The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-02 00:00:00

published from prisoners on both sides, but it is
noticeable that of those which have appeared in
the English journals the prisoners in the Northern
States denounce the severity of their treatment,
while the ex-inmates of Southern prisons declare
the treatment they received to be considerate and
humane, and as good As it was in the power of their
captors to give. Under these circumstances it is
rather an outrage upon common sense, as well
as a breach of military good faith, for a Southern
official to be brought under trial on a charge of
ill-using and murdering Federal prisoners. Yet
such is the case. Captain \VIRz, ex-commandant
of the Confederate military prison FA Anderson-
ville, Georgia, has been tried before a military
Commission at Washington accused of a conspiracy
with Gen. LEE, Secretary SEDDON, and other offi-
cials, to destroy the prisoners under his charge by
shooting, starvation, and barbarous treatment.
Captain Wira denies the charge, and, besides, takes
just exception to his arraignment, since he was in-
cluded in the terms agreed upon between SHERMAN
and JOHNSTON. What the result of the trial may
be is as yet uncertain ; but it is evident that no Con-
federate can think himself safe whatever guarantee
he may have received or whatever treaty has been
made with him. General LEE himself has been
more than once threatened, and can hardly hold
himself secure. The most frivolous pretext will
serve for an arrest, and when once in the hands of
the Northern officials, it is not easy to escape. The
idea of a Northern military commission sitting in
judgment on an officer on the charge of shooting
prisoners, when it is well known to what an extent
the practice was carried on in the North, would be
ludicrous if the subject were not too tragical. Such
proceedings are not likely to ameliorate the bitter-
ness of Southern defeat or encourage harmony and
unity between the rival States.

The Conservatives seem determined to show their
opponents that their courage is not abated, nor their
hopes dimmed. They have banquets and reunions
continually, while it is to be observed that the
Liberals maintain a significant silence, perhaps
thinking that the least said the soonest mended.
In the Isle of Wight, on Wednesday last, a grand
banquet took place in honour of the Rev. AUBERON
HERBERT, brother of the Earl of CARNARVON. Mr.
HERBERT was defeated in his contest at the last
election, but those who had endeavoured to secinze
his return entertained him at the festival above
alluded to. The toast of the evening was received
with great applause, and the speech of the hon.
gentleman was very successful. He commented
upon the general results of the election, and de-
clared that in this country such a contest was
worthy of notice. This is strictly true, for, what-
ever may be the excitement of those who are en-
thusiastic concerning universal suffrage, it is an
undoubted fact that there is more real straightfor-
wardness in the declaration of opinion in England
than anywhere else. This definition is exceedingly
good, for it displays the true meaning of the affair
which engages so many thoughts, and arouses so
many conflicting interests.
They saw a great piece of constitutional machinery
put in motion when an appeal was made to thepeople
of England, which was the guarantee of our liberties
and the result of all our constitutional efforts. It
is, in truth, a grand idea in the abstract, of
the House being dissolved and a new Parliament
elected, which in its turn is to represent to the
world the feelings and sentiments of Englishmen.
Rightly regarded, and apart from all the clamour
of the strife and the pettiness of small interests, a
general election is a great and grand work, mighty
in its consequences, and potent in its influence, im-
portant for thepresent, but still more so for the future.
The responsibility of choosing fit men to represent
the constituencies is rendered tenfold more deep by
the chances that exist of the most momentous events
occurring before the newly elected member may be
called upon to render up an account of his steward-
ship. Mr. HERBERT remarked that it was the fact of
Englishmen being thus compelled to form their
opinions upon the most important questions of the
day that made us form so high opinion of the Con-
stitution of our country. Still, as he went on to say,
we should guard against an over estimation of our
merits, and not suffer ourselves to forget our short-
comings. Some public speakers have a way, indeed,
of putting all things in the coleur de rose form, and
when they address public assemblies, and appear at
meetings of their constituents, and other places of
note, they ignore all that is of a doubtful nature,
and only choose the best and brightest subjects upon
which to descant. The adoption of such a course
may be very successful so far as effect goes, but the
real object of public speaking is not thus answered.
The discourses of members of Parliament should
analyse as well as merely sum up an epitome of
passing events, and no greater mistake can be made
than to presume upon advantages. A good illus-
tration of the manner in which people deceive them-
selves and others was given in this speech by the
relation of an anecdote of a Russian Empress, who
wished to see the state of the country. Her Minis-
ters, not liking her to know the truth of the matter,
concealed the effects of their misrule and neglect by
placing in her road villages made of paint
and pasteboard, which represented a happy,
smiling peasantry, in prosperous circumstances.
Such forms an apt definition of the way in which
some people contrive to mystify things to meet their
purpose. Mr. HERBERT wisely endeavours to take

a calm and deliberate survey of public affairs, and
to regard political life in its true aspect and highest
sense. He spoke out very earnestly as to the im-

portance of maintaining a due regard for "public
duty." This sentiment should be the prevailing
one in the minds of all if they wish for true great-
ness, and still more for enduring excellence. It is

unhappily a distinguishing characteristic of our

present time that so little allusion is made to

high principle in the speeches and writings of
the day. We hear and see a great deal
of power is gained by this device and divisions car-

ried by that influence, but the tone of our political
life has been lowered, and it is too often the end

and not the means that is regarded. It is really
refreshing to meet with a discourse like this before
us, in which the aims are lofty and the arguments
comprehensive, while clap-trap is put aside for
plain statements, and no meretricious semblance
imparted to the appearance of things. In these
commercial days of enterprise it is often found that
sufficient regard is not paid to the important duty
of electors, and, as Mr. lIERBERT forcibly puts it,
when we find out of a constituency of twenty-one
thousand that only ten thousand poll, it must
be evident that very great apathy prevails.
Public spirit is not so potent nowadays as it should
be. Happily we do not now require its exercise to