The Sun. — 1864-01-22 (London, England)

RUSSELL. He dilates upon the immensity of our commerce, and then draws from it the inference that we should be very careful with regard to the laws respecting neutrals and belligerents. His theory is that armed steamers like the Alabama bear a sort of charmed life, and that it is perfectly impossible to capture or overtake them ; consequently if we admit the right of neutrals to supply such vessels to belligerents the tables may one day be turned upon ourselves, and two or three such predatory vessels supplied to an enemy by a neutral power may play havoc with our shipping ? Some persons might suggest that, seeing the Alabama was launched from an English dockyard it might not be altogether impossible to match her. It might also be thought that the introduction of steam instead of putting it " out of the power of navies" to interfere with such vessels, just supplied the speed necessary for overtaking them. But this excess of prudence, according to Mr. MILNER GIBSON, has been the cause of our Foreign Secretary's extreme anxiety about the building of these ships. We doubt whether such a reason will find much favour in the eyes of a people who have generally proved tolerably competent to protect themselves and their property, without troubling themselves to twist international laws to suit their possible necessities. If common sense tells Mr. GIBSON, as he says it does, that the Confederate Government are the parties who have, directly or indirectly,:caused these ships to be built in this country, and that in so doing they entered upon a deliberate course of violating and evading the laws of England," what does it tell him about the large exports of arms and ammunition made from this country by the agents of the Federal Government ?  Of the prospects of the cotton trade Mr. GIBSON entertains the same views which we have always advocated. From the information he can receive he thinks we may look with confidence to a revival of the prosperity of the cotton trade! " The increase in the imports from India, from Egypt, and other places show a tendency to make us almost, if not altogether independent," and as time goes on those most qualified to jadge confirm the accuracy of these anticipations. On the question of Reform Mr. GIBSON' s views are sounder than on the foreign policy. He still upholds undaunted the principles of which we have been the staunch adherents. The ballot, he maintains, is indispensable to the expression of the pure and genuine opinion of an electoral body. He says very justly, " There may be countries in which the classes are so equal in social position—there may be circumstances in which the ballot is rendered a question of no moment ; but I believe there was never a country of our social feelings, our sense of caste, our aristocratic predilections, our gradations of wealth and poverty—there never was a country in the world which requires for the eliciting of the genuine vote of a constituent body the power of secret voting so much as England." It is satisfactory to find that the President of the Board of Trade still keeps such principles unshaken and unchanged, though the benefit which Reformers hoped to receive from his presence in the Administration has been more than counterbalanced by the prevailing influence of the " Rest I and be Thankful" faction.  Are we to Reward Murder with a Comfortable Provision for Life 1