New-York tribune., 1871-01-13
TIE PRESS ON THE MOTTEY-FIsH CORRE-
SPONDENCE.

LIE IhESo ON The MOTIEY-TISH CORRE-
sPONDENCE
Inc Democratic papers of the country take,
as matter of course, antAdmnsration Wow of the
Moueyflsh correspondence. Whom Mr. Motley wrote to
.no secretary OF State undo. Andrew johnson. pro
Dew" 's''"S. mnat seemed to him an insult, the
vvracy we're loud In protesting that tho Minister had
brought disgrace upon the nation. Tho Democracy is
now equally emphatic in declaring that tho same
Ministers removal is disgrace. Ills learning and his
reputation as historian dwelt upon per-
sstenty as they formerly ignored In the Repub
ncan poss OF the country there IL such unanimty
Tho wEngland-partiouarly the Massachusetts
papers show a sensitive regard for Mr.. Motley both on
account OF his own Identification with Boston and on
account Of MI Summers position The Boston Journal
has little TO say beyond resume Of the letters, but
trusts that the of the people will FORM II they
can, reasonable hypothesis TO account for the summary
removal" The Advertiser considers tho affair " an
unfortunate duel between masters Of the art Of letter
writing; the principals sldful swOrdsmen and
those who interested In displays of ts kind will find
plenty TO excite their admiration" 1t thinks
that bir. Motley chose wrong course, but
that Secretary Fish is unnecessarily harsh. 1t
suggests, too, that "if the correspondence
itself Is evil the publicity given 10 1t Is very serious
aggravaton Of the evil the injury TO the Government
from this trifing with important Office and an ex-
pcrienced officer, and from such exposure OF the se-
cure tenure by which faithful public servants hold ther
poeitiOLs hardly be exaggerated" Jhe i,OstgH
Trapeor sees nothing In the correspondence credtab9
20 the Minister and says The reader cannot but feel
self making history with result that adds but little to
hisreputatioI" Ihe SprnQfeld Repn6hcca says & that
the feelings Of an honorable man, who unqucsonaDly
meant 70 represent his Government honestly but with
correspondence does not represent Mr. Hoey Il thinks
as very slrewd diplomat, nor Cen Grant as very
comfortable attitude than either"
The ohio Stlte Journal asks: Who shall decide be
ested observer that the stale Of feeling dcycl
oped bv i rorrcsDOuence was moi such as 10 warrant
the Administration in retaining Mr.. Motley in the conf
dental relation Of its agent and representatives In me
peculiarly delicate and important negotiations then uu-
der ondcration. II there any doubt Of bis hearty
codporatiOn tho country could not help suffering und
tho feeble and rrcsouto policy grow OF such
o state OF uncertainty" The CincHn0ti gazette thinks
that the "sense OF tho American people W recognize
Mr. Moteys right to give account and defense oI his
mission under The circumstances Of his recall
The Commercial OF the city admits that the Presi
dent has an able attorney In MS Seertar o ste put
shows is usual want OF sympathy with The AdnisIIa
onfrom personal sandnoniMII M I Gonaeo coao 8, MI NJ
Motlcys removal The TO'ed1 BGde speaks with great
severity Of Secretary Fish and dethd' Mi aGey y
the eitGIs 10 gh S t9e sts dges lS rot ap6ear
TO advantage in The c0IresponItnce We naNo pr fr
among his admirers, and SIN cherish IN respect lot
lis warmcst admirers must admit that his protest mas
an uubecoming II is captions an querulou Ihe
which Mr. Motley may wen lament having PROVOKED ior
II leaves him in 10 enviahle plfnL ..,,, o..i
The Chicd9o Tribune thinks that nothing eoud M CVtI @
te a gri.ver ocnso in diplomatic point OF view thah
such a violation traEsglesslou or Instruction. ann
tbst Mr. Mo:lry does rot really cortr0yert the charge
IL continues in opinion the President Was amply
Justified in trst asking him TO Tesgn ana then pclel1P
tOrily recalling him. But, II anything were heeeeu
to put Dir. Motley stil further in the wrong, ~
is supplied by his subsequent behavior -,
Mr Motley, fear has an exaggerated cnlhon oi MS
own consequence, and, Ike many 0tnGr once hoets,
FORGOT that he Ws representative OF the United States
Goyernment and that outside o that chaIuct ne had
no oical standing Tho President had ~. rght 70 TO
move him. and IL was the duty OF tho Ffesuen' " u" ~
when dissatisfied with his action