Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-06-18
A Talk with Reverdy Johnson.

A Talk with Reverdy Johnson.
A correspondent Of the New York
Times gives an account OF a proiesscG
interview with tho Hon. Rcvcrdv
Johnson, late United States Minister
to England, at his country residence.
near Baltimore, n few days ago. A.
portion Of tho conversation between
Mr.. johnson and the correspondent is
thus related by the latter:
GLOW is Mr. Sumncr2" then said
Mr.. johnson. x 4 x 4 "Mr.
Sumner is in Washington" ! replied,
"and feels extremely we'll satisfied
with his speech"
"WclI," replied Mr.. Johnson, II do
not know that any one else is satisfied
with it. l tell you that that speech
Of :5umncr has made England unit
against the United States. Our
friends thcrc have fallen Off by troo,s.
al first the people declared for war,
but now 1 thinli they have got over
that idea aud arc satisfied thai our
intentions arc pacific. The speech
having been approved by The Senate,
the English people al first thought il
was u declaration Of war. and wcrc
prepared to accept it in that spirit :;
but they have since changed their
minds, and now they have justly
arrived at the conclusion that Sumncr
is, :iscr all, but one American citizen,
and does not represent the views OF
ikc administrations"
For few minutes Mr.. Johnson
here relapscd into ciience: and then
broke GU, again "Sumner's speech is
absurd Do you know what they
say Of it in England Clarendon
says that it is absurd and prcposicr-
GUS; that it is not tho speech o.
either alawyer or statesman that
its proro 'itoas are wholly inadmissi-
bie.' "Why," Eaid MI. johnson,
"this same LIZ. Sumner wrote to Mr..
Bright on the 19,h or 20tb of last
January that the protocol which I
sent here would haze been almost
unanimously approved ic it had been
received three weeks sooner. The
fact is, the incoming President did not
want the question settled during the
administration Of Andrew Johnson
and the Republican party did net
want it settled by me. They did not
wapt the ecfas of having the Inost
difficult question, short Of the cues.
ton of, actual separation, that has
arisen bcSwocn Tho two countries,
settled by Democratic administra.
tion." .E ..' ..si .. 4'.g,
"Why don't the English papers
publish Mr.. Summers. speech ?"
Why, because it is too nonscns;cal
Clarendon says that tho United States
as q Government, have no claims
against England as o Government
The United Statos have private indi
vidual claims against England, and
England has private individual claims
against the United States: These the
English people and Government are
wiling to submit to IN arbitration
Clarendon says that England nigh
'cs well say that she would reject thu
treaty because tho holders Of Irist
republican bonds might come in under
It's terms. The Americans whom
have met abroad denounoe Mr.. Sumne
MS much as, the English people do. L
Is foolish speech" ...2+=2 gia4' ri -
IL Mr.. Johnson was very indignant OF
this subject. He could not tolerat
the idea Of attaching any importanc
or Significance whatever to the idea
! Of tho Massachusetts,. Senator. 81
started up from bis seat, and walkinl
up and down tie room. neryouslyK : an ~
rapidly said s"s.l. .,'n,'' , ~ =
/ sTie Hpglisslhb selsl government aaa : vi, !,
! neser aeeeede to; TIE Sumner demand'
Clarendon wont 5iel1.;og yield. one ), inch hor
(; his position. They have taken it, an
! Ecannot be shaken If sn i s theis rssoly''
T They They aEe sYS9, YSsyy Prey RrsSpd people,
,fpoweffuI people and cannot, i
Enlightened"
IL 81 Hyukats * -;CI ftSrE 40 :. ,v,s,, h,