The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-25 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEERS.

A grand brigade field day was held on Saturday
in the Regent's Park, the various cows assembling
in front of Holford-house. The brigade consisted
of the following regiments :—West Middlesex,
Adjutant G. Pennymore ; 19th Middlesex (Blooms-
bury, or Working Men's College), Colonel Bathurst,
Major Hughes, Captains Shaen, Martin, Robins,
Roebuck, Furnival,Lieutenants Fotheringham and
Boddy, and Adjutant Read ; 20th Middlesex
(Euston-square, or Railway), Lieut.-Colonel Bigge,
Captains Timms, Graham, Oughton, Barrow,
Collard, Plunkett, and Lieut. Boucher ; 37th Mid-
dlesex, Major J. W. Jeakes and Captain Corrie ; Ist
Administrative Battalion under Major Wilkinson,
the battalion consisting of the 13th Middlesex
(Hornsey), Captain Warner ; 14th Middlesex,
Captains Barclay and Langdale; and the 3d Middle-
sex, Captains M'lnnes and France. The West
Middlesex kept the ground, and the operations were
conducted by Lord Radstock, aided by Colonel
Seymour, Colonel Tayleur, and Major Kirby,
Adjutant Royal Horse Guards. Sir James Hamil-
ton was on the ground, and took great interest in
the proceedings. After forming, the brigade went
through the usual evolutions incidental to field
operations, to the evident gratification of the many
thousand persons who were assembled, and to the
complete satisfaction of Lord Radstock and the
officers by whoth his Lordship was accompanied.
On Saturday afternoon the members of the
Queen's (Westminster) mustered at the Carlton-ride
for the purpose of marching out. The regiment
numbered above 500 strong, with a full complement
of officers, and, under the command of Adjutant
Mayne, went through • some preliminary drill.
Having been told off into companies, they went to
Battersea New Park, where they went through an
exercise in blank cartridge practice.
The members of the St. George's Rifles paraded on
Saturday in the quadrangle of Burlington-house,
and went through manual and platoon exercise,
and afterwards executed some battalion move-
ments. The Artists also mustered at Burlington:
house, and in the grounds at the rear of the
building, and went through their skirmishing drill
until dusk.
The London Scottish assembled in great numbers
on Saturday afternoon on Adelphi-terrace, and
marched under the command of Lord Elcho, M.P.;
aCrhka,r
where,i
tnhge-yc r owos s,
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othrf e
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and other movements, after which they returned
to Adelphi-terrace.

The Inns of Court Rifle Volunteers will proceed
on Tuesday next to Richmond Park for blank
cartridge drill, &e.

- On Saturday afternoon the 29th North Middle-
sex Rifles assembled at the Cavalry-barracks,
Albany-street, Regent's Park, for marching out.
In consequence of the fairness of the weather there
was a large muster, and after being formed into
marching order they proceeded, headed by their
bands, to Regent's Park, and afterwards returned
to head-quarters, where they were dismissed. Vis-
count Enfield, Lieutanant-Colonel Commanding,
has received the sanction of the Lord-Lieutenant
to increase the regiment to 1,000 men, which num-
ber it is fully expected will be speedily attained.
Yesterday afternoon the Metropolitan Rifles
mustered in strong force at head-quarters, in the
Euston-road, for attendance at Divine service. At
a quarter before three o'clock they were paraded at
their drill-ground, and afterwards marched, headed
by their brass band; to St.:Pancras-church,:Euston-
road. After the afternoon prayers were concluded,
the Rev. W. W. Champneya, incumbent of the
church, and honorary chaplain to the corps,
delivered an appropriate sermon, after which they
returned to head-quarters, the band playing sacred
music.

