The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-06-11
A TALK WITH IcEHERDY JOHNSON
His Views on the Rejection OF the Ala
bnma Treaty-RRect OF Mr.. Summers
Speech ON the English Ministry mnd
People.


gives an account of professed interview with
the II on. Reverdy Johnson, late United States
Minister to England, at his country residence,
near Baltimore, a few days ago. A portion of
the conversation between Mr.. johnson and the
correspondent is thus related by the latter:
How is Mr.. sumner2" then said Mr.. John
ington,"I replied, land teels extremely we'll
satisfied with his speech"
SWELL" replied Mr.. johnson, 81 do not know
that any one else 10 satisfied with it. tell
you that that spe ech Of sumner has made
England unit against the United States. Our
friends there have fAtlen or by froopH. At
hrst the people declared for war, but now I
think they hays got over that idea and are
speech having been approved by the Senate,
the English people at first thought it was
declaration OF war, and we're prepared to accept
it in that spirit; but they have since changed
their minds, aud now they have justly arrived
at the conclusion that Sumner is, after all. but
one American citiz en-. and does not represent
the, views OF the administration"
For few minutes MIR. johnson here re-
lapsed into silence, and then broke out again:
Summers speech is absurd Do YOU know
hat they say OF it in England? Clarendon
Ays that it is absurd and preposterous; that
ie is not the speech Of either lawyer or q
statesman; that It's PROPOSITIONS are wholly in
ADMISSIBLE ''Why," said Mr.. Johnson, ssthis
same MIR. Sumner wrote to Mr.. Bright on the
18th or 10th OF last ia uary that the protocol
which sent here would have been almost
un9nilnously approved IF it had been received
thTee weeks sooner. The fact Is, the incoming
President did not want the question settled
during the administration Of Andrew Johnson,
ana the Republican party did not want it
settled by me. They did not want the eclat Of
having the most difficult question, short OF the
question OF actual separation, that has arisen
between the two countries, settled by Demo.
''Why don't the English papers publish Mr.,
Summers speech?"
''Why, because it is TOO nonsensical. Clar-
endon says that the United States, as q gov
government. The 5e United % States @ have % private va g
individual claims against England, and Eng
land has private individual claim. against the
United States. These the English people and
government are willing to submit to an arbi-
as well say that she would reject the treaty be-
cause the holders of Irish republican bonds
might come in under its terms. The Ameri-
cans whom I have met abroad denounce Mr..
is o foolish speech"
MIR. johnson was very indignant on this CUB
ject. He could not tolerate the idea of attach
ing any importance or significance whatever TO
the ideas Of the Massachusetts sena or. He
started up from his seat. and walking uD and
down the room nerv0usly and rapidly said:
"rhe English Government will never accede
to the Summer demands. Clarendon won't
taken it, and cannot be shaken in their resolve.
They are very proud people. o powerful peo-
pie and cannot be frightened"
"What do You think of war between Eng
land and the United States, Mr.. Johnsonp WHAT
would be the resull OF it n s
''The result would be unfavorable'to u.s. In
the first place, our debts are equal. But there
will not be and cannot be q war so long as there
is any common sense left to the two peoples.
But, to talk about it for arguments sake: Eng
land WIS never better prepared for , war than
to enter on contest OF the kind chan she was
during the rebellion. Do you remember Ad-
miral Porter's letter on the subject? Ae is OF
cannot gnt England Yes I they wona s 'ass niye ws
Canada, provided the Canadians people were
willing to be changed; but I do not think
they are, and sooner than part with that pro-
vince On foroible terms, England would lose
her last man and her last shilling. .