The Sun.
London, England, 1866-10-06 00:00:00

ing a peaceful country. They are prepared to
sacrifice the very objects for which blood and
treasure were so freely spetit, and to assert
their political sagacity and fidelity by outraging the
fundamental principles of the constitution. They
can hardly seriously believe that the South will ever
agree to their Congressional amendment, which
would compel them to surrender those State rights,
so dear to every American, upon which the old poli-
tical superstructure is built up. It would be as likely
that Englishmen all through the country would
relinquish their cherished rights of local self-govern-
ment, abandoning all rule and authority into the
hands of a central power. But Englishmen in such
a case would at least know that whatever the dangers
of the future, at least the direction of affairs was in
the hands of countrymen, whose interests and sen-
timents were identical with their own, but the
Southerner under similar circumstances would know
that he was resigning himself into the hands of
avowed and unscrupulous enemies. The form of
representation might be Indeed allowed him, but
that would be utterly valueless, as the negroes
would have an equal suffrage with the whites, and
in their present unsettled, excitable, and unedu-
cated condition their votes would be easily com-
manded by those who could most readily inflame
their imaginations, or gratify their wish to
live at other people's expense rather than by their
own labour. The men who have fought under
LEE, who have carried on a war of gigantic dimen-
sions during four eventful years, who have sup-
ported a constitutional form of government, which,
in spite of all obstacles, worked as well as the
old regime are not likely to commit such an act of
Lational suicide as to subscribe to the Radical
formula. Mr. JOIINSON is happily not the
man to demand it from them. He would
no doubt prefer the loss of his present
dignity and influence to the abandonment of that
wise and conciliatory policy upon which he prides
himself. In the one case he would retain an
honourable name, while in the other he would forfeit
his political influence and character without gaining
any corresponding advantage. It is said that Mr.
JOHNSON, when urged by his colleagues to take the
course recommended, replied that ho could neither
be influenced nor intimidated by personal con-
siderations. He believed his policy to be sound,
but should cease contending for it if he be-
came satisfied that the interests of the country
demanded that he should do so. We may accept
the whole of this intelligence with reserve, seeing
the channel through which it comes, but it is quite
certain that Mr. JOHNSON has enough to contend
against. Nothing but firmness and disinterested-
ness will carry him through the struggle. If he
yields to the advocates of expediency, or listens to
the cajolleries of doubtful allies, or the threats of
poltical antagonists, he is lost, and the hopes of
America are lost with him, because it is simply im-
possible that the Northern States should rule the
South like a conquered country. In spite of the
immense preponderance of wealth, of population,
of all the materials for war and for Government on
the side of the Northern States, no one who looks
at the map of America and contemplates the vast ex-
tent of territory which stretches from Virginia to
Texas, from Florida to Tennessee, can for a moment
suppose it could be held as the Russians hold Po-
land, as the Austrians held Venetia and Lombardy.
The task would be stupendous for a despotic
country, with all the appliances of an armed
despotism. It would be immeasurably beyond
the powers of any free and constitutionally
governed country, such as America, which, with all
her political vagaries, still claims to be. It is a
momentous question which the people of the States
have to settle, and the interests of civilisation,
which, as Lord STANLEY justly said, are so closely
affected by the destinies of England and America,
will be influenced by their decision. In this coun-
try we are watching the crisis with the deepest in-
terest, not unmixed with anxiety, since, in the
passion and excitement of the moment, we are some-
times apprehensive that our kinsfolk may lose sight
of the vital interests involved. The issue is not a mere
question of policy such as the difference between
our Whigs and Tories ; it is not between the con-
flicting claims of individual statesmen or even par-
ties; it is not whether ANDREW JOHNSON or THAD-
DEUS STEVENS shall rule at the White House. It
is between peaca and war, between an organised
Government and a revolutionary chaos ; between a
great, free, and prosperous nation and a dismem-
bered body of States whose territorial extent will
be only a source of weakness, whose national strength
only gives rigour to their discord. The interests,
like the sympathies, of England are all in favour of
the peace and prosperity of the United States ; but
if they are to remain united, much more if they are
to be free, powerful, and contented, it must be by
upholding the doctrines of WASHINGTON and JEF

FERSON, not by following the self-seeking theories
of THADDEUS STEVENS and WENDELL PHILLIPS.

A meeting of the committee of the EYRE Defence
and Aid Fund was held on Wednesday last at
Waterloo-place, and it is satisfactory to find that
from all the accounts received and the statements
made the undertaking seems to be prospering as
much as its best friends could wish. A letter was
read from Sir RODERICK MURCHISON, in which he
regetted his inability to attend, and sent his sub-
scription ; adding also that he hoped the fund would
increase so much that they might hand over to the
distinguished ex-Governor " a testimonial worthy
of the man who saved a great British colony."
It was resolved that the Earl of SHREWSBURY should
be requested to accept the position of president,
and that Sir. R. MURCIIISON and THOMAS CARLYLE
should be asked to act as vice-presidents. Mr.
CARLYLE, being present, at once acceded to the re-
quest. An interesting statement was made by Mr.
H. 1-11:31E, the honorary secretary, concerning the
various steps which had been taken, and the suc-
cess which the committee had mot with since the
last meeting.
The Secretary has been most assi-
duous in his efforts to perrkominot
all
thel d
ior
ebcj et
icotn
si.n view
many provincial papers has
aapnpdeatlo he
ma
areiro u squarters,already r andme
formed,
suchat
extendde ttohethew
b e e n
committeesvery
successfula
and in-
re
fermii ne
gv,
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taila p Ipalcaeese.s
The Working
cited, and many others
hAalvreeadbyeensome important
Men's Association at Bradford
are repeated, to be added to thei
list. '1
forwarded an
address to Mr. EYRE, and that of Leedsossihl e intend t o
follow their example. In every p.
public feeling throughout the coun ,
IthmE has endeavoured to ascertain
trthye
astoadte
woef
hope by their next meeting that he will be
able to
Put' before the committee a satisfactory
A letter
response to the appeals he has made.
was received from the Bishop of Jamaica, in
reply to an application made to him to give
the committee information, and some interesting
passages were read. The most important was that
in which the writer declared that he " firmly be-
lieved that the speedy suppression of the murderous
insurrection iu Jamaica was attributable, under
GOD'S providence, to the promptitude, courage, and
judgment with which Mr. EYRE acted under cir-
cumstances of peculiar difficulty and danger." This
is indeed an exposition of the feeling generally felt
throughout the Wand by all who Were witnesses of