The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-17
Presidential Enbnrrassments to tho Radicals
In Congress.

Presidential Embnrrassments to tho Radicals
In Congress.
Dir. johnson has made another nomination
His nomination Of General Hancock, made
some time ago, seemed peculiar piece OF po-
litical strategy. Congress laughed at it, and
in that laughter things were somewhat con-
fused; the mass Of the people, for instance. did
not very clearly distinguish the limit Of risI'
cule-did not quite mako out whether Con-
gressmen were laughing at the futility Of the
Presidents msnGavre, q whether they were
laughing at the gallant soldier. II can hardly
be an advantage to the radicals to be caught
laughing at tho heroes Of tho war. General
Hancock vas one of the most brilliant Of those.
His fecord Is that Of sterling and honest
fighter through the whole course Of terrible
pounding that was given and taken In the
many campaigns Of the Army Of the Potomac.
In common with every other soldier with
similar record, he has done more for the good
of the country than all the politicians together
that have ever been crammed into the city Of
Washington. This the people know. Toward
mon of this stamp their hearts warm with
noble, natural impulse, and they feel their
generous sympathies insulted, experience q
sense scarcely less than that OF personal injury,
when they see politicians sheer st their heroes
Hero, then, was the success Of Mr.. Johnson's
man9uvre. II committed the radicals to an
error; put them in Mo wrong on . point in
volving the honorable sensibIliGes Of the
people.
The President has repeated this little expert
ment He has thrown up the name Of General
Sherman to provoke the radicals into develop
ing to the country their real instincts and pur-
poses in showing what they would do with
that name They do not laugh this time. They
push the gallant soldier aside, however, by re-
ferring him to q committee, and the effect on
the people is the same From both cases flows
An inference that cannot commend any party to
the people-the inference that gallant services
and patriotic devotion TO the national cause
are of no value In the eyes Of party men, and
that rather than not put an indignity upon the
President the majority in Congress will slight
and scorn, IS occasion serves the men to whose
genius and devotion the nation owes its safety.
Some perception Of this seems to have forced
itself upon tho minds Of leading radicals, for
in the case Of Sherman an attempt is made to
cover the TANKS Of the party in lis action. We
hear vague, indirect, unauthorized declara-
tons that the General rejects in advance the
honors that tue President would bestow upon
him in the name Of the people. All this comes
from the party tricksters, who, seeing the deli
cacy Of refusing to act with the President in
advancing the grade Of . man to whom
the country owes 50 much as il does to Sher-
man-seeing how such persistent refusal to
honor soldiers must affect tho people--desire
10 shit the burden to other shoulders, and
would even attribute il to the General self-ab
negation and modssty. But this ia TO ignore
The Generals character. General Sherman
has no self-abnegation 50 far as glory goes,
and not . particle Of modesty In any respect.
He ia selfconscious in an eminent degree and
be has served the country 80 brilliantly that
none can justly quarrel with the honorable
vanity he feels in the contemplation Of bis own
record, or with his thought that the country
has been tardy to honor him rs he deserves.
Let there be no Misunderstanding on this
point then. II Is not that General Sherman
declines an honor, but that Congress refuses
TO give it, and refuses because II will not miss
an occasion 70 cross the President
Mr.. johnson should keep up this particular
Are. In compelling Congress TO take action
on his various nominations he compels the
majority TO exhibit itself to the country
Invested OF disguises. He forces Congress to
make the demonstration Of its own shortcom-
ings II his nominations are confirmed he has
the credit Of having made good appointments
IL rejected, the Senate has the odium
Of refusing to do right-of desiring to
serve It's party hates al the country's
cost. II is reported that the President
will nominate General Mcclellan to represent
the United States la England. lie should GER
tsinly do this. Ii would be fresh aud pecu-
liar embarrassment to Congressional radical
ism and give one more evidence Of the Presi-
dents desire 70 sympatbze with The popular
will in bonoring soldiers. McClelan's record
is purity and gallantry itself He created the
finest OF our armies, won tn" great battle that
sent TO the right about the first rebel invasion
Of the North and fell victim only to 5 ianton's
Vaccinations He In an accomplished gentle
man and . scholar. And if bi. nomination be
rejected, what then, Such rejection has had
great effects before tbis. 1t wae the Senare's
rejection Of Martin Van Buren,, when nomi-
mated by General jackson for the same post.
that finally carried Little Van to the White
u,,.c And ~ho knows lint tho radical re-
lection Of gallant soldier may excite popu-
lar reaction tina, will give the opposition a
practicable candidate and . real position in
the Presidential campaignf The people delight
in nothing SO much as in reversing tho vcrdicis
Of hasty opinion or mlsused authority.
GENERAL GRANTS PHsrrIoN.-The refusal Of
Eenaral Grant 10 ioin the imneAc hulent move