The Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1865-1870, 1869-01-15
REvERDY JOHNSON.

The New York Tribune, com mentinI
upon Reyerdy Johnson pitiful self ex
cuse that in his treatment of Laird anc
other English rebel toadies he was
merely doing what Grant had done
says:
Mr.. Laird was conspicuous example. In
defiance of the orders of the Queen. he bull,
vessels to destroy the commerce of America
Many a good ship went down under their
guns. Lord Wharncliffe was prominently a
leader of the English anti-American senti-
Esnt, and accepted the craftsmanship of a
society avowedly established to aid the Re
bslion. Mr.. Roebuck in his violent, coarse
way. was the lusty champion of rebel lion in
she House of Commons. His eu1nity took
him all the way to Paris to coax the French
Emperor to interfere in behalf of the South.
Here were three Englishmen who were as
much in the rebel interest as though they had
taken up arms under Gen. Lee. Mr.. John
son's mission might bring him into relations
with them. No one expected that he would
exhibit the least diScourtesy. What the duty
Of his Office required was proper and nothing
more. But the duties Of his office certainly
did not require him to meet them in friend
ship, to make them speeches of adulation, to
single out Lord Wharnclitfe as a man dear to
America, to publicly welcome Mr.. Roebuck
his friend even while he assaulted Ameri-
ca with disgusting criticism, and to proud
" salute Mr.. Laird before a company of
English gentlemen. All this Reverdy John
son did, and when the cable flashed to US the
story of his deeds every American blushed
with shame. It is no excuse 10 quote the ex-
ample of Gen. Grant. There is vast differ
erce between the attentions shown General |
IonSstreet by the Presden. elect and those |
sho~ered upon MIR. Laird. Gen. Longstreet |
is soldier who fought in mistaken cause,
who was beaten, and who accepted defeat |
like a soldier and gentleman. He used his
influence TO restore peace. He had risked
his life for what he believed his duty. Mr..
Laird risked his money for what his Queen
told him was crime, and in contest in
which he had neither part nor lot. He sent
ont ships to destroy the commerce OF ma
:inn with which he was at peace. He was
mere pirate covering under the English
flag. Nay, it he had even been pirate, he
might at least have courageously accepted
the risks which the Alabama encountered off
the coast of France, and enforced the respect
which is ever due to courage.
We would do no harm to these gentlemen.
All we expected from our Minister was that
he should cross over to the other side and
permit them to 60 thor way. We regard him
AZ man unmindful of the dignity and self
respect of an American Minister. He is no
ambassador Of ours. He is mere salaried
adventurer who has forfeited his position,
ard in no sense the representative Of the
United States. And when Mr.. Johnson as
cribes this sentiment to 90 secret dislike for
the preservation OF peaceful relations be-
tween the two countries"-he makes his po-
sition forlorn and pitiful. We honor the
great English nation. So far as our poor in
iuence has gone we have labored for har-
Inouy and peace and unity The England d
of Bright and Cobden-is a glorious nation :;
Atty, and its flag has long been the emblem
Of civilization and justice. We have criti- I
cised her policy, and especially the policy ,
which has oppressed Ireland; but in this We
have only joined with her most trusted c
statesmen The England of Laird and f
WharnclitIe and Roebuck deserves no re- :,
sDect. no consideration, no friendship. For
Mr.. Johnson to seek it ont and cover it with L
'is euiogies and adulation, and publicly fem a
,race it, is as much an insult to America, as t
would be in the eyes of Englishmen for
Sir Edward Thornton TO do honor to Mr..
'ohn Savage, or Mr.. George Francis Train. l
Mr.. Johnson evidently feels this His hu-
nifty is touching. There are some sins that
ammo. be forgiven, and these he has COM a
nitted. His usefulness as Minister is at
n end. When ambassadors find it necessary
o go down upon their knees they had better .
ONE home.