Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-01-06
The Feeling Entertained Toward Mr.. 'onn-
e0n.

The feeiDs hnteftnineo Az"
CON.
From the London Timesl a. ,.n
ID ia not for us 10 enter into the oiuer'
ences of opinion which are said 70 nave
arisen among Americans with respect 70
the manner ia which Mr.. johnson has
discharged his mission; ana u may DC
worth while TO observe that, with one dis
creditable exception, which we shall pres
emily notice, there has been nothing In
our reception of Mr.. johnson which has
had the Slightest reference to their politl-
cal disputes. He has been received and
welcomed by all classes as the Minister OF
the United States. He was not selected
by US. but was commissioned by them.
We have certainly not been disposed TO
regret their choice, but whoever they
might have sent would have been re-
ceiyed here in a similar spirit and with
similar unanimity. We gladly seized the
opportunity of expressing to their repre-,
sentative the sincere friendship we reel
toward them; and If some persons have
Joined in that expression who IN former
times have been thought to display diff
ferent feeling, it is only sign that now
AT least we are unanimous in our friendly
disposition. Had we, indeed, displayed
any distrust Of Mr.. johnson, the Ameri-
cans would have had good reason to com
plain. He is the accredited Minister from
their government, and slight to him
would be a public slight to them. Mr..
johnson has himself placed the mat
ter in very proper light in letter
we publish elsewhere. Some workingmen
connected with the Reform League had
invited him to dinner; bnt, in conse'
ouence of the discussions in America to
which we have alluded, division OF
feeling arose among them, and they have
withdrawn the invitation. They were
not even content with this piece oil rudes
ness, but must needs tell Mr.. johnson, In
plain words, of supposed hostility
toward him of majority Of Americans.
To this he justly replies that "he denies
he right of any class of persons In this
country, many or few, to question that
he is representative on the government
and people of the United States; and he
objects, if possible, more decidedly, that
any such impression constitutes even the
semblapce of excuse for any act OF dis
courtesy toward him officially" Mr..
johnson is fortunate in escaping. from
contact with persons who are obviously
ignorant of the manners Of gentlemen.
But their insult to the United States
Ambassador is of more Importance than
their rudeness to Mr. johnson. He is
not mistaken, however, in supposing
that this committee represent nobody
but themselves, and that the working
class arc in accord with oil other classes
in the respect with which they desire to
treat any one who may hold his office.
Before Mr.. Coningsby and his friends
take upon themselves again to interfere
in public matters, we trust they will ac-
quaint themselves With the rules both OF
ordinary society and of official courtesy.
Wei repeat that so long as Mr.. johnson IS
the accredited Minister of the United
States, we treat him with the most uE-
qualified trust as their representative;
and unless the Americans are displeased
at our entertaining q friendly feeling
toward themselves, they have no reason
TO be displeased with our reception OF
their minister.