Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-23

cept at the cost of much embarrassment
to the Senate, and it was understood that,
if he saw proper, his declination at later
day would avoid many causes of confu-
sion. Immediately after receiving the
official notice of his appointment he de-
clined it, and the subsequent delay in the
announcement of his action has been in
accordance with the wishes of the Presi-
dent"
1t was stated that while in Chicago
few days ago, Grant had rendered the ap-
pointment to Senator Trumbull, but that
he had declined. But as Mr.. Trumbull
was not in Chicago st the time, but in
New York, it is possible that there is some
mistake about his having been rendered
the appointment. 1t appears to be clear
ly understood, however, that the Grant
administration is very much embarrassed
in regard to filling the mission. 1t is at
present the most important of our mis-
sions, and yet Grant makes no effort, so
far as the public are advised, to have a
man in London to represent our Govern
ment He is running about the country
seeking pleasure, while the interests of the
government are neglected. The New
York Times (RadicaD appreciates the
position in which Grant has placed himself
and the country, as will be seen from the
following article from that paper of
Aug. 10: ......... -... ..
''The muddle which has been made
over the recall of Mr.. Motley would be
| absurd if there were not also something
thoroughly deplorable about it. MIR.
| Motley can scarcely be fulfilling his
duties at present with very cheerful
mind. 1t is impossible to recall man,
as he was recalled, without subjecting
him to some degree of humiliation. The
least that can be done afterward is to al
low the person thus treated to quit his
post as soon as possible. AT present. Mr..
Motley occupies most disagreeable posi-
1 ton. The Cabinet to which he is accred-
tied knows that he has no longer the con-
fdence of his own government, and, con-
sequently it would be very awkward to
hold any serious communication with
him, no matter what crisis might arise
1 and we live in times when startling events
may happen at any moment. Complica-
lions may occur which would render it
extremely desirable that we should have
at the Court of st. James a Minister in
every way qualified to represent the
views of the government and the people.
Yet, at 80 critical period, the Mission
is practically vacant, and the President
1 seems to be at loss to know how to fill
itup. .- .s .
'gThere is an originality we will not say
an eccentricity, about the way Gen.
Grant makes and revokes appointments
which it would sometimes puzzle all the
wise heads in the nation to explain. Amid
much that is unintelligible, the only GER
| tain thing is that when the President has
| made up his mind there is no possibility
of changing it. Instances of this charac-
| teristic will at once occur to every reader,
| but we think it will be admitted that in
regard to post so important as the Eng
| lish Mission little more care than usual
should have been exercised in providing
for the future. Before recalling Mr.. Mot
/ ley, his successor should have been
found. The position was offered to MIR.
Frelinghuysen, and everybody has been
wondering why he has been so many
weeks hesitating whether he should
| accept it or not. The World
| takes him to task with some
severity for his indecision. But it appears
from a letter written to the President, on
the 9th of July, by the gentleman him
self, that he lost no time in positively de-
clining the post. When his nomination
was only rumor-namely, on the 14th,of
July - Mr.. Frelinghuysen telegraphed
90 to England. He repeated that tele-
gram on the 18th. But the President had
decided for him, and the nomination went
to the Senate. Then Mr.. Frelinghuysen
reconsidered the question, as it was very
proper he should do, and the result was
that he adhered to his original resolution,
to decline diplomatic honors-such as they
are. Once more he made known his
views to the President, and after all this
it will perhaps strike him as rather hard
that he should be ordered up for punish
ment by the World.
"Well, then, what is to be done9 No
doubt the President could easily pick out
some one from among his friends who
would not throw away this opportunity
of gaining distinction. Perhaps it would
be well to select competent man for the
post; but we make that suggestion with
becoming Difference. 1t is quite certain
that the Mission should not be left much
longer in its present state. Mr.. Motley
must be anxious to be relieved from post
which be has not filed to the Presidents
satisfaction. Mr.. Moran is an experienced
and safe man, but 1t is not well to leave
everything to the Secretary. Who will
take this English Mission? 1t is being
hawked about at present in a manner
which does not add much to its dignity.
We trust the President has some one in
his eye, and it would be well to take care
that this someone" will be ready to turn
himself into diplomatist if he is asked"
Mr.. Frelinghuysen has set himself right
before the country by publishing the let
ter declining the mission, which has been
withheld from the public for nearly
month at the request of Grant himself.
The latest rumor is that the Hon. J. D.
Cox, Secretary of the Interior, is to be
81 e,