One of the most curious aspects of the American war
is the implicit confidence the Government appear to feel that all the need for a strong military and naval organization is passed. They are not only reducing their forces and expenditure, but, if we may trust the statements, reducing them so largely and so rapidly that the military occupation of the subdued States will be impos- sible. Four hundred thousand troops are, it is said, to be im- mediately mustered out of the service, and the coals ordered for the navy are to be reduced from 10,000 tons a day to 9,000 weekly. The energy shown in reducing expenditure seems to be enormous, and to be restrained by no shadow of distrust. Everywhere the utmost confidence appears to be felt that no force will be wanted to bring about the legislation necessary to extirpate slavery in the South. We confess we fear laissez-faire most on this head. If the South returns without a struggle it will be to its old habits of feeling and action towards the coloured population, and they are not strong enough to defend their own rights.
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