The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-31 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 1857.

The nation is at length beginning to recover
from the shock sustained by the arrival of the
overland mail, and the confirmation of the sad
apprehensions entertained respecting the fate of
Cawnpore, with its garrison, and the numerous
fugitives who had taken refuge under what was
vainly supposed to be the sure protection of
General WHEELER. But terrible as was the intel-
ligence, it has only created an unbending resolu-
tion to lnaintain the honour of the British arms,
at any sacrifice, and to inflict exemplary punish-
ment on the bloodthirsty miscreants who had per-
petratedthe most fearful series of atrocities recorded
in history. There can be no compromise—no
peaceful settlement of the question. There must
be ample retribution. The mutineers who have
imbrued their hands in the blood of their too in-
dulgent officers, as well as all who have partici-
pated in the horrible atrocities perpetrated on
non-combatants, women and children, fight with
ropes about their necks. For them there can be
no mercy. They have themselves alone to blame
for thislreault. They erected the black flag, de-
liberately cut off the means of escape, and such
piratical conduct can only be adequately expiated
by the pirate's doom.

A heavy responsibility now devolves, not merely
on the Indian, but on the English Government.
Every nerve must be strained to the utmost, no
effort spared to render the second campaign deci-
sive. Every available English soldier should at
once be forwarded from the Cape, without refer-
enoe to the wishes er protests of the Governor.
Sir C. GREY must learn that he is the servant,
not the master of the Cabinet, and that he must
either obey die instructions forwarded to him, or
surrender his position into other hands. The Ger-
man pets have been maintained on fu'l pay. They
should surely, with the local force, be sufficient to
maintain the tranquility of the coliny, or else our
money has been expended for but little purpose.
At all events, 10,000 troops could and must be
spared. The Governor of Bombay has not merely
despatched a requisition, but has also sent the
means of transport. Should Sir C. GREY disre-
gard the req-nest, more stringent measures must
be forthwith resorted to. SJuaething more im-
portant is required than that British troops should
act as guards of honour to the Governor, or that
their expenditure should enhance the profits of
the shopkeepers at the Cape.

There are many troops, too, in the Mediterra-
nean,
which. might also be spared, and trans-
mittad by the overland route. Lord PAL3tERSTON
has virtually confessed that no obstacle would be
offered by the PACHA. Nor could the SULTAN,
with any cunsistency, refuse his permission. It
is very different from the case when the contest is
between nations, with both of whom the Power
required to grant facilities maintains friendly rela-
tions. There might be a breach of noutrility in
' such case, but it is quite different where muti-
neers, and rebels, and murderers are concerned.
Every civilised State ehould afford its assistance
in such matters, without hesitation or repugnance.
If means then be
not peodily adopted to transmit
European soldiers across Suez, we shall *consider
it to be solely attributable to the indecision and
negligence of our own Government, rather than
to any impediments created either by the SULTAN
or the PAcifs. For such shortcomings ample
accounts must be rendered. It is true that Par-
Ilimerit has Eeparated for a time, but that only