The Sun.
London, England, 1869-07-26 00:00:00

THE FLYING MACHINE.

Is the Californian Flying Machine a failure ? The
American papers seem to fear it. They do not think that
the "Avitor," the San Francisco balloon, has yet solved
the problem of aerial navigation. This machine is a
balloon of the form of a very short and thick cigar, its
extreme length being about 37 feet, its height 10 feet, and
its width at the centre about 7 feet. A delicate frame-
work of light and strong wood passes longitudinally
around it, and serves to hold the guides for regulating its
movement in their places. To the frame at the hind part
of the carriage is attached a rudder or steering gear, which
is exactly the shape of the paper used in pin darts, four
plans at right angles. This, when raised or lowered, ele-
vates or depresses the head of the carriage when in motion;
and when turned from side to side, guides the carriage
as a rudder does a boat. The propelling power is a
small steam engine fixed in the bottom of the balloon.
But this engine is so small and delicate as to possess little
more power than an ordinary man. This is, in the opinion
of a San Francisco paper, the greatest defect in the
machine. "It is apparent that to give any velocity to
the balloon— relative to the air through which it travels
—the air in front must be removed and passed to its
rear, so that a bulk of its own size mu.t be moved by its
propellers in order to force it to move its own ler.gth. The
scale upon which the machinery is constructed is so very
trifling and inadequate to do this that its failure cannot
he a matter of surprise."

It seems that the balloon has undoubtedly been
guided through the air in calm weather, but anything
like a wind prevented it starting. On one occasion it made
a trial trip of a mile, parsuin,g a straight flight, and turn-
ing round in obedience to the rudder, but no attempt was
made to repeat the experiment in windy weather. Whether
the machine will ever be able to navigate through a gale
remains to be seen. The Americans claim that their
machine is the nearest approach to an aerial ship ever
made, and this much seems to be true.

POLITICAL FEELING IN THE SOUTH.

(From the Anglo-American Times.)

