The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-05-06

HOW GEN. LAWTON LOST THE
MISSION TO RUSSIA.

|
in bead Earnest, but Expresses his
Regret Thereat In the Most Commit.
mentary Terms-1he Attorney Gen.
| eral's Opinion In Lnwtcn's Favor.
WAsRINuTok, April 29.-Upon re-
cciving on the last day Of tho special
session Of the Senate an intimation from
that body that Mr.. Lawton must rely
| for his qualification to hold the office of
minister to Russia upon n pardon grant
ed hy the President prior to the adop-
ton Of the Fourteenth, amendment of
the Cons!itution. and learning that the
point had been made against his confir-
nation that he was still ineligible under
the terms Of that amendment, President
Cleveland Immediately withdrew his
nomination. This, in his judgment, was
manifestly the proper course to pursue
in Difference to the opinion Of certain
members Of the confirming body. In
Justice to Mr.. Lawton and to the end
that the legal question involved might
receive a careful and deliberate ccnsid-
GRAFTON, it was conceded that the no,ni-
nee was fit and proper person to rep
resent tho Government abroad, and it
WAS expressly stated there was no rea-
son why he should no, bc confirmed,
except the technical one which concern
ed his legal status under the constitu-
tional amendment. This question was
submitted to the attorney general hy the
President, and after y careful examina-
tion the attorney general submitted his
opinion, entirely sustaining the cligibil-
ity of Gen. I.awt"n to thu office to
which he had been nominated. before
tho opinion of the attorney general had
been communicated to Mr.. I.xwtn,,. and
under date Of April II, l,e wrote TO tho
secretary of State, referring 10 the qucs-
ton which has been raiael, unl ex-
pressing his firm h-lief iii his eligibility
but requesting that his namc be not fur
ther considered in connocti,n with tho
place. Before this letter reached its
destination Gen. I.awton received a tel
egram from the secretary Of State based
upon the determination Of the President
to be guided by the opinion of the attor-
ney-gcneral, and informing Lawton that
he might proceed with his preparations
to undertake the mission. Notwith-
standing this Lawton Immediately for
warded another letter dated April l8, in
which he adhered to all that he had said
in his communicatin Of the day before.
The following is tho reply of tho
Presi dent:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WAsHINGroS
April 20. 1885.-The Hon. A. r. I.awton
Savannah, Gcorgia-My Dear Sir: /
regret exceedingly that for any reason
the Administration is to DC deprived of
your honorable and valuable services in
the mission to Russia. The opinion OF
the encouragement upon the question
of your alleged disability under the 18th
amendment to the Constitution was 80
completely satisfactory and removed 80
your eligibility, that upon reading it
at once decided to ask you to accept the
position, and learn from the secretary
of State that he telegraphed you to that
effect. But it seems that your letter Of
the 18th was then on its way, which was
followed by that Of the 18th, affirming
your decision. l sincerely regret this
determination on your pnrt, 80 unselfish-
ly formed and patriotically expressed,
AID whilst must reluctantly accept it
as announcement Of your deliberate de-
sire and personal wish, can but feel
that the country is greatly the loser by
| it, with sincere regard and high respect
| am your obsdient servant
GROVER CLEVELAND.
The following is Attorney G oneral
Garlands opinion in full:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, WAsuINGroN
D. c., April IA, 1885.-Sir: Ny opinion
ia requested on tho following case: AL.
exander Il. Iawton who had been ca.
dct At West Point and held commits
sion as lieutenant in the United States
army md in one or both of these char
acters had taken an oath which, it is con.
tended and which ] am to assume ai
part Of the case submitted, bound him
to. support the Constitution, afterward,
bore arms against the United States IN
the war of the rebellion. On the 9th ol
February, 1867, be received full par.
don and amnesty for the part he had ia.
ken in the rebellion, and the question j.
whether he can hold civil Office under
the United States notwithstanding the
third isoation Of tho 18th amendment o
the Constitution, which took effect OF
the 10th Of July, 1868, and is in the fol
lowing words: sc : "a
HSeotion s. No person shall BE Sen
ator or Representative In Congress-, d
y elector Or President and Vice -Presiden