The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-02-26
ssse.u q From the New York Heyald.
Presidential Embarrassments TO the Radi.
= p. Gals In Congress-.

Mr.. johnson mas made another nomination.
His nomination of General Hancock, made
some time ago, seemed peculiar piece of
political strategy. Congress- laughed at it,
and in that laughter things were somewhat
confused the mass Of the people, for instance,
did not very clearly distinguish the limit of
ridicule--did not quite make out whether
Congressman were laughing at the futility of
the Presidents mannuvre or whether they
were laughing at the gallant soldier It can
hardly be an advantage to the Radicals to be
caught laughing at the heroes of the. war.
General Hancock was one Of the most bril-
liant Of these. His record is that of ster-
hing and honest fighter through the whole
course Of terrible pounding that was given
and 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 Washing
ton. This the people know. Toward men
of this stamp their hearts warm with a no.
bic, natural impulse, and they feel their gen
erous sympathies insulted, experience sense
scarcely less than that Of personal injury,
when they see politicians sheer at their he
roes. Here, then, was the success of Mr..
Johnson's maneuvre. It committed the
Radicals to an error put them in the wrong
on point involving the honorable sensibili-
ties of the people.
The President has repeated this little ex-
pertinent. He has thrown up the name Of
General Sherman to provoke the Radicals
into developing to the country their real in
stincts and purposes, in showing what they
would do with that name. They do not laugh
this time. They push the gallant soldier
aside, however, by referring him to commit
tee, and the effect on the people is the same.
From both cases flows an inference that can.
not,commend any, party to the people-the
Inference that gallant services and patriotic
devotion to the national cause are Of no. val
uein the eyes Of party men, and that rather
than not put an indignity upon the President
the majority in Congress Will slight and scorn,
as occasion serves, tho men to whose genius
and devotion the nation owes its safety.
= x x
Mr.. johnson should keep up this particu-
lar fire. In compelling Congress to take ac-
ton on his various nominations he compels
the majority to exhibit itself to the country
Invested Of DISCUSSES He forces Congress
to make the demonstration of its, own short
comings. If his nominations are confirmed
he has the credit Of having made good APP
pointments; if rejected, the Senate has the
odium of refusing to do right--of desiring
to serve its party hates at the countrys cost.
1t is reported that the President will nomi-
nate General Mcclellan to represent the
United States in England. He should Ger
tainly do this It would be fresh and pc
culiar embarrassment to Congressional Radi-
cahsm, and give one more evidence Of the
Presidents desire to sympathize with the pop
p ssee, win i ea hor ing sanrv se
created the finest of our armies, won the
great battle that sent to the right about the
first rebel invasion Of the North, and fell a
victim only to Stanton's Vaccinations.