The Marquis of Salisbury, Lord Lieutenant of
Middlesex, has recommended her MAjesty to accept
the services of the London National Rifles as a bat-
talion in Westminster, under the title of the 46th
Middlesex Volunteer Rifles. On Saturday even-
ing the corps mustered at Wellington Barracks for
battalion drill, to the number of 300 men, under the
command of Major Walmsley, and afterwards
marched to Westminster Hall, to be definitively

formed into companies. They at present number -
over 600 men, with a prospect of a considerable
accession of strength now that their services have
been recommended for acceptation by her Majesty.
On Easter Monday they will march to Richmond,
accompanied by their band:
The members of the Ist Surrey Rifles assembled
in the Oval, Kennington, on Saturday last. The
first bugle sounded at 3 p.m. After the brass band,
under the direction of Bandmaster J. Callcott, of
the Ist Surrey Militia, had played a selection of
favourite airs, the men, having previously been fur-
nished with five rounds of ammunition, were formed
into seven companies, numbering about 300 rank
and file, with a cadet corps of about 25, and after
undergoing light infantry drill, which was per-
formed with much precision, especially the wheel-
ing, the corps left the Oval, and, commanded by
Lieut.-Col. Macdonald, marched along the Clapham
road to Clapham-common, the men marching very
steadily. On arriving at the common, a few
minutes before five o'clock, a company was detached
to keep the ground, the number of spectators being
large. The corps then threw out skirmishers in
the face of an enemy supposed to be advancing on
the suburbs from Wandsworth-common.
Between 200 and 300 of the 2d Tower Hamlets,
Rifles, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Walker, commandant, assembled on Saturday at
Victoria-park for battalion drill. Having well
performed several military evolutions, they were
formed four deep, and headed by their band,
marched through Homerton, Hackney, &c., to
head-quarters, and were dismissed. The 2d now
numbers nearly 1,000 men, and recruits are daily
joining. On Easter Monday they will go to Wan-
stead Flats for a field-day.
On Saturday the North-East London Rifle
Brigade had a field-day, under the command of
their newly-appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, Mr. G.
R. Money. Having assembled at head-quarters,
,hey proceeded, numbering about 300 men, to their
para,-.le-ground, Stoke Newington, where the Lieu-
tenant-Uolonel distributed nearly 200 railway
tickets to the men who had determined to take
part in the approaching military spectacle at
Brighton, and at the same time explained to the
regiment the particulars of the proposed trip and
the arrangements made for the convenience of
officers and men. He then put the corps through
a variety of manoeuvres which were likely to be
required at Brighton, wheeling frem column
into line, taking open order and presenting
arms, afterwards wheeling back from line
into column, and, points having been placed,
marching past in quick time,—all of which
were executed in such a manner as to receive
the applause of the numerous spectators who had
assembled to witness the evolutions. They after-
wards advanced by fours from the right of com-
panies, and formed line on the march, retired by
fours, were fronted, and wheeled back into line.
After executing a variety of other evolutions, both
in column and line, ammunition was served out to
them, and the regiment was practised in file firing,
firing volleys by companies, and firing volleys by
the whole battalion, in which they exhibited con-
siderable steadiness and precision, especially in the
battalion volleys. At the conclusion of the drill
the Lieutenant-Colonel read the orders for the
ensuing week, and briefly addressed the men, com-
plimenting them upon the proficiency they had
shown, and, having been joined by their drum and
fife band, they were formed in fours, marched back
to head-quarters, and dismissed.

MR. LINCOLN'DRESSs INAUGURAL AD-
.

