The Sun. — 1865-09-05 (London, England)

LONDON, TUESDAY, SEPT. 5, 1865.  The Federal authorities are determined to persevere in their persecution of Captain Wiwrz, but they find it is more prudent to avoid making a direct attack on their more distinguished opponent. The military commission before which the trial of Captain Winn took place has been dissolved, and a new one convened, composed of the same mem. bers. The object of this movement seems to have been the omission of the names of LEE, SEDDON, and NORTHROP from the specification of charges. With the usual arbitrary injustice which has characterised their proceedings the judges refused to grant the application of the prisoner's counsel, who, upon the opening of fresh proceedings, asked for time to prepare the defence. For some reason not stated this gentleman abandoned the case, when the Judge Advocate was appointed to defend the prisoner, a movement not much in his favour, we should imagine, since official prejudice and party feeling will operate against him in the mind of his own advocate. The news of the 25th, however, tells us that a new counsel had appeared for the prisoner, whose trial was still the subject of the day. Mississippi is still making active progress towards reconstruction and reunion. The Mississippi Convention have annulled the Secession Ordinance and repealed all the laws passed by the Secession Convention, excepting the revenue ordinance, and some others not repugnant to the Federal Constitution. The`- Mississippi Convention have further testified their independence and their humanity by boldly memorialising the PRESIDENT on behalf of Mr. Davis. They have a good right to speak for the southern leader, since they have just given active proof of their readiness to re-enter the Union, and of their goodwill and loyalty to the existing authorities. We are not informed what answer President JOHNSON returned to this particular appeal, but he telegraphed to the Governor of the State congratulating him on the progress and promising that the habeas by Mississippi, Corpus Act should be restored and the troops With.. drawn so soon as the State had fully returned to her allegiance. Another hint in favour of pacific and moderate measures has been received by the PRESIDENT from a different quarter. The democratic convention of Pennsylva. nia have given him their qualified support, demanding that measures should be passed to give the South congressional representation and saving them from negro suffrage, also stopping the punishment and murder of individuals by court-martial. Further reductions of the military establishments are progressifig, the PRESIDENT having ordered 47 major and brigadier-generals to be mustered out, and the number of prisoners who are being diminished by those who are parolled without any special charges against them are to be furnished with passports on the condition that they do not return to the States without the PRESIDENT'S leave. This will be a hard condition to some: of them, and as it is directed against those who are charged with no offence, save that of having carried arms with their countrymen, it must be considered unwarrantably harsh, The most conspicuous item of