The Sun. — 1863-01-14 (London, England)

POST.—On the first day of this year President Lincoln signed the formal death-warrant of the condemned United States. His proclamation of a servile war must extinguish the last hope that lingered in the breast of his most enthusiastic supporter. He has proclaimed the freedom of the slaves in twelve States, and has invited them to take military service against their masters. The recommendations to them to labour for wages, and to abstain from violence, unless in self-defence, are absurd, since he knows that wages will not be given to them, and the daily infraction of the liberty i sof interpret which he bestows on themitseli, forsufficientftaactsof warrant, if they so choose to violence in self-defence. The proclamation would be a terrible act were it not sure to be wholly inoperative. Mr. Lincoln's decree is as useless as if it were addressed to the people of some other continent. It is in vain for him to raise the voice of authority when his broken sword is as of little power as the goosequill with which he signs his name. The pen is his only weapon, and he uses it for the utter violation and destruction of the social pact which he has struggled to maintain. Secession has always been a fair debateable question, with two sides to it. The seceding States have ever urged that the Constitution allowed of the step which they chose to take by virtue of their individual State Sovereignty. But no one can pretend that the President has not acted in direct contradiction to the written and simple words of the United States Constitution when he assumes to set free the slaves and to partition States. The admission of Western Virginia as a new State is an act of high treason to the Constitution, so also is the Decree of Emancipation. There is no longer any pretence of legality. The war is one of Despotism, aiming at Empire. These last and desperate measures appear to be the offspring of an impotent rage. The Federal arms are paralysed. Their manhood is beaten. Their legions are too numerous and too huge to be destroyed, and the remnants are therefore rejoicing in a degree of " safety." It is pitiful to see a generalissimo of defeated grand armies losing the attributes of a Christian, a warrior, and a man, and shrieking with feminine passion for the aid of slaves, invoking servile massacre, and the " gracious favours" of that God who has been appealed to as the "God of bat, ties," but who never yet was blasphemed as the Providence of crime and the dispenser of murder. Mr. Lincoln's proclamation will no doubt strike all neutral observers as very wicked and very silly. How are his " military and naval authorities to maintain "the freedom of the slaves?" Where are his grand armies ? How far have they advanced upon the soil for which he presumes to dictate laws? Twenty millions of white men cannot conquer the South—can hardly make an impression on it. It is hopelessly impregnable. How ridiculous, then, for the foiled besieger to issue laws for the regulation of the interior of the fortress. The intelligence from the scene of war conveyed to us by the same mail which brings the news of Mr. Lincoln's deplorable decree is of the usual uncertain description when fighting is concerned, A great battle, lasting three days, has been fought at Murfreesboro'. The Federals claim the advantage, as they always do. They admit their losses to be enormous, four regiments being mentioned as having lost half their men. Experience teaches us to wait for a few days before forming any conclusion as to the result. As there is no bragging of victory, we shall probably be soon informed of the real extent of the defeat. Fighting has taken place at Vickskburg, on the Mississippi. The Federals appear to have assaulted the place on three successive days, and to have been repulsed on each occasion. In Virginia nothing has taken place except the successful return of General Stuart to the south side of the Rappahannock, after having ridden round General Burnside's army, and having cut his telegraph lines, and accomplished other damage. Commercial men do not seem to like the aspect of affairs, if we may judge by the rise of the premium on gold to within a fraction of thirtyfive. The war is reaching a crisis at which some effort will, we trust, be made to put a stop to it. The thinking men of the North, utterly deceived in their expectations, will surely at last lend an ear to the suggestions of peace.