Any complaint of Mr Lincoln's Inaugural Address
for ambiguity mast be more surprising to that gen-
tleman than it can bo to anybody on this side the
water. We can understand how an Englishman
or a Frenchman may rise from reading the speech
eager to inquire of an American whether it meant
peace or war ; but it is impossible to imagine any
intelligent American saying that he did not know.
The whole question depends on the nature of the
sectional difference which has caused the secession,
or is used as its excuse. Plainly speaking, all
accommodation of that difference is, in the very
nature of things, impracticable. Every imaginable
concession is a mere surrender, on the one side or
other; and we .all know that surrender had been
carried as far it would go by the North some time
ago. It was only the exhaustion of the resources
of surrender which gave occasion to the split at
last. When, therefore, the new President repeats
the terms of his oath, and declares his intention to
fulfil it; he pronounces against the rebels who have
stolen the national property . and insulted the
Federal authority. In this view, his speech cer-
tainly means war. He says he shall demand the
dues of the Federal Government and the restitu-
tion of its property; and if these are not yielded,
he shall send and take them. No avowal can be
plainer than this.
The new President and his Ministers deny the
power of any State to secede at its own pleasure;
and they claim as subjects of the Federal Govern-
ment all the citizens individually, wherever they
may live. As a necessary consequence, Mr. Lincoln
has refused all recognition of the gentlemen sent
from Montgomery to treat with him on behalf of
the seceding States. Mr. Lincoln can know nothing
of them as commissioners. These gentlemen, and
the provisional officers who sent them declare that
if they leave Washington unrecognised war will at
once begin. A short time will show whether this is
true, and whether Fort .Sumter will be attacked.
It is not yet clear what has been done about
strengthening the Federal defences on land, but the
national ships have been sent for from the Pacific
and the Mediterranean, and it is understood that
promotion and honours are awarded to the Federal
military officers who have held their posts with
political courage and fidelity. The new President
has an invaluable Commander-in-Chief in General
Scott, whose good sense and moderation we have
occasion to know by his conduct in the San Juan
matter, under the difficulties of General Harney on
the one hand and the Buchanan Cabinet on the
other. General Scott evidently expects war ; and
he advises the sending of reinforcements at once to
the Federal posts in the South. There will be no
lack of men and supplies whenever they are actu-
ally called for, and the officers of the United States
army are a body of men of whom any Government
might be proud. If there were a Congress in exist-
ence appropriate to the occasion, nothing would be
wanting to the security and independence of the
Free States—whatever it might be their pleasure to
determine with regard to letting the Slave States
try their own experiment in their own way. But
there is no Congress which at all represents the
American people at this moment ; and a Congress
which passed the Tariff Bill must be a terrible
burden on the hands of a new President.
Some of the latest facts which have reached us
from the Border and Southern States are of great
significance. When the secession was new, there
was a flight of Carolina and Georgia planters to
the North, to escape the ruinous requisitions of
the rebel leaders. Now, the converse is taking
place from the Border States. The slave owners
of Virginia and Kentucky, who are resolved to hold
to slave-rearing and tillage by slaves, are migrating
southwards in great numbers, aware that their
negroes will all disappear, whatever the issue of the
struggle may be. This is already occasioning a
more rapid influx of free labour, which was before
making good its footing in both States. No Ame•
rican citizen could ever seriously believe that any
terms could be proposed which would win over
any Slave-holding States to union' with the Free
States, while there were, other Slave States in a
position of antagonism. But, if. a certain propor-
tion of the slaveholders desert their lands, leaving
a population of farmers -and free settlers , behind
them, the prospect will be materially altered. It
is always understood that Virginia and Kentucky
decide the destinies of the whole frontier line.

There are facts of more immediate importance
coming to light about the means and resources of
the aggressive States. While their provisional
Government at Montgomery is decreeing a levy of
50,000 men, and announcing the approach of the
first great battle, the people in that and the next
State—and no doubt in others—are actually in
want of food. This is known by the trips of com-
missioners who go up the Mississippi to try to get
corn on credit in the North-West. They carry
orders from a multitude of families, and entreaties
from many more—appeals to the corn-growers to
supply them on credit till next autumn. These
people are actually hungering, and they have no
means of buying. The commissioners hope for
more success than the Charleston merchants have
met with. The Northern corn merchants refuse
to sell grain to Charleston ; and in the Carolinas
too many of the people have no other hope of food.
Thisis not the way to begin a civil war. We have
seen on former occasions how far Southern menaces
may go without occasioning bloodshed ; and thus
far there has been nothing attempted beyond the
seizure of undefended property. It was, no doubt,
in view of these facts that Mr. Lincoln said the
civil things which so perplexed and misled some of
his hearers. lie left a way open, in case of the
South becoming prudent before it was too late,
erne t
ehdim insultTh aatnSdoductfihearnneegteonth:
men lei
while showing that no concession of principle was
lookedxfrpo for a scheme of compromise
section
ct be
il looked:probably
e
others f r
or a declaration of war. They found none of these,
but an explanation of what the constitution re-
quired, an avowal, that those requisitions must be
satisfied ; and beyond this simply an offer of impar-
tial good-will to all who were willing to be good-
citizens. It may be that some of the people think
the time gone by for such a return. If so, it is not
the fault of Mr. Lincoln or his speech ; and it may