON
DAVIS, a sign that the violence and animosity of
the first days of peace have died out among the
great body of the people. The advocates of the
illustrious prisoner think that there is ground for
hope both in the known clemency of the Presi-
dent and the improved temper of the Northern
public generally. The Georgia Convention and the
Mississippi Legislature have alike petitoned the PRE-
SIDENT for pardon on his behalf, -while a
deputation of Baltimore ladies have obtained
an interview with Mr. JOHNSON to ask for
the Executive clemency for JEFFERSON
DAVIS. Coming from a city of such importance,
and one, too, which cannot be regarded as exclu-
sively Southern in its position or character, the de-
putation is not unimportant. The President, in his
reply, said that he regretted the national character
of the question restrained all private sympathy
which he might feel, and he added that arrange-
ments were concluded for the early legal trial of
Mr. DAVIS. We must hope that when this form
has been gone through, and the President has made
what he appears to consider a necessary concession
to the will
anti-Southerners, he be
able to
indulge what we may regard as his
own
e
inclination, and, by a gracious exercise of
the Presidential prerogative, release one of
most eminent as he is certainly one of the most
high-minded and magnanimous of the victims of
the civil war.

It seems that the Fenians have adjourned
mdjouornntehds, sethesir-
" Senate" in New York after a w
sion, and the reports of the Fenian excitement
menTt
'The
Canada are said to have been exaggerated.
Toronto papers, indeed, treat the movement alto-
gether with derision, though the Orangemen are
alining to resist them. The Republicans have ob-
tained a decided majority in New Jersey, while in
New York, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Min-
nesota, the Republic State Ticket has been elected.
The ratification of the constitutional amendment
is considered certain in New Jersey, but in
Mississippi there have been conflicts between the
whites and the negroes. It is to be hoped that
great vigilance will be exercised by those in autho-
rity in the various Southern States, lest the .itina-