The Washington herald., 1908-05-03

ton under the advice Of Secretary Sew
ard, I was as instrumental as any
one In securing the nomination for Vice
President Of Andrew Johnson, who sue
eeeded to the Presidency on the assassi-
nation OF his chief
Mr.. Stewards idea was that Mr.. Lin
coin, whose election seemed doubtful on
account of the war. should have as a run
ming mate a Union man from a border
State, man who had risked life and all
he possessed 20 keep his State in the
Union and that was what Andrew John
son. OF Tennessee. had done.
IN the fifty years OF my pohtica! life
have been a delegate 10 every New York
State convention but four and to every
national convention but three, and am at
the present time q delegate 10 the con-
yention which is to be held in June"
Mr.. Depew's biographers have passed
over rather lightly the fact that in 1862 he
was appointed United States Minister TO
Japan, an appointment confirmed by the
Senate, but declined by himself Asked
about this episode OF his career. he said:
Il was practicing law at PeeksSill at
the time l was just twenty-eight years
old. I knew nothing Of any movement
looking TO my appointment 10 Office, when
one morning l received word fro-a Secre-
tary Seward that I had been appointed
Minister TO Japan and for me 10 come on
st once 70 Washington and proceed to my
post. I knew nothing or Japan at that
time; indeed. there were mighty few in
America who did. I knew ii took six
months to get there in those days: it
S,1r-
navy consisted Of junks and her army
carried bows and arrows, spears, and
shields. 1t was Just a feudal despotism.
In the forty-two years that have elapsed
since the time Of my appointment there
Japan has advanced in invention, in in
dustrial expansion, in her army and
navy in education. as any European na-
ton ever did In 800 years.
I did not go to Japan on account OF
my mothers health and for the reason
that I was offered by Commodore Van
derbilt the attorneyship Of the only rail-
road he owned at that time, the Harlem
Railroad, 40 miles long. I read the old
commodore my commission appointing
me to Japan, and he sententiOusly re-
marked: Don't be a d. fool There is
nothing in politics. Railroading offers the
best future for young man in this coun-
try I suppose" said Senator Deoew.
rehectively and thoughtfully, IF l had
accepted that mission TO Japan and had
stopped out there eight years / would
have come back home quite out OF touch
with my profession. Il would have been
impossible TO resume where I left off, and
to-day l might. in all probability, be hold
ing down a chair in one OF the govern
msnt departments.
Il remember that / went to see Secre-
tary Seward. and he was most anxious
should 60 to Japan, and sent me TO see
Burlingame, saying: He will explain to
you why you should go.
''Burlingame at that time was a big
man. He had been the first United States
Minister 10 China, and had been able to
persuade China that she should have dip
lomatic relations with other nations. Ac-
cordingly a large delegation Of high-class
mandarins was appointed as an ambassa-
dorial delegation. and Burlingame was
placed at the head of it by the Chinese
government.
My visit to Burlingame was most
picturesque, He was shaving in hts bed
room when I was shown in, and one gal
lus was over his shoulder, the other one
hanging loose. His manner was very
oratorical and redundant and as ne
talked to me he would gesticulate. now
with the shaving brush filed with lati,er,
now with the flashing razor. To such
accomplishments he turned on me and
said or, rather. roared: DO you, sir. a
young man at your time OF life, dare to
think OF declining an opportunity never.
before granted to an American youth?
Do you imagine that If you so out there
to Japan that you are going to a bar.