The Sun.
London, England, 1868-09-04 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY, SEPT. 4, 1868.

A most interesting affair took place at Sheffield
on the occasion of the annual feast of the Cutlers'
Company. It was held in the new hall, and MARK
FIRTH, Master Cutler, presided. A brilliant and
distinguished company assembled, and the chief at-
traction of the evening was Mr. .REVERDY JOHN-
SON, whose first public speech in England was a
great success. " I came," said be at the commence-
ment of his remarks, "to your country, gentlemen,
as the messenger of peace ; that messenger I mean
to be—l could not be otherwise if I carried out the

instructions of my Government." It is not suffi-
cient that countries like England and the United
States should be merely on external good terms—a
far closer alliance is needed if mutual benefits are to
accrue; and hence the assurances of goolwiil con-
veyed by the American Minister are most welcome,
and come very appropriately after the uneasy feel-
ings that have existed for some time past, and the
apprehensions whie,:i well-informed persons en-
tertained on the score of the compensation
question. Happily all misgivings may now
be laid aside, and the prospect of a
good understanding is undimmed by anxious
shadows and dark forebodings. In most eloquent
terms Mr. JOHNSON alluded to the many things
that existed to unite us with the Americans, and
these, in the language of one of our statesmen, are

" ties stronger than links of iron." Those who
have one design and speak one language should
know better than to be led astray and listen to de-
signing parties, who seek to turn discord into open
strife. Mr. JOHNSON declared that the kindly im-
pressions and good feelings entertained by the
people of this country were more than reciprocated
by the inhabitants of the United States. As for
the diversity of opinion which prevailed here during
the disastrous period of the civil war that was not
to be wondered at, because the same differences
were met with beyond the Atlantic, wherever
people sought to solve the problem as to which was
right in the sad affair. The struggle is now over,
and happier and more fortunate than his
prodecessor, the new American Minister has none of
the painful part to perform which fell to the
lot of Mr. ADAMS, and can consider the conse-
quences of the sharp struggle that convulsed
America and disturbed the world without in-
quiring into the causes that led to it. Great as the
troubles were of that stormy time and heart-rending
as many of the circumstances that were attached to
it, undoubtedly there is still one bright gleam dis-
cernible in the reminiscences of those days, and that
is the extinction of "slavery." That institution
was not indigenous to the soil in which it too long
flourished ; and Mr. JOHNSON, in recurring to the
case in all its bearings, declared that in future times
it would be said that all the loss and suffering of the
war were well spent in getting rid of that " blot,"
which tarnished the fair fame of the United
States and gave the lie to the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, by which they claimed their right to
freedom and liberty. It is liberty alone "that
gives to life its lustre and perfume, and we are
weeds without it."

The contest about to take place across the Atlantic
will decide as to the party which, through its represen-
tative, should be at the head of the Executive, but
Mr. JOHNSON assured his hearers that he was con-
vinced, by his experience, that whichever triumphed
would be the friend of England. The Americans
look upon the political contest that now occupies
us with thehope that the result may be to strengthen
the Government which rules the country, and as
the able exponent of their policy declared yester-
day the two Governments united in friendship may
defy the world. The political institutions of the
one are fashioned from the other, and in the heart
of both nations there is a deep and never-dying
" attachment to human liberty." Respecting the
immediate surroundings of the place where he
found himself, Mr. JorugsoN made some appropriate
remarks, and assured the President that the cutlery,
penknives, and steel of Sheffield are well known
among his countrymen, and in the way of raz)rs
it beats the world. At ono time the hon. gentle-
man had feared that he might not be present on the
auspicious occasion, but the stern duties of his posi-
tion did not compel his absence, which was the
more fortunate, as it enabled him to give an ear-
nest assurance of the goodwill entertained towards
U 3 by the people he represents, and of finding how
fully that sentiment was responded to by those
among whom he had come to dwell.

Mr. ROEBUCK made some characteristic remarks,
and, in allusion to the House of Commons, he
quoted an observation of GRATTAN'S that he was
attending upon the hearse of the present House. In
connection with this. the hon. member had the
grace to remember what so many of our busy poli-
ticians forget, or pretend to forget at any
rate, that this House of Commons, the days
of whosa existence are numbered, has done
for the country good service, and its claims must
not be overlooked. The people of the country have
been admitted to its administration and govern-
ment, and Mr. ROEBUCK feels great pride in
having contributed his share to the work of pro-
gress. Regarding the distinguished guest of the
evening, he expressed a hope that Mr. REVERDY
JOHNSON would so conduct negotiations as to in-
sure the happiest results for both countries con-
cerned in them. In concluding his speech the hon.
member made some forcible observations on the
political changesthat had taken place, and very truly
said that " it would not do for the educated classes to
follow the example set in America and retire, but
they should keep at their posts and be true to
their mission. That mission was to exercise a just
influence, and to mark well the difference that ex-
isted between the power of will and the power of
mind over mind. By the exercise of this just
power, and the influence of this superior wisdom,
we may witness in this country what has never be-
fore been seen, a people governed by itself.
America does not do it. There is a government of
a people outside America, but here we shall have a
people inside ourselves ; and of that people I ask, as
I ask of you, not to be coerced by anybody, not to
be misled and frightened by any Trade Unions, not
to be anything but Englishmen considering simply
the good of your country. I ask you, working men
of this town, to have confidence in yourselves and
in the dignity of your own nature, not to be coerced
or frightened by anybody, but to do what you
think right, as your country demands." This is
spirited language, and it is also very good
counsel. We hope that not only Sheffield,
but every constituency in the kingdom, will
act in accordance with the principle here laid
down, and choose their representatives in
the spirit of freedom, and not according to the
letter as too often interpreted. Mr. E. J. REED,
C. 8., responded to the toast of the Navy, and took
the opportunity of defending himself from some of
the charges brought against him in various quar-
ters. He had been, he said, for the last five years
constantly " under fire." "It was not true," he
emphatically declared, " as persistently represented,
that he was an opponent of the turret system." He
had designed several turret ships. At this time
Captain COLE is building a large turret ship, as-
sisted by the skill of Messrs. LAIRD, the eminent
shipbuiklers of Birkenhead. It may be mentioned
that Mr. REED has not done himself justice hitherto
in this respect, because an impression has generally
prevailed as to his dislike of the turret system. At
any rate his explanation of yesterday was satisfac-
tory, and it is to be hoped that he will still further
prove his words by his actions, and he may depend
upon it that the sooner those responsible for the
Navy obtain a " thorough and efficient trial of the
turret system" the better pleased the public will be.
On the whole this feast was a great success, and
the anniversary whosa proceedings we now com-
ment upon will long be remembered, in conse-
quence of the unusual features distinguishing it.
A generation has pa)sed away since a Reform Bill
was discussed as actually completed, and the topic
is as interesting as it is important. Furl hermore, the
presence of a new Minister from the United States
was a source of satisfaction, and lie was enabled to
express sentiments that called for a hearty response,
and promised to prJmote the true interests of the
mighty nations so closely associated by ties of an
indissoluble nature. Peace abroad and social pro-
gress at home are among the choicest blessings t gat
a country can enjoy, and if the care of the educated
classes and the moderation of the working members
of the community can accomplish a reform worthy
of the name in our representation, it will be indeed
a fortunate thing, and conduce to the prosperity of
the community far more than the realisation of the
Utopian dreams of certain philosophers and patirioth