The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-16 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1865.

The news which the China brings from New York
up to so late a date as June 8 does not betoken P.
satisfactory condition of public feeling, although
there are indications that President JOHNSON'S
policy is by no means universally popular. The
GOvernment, in fact, have been compelled to make
some sort of concession to the general feelings, and
have published the evidence of three witnesses who
were examined during the secret session of the con-
spiracy trial. The nature of the evidence, now that
it
-appears, however, gives rise to some suspicion of
the motives which- prompted its publication, and
throws considerable doubt on its validity. It in-
directly inculpates JEFFERSON DAVIS and the other
Southern leaders in the murder of Mr. LINCOLN,
and further implicates them in plots to burn New
York and other Northern cities, to introduce the
yellow fever, and to pod.= the water in the reser-
voirs. It is not surprising that this is a little too
much for the credulity of New York,and the testi-
mony, we are told, is " generally received with
suspicion." This is a fair specimen of the reckless
manner in which the Northern statesmen endeavour
to exonerate themselves and to inculpate their vic-
tim, for suchwanton and useless cruelty could only be
attempted 137 brigands or desperadoes; it could never
be seriously proposed by the responsible head of a
civilised community. Nothing in Mr. DAvis's past
career affords the slightest shadow of a foundation for
such assertions, yet he had plenty of opportunities
for gratifying malice or revenge. Had he ever con-
sented to adopt such unscrupulous measures he
need not have waited till the cause of the South
was desperate, her armies broken up, her capital
abandoned, and her people disaffected and dis-
heartened. One would think that the combination'

of pie fever and poison was a little too much like
the last scene of a French sensation novel for any
statesman to propound, but the Americans love
excitement, and the variety of horrors it was
thought, perhaps, would create a powerful impres-
sion. The " 'cuteness" of Kew York, however,
thought it somewhat extraordinary that these
starling revelations were only made public by
report so long after being communicated to the
Government, and the fact of the public having
been excluded from the examination naturally
throws great suspicion on the report of the evi-
dence. The publication has at present the outward
appearance of seeking to damage the unfortunate
Southern President, and to give an excuse or a
reason to the Government for pressing against him
he full rigours of the law.
At a meeting in support of JOHNSON'S adminis-
tration, convened at New York on the evening of
the 7th, many prominent men were present who
addressed the people in support of the policy of the
Government, agreeing that treason is the greatest
of crimes, and
must be punished as such, declaring
that the moNnot doctrine must be maintained at
all hazards, and that indemnity for the depredations
of the Confederate privateers must be obtained from
Great Britain. General GRANT was present, but
very wisely refused to make a speech. He probably
saw the danger and folly of these extreme statements.
As a man of honour he must regret the conduct of the
dministration towardsthe Southern leaders, while
as an experienced general, he must see the absurdity'
and recklessness of provoking hostilities With this
Generals GRANT and SHERIIAN have
manifested an evident desire to discourage
the violence of popular feeling. General SHERITAN
has decidedly opposed the scheme of Mexican en-
listment, and his parting advice to his soldiers was
to refrain from mixing in any " irregular warfare."
How far the intemperance of officials may be re-
strained by this example may be doubtful.

country

The resignation of Mr. ST.A2.;TON is an-
nounfxcl, for what reason is not stated.
It is noticeable that a Washington correspon-