Gov. McDaniel, of Georgia, has commuted the death sentences of two negroes. One of these, it is said, had no fair chance of defense, and the other killed the invader of his domestic peace, for which offence the Governor said he would never allow a man to be hanged. It is to Mr. McDaniel's credit that this clemency was exercised in full view of the desperate efforts which have been made for more than a year to save from the gallows one Turner, a man of influential family, for whose crime there was no excuse. All recourses of appeal to the courts having been exhausted, Turner's friends are bringing every pressure to bear to have the Governor give him a "negro's chance," but that official has decided to let the law take its course. * * * * * JOHN F. SLATER. The death of Mr. Slater, which occurred at Norwich, Conn., May 6, removes one of our foremost philanthropists. His well-known gift of a million dollars for the emancipated race in America was made after years of converse with eminent scholars, statesmen, capitalists and Christian philanthropists. The act was in every sense deliberate. His successful business career, extending over many years, his knowledge of men, gained by his relations with business interests in the great centers of trade; by his employment of large numbers of laborers; by his observations while traveling at home and abroad--gave him opportunity to reach the best conclusions as to what people in our land were the most needy, and where the gifts would yield the most abundant results. He took a business man's view of the subject, and has left an expression of judgment, supported by a princely benefaction, of great value to others who are prayerfully considering how they may best promote the interests of Christian civilization. Modest, consistent, dignified, courteous, a regular attendant at a Congregational church, a good neighbor, a good citizen beloved--such was John F. Slater. He has left a name better and more enduring than his great riches. * * * * * BENEFACTIONS. The late Lucius J. Knowles bequeathed $5,000 to Doane College, Nebraska, and $10,000 to Carlton College, Minnesota. A professorship at Williams College, in honor of Dr. Mark Hopkins, has been provided for by subscriptions amounting to $25,000. The New York University is to receive $5,000 from the estate of the late Augustus Schell, and the New York Historical Society $5,000. Mrs. Louisa L. Vought, besides other gifts to the Protestant Episcopal Church, left $10,000 for work among the colored people South, and $1,000 for the Indians. Harvard College is to receive $5,000 for the astronomical observatory connected with that institution, from the estate of the late Thomas G. Appleton. The Yale Corporation has voted to accept $50,000 from the Frederick Marquand fund for a chapel for the use of the College Young Men's Christian Association.