At the celebrated meeting at the Appomattox
Court House, between Grant and Lee, to arrange
the terms of the Confederate surrender, the two
commanders became the centre of a circle, composed
of Union and Confederate Generals, sufficiently
wide to be out of ear-shot of what the chiefs said.
While the Commanders for hours discussed their
important business, the Generals of Brigade and
Division and their Staff chatted to each other, and
the last scene of a gigantic civil war, fought to the
bitter end, thus wore the appearance of a pic-nic.
The one recognized a fair defeat in the tribunal to
which they had appealed, the other a gallant and
dangerous foe, and the triumphant end of a weary-
ing war. The tone was moderate on both sides,
and, considering the occasion, singularly free from
the bitterness of animosity. Old schoolfellows met;
old brother officers, and old friends, for the first
time for years. A Confederate brigadier even
approached Grant, whom he bad iormerly known
well, and congratulated him on having wound the
business up ! The feeling of the Union officers at
this meeting fairly represented that of the nation ;
and had not the pistol of an assassin twisted it into
another direction, it is generally supposed Presi-
dent Lincoln might have so used the sentiment as to
have reunite I the Bepublic in deed as well as in
word. While admitting that the bullet of Booth
was the most fatal ever fired in the United States,
it is impossible to predict what. the result would
have been had President Lincoln lived to carry out
his policy. Both sides were weary of a war it was
extermination to the South to prolong, and ruin to
the North. The former rejoiced iu the end of the
appeal it had chosen, even though ending in its own
discomfiture ; the latter was naturally delighted
iu its triumph, while perhaps touched with pity
for the sufferings, losses, and humiliation of its foe.
At such a time, generous men feel generously
incline], but these are only transient feelings super-
vening on a great episode, which vanish, leaving the
very difficulties to be surmounted which had caused
the war. An appeal to the sword settles the might
of a question, but not the right. When Southerners
rode an Anti-Slavery missionary in olden days on
a rail, or ducked him iu a pond, they did not alter
the man's opinions, although they might stop his ex-
pression of them. Neither did Southern defeat settle
the right of any of the questions for which the battle
was fought, and Southern sentiment was the same
after as before. What it did settle was the power
of the North to preserve the Union, to free the
slaves, and to make citizens of those thus emanci-
pated, in accordance with the method the Constitu-
tion had prescribed. Any one could foresee that
although the South no longer opposed these mea-
sures by the force of arms, a sullen opposition
would afterwards be experienced, which perhaps
would strengthen as the country began to revive.
It could not be supposed that a Southerner would
regard a negro office—holder with affection simply
because he had been whipped out of his determina-
tion not to regard him as anything but a slave. The
natural effect was indeed to make the African in
that capacity more hateful than before, as setting up
conspicuously the badge of South ern defeat and humi-
liation. Those who imagine that the satisfaction
felt on both sides at the close of the war could have
been engineered by skilful hands into a hearty re-
union know little of human nature. The South
was the same South after as before the war, which
only effected material changes all bitterly hos-
tile to Southern feeling, making the immediate re-
sult a more direct antagonism than ever. Doubt-
less generous legislation on the part of the vic-
tors might do much, as well as the working of
the new order of things on the rising generation,
but this could only be looked for in time, the
immediate influence rather increasing hostility.
Bydisfranchising those who had borne arms against
the Union, political power could be and was with-
drawn in a direct way from the men who had
striven for the " lost cause ;" but the really im-
portant question for the North ever since Lee's
surrender has been the sentiment instilled into the
rising generation, from whom such privileges could
not be withheld. It was possible, at least for a
time, to deprive the unrepentant rebels of political
power, but it was not possible to deprive their sons
of the ballot as they became of age, and the actuate
ing motive of these young men is growing every
day into a more serious question. Upwards of four
years have elapsed since the war closed, and the lads,
even the mere boys of that turbulent period, are now
reaching the stage of manhood in such n umbers that
the aspect of political affairs in the South is change
ing. Several of the leading newspapers have endea-
voured to ascertain what the real feeling is in these
States, as have also the Government, and full reports
have been given enunciating all shades of opinion.
However uniform opinion maybe, so secret and gene-
ral is organization, that it is not easy to get at the geit-
nine sentiment of the South if the people are deter-
mined to disguise it from prying Northern eyes. A
great man, travelling about the country, can only see
what the inhabitants show him. Commissioners
may be made to look through colouredspectacles fas-
tened over their eyes by the people, and even re-
porters find it impossible to get at the truth. The
weight of testimony, however, is not reassuring so far
as the rising generation is concerned ; and the bad
blood, although almost inevitable, is greatly to be de-
plored. '1 he election in Virginia is a proof that the
Southerners have adapted themselves to the changed
order of things with the intention of making the
most of it, but it is no proof that they have essen-
tially changed in sentiment. They are wise enough
to see that they would be playing the game of their
adversaries by obstinately refusing the reconstruc-
tion pror °sal by Congress, that they could never
by such a course hope to gain the control of their
States, whereas by taking what Congress givss
they might make better terms for themselves after
reconstruction. By adopting the proposed Consti-
tution they were enable I to throw out the disfran-
chising and prospective clauses, accepting negro
suffrage, that such of them as had been disfran-
chised might be remitted, whereby 15,000 white
voters were restored. By this means the whites
secure the control, and Virginia being assured of a
more stable Government, and the risk being lessened
of a clash between the races, immigration is encou-
raged, and material prosperity is likely rapidly to
increase. The same, though in alesser degree, is likely

