Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-07-03

tary of State from Georgia, and others.
"PUNIsHING TRAITORS AND MAKING TRIA-
SON OpIoUs"-A. J. NOT THE AUTHOR OF TIE
PHRAsH.-The monotonous commonplace OF
the speeches and State papers OF Andrew
johnson have beer relieved by one phrase OF
Websterian force and ring-that about "pun-
ishing traitors and making treason odious.'
The sentiment may be said 10 have been the
salvation Of johnson At a time when ne had
sunk pretty low in public estimation. But It
has always seemed odd how such a ringing
epigramaiic sentence should have come from
the mint OF sloppy, diffusive Johnsonian ut
terance. The mystery is. however, explained
10 us in this wise by enc well aware of the
facts. <r1
On the night of the surrender of Lee, General
Mussey, formerly Private Secretary 10 Presi-
dent LiRcoln,wa at the Union League Rooms,
Philadelphia, IN company with Mr.. Roheson,
present Secretary OF the Navy, and others, and
The question came up as TO the course likely 10
be pursued by President Lincoln towards the
rebel States. The fear was expressed by some
that advantage would be taken OF the good
nature of MIR. Lincoln by some OF the snrewd
rebel political leaders 10 obtain concessions
that would compromise the Republican party
The enquiry was made in the same conneI.
tIon how far Vice President johnson
could he counted on in aiding 10 carry ont
firm Republican line OF pslIey towards the
South. General Mussey gave the opinion that
he could be depended upon 5 a radical Repub-
lican. In the course OF this converse ion Mr..
Robson advocated the adoption OF a firm. de.
cIded policy IN regard to the ex-rebels and
said he was in favor OF .punishine traitors and
making treason odious." General Mussey on
his return to Washington related this
conversation 10 Mr.. johnson using the
language OF Mr.. Robson. The words above
quoted seemed 10 tickle Johnson's ear, and he
turned quickly around, saying WHAT was
that General Will you please repeat that
General Mussey repeated the words aud pres
sently Mr.. johnson asked their le-repetitisn,
and finally begged Gen. M. 10 write them
down, which be did. Shortly after tnat, on the
occasion OF Johpson's next public utterance
ne made use OF the now famous phrase as his
own, and from that day TO this has made much
of i, AS his own special thunder.
AFFAIRs IN CUBA-INTRREsTING Dis
PATCHES FROM ADMIRAL HoPF-RAyAGEs
OF CHOLERA AMONG THE SPANIARDs-THR
LATE FIGHTING-SRIZURR OF An ENGLIsH
SCHOONER WITH ARMS, &C.-Dispatehes have
been received at the Navy Department from
Rear r-AdmIraI Hof, commanding The Nortn
Atlantic Squadron, dated Key West, June 18th
ana %itn. Ihey contain no news OF great I'M
PoTtance. Havana is reported as quiet, ana
no apprehsnsions are entertained OF any dis.
turpance. Some account gwen OF the recent
engagements between the Government troops
and the insurgents.
The brigade of Brig. Gen. Ferrer which left
NuevItas on the 25th OF May o reinforce troops
at Puerto Padre, had returned in a pitIable con-
dItion, the cholera having broken out among
hem, but they secured their object, the CONVOY
OF n train from Puerto Padre TO Las Tuuas an
me interior They were harassed and finally
attacked AT La Brenasa. The rebels Were re-
pnlsed win loss of ~ men. Spanish loss "a
Killed and wounded. Ine insurgents Were
gwen credit for bravery and for returning i
good order.
part OF the Spaniards 10 give up the railroad
between NuevItas and Principe. IL is still
USED conveying troops backward anu forward
Inc United States steamer NipSic was Al
trinidad de Cuba on he lIth of June Amer
lean interests there We're receiving full pro.
tectIon.
The Spanish steamer Fernando Catolico ar.
rived al Nueviyas ON the 18th of June with tb,.
thgilsh schooner Lahana IN tow having
stiZeu ner Wnlie IN tow OF another steamer
ABOUT nf,een miles from the Cuban coast, be
tween lnagua and Point NaIsi The schoon.
er cargo is sand 10 consist Of thirteen cannon
Two OF Them two hundred pound Parro,ts.l
The Others 100 FOUNDERS and field pieces, also
iumoef, powder, cartridges, shells and shot
In large quantities, besides other military
articles. The Lahana cleared from Boston for
Jamaica. Hayu is supposed 10 have been her
destination. The English Commodore and the
british Consul General had protested against
me SEIZURE. and the Spanish war steamer had
sailed from Havana in company win ths
l-anana Tor the purpose, II IS rumored of
delivering her 10 the British authorities az
Jamaica.