The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MURSDAY EVENING, MAY 24, 1866.

office is nt ) doubt a matter of substantial regret.
STEPHENS is staying at one of the large hotels
in New Yo rk, entertaining great numbers of visitors
and being the hero of the hour. He has commenced
his labours AS peace-maker, by declaring that if the
Fenians in America will only cease their disputes
and dissensions they can be fighting the British in
Ireland itsef within a twelvemonth. It is rumoured
that under his influence the contending factions are
becoming reconciled, principally because he has
assumed. the recognised headship, and there is
therefore less room for the rivalry and jealousy
which has been the ruin of the cause. There is
happily not much fear of their being able
to do any serious mischief, although they
have unfortunately an unusual opportunity for
stirring up angry feelings between the populations
on the borders owing to the termination of the
Reciprocity Treaty, and the consequent mutua
suspicion regarding the fisheries. KILLIAN has
issued a circular respecting the failure of the East-
port expedition, which he declares to be only tem-
porary, and he takes credit for the scheme, for having
increased the existing complications, brought the
British fleet within 100 yards of the American
forts, and agitated the fishery question. The
Eastport affair, however, unluckily for the
sagacity of KILLIAN and his co-opera-
tors, has served to strengthen rather than
weaken the good understanding between the two
Governments. The promptitude and decision of
the American authorities has not only been gratify-
ing to the British and Colonial Governments as
evidence of their goodwill and sincerity, but it has
tended to prevent collisions on the fishing grounds
by the presence of the American ships at the
spot. KILLIAN seems to pride himself on the effect
which the Fenian demonstrations have had in
encouraging the Confederation scheme which he
appears to consider an affront to the States. This
is another mistake, since the movement is entirely
independent of the States, although in every sense
it will prove a protection and an advantage to the
colonists. The Americans are determined to pre-
vent, if possible, any breach of neutrality, since,
upon the rumour of a Fenian organisation at
Buffalo, General MEADE has been ordered to proceed
there. The steamer Wentworth, which was cap-
tured by Fenians, was restored in a few hours, unin-
jured, to the Captain, so that there is a lull in the
affairs generally. It is a troublesome and
mischievous conspiracy, and its partial resuscita-
tion under the guidance of STEPHENS is much
to be regretted on account of the Irish in America,
who will, we may suppose, be duped out of more
money, and entangled in further plots and intrigues,
all under the most specious pretences—the real
object being to perpetuate the enjoyment of pre-
tentious authority and of public subscriptions by
the chiefs of various degrees. Certainly whatever
other improvements we have made in the nineteenth
century, the age of dupes is not yet over.

We learn in the American domestic
news that the grand jury of the Federal circuit
Court of Norfolk has indicted Mr. DAVIS for
treason. The Court has adjourned until the first
week in June, when it meets at Richmond. The
long-deferred case will therefore come up for con-
sideration, and some means must be devised for
getting out of the dilemma, unless the United
States intend to degrade themselves in the eyes
of Europe, and establish a lasting quarrel with
the people of the South. It is possible that the
PRESIDENT may allow the trial to proceed to a con-
viction, and then exercise his prerogative of pardon.
We cannot believe that Mr. JOHNSON can seriously
contemplate the infliction of any penalty upon his
unfortunate rival. Such an act would be contrary
to the whole spirit of his wise and conciliatory '
policy towards the Southern States, and would undo
the whole of the work already done towards the
pacification of the people. Disaffection and indig-
nation would be excited not only in the ex-Con-
federate States, but in the North itself. No wise
or moderate man, whatever his opinion of the lega-
lity of the war, can fail to recognise that JEF-
FERSON DAVIS'S position was perfectly justifiable
under the circumstances of the time. Believing as
he did in the right of the South to secede, he was
elected to the cares and responsibilities of the Pre-
sidency, and in the discharge of his onerous duties,
the
was onlythat fault
at hs a t
toocould
ebrea
t e foundtoo
wcoitnhcihliiastocoryn,autocot
constitutional. He maintained the independence of
the South, indeed, unflinchingly, but he kept so
strictly to constitutional law that he shrank from
interfering with those who were active against him.
He allowed Senator FOOTE to pass from South to
North, and permitted open opposition to his authority
both in press and Senate. JEFFERSON DAVIS would,
no doubt, have made an admirable President in
time of peace, but it needed a man more of the stamp
of ANDREW JOHNSON himself to guide the vessel of
the Confederacy through the storm, and to guard
it against the dangers of internal jealousy and trea-
chery, as well as open enmity. Friend and foe alike
bore testimony to the magnanimity, the humanity,
and the courtesy of. Mr. DAVIS in a position of
great temptation as well as of much trial. No man
less deserved to suffer for the misfortunes of his
country, and since the North as well as the South
was fully capable of appreciating his many admir-
able qualities, we can hardly doubt that the life and
liberty of JEFFERSON DAVIS are in safe hands.

AMATEUR THEATRICALS.—An evening or two
ago a very admirable amateur performance was given at
the Queen's Concert-room, Hanover-square, which deserves
a passing notice. The play selected was Sir E. B. Lytton's
" Lady of Lyons," the part of the proud yet loving lady
being sustained by Miss Aylmer Blake, that of Madame
Deschappells by Miss Agnes Sullivan, and the Widow
Melnotte by Mrs. Legh Ward. Each lady supported her
respective part with so much ability that a single word of
praise would be invidious. The part of Claude was very
carefully given by Mr. Searle, and Mr. Martin and Mr.
Tucker made excellent representatives of Beausant and
Damas. Tho piece was very nicely mounted.
EXECUTION AT PERTH FOR MURDER.—On Tues-
day morning Joseph Bell was executed at Perth for
the murder of Alexander M'Ewan, a baker, at Blairgowrie.
The latter was shot on the highwayand robbed; the crime
was traced to Bell by clear circumstantial evidence. From
the first he protested his innocence of the crime, and
showed great indifference as to his position. Immediately
before the execution the culprit joined in the devotional
services ; and at their close Lord Provost Kemp asked if
he had anything to say, and warned him of the sin of dying
with a lie on his lips. The prisoner, who had been seated
during the proceedings, rose to his feet, and, erecting his
body, said -" Oh, God ; Thou knowest what I am going
to say. I swear by Almighty God, and as I shall
answer to God at the great day of judgment, that I
will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth. Gentlemen, I am as innocent of this
murder as the child unborn. I have no idea who
did it. It was not me as did it, so for that reason I
am as innocent as a child unborn." After a short pause lie
said,-111 am
kindness greatly indebted to the ministers for their
par-
tookHheatnhdesnv,_ith
of
to me. I die
glass of wine, aanfteinrnwocheinclti hmeansh2o'ok
the clergymen, the governor, the doctor of the prison, and
bade them farewell. The procession to the scaffold was
then formed, the prisoner seeming to be the coolest person
present. Arrived at the scaffold, the prisoner ascended
the steps and took his stand under the beam, at the same
time carefully scanning the crowd, and the apparatus
which was to hurl him into eternity. Calcraft lost no time
in pulling the cap over the prisoner's face and adjusting
the rope round his neck, and the drop fell. The unfortu-
nate man evidently died without the slightest struggle.
The crowd present at the execution did not number over
2,000 person s. —Scotsman.
THE CONVICT CHARLOTTE WINSOR.—A condi-
tional pardon has just been received by Mr. Chitty, the
clerk of assize for the Western Circuit, for Charlotte Win-
sor, who was condemned for child murder in July last, at
Exeter. The sentence of death is commuted to penal ser-
• valid, for life.