to be the case with Mississippi and Texas when recon-

struction will be complete. The time approaches when
the genuine Southerner will again be heard in the
halls of. Congress and in the councils of the land, and
in view of this it is interesting to learn not only what
he thinks, but what political aid he is likely to get in
the Northern States. The Tribune's correspondent,
sent to the South expressly to report on the tone
of feeling, and the condition of the inhabitants, has
written a series of letters, the last a long one from
Atlanta, dated singularly enough June 1, the rea-
son for it being so old, we believe, is that it would
have been unsafe to publish letters, while the cor-
respondent was among the men of whom he wrote,
at least, so it was reported before the letters ap-
peared, the delay being asked for by himself. He
says that he had conversed with many intelligent
Southerners, who asserted that they remained as
good rebels as ever, and expected to die such.
AI hen war with England was talked of they spoke
with disdain of the idea that they would engage in
it. They knew what war was, and they did not
intend to fight for a Government which had op-
pressed them insupportably. He complained of the
cold politeness of business men towards him, of an
absent-mindedness, in cases amounting to ill-con•
cealed contempt and disdain. While considering
tt is manner injudicious, he accounted for it by the
terrible losses in fortune and friends that these gen-
tlemen had sustained. What seemed most to annoy
them was the appointment of negro legislators and
postmasters, men who could not read being en-
trusted with letters, some having money enclosures,
many mistakes being made, to the great inconveni-
ence of the community. When the correspondent de-
sired to discuss farming, politics would be thrust on
him, and the Government abused without reserve.
He was asked how Northern men would feel if treated
in the same way. Generally the desire was ex-
pressed to be left alone ; that they wanted neither
Northern capital, settlers, nor legislation. Others,
however, entertained the reverse opinion, inviting the
immigration of Northernmen. It is evident the rela-
tion with the negro will rather grow than diminish
in difficulty, but the fact should not be overlooked
that the Georgian negro, of whom the correspon-
dent mainly wrote, is not a fair sample, that a large
proportion of those who live on the low land bor-
dering on the coast are of a very degraded type,
and though perhaps true of them that they make the
worst servants and the greatest thieves, it might not
be, and is not true generally, of the coloured people
elsewhere. The opinion of the correspondent evidently
is that the Southerners will never tolerate an equality.
They can sympathise with the blacks and treat them
well, but by no legislation can an equality be esta-
blished. It was a sad day, says the correspondent,
when no more whipping could be done, for the
coloured women have set up to do what they please,
and the only remedy now is to reconstruct on an
entirely new basis. " But for all these difficulties,
and for all the barbarities and horrors herein related,
as well as much more, there are, I think, remedies,
and the great problems of the negro race can be
solved, as I shall attempt to show iu the concluding
letter of thisseriesunder the title of The Black Belt.'"
It is evident that Congress has been played out,
and that the relations between the races will de-
pend on those races themselves, together with the
moral influence Northern opinion can bring to
bear. But the failure must be acknowledged of the
attempt to transfer by proclam ttiou a community
of slaves into one of free and enlightened ci izens,
which can be done only by time and teachable
qualities in the negro, wbo will have to trust to
himself for a future position, which must mainly
hinge on his own power of organization and the
use he makes of the machinery given to him by
Congress. It is now more than probable that the
Democratic party, aided by a reconstructed South,
and freed from the incubus of Andrew Johnson,
will jeopardise Republican supremacy, and it will be
interesting to watch the spirit the genuine Sout

eruer will manifest on re-entering the political stage
let us hope if a sadder also a wiser man.

MONEY AND BUSINESS.

