The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-01
MEN AND MEASURES AT WASHINGTON
rfoU Onr Otgs Correspondent
WAsHINGroN, Nov 80. lSos.
Our Minister TO England


WAsHINGToN, Nov 81, 1865
Our Minister TO England.
Reverdy John son, our Minister at the Court
of ST. James, is the legitimate fruit OF the dis.
graceful Grading" policy pursued by the Senate
In the matter OF appoin tments and conhrma
tions. OF course every Republican Senator Is
heartily diseusted with Minister Johnson's
conduct In England, and a clear majority OF
them would doubtless vote for resolution OF
censure. But this would be a new illustration
OF locking the stable door after the horse has
been stolen.
ReVerdy JOhnson's Con firmation.
Every intelligent person al all acquainted
with the history Of Reverdy Johnson's career
expected him to do just about what he has
done In England. 1t would be derogstory to
the knowledge OF the Senators to suppose that
they knew less OF Johnson than parties out
side the Senate. The most charitable construc.
tion that can be put upon their conduct is to
give them the benent OF the presumption that
they have been deceived in him. But still this
will hardly satisfy the masses OF the American
people who have been outraged and disgraced
by the conduct OF the man selected by the
Senate TO represent them at the British COurt.
Nobody was surprised that President Johnson
should make such an appointment. Reverdy
w8s his political and personal friend. He was
the open and avowed champion of my
policy" in the Senate, and 1t was
natural that he should be rewarded But 10 was
in the power of the Senate to defeat the
appointment. Reverdy's nomination might
have been treated was the nomination OF
Sunset Cox for the Austrian mission MIR. Sum
ner, Chairman of the Senate C)m nittee OF
Foreign Relations, was at first disposed to re-
port against Mr.. Johuson's nomination. He
was OF the opinion then, as now that he was
not the proper man TO represent us In England,
especially in view of the settlement OF the
Alabama claims. Mr.. Sumner, however, dis
covered that not only was a aj1rity of the
Committee favorable to Reverdy johnson, but
that the Senate was determined TO confirm
him. Under these circumstances he reported
favorably, and although Mr. johnson did not
receive the full vote OF the Senate, there were
no votes against him.
Radical Senators NOnpIussed,
Every Republican Senator thaJ have heard
speak about toe subject denounces the conduct
OF Minister Johnson. When the question Is
asked, "Why did you vote for him?" they have
really no answer to m axe. They knew he was
Dem oerat, that durlng the war his secret sym.
pathies were with the south, and that he had
nothing in common with the parry that crushed
the Rebellion. With his an;eeedents and his
political views, 1t was natural for him to atf1l-
ate with Mr., Laird and other aiders and abet-
tors OF the South in England. The only possible
explanation for the vote OF the Senate In john
sons ease is the demoralizatio which resulted
from the "sNappiDg" policy, and the custom OF
the Senate TO copnrm unanimously one of It's
own members when nominated to office. The
| former Will scarcely stand the ties OF scru iny
before the American people, especially when