A more contemptible and pitiable political spectacle was never yet presented than that which may now be witnessed in the actions and words of the ‘Conservative’ Democracy.  Driven day by day nearer into their true light of sympathizers at heart with the enemy—­upholding the institution for which it fights—­obliged to bear the odium of its ancient opposition to protection, disgraced by its enmity to American manufacturing interests—­apologizing in a thousand shuffling, petty ways for English arrogance—­this wretched fragment of a faction, after assuring the South that the North would not fight, and persuading the North that the South was quite in the right in every thing, now appears as constant meddler and mischief-maker in the great struggle going on, giving to it those elements of darkness, disgrace, and treason which, unfortunately, are always to be found in the greatest struggles for freedom and right, and which, when history is written, give such grounds to the carper, the sophist, and skeptic to ridicule the noblest efforts of humanity.  Such are the self-called Conservatives in this great battle—­men hindering and impeding the great cause, eagerly grasping at every little premature advance—­as in the case of General Hunter’s action, to scream out that all will be lost, and exult over its correction by the leading power as though they had gained a victory!

Meanwhile it is a matter of no small import to observe that there has been a vast increase in the mass of indorsement of General Hunter’s conduct compared to what there would have been a few months ago.  However it interfered with the general policy of the Executive, no one doubts that as a military and local measure it was eminently wise.  Sooner or later it will be adopted—­meanwhile what has been done has been productive of results which can not be undone.  The great cause is the cause of God—­and every struggle only aids it onward.

* * * * *

The London Times of May 10th contained a long editorial leader on American affairs, beginning in the following manner: 

’It will have been noticed as a singular feature of the American quarrel, that no intervention is thought probable or practicable, except in favor of the South.  Mediation, in whatever form or under whatever name it is to be offered, is universally taken to imply some movement in behalf of the Confederates.  So completely, indeed, are the belligerents themselves impressed with this idea, that the South casts it in our teeth as a scandal and a blunder that no European arbitration has been yet interposed; while the President of the Northern States actually proclaims a day of thanksgiving for the deliverance of the country from ‘foreign intervention,’ which he identifies with nothing less than ‘invasion.’  The instincts of the combatants have undoubtedly led them to correct decisions on this point, but the fact is not a little curious.  We need not dissemble the truth about certain prepossessions