The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-27 00:00:00

TILE CIVIL WAR IN Ame.RicA.

(From the Special Correspondent of the Times.)
WASHINGTON, AUG. 10.
For good or for evil, the issue between the North
and South is rapidly approaching to that which the
South predicted and feared, and the North at first
disavowed and does not now altogether accept,—
the struggle if it continues will be narrowed to a
contest between slavery and abolition. It is not
improbable that in a day or two the President will
declare that all slaves within the lines of the United
States army become free. On the very last day of
Congress the Bill which sets free slaves belonging
to rebels engaged in war was signed with re-
luctance by Mr. Lincoln, and was all but
lost by lapse of time, for, had he not been
persuaded to overcome his scruples, the Con-
gress would have adjourned without the signa-
ture of the President having been given to
that Act. Indeed, but for the prolongation of half
an hour agreed upon the signature could not have
been obtained, as the President at first refused
peremptorily to put his name to the Bill, alleging
that " it will lose us Kentucky ;" but there was a
pressure of Senators put upon him, and he yielded
at last but ten minutes before the Houses rose. On
such occasions the President comes down to his room
in the Capitol, and affixes his name, or receives the
official visits of the legislators, and if the clock had
not been put back, and the sittings carried on be-
yond the time agreed upon for the adjournment,
this Bill could not have been presented to
the Senate. But now, after the lapse of a few
days, it is said that a step far in advance of
that measure will be taken, and that the glove
will be thrown down to the South and to the De-
mocrats of the North as well. If so, there can be
no longer any doubt as to the nature of the fight
or as to the means to be used in it, but it argues the
possession of no common courage and self reliance
on the part of the Republicans to offer battle on
the question at the very moment that the Demo-
cratic Convention of New York has refused to act
in common with the Republicans, and when "a
peace at any price and compromise if you can party"
is. beginning to make itself heard in the Northern
and North-Western parts of the Union. In revo-
lutions the moderate politicians who start up before
the last act of the drama approaches in order to
become mediators, or to propose terms to the con-
tending factions, are generally crushed betwixt the
upper and the nether millstones; but there are ex-
ceptions to that rule—the violent and fanatic sec-
tions are sometimes either neutralised, absorbed, or
overcome by the juste milieu. Much as Americans
might wish for such a result, and greatly as Euro-
pean politicians would really desire the reunion of
the States by the agency of compromise, it is hoping
against hope to expect they will be gratified.
Before Manassas some wonderful combination of
good luck and dexterity on the part of " the devil
of Compromise" might have led to an adjustment,
or a patching up of the torn seams and tattered flag
of the republic. The North could not now in honour
submit to amalgamation with all the taint of base
metal on her part of the compound. The continent
of America could not hold Northern men in the face
of defeat, insult, and contempt from the men of the
South. As well might the comrade of ancient Pistol
hope to live on good conditions with his trucu-
lent friends because he had submitted quietly to
the pulling of his nose and the kicking of his
person as a basis of amity and equality.
Philosophic statesmen, like Mr. Sumner, may
not be affected by such considerations. They
look, like him, to great principles. Mere American
politicians, caucus-mongers, wire-pullers, like Mr.
Blair, do not appreciate any result which does not
produce an immediate effect on the votes of the
Houses, the appointments to office, or the legerde-
main of official life, in which they are all glorying
and disporting. Men who have studied patiently
and long the whole of the political mechanism of
the Union are so much enamoured of the fineness of
the machinery and the beautiful play of its parts
that, like Mr. Seward, they think if all the bits are
put together, a little oil applied, and the steam got
well up, with a good whistle to clear the way
against England or Spain, or some European Power,
it is sure to preserve its consistency and run its
course as of yore.

Meantime troops are pouring into the neighbour- block up the passages, each waiting for his interview
hood of the capital. Although General Scott is per- with an unhappy Minister or his representative. In
fectly tranquil, and is quite satisfied the Confede- America these personal interviews are the rule. Each
rates can make no aggressive movement without man is entitled, perhaps by the theory of the Con-
signal chastisement and defeat, General M'Clellan stitution, to walk in and take out his own share of
is most uneasy and apprehensive of danger, and is the public time ; but the pressure is so great that
urgent in demanding more men. He prefers his de- some men have been there for a week or ten days
mends on all who come near him, and some senator, without seeing the particular person they desired to
one at least, was so much impressed by his statements
favour. The streets are now clear of soldiers. The
that on his own responsibility, and without any
galloping of orderlies is very much reduced in pro-
communication with the Government, he tele-
portion as things get into order, and on the other
graphed to the Governor of his State to send on at side of the river there is incessant drilling and
once every regiment he could muster to Washing-
plenty of hard work, principally in completing a
ton. Acting on his own account, and without General great abattis from Fort Ellsworth, at Alexandria,
Scott's knowledge, I apprehend, General M'Clellan across the front of the position. None of this, how.*
has also from time to time sent regiments to points ever, is seen in the capital itself.
which he conceived to be menaced or most in need It would seem as if the torpor which prevails at
of reinforcements. He is very short in a proper *Washington had its counterpart at Richmond. The
complement of cavalry and field artillery. His Southern papers attribute the inactivity to design
troops are as raw as can be ; the officers not a whit ---,, a great ' coup' soon to be made, and it is neces-
better as yet than the Bull's Run officers. In fact, sary to be cautious and to be silent." On both sides
his army is not a fighting machin;3 which can be the utmost care is taken to screen such movements
handled asa whole, nor do I think the Confederates as may take place; passes are strictly examined at
are much better in any way, except in cavalry. The all the exits and entre.nces of the Northern camps.
material of some of the Northern regiments cannot General M'D,oweli, who was in attendance on Prince
Napoleon 'last Thursday, was stopped by one Of his
be excelled. Splendid men,, young, tall, robust, in-
own seri' tries because his pass was not en regle.
telligent, and accustomed to adventure ; if the
workmen know their business, there is plenty of stuff Genera'i Beauregard evinces the utmost sensitive-
to make a good army in their hands. My estimate
,-,a131 aleon was,
)nger than respect Mess i' a respect to any approach to his lines. Prince
of Mr. Jefferson Davis's forces in cavalry and guns Tv
phert
be however, rt
h,
e received
was not far wrong, but by this time he has probably Au
received reinforcements to his horse power and has On Thursday morning early the Prince started
Confederates.
certainly increased his artillery. But, after all, - feelings
Qvith M. Mercier the French Minister, and his suite,
what will another battle effect? Even if the result fro,j2 Washington,
and proceeded to Alexandra'
at Manassas be reversed, there is little likelihood a,
ctended by General M'Dowell, who provided him
with that more will be done than increasing the feeling 7
On
. an escort of United States cavalry.
of bitterness between the Extremists and a fresh returned and
loss of life, for the Federalists would be as littl(3 I
arriving at the outposts the General ret L
the Prince's party went on till they inet the uon.