(From the Springfield Republican, July 10.)
The two national anniversaries (for the fiscal New
Year's-day promise to become a formidable rival to the
Glorious Fourth in securing public attention) have added
another derangement to the complicated course of mone-
tary affairs during the week. The debt statement showed
for the month of June a diminution of the national liabili-
ties, over its cash assets, of $16,410,132 and a decrease for
the last quarter of $36,460,779. It will be noticed that the
reduction of the debt for June exceeds by about $7,000,000
the average monthly reduction of the preceding three
months. This extraordinary and gratifying exhibit is due
to the fact that the currency balance in the Treasury,
July 1, amounted to the unprecedented sum of $37,097,819.
The currency balances on hand at the beginning of the
preceding mouths were as follows:—June 1, $19,984,555
May 1, $7,896,564 ; April 1, $6,802,628. Thus it is
seen that the amount on hand at the beginning of
July was more than equal to the amount of the preceding
month since the advent of the new Administration.
While all will rejoice that the Government has at hand
so much ready money, it cannot but be regretted that
that money was so seriously needed at the same time
in the business circles of the country, especially of
New York. The telegraph informs us that Secretary
Boutwell himself was surprised at finding the Govern-
ment so flush, and that he was so is further evidenced by
his change of policy in regard to the buying up of Go-
vernment Securities—not change of policy, but change
of the degree to which he propcses for the present to
enforce his policy. For it will be remembered that only a
few days ago he proposed to purchase a million of Govern-
ment Securities fortnightly instead of weekly, but after the
debt statement he issued special instructions for the im-
mediate purchase of $3,000,000 on Saturday of last week,
and now he has issued a similar order for this week. He
is said to have expressed the hope that he should be able
to redeem $75,000,000 of bonds during his first year in-
stead of $25,000,000 as at first proposed. These movements
have afforded an excellent opportunity for the Wall-street
cliques to depress money, bear stocks, and then hold fo
the rise. As reported last week to the disappointment of
the operators, prices, except in particular cases, did not
go down as money wont up, though the week ending
July 3 is likely to be remembered for many years as the
stringent week. Those who have bought stocks at low
rates in expectation of selling them at an advance
have had their profits seriously curtailed by the rates
of interest they have had to pay meantime. By the
first three million sale on Saturday (at which $5,000,000
were offered, and in accordance with instructions,
only $3,000,000 taken) the market seems to have been
eased but slightly, the disbursement; had been so com-
pletely anticipated. On Tuesday, after the holiday, money
continued tense, tightening up at the close of the day to
3-16 to fof one per cent. per diem for call loans. Many
old brokers, who had hitherto refused to charge the ex-
treme street rates, at this hour seem to have succumbed to
the continued pressure, and notified their customers that
they were compelled to raise their prices or demand the
Payment of their due-bills. Some of the bulls, too, that
up to this moment had hung to their cheaply purchased
stocks, waiting for an advance with a patience truly
bovine, were now forced to let 'em slide. At Boston the
Banks were seriously cramped by their efforts to boost their
customers over the crisis. On Wednesday the rumour of
another three million purchase of bonds obtained currency
on Wall-street; money at once fell to 7 per cent. per annum,
amid an excitement that showed the expediency of a more
regular system of operations on the part of Mr Bout-
well. It is useless to expect, however, that a strin-
gency of so long standing is to be dispelled by the
change of a few millions of bonds into greenbacks. That
much of the money usually centreing at New York has
gone South is doubtless both true and gratifying. if this
rarification of the monetary atmosphere, by expansion over
a larger surface, produces a little excited breathing at New
York and other points, it is not to ha wondered at. Nei-
ther must it be supposed that there is therefore not money
enough in the country to perform tie ordinary, or indeed
any extraordinary, exchange work. The money that,
under the favourable auspices of Gen. Grant's administra-
tion, has gone South or elsewhere, and been invested in
business, will in duo time be multiplied and returned. As
far as the volume of currency is concerned, everybody is
i
glad to see Secretary Boutwell steadily contracting t ;
and by this policy he is winning not only new laurels from
those who knew him before, but words of tardy but sincere
commendation from his former detractors. By neglecting,
as he legally may, to issue new notes for the worn-out legal
tenders and fractional currency returned to the depart-
ment, and by reducing the three per cent. certificates, he
has actually contracted the currency $9,833,399 less
than it was four montns ago. This is a simple method of
doing it, and is susceptible of being carried to astill greater
extent without detriment to the business interests of
the country, judging from the present experiment. The
money market on the Pacific slope, where, in spite of their
boasted and boast-worthy bullion currency, they have
been having a little monetary pinch, is easier, and business
in San Francisco is looking up decidedly. The wealth
and sinew of the east is pouring through the Golden Gate,
one steamship alone recently bringing from China and
Japan 1,300 passengers and 1,500 tons of tea, coffee, and
spices. Governments have been steady during the week,
though very little has been doing in this class of business.
At home, with our faith in the entire payment of the debt,
the favourable character of the July exhibit did not very
much increase the previous general confidence in these