New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-20
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day, and the vindication of his character we
trust will now begin in earnest. 1t is rarely
the misfortune OF any nation 20 see its dlplo-
matte representatives como home from foreign
posts in such sorry plight as Gen. Schenck cx-
hib;ted when the Abyssnia steamed up the
bay. Across the water all England was still
discussing his conduct and character the more
violent of the newspapers accusing HIM OF
completely in u fraud, the most friendly eX-
cusing him on the plea that no had not been
corrupt, but "olly imprudent or silly"
There was the constable. with an un-
satisfied process from which Gen. Schenck had
lust broken away There was the British Min
istry instruciing tho Emma Mining Company
that it must keep its hands off Dir. Schenck
because he was an ambassador. Every day,
while the General was tossing on the deep
the telegraph brought ia news of some fresh
scandal in connection with his name now 1t
was in London, again it was in Washington
the multitude of ugly circumstances that
needed explanation constantly increased while
at home the returning Minister'S friends held
their heads with shame and anxiously con-
sidered how they should receive him.
If the Emma Nine was foisted upon the
British public by a swindling conspiracy we do
not believe that Gen. Schenck was knowing
party to the fraud. That mt Toast we can say
for him. But surely 10 American Ambassador
in London ever before kept such dissraceful
compahy, or ever committed 80 many outrage
GUS indiscrctions. No American Minister ever
before sold his name aS an advertisement TO 4
party of SPECTATORS. Granting that he believed
in the richness of the Emma Mine (as We pre-
sumo that he did, the manner of his gong
into il, by u private arrangement win iark,
was entirely incxcusablc; and the manner OF
his coming out Of it has been no better TICK
and deception have been discovered In every
stage of his connection with THIS scandalous
affair. Ho obtained tho MONEY from the
vendors privately 10 qualify himself for the
dIrectorship. He had II secret agreement with
them for tho guarantee of interest. Uo testi-
fled Oh oath recently that he retired from the
dictatorship &" the moment he saw attacks made
"upon him in the newspapers that nobody
suggested hi, resignation, and he asked no
"advice of anybody" Yet this testimony Ia
now shown to have been erroneous; for
instead of retiring he tecgraphcd to Dir. Fish,
Nov. ~. 1871, asking what ho ought to
do, and Mr.. Fish answered by cable the next
day, "You are earnestly advised to withdraw
'your name from tho management Of the
Company; and then Gen. schenck-did
WHAT Why, waited eight days without doing
anything, and when finally he did draw up his
resignation he kept it secret from the 9th OF
December till tho 18th of January, 10 that the
Company might have time 10 put the rect OF
its shares upon tho market.
We leave out of the account all the charges
which rest upon the testimony OF Mr. Lyon,
and which Gen. Schench disputes. He will
have opportunity mt Washington 10 contradict
tho assertion that he only gave his note for
the prco of his shares after the investigation
began, and he will be invited. NO trust. to
explain the dsgraceful story Of his connection
with The United States Freehold Land and
Emigration Company. published in London
two DAYS before he sailed. But tho tergiycr-
sation and suspicious concealmont which have
marked his behavior since tho scan
dial found voice we fear are incapable
of explanation. Even his departure from
England was % deception, and there arc few
things more notifying to his cOuntrymen in
tho whole business than the knowledge that
he came away from his post under pretenso
Of going home ON leave Of absence to vindi-
cate his reputation. when IN point or fact lie
had resigned in obedience to tho Presidents
request And 80 his last act in Europe was
humbuggng John Bull.