The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-28 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE 28. 1870.

very high. Remembering the turmoil into which we
were always periOdically plunged under the RUSSELL
rigime, it is truly refreshing to have so long enjoyed
a time of quiet.

OUR announcement that Mr. MoTLEY was to be
recalled from his position as American Minister at
this Court has not, unfortunately, turned out to be
premature. This very important step has been
resolved upon by President GRANT. It shows that
in the selection of a representative to conduct
the relations of the United States with
England the American Government finds great
difficulty in satisfying itself. -In Mr. REVERDY
JOHNSON the Republic had as Minister an ex-
perienced diplomatist, and one who so thoroughly
understood his business as to exact from Lord
STANLEY such favourable terms of settlement for the
Alabama question, that their rejection in America
gave infinite pleasure to most Englishmen. There
can be no doubt that Mr. JOHNSON smuggled into the
famous convention a proviso for considering, more or
less indirectly, the question as to our right to recog-
nise the belligerency of the South—a point which
English statesmen . had repeatedly declined
to yield. Indeed, it looked very much as
if Mr. REVERDY JOHNSON had outwitted the
English politicians. But the American Senate saved
us from all unpleasant consequences. The Upper
House of Congress was too angry to understand the
merits of the treaty which it was discussiug„ and it
rejected more favourable terms, probably,
than it will ever be offered again. Mr. EE-
VERDY JOHNSON was recalled. In his place
came Mr. MOTLEY, a very different man : dis-
tinguished in literature, but inexperienced in diplo-
macy, yet possessed of qualities which could hardly
fail to effectively guard the interests of America. _ln
fact it is difficult, with the informatio.l at our
command, to divine in what respect Mr. MOTLEY
has failed. It was generally understood that ho
came over with waiting orders, and he
has waited. The negotiations have been re-
sumed in a cursory manner, but the renewal of inter-
changes on the subject came to nothing. Mr.
MOTLEY held a conversation with Lord CLARENDON.
Mr. FISH, Secretary of State, drew up a memorandum
setting forth the American view of the question with
much more warmth than novelty or accuracy of
logic, and Lord CLARENDON replied. Mr. FISH, on the
American side, took the whole affair into his hands;
and he did not figure very creditably in it. Now, if
it should happen, as is believed, that Mr. MOTLEY
is to be replaced by Mr. FISH, this change
will prove serious. The last-named poli-
tician certainly entertains no warm friendship

for England. His memorandum to Lord. CLARENDON
was as acrid as it was one-sided in tone. His
appointment as Minister at this Court could only be
regarded as an indication that the American Govern-
ment meant to press their claims home again.

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

RECONCILIATION AT THE ADMIRALTY.

The intelligence that Sir Robert Spencer Robinson
and Mr. Reed, C. 8., were, after all, to continue to
hold their seats in the service of the Admiralty has
been confirmed. A contemporary, whose information
on naval matters is generally trustworthy, say s that
the report of the resignations, to say the least of it,
was based on a very erroneous misconception of the
facts. This view, however, is not shared in by the
Times, which.condemns any proneness to quarrel that
may be shewn by Admiralty officers at a
time when Mr. Childers is seriously unwell.
The leading journal explains the grounds for
the difference by referring it to the disappointment of
Sir Robert Spencer Robinson at finding that an old
rule, providing that Naval officers who had served at
Whitehall, might afterwards have a period of active
service, was to be repealed just in time to affect him.
The Times, however, is as unable to comprehend why
he should lose his temper over the matter,
after four months' hesitation, and threaten
to dissarrange matters at this crisis, as
it is to understand the riddle why Mr. Reed should
voluntarily mix himself up in the difficulty, and de-
clare his intention to resign also, if the objectionable
Order in Council was not repealed. The Times, speak-
ing of Sir Robert Spencer Robinson, says that temper
and conduct in public men are of still higher
estimation in this country than ability, which
however, does not pass unrecognised. Referring to
Mr. Reed, the same journal adds that England
contains many naval architects, and that good ships,
which were built before Mr. Reed's time, will still
be built if he should be compelled in deference to his
own feelings to retire from public service. It is under
all circumstances imperative that a full explanation
of this obscure and lamentable dispute should be
given to the public, and that the terms of the com-
promise or mode of reconciliation should be speedily
made known.

order, he. has :gone to the Peninstilat anfl. found
work for his superfluous energies among the. Spanish
brigands. According to the Indian papers •he
is now contemplating another change, and

his name• has - been confidently mentioned
as the next- Governor of Madras. The Bombay
Gazette does not look with favour on this notion. If
Mr. Layard is made Governor it will be, it
affirms, another party appointment. He has
been transformed by office, it is true,
from a demonstrative M.P. into an excellent
subordinate, never speaking when he was told to be
quiet. These recollections induce the Bombay
Gazette to admit that he is not impracticable, and it
readily acknowledges his general ability. It ques-
tions, however, whether the ability is of the kind
that enables its possessor to govern, and ends by pro-
nouncing him "neither brave enough nor strong
enough for the place."

the trial, with a .view to elicit acurate 'particulars,
and their satisfaction, when the proofs against the
prisoner were shown to be doubtful, or weak, cer-
tainty led to the opinion that they would disagree
at the final crisis, but a• verdict of unconditional
acquittal though hardly expected, may be looked upon
in this case with peculiar gratification. That the
jury sifted every piece of evidence honourably
and manfully' is denied on no side, and so
the most prejudiced mind cannot but rest assured
as to the justice of the decision.