The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-25 00:00:00

/ice

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PRICE 411. STAMPED, SD.

armament, to tell the House how it was getting on.
He replied, that they had already adopted the first
and more general articles of themeasure, but they
had to wait for some statisticalinformation, which
the Minister of the Interior would supply.

JEFFERSON DAVIS' LATEST PRociA.
11.,17IO,V.—CHANGLYG HIS ZONE.

-- a
Before the rebellious war, which now threatens
with its sanguinary waves to sweep over the most
favoured portion of the American continent, was
fairly commenced, the instigators of the treason
were glorying over the golden prospects which
seemed to spread out like a map before them.
Nothing so easy as to suLdue the most influential
States of the North by their chivalrous blandish-
ments or their superior military tactics. Washing-
ton would fall into their hands without a struggle,
and New York eagerly rush to their embrace. In•
deed, some of the Northern cities were supposed to
be so anxious to be encircled by the protecting
arms of Jeff. Davis and his crew—that they were
almost ready to rush over the territorial barriers
that nature had cruelly interposed between them
and their kind patrons. Poor New England, with
her hives of industrious, free-thinking people, would
never be permitted to enjoy the blessings that
waited to pour themselves into the lap of the "New
Confederacy." It was a vision of more than Utopian
splendour that these magnificent worthies had con-
jured up. But, behold the change that has come
over the spirit of their dream ! From expectations
of, an easy conquest and a ready recognition .of
their usurped authority, Mr. Jeff. Davis, in his
latest message to the " Provisional Congress of the
C. S. A." proclaims that they seek " no conquest,
no aggrandisement." " All that we ask," says this
new disciple of peace, " is to be let alone." Having
failed in their grand hopes of winning over,
by alternate threats and intrigues, the wealth
and industry, and enterprise of the Middle and
Western States, all that this conscientious
and chivalrous gentleman requires is to be
left to enjoy in peace and solitude the plunder that
he and his precious compeers have stolen from the
mints and arsenals of the Federal Government. So
says the assassin who thrusts himself into your
house, depletes your money-chest and despoils your
wardrobe. All that he asks for is to retire peaceably
with his booty. Give him your treasure quietly
and without resistance, and he will magnanimously
spare your life.
In this spirit the new lights of which the Missis-
sippi repudiator is the focus, cry out lustily " to be
let alone." But the guardians of the public—the
police, the constable, and the magistrate—have
little respect for the complaints of the one, and it
is to be hoped that President Lincoln and his I
advisers will have as little regard for the protests
of tke other. It is only by the restoration of every
fort, arsenal, mint, navy-yard, gun and every other
spot, piece, or parcel of Federal property that has
been illegally taken possession of, that the United
States can ever keep their place among the great
nations of the world. Not for the mere purpose of
displaying strength, and vigour, and power, would
such a course be commendable, but for the sake of
establishing once and for ever the most liberal of
Governments upon a firm foundation. If the com-
munities calling themselves the " Confederate
States" choose to deliver up the spoils which they
have piratically seized, so truth the better for them,
but if they prefer to hold on to property of which
they are no more the rightful owners than England
is of the Danube or Cherbourg, then sufficient force
should be applied to repossess the Government in all
their rightful heritage. When this shall have been
accomplished—and accomplished it will and must be,
either peaceably or by the strong arm of power—it
will be soon enough to begin to speak of " amicable
and friendly relations" with the turbulent States.
To hold parley with a band of rebels would be not
only beneath the dignity, but beneath the power of
the United States Government. It is utterly impos-
sible for them "to let" the usuipers " alone." Had
South Carolina and her followers sought a dissolu-
tion of the ties which hold them to the other States
in a just and honourable manner, instead of preci-
pitating the country into a suicidal warfare—had
the will of the people, expressed without undue in-
terference, pronounced in favour of the dissolution,
we believe that the spirit upon which the Republic
is founded would have acquiesced in the demand.
The high-handed outrages which have been
perpetrated at Charleston, at Baton Rouge,
at Fort Brown, at Harper's Ferry, and at.
Norfolk, have greatly exasperated the loyal
people of the North, but we believe that
they would even overlook all these offences, pro-
vided the rightful owners were again placed in
pacific possession. We believe that they would even
go so far as to forgive the men who have betrayed
the country that has nourished, protected, and "en-
riched them. But until restitution is made no such
response as Mr. Davis desires will be made to his
prayer " to be let alone."—Zhe London American.