The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-29
THE NEW YORK PRESS.
EDITORIAL OPINIONS OF THE LEADING
JOURNALS UPON CURRENT TOPICS.
COMPiLrD EVERY DAY FOR EVENING rrIEeRAPH'

Johnson--Its Probable consequences at
Home and Abroad,
ErVn Ms Herald,
IL is interesting as we'll as important to study
in advance the consequences which are hkely 10
fellow persistence by President Johnson In the
Toreian policv which he is said to have recently
resolved upon in connection with our claims
npon England for indemnity growing out of the
alabama depredations, and in regard to the
French failure to lmperialize Mexico. The plan
which the Administration seems to have adopted
is 10 press to an immediate settlement our just
demands against England, resorting to reprisals
and war in case of refusal on her part to ac-
cede to those demands, and at the same time, or
possibly preceding any such positive action to
enter into an agreement with the French En-
peror IN reference to the withdrawal OF Maxi
milian from Mexico, the restoration of repub-
hcan form of government there under the pro-
tectOrate of the United States, the assumption
by us of the debt justly due by Mexico to French
subjects, and which was made the preteXt of the
invasion, and the transfer TO us, by way of COM
pensation, of Lower California and other por-
dOns of the Mexican territory lying contiguous
to our own possessions.
The part of this plan which we have men
toned as second is really first. 1t IS preltmt-
nary and accessory to the other portion. 1t
would not be, perhaps, very discreet in our
Government to enter upon war with England
while Englands powerful ally, France, had also
some unsettled questions pending with us. But
let us first settle our difficulties with France on
such terms and conditions as to secure her
friendship and neutrality, and then we can
afford to apply ourselves to compulsory mea-
sures with England. That's, as we u1d irstand it,
the course of conduct which our Government
has resolved upon. BY relieving France at this
time Of most troublesome and expensive
mndertQKinQ terms which wi nafta har
selfpride, or at least save it from severe
rebuke, we will be emitting ourselves to her
gratitude. In fact, we are in position TO stipu-
late for her neutrality, if not, indeed, for her
good offices, in our controversy with England.
Louis Napoleon would probably not be very
seriously averse, under any circumstances to
seeing the pride and power of his dear ally,
England, humbled and diminished to a con.
siderable extent; and her conduct to us in fur
nlshlng to the Southern Rebels feet of pirate
vessels to burn our merchant ships and destroy
eur commerce entities her to no consideration
1T our hands.
In regard to Mexico, we think the plan pro
posed will commend itself to the approval of
the people OF the United States. 1t clearly
would be no gain to us to see Macmillan ex-
PEELED, if he were onlyHto be succeeded by one
OF those chiefs OF factions that have been so long
the curse OF Mexico, and that have rendered
STEADY government there Impossible. But the
plan contemplates the restoration of republican
institutions to Mexico under the protectorate of
tne United States, and it will be for us 10 esta-
Dlsn, in accordance with liberal principles,
government there that will express and repre-
sent the wishes of the Mexican people, restore
order, and place the country in the peaceful
paths OF civilization and development, preparing
ior iuture absorption into this republic. The
mconslderable sum that will be required to
satisfy the French claims is of no account when
compared with the objects 10 be attained by it,
SYen II ~ were not more than compensated for
by the acquisition of territory.
There VIII be still less difference of opinion
1n regard TO the course proposed to be pursued
ment would be so unanimously and enthusiasts.
tically endorsed by the American people as a
declaration OF war against that power, followed
by an armed occupation of Canada and its
annexation to the United States. If England
persisted in her refusal to make full reparaton
for all the losses sustained by our commerce in
consequence OF her treacherous fitting out of
AngloR Rebel pirate vessels, then our Government
would be sustained in levying war upon her;
not on, by the American people unanimously,
hnt by the Intelligent verdict of imnart;SI
public opinion in Europe. But would England
risk the consequences of refusal to make
proper reparationi Thos is a question W hich
time and the occasion would have to solve.
While on the other side her governing class
the aristocracy might accept war as a means of
escape from the revolution undertaken by the
reformers, on the other hand there is pretty
settled convection among the English people
that their navy would stand a mighty slim
chance of competing with our iron-clad fleets,
and that any resistance they could make against
our armies marching INTO Canaua would De stlll
more hopeless. The chances, therefore, whether
England would accept war or accede to our
demands peacefully, are about equally balanced,
In either event her humiliation would be pretty
thorough, and the other nations of Europe
would be very apt to enjoy 1t.
And what would be the effect at home OF this
foreign policy OF our Government? Evidently
II would tend, more than anything else to
strengthen the hands OF President Johnson and
give to his administration that measure OF popu-
larity which IL stands so much in need OF. The
radicals would not dare to oppose that policy,
being themselves as strenuousy in favor of it
as any other element OF our population; they
would therefore have to indorse it, and, to
that extent range themselves ON the side of the
administration. Pending its development we
would hear no more threats of impeachment.
The President, on his side, would cease his op-
position to the policy of Congress in reference
TO reconstruction, If, indeed, the whole subject
would not be tacitly permitted to drop, and the
southern States be received back into the Union
without further question or the imposition of
any hard terms. With these promises of an
easy solution OF our home difficulties and of
malntenance of the national honor and inte-
rests broad, we think that the foreign policy
foreshadowed will meet the earnest and hearty
and enthusiastic support of the whole peonie
of the United States--radical conservatipa
Democratic, and Republican-North and South
Let it go forward. 0'''-''
what Was Proved Refore Tn. p.
sfo 7-'1e'n-- e'structtOn Committed, NNeoon-
From ne Tribune. xxx
The 1914 pages of oral and documsatarv evil
aence reported by the Congressional Com. itteo
..fto l1av