The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-14
HON. REVERDY JOHNSON, MINISTER To
ENGLAND.

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The nomination and confirmation by the Senate OF
the Hon. Reverdy Johnson as Minister PlenipOten-
tiary to the Court Of St. James event that will
be received with satisfaction by the entire people Of
the United States. II is also particularly gratifying
that the Senate for rose above partisan consid
erations and unanimously confirmed the distin.
guished Maryander, whose great abilities, unques.
toned purity Of character both in public and in
private life and sterling patriotism, nave made him
one Of the most popular and best respected men in
the country.
Mr.. Johnsons native State is Maryland, he having
been born in Annapolis the 2lst of May, 1906. His
parents, highly respectable and comparatively
wealthy persons, gave him an excellent education,
which he obtained at st. Johns College. He gradu-
ated therefrom when about seventeen years Of age,
and Immediately commenced the study Of law In the
Office of his father the well known Chief Justice
Johnson, OF Maryland. Two years subsequently
Qsl5) he was admitted to the bar Of Prince George
county, and began the practice of his profession
under the most favorable auspices. In 1917 he
moved to Baltimore, the place of his legal residence
since, and in that city rose rapidly to promt'
nence one Of the abest legal minds Of his State.
The reputation he obtained was so extended that IN
1919 1--WE beleve) he was appointed State Attorney,
and in 1920 further promoted by an appointment
as Chief Commissioner Of Insolvent Debtors. This
Offlce he held for little over year, when he re-
signed to take his seat in the State Senate Of Mary.
land, to which he had been elected for two years.
At the end Of his he was reelected by large
majority, but after retaining his seat for one year
resigned in consequence Of his political duties inter-
fering materially with his extensive professional
duties. For nearly twenty years afterwards Mr..
Johnson kept aloof from politics. devOting his time
to the law and winning reputation for legal ability
such few men In this country have obtained. In.
deed 1t has been said by many OF the most promi.
nent members OF the bar that as a legal mind and as
lawyer Mr.. Reverdy Johnson is the equal OF any
member Of his profession, and that but few
tiers OF law and equity to the extent that he is.
After remaining in private life for some twenty
years the distinguished gentleman appeared again
in public Senator to Congress from the State OF
Maryland, he having been elected to that high posi-
ton by the Legislature Of his State in 1s45. Having
been offered the position Of Attorney General Of the
United States in General Taylor's cabinet Mr.. John
son resigned the Senatorship in s49, having held il
but four years. Upon the retirement OF Mr. Fillmore
from the Presidential Office, the subject OF this
sketch once more resumed the practice Of his profess
sion, his practice being confined almost entirely
to the Supreme Court Of the United States. During
this period he also aided In preparing seven vol.
umes Of reports of decisions in the Court of APP
peals Of Maryland, which regarded very
valuable works Of reference by the legal profession
In 1861 Mr.. Johnson was delegate TO the celebrated
Peace Congress- and made earnest aud able, though
unavailing efforts 10 stay the storm Of
war which was threatening the country. During
the following year he was, for the last time, elected
a Senator to Congress for the term beginning in
1863 and ending in 1869. In 1862 the difficulty which
arose between General Butler and the Consul of the
Meth erlands at New Orleans calling for judicial in.
vestigation Mr.. Johnson appointed by the gov
nauf IN " fha
merits Of the case. In his report he pointed out
With remarkable clearness and accuracy that the
hero Of Big Bethel had exceeded his powers and had
ordered certain seiZures-the cause Of the dispute
in defiance OF all law, whether civil or military For
this report he was for, II we are not mistaken the
first time In his life charged with having been innu-
enced by improper motives IN rendering his de-
csion His reply to this asperslon was Of such con.
camor OF his enemies or rather the friends OF Cen
era Butler and raised Mr. johnson higher yet in the
supported the Union cause, aud gave his hearty sup
port to the suppression OF the rebellion;
earnestness every MEASURE pp0'f Introduced into
the Senate which tended to violate the
constitution or to lower that instrument IN the es
nation OF the people. When the war had ceased,
and the Southern States had submitted IN good aiih
he earnestly urged their readmssion to representa-
ton, without delay, and without imposing cohdi-
lions which would tend to degrade the southern
people In their own estimation, or which would cause
them regard with bitterness their failure TO achieve
independence. At the same time nc favored sucn
guarantees as would hereafter prevent the recur-
renee or we NAV say, the reyiyhcatOn OF the causes
which had operated TO keep the two great sections OF
the republic Ia continual antagOnlsu. FOR many
months Mr. Johnson abOred assiduousy, and devoted
his great abilities to the work OF restoration on
CONSTITUTIONAL basis. The fact that he, with the
handful of conservatives in the Senate failed TO nu-
ence the radical element Is OF too recent occurrence
70 need A restatementhere. The terrible condition Of
tho South soon after the fall elections OF 1866 induced
Mr. Johnson to vote for the first Reconstruction bill,
and also vote in favor OF its passage over the Presi-
dents veto. This he did, az he said al the time not
because he believed the measure constitutional and
cause he desired to see speedy restoration Of tho
southern States to their places In the Union. But
when the second Reconstruction bill was introduced,
and 10 became apparent that the radicals were deter
mined TO burden the country with military dcs-
potism, Mr.. Johnson withdrew his support from tho
measure and gave II o strong opposition. Some
Of his abest speeches have been made since the close
Of the war on the subject OF reconstruction.
In no sense OF the word is Mr. Johnson political
partisan. Although In measure connected with
he democratic party he has frequently opposed its
policy at times. AS O consequence, his extended
has been gained not so much oy MS
political career as by his great legal talents ano MS
purity Of character. In appointing MN minister 70
England the President has only rewarded well ue-
serving statesman, and In UNANIMOUSLY connrmih9
him the Senate has done credit to Itself IN paying
30 marked tribute OF respect TO one OF us aolesg
gentleman OF marked dignity OF deport
mept combined with unusual suavity Oh mannep
and an interesting and entertaining CONVERSATIONS
LET and companion, Mr.. Johnson Will, we feel assuredt
make a most acceptable Minister, and will do honor
10 the United states ct the Court Of 81 JAWee