The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-21

Mr.. Watterson's Talk.

MTs NutteEsOu lhlks
The Hon HENRY WATTERsoN, the vivacious
editor of the Louisville C0Wier-Jou.Rdi. does
not find daily newspaper sufficient vent
for his flow Of thought. Perhaps IT, like Col.
FoRNEY, he had two papers both daily, they
would suffice; but having only one. he is
forced to bctake himself to talk. He is vol
uble, and perhaps sometimes talks too
much no certainly talks too much for the
successful maintenance of his own theories
In other columns OF to-day's Sun will be
found long report Of an interview with Mr.
NArrERsoN, who is now enivcning this city
by his graceful presence. Tho report hrs
been submitted to Mr. WATTERsoN, and by
him pronounced correct. There are some
points in it which will attract attention and
provoke comment.
Mr.. wATTERsoN Is Jealous in hls defence
OF Senator MATTHEWS. who Il, we believe u
near relation Of his by marriage. lie says
that the head and front of MATrHEws's Of
Tending was his effort to save his party
friends from a scandalous exposure. Tn
doubtedly it is true that Mr. MATTHEWS
made an effort 10 save his friends. and IL
does not seem to us unreasonable TO con-
olude that the effort Included himself also
rs one OF the p'i sons TO be- saved. Mr..
NATTERsoN sa,s Mr. MATTHEwss only way
TO save his honor was to keep his mouth
shut. Refusing alike to periure himself or
peach upu2 his friends"
Jlst how much sonor Mr. MATTHEWS has
saved Mr. WATTERsoN does not undertake
TO estimate; although, from the remark
that with him all is lost save honor, we
conclude that the amount Ia not very large
When with a man occupying one of the
foremost positions in the nation all is sud
denly lost save honor, II is apt to be the
case that a good deal Of honor Is lost also.
There is said to be honor among thieves.
We suppose that is the kind Mr.. MATTHEWS
has saved. He stands before the world as
having saved just 50 much OF honor as he
saves who refuses TO testify touching COM
spiracy to dcfraud on the ground that his
evidence would eliminate himself. 1t Is not
worth while even for his relations 10 mis-
take the position assumed and now occu-
pied oy Senator MATTHEWS.
Mr.. WATTrRsoN takes up good deal Of
room to pay hs respects 10 Mr.. HEWITT
considering how very little respect the Ken
tuckien reckons to be due him.
Mr.. WATTERsoN affects to laugh at the
woRMLEY conference although according to
his own showing it was very serious mat
ter. Mr.. wArTEEsoN says he himself was
there he was asked to go "ds u sort of
richness and rtferee." Witness to what,
pray, II not to a compact? Referee In what
unless in the event If subsequent disa-
Preement as to the term, Of the bargain
then and there orally made
rWATTERsoN makes this contract, which
he attempts TO turn IN with sneer stand
out very plain, and he Is unable To detract
anything from It's well-understood odious
character. South Carolina and Louisiana"
he tells US, wanted to save what they could
out OF the wreck. They wanted the troops
removed" He had told us in almost the
same breath that "the coming in Of HAYES
WAS already assured" Then what was
there for the South to save by meeting be-
tween Democrats and Republicans He
answers this question In his own effort at
exculpation. 1T was nothing" he says,
"more than pow-wow between persons
who, having differed on the main issue, were
agreed on the new phase Of the situation
the fair erecuiion of me count and the inst
treatment Of The people Of Louisiana ofd South
Carolina"
Those are the precise terms Of the agree
meut as we have always understood il. The
count was not to be executed unless the Re-
publicans pledged HAYEs-apparcntly by
his authority 49, to withdraw the troops
This the Republicans did That-only that
md nothing more-is what Mr.. WAITER
Son means. and what he must mean, when
he says; The Republicans present seemed
20 be aiming at impressing us with the no.
ton that they We're not a. big rascals a. we
took them to be-"
In conclusion, we will only suggest to Mr.
WATrERsON that if he would devote his bril-
liant talents to shaping the future which
yet remains 10 be moulded, instead Of try
ing TO change the interchangeable past, his
efforts might be crowned with greater sue
cess.