Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-23
THE DISMISSAL OF THE BRITISH MINIS
TER

FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 23, 1880.
THE DISMISSAL OF THE BRITISH MINIS
TER.
Experience admonshes US against cherishlng the
absurd idea that the Richmond Wig can be induced
by any circumstances, to approve any measure ot
Democratic Administration. Yet we did suppose the
Wig was 30 careful of its own consistency that II
would abstain from abusing President flerce lor ac'
ing in accordance with its own Suggestions.
About three months ago it was ruinored that the
President was resolved to dismiss the British Minis
ter if his own government would not agree to recall
him. The JYhig, eager for some pretext OF opposi'
ti.n to tho Administration, hastened to protest
AGAINST the act with all the energy Of Indignant re-
monstrapce. 1t was the opinion OF our neighoor,
that the apology Of the British Government afforded
ample atoueneut and reparation for the dehance OF
our laws and violation Of our sovereignty; ana that
the dismissal Of Mr.. Champion would be wantoh
&C, Of bravado on the part Of the "Brlgadler.' 80
,bs kVhip smoke short time since. This Is the IAN
suaye Of its last issue:
The dismissal of a Minister is very common al
fair and no cause Of war; and II Mr. Marcy, t're''e
,aonths ago. instead of complaining 10 Clarendon
had sent Champion his passports, the mater had oee"
settled al once.
Was there ever such another instance OF sefstultl'
fyug and self-convicting inconsistency! In March,
the Wig was indignant at the idea OF dlsmSs'ng
Cramp,on; ia May the Wing complains that he was
not "bu,tlsd off, twelve months ago! If the thing
had hsan dops then, "the matter would have been
settled at once"
To couyic, the II1is Of inconsistency, is not to
Justify the conduct Of the Administration Ihat may
be done, however, with perfect ease and IN very
few words
Cramptons case was distinguished from ordinary
instances of difference between Minister and the
Court to which lie is accredited, in that 1t was sus'
pected that his oifeusiv. conduct was dictated ny
his Government. His Government, therefore, WAS
p-ma jacie responsible for his acsi and the Presi-
dent of the United States, chose to ascertain Wheher
or not he was sustained at home. Hence de-
mapd on the British Ministry for his recall
The British Secretary for Foreign Affairs has been
engaged in the conferences at Paris, and for that rea-
con the reply Of his government was delayed an IN
toerably long time. Still the President was Obliged
in courtesy, to await the convenience OF the British
Ministry.
The dismissal of Minister is rot "a very common
affair" Except in case Of extreme necessity as
when the presence of the Minister s dangerous to the
security of the country the practice Of nations is t"
| request his recall by his own Government. This
courtesy is due between friendly governments There
was no instant and pressing necessity for the dismis
sal Of Crampton; and accordingly, the President fol
lowed the established usage in requesting his recall
Precpitaucy in go grave matter would not have
been consistent with the relations of the Government
A. nd aYa1p oh nf fha
versy. If the difficulty should be provoked to vio-
lent ISSUE it is well that this Government cannot be
reproached with rashness or want OF courtesy.
Champions case is exceptiona6le again in the cir
cumstance, that the quarrel is not personal affair
between him and the Administration, but deliberate
and obstinate conflict between the British and me
rican Governments 1t is this fact which llIpsrts to
hic dsrsss s.cl serious Significance. An afront to
him s, necessarily, an affront to the Government
which sustains and justifes his conduct
The IYh,g implies that the President ID anxious Tor
| a collision with Great Britain. How can this CEN
sure be reconciled with the other allegation OF the
lYhie that the President has exhibited excessive
| forbaarance and moderation, in not dismisslng
Champion "twelve months ago'l It is strange, if
the President wants opportunity to provoke arup-
ture, that he did not avail himself of the occasion,
which, the Ihig aays, was preaepted "twslye months
| ago.
The truth 10, President Pierce has displayed mo-
derats and pacific temper throughout this oontrover-
sy with Great Britain. He did not seek an occasion
of quarrel. The dispute about Central America was
one of the burdeusome bequests of the Fillmore Ao-
ministraton. The Enlistment difficulty is Englands
own work; and the President simply defends the
honor and dignity Of the country. If we are to have
war with Great Britain, her own insolcnce and ag-
gressions will be the provocaou'
Does England want ngLt with the United States!
Did she contemplate hosttes in the beginning OF
the quarre These inquiries must be answered the
negative; but then some one will ask, why did the
British government assume 50 naughty erd threat
ening tone7 The explanation is obvious and Sotls'
factory. The British Ministry were invited to bully
the United States by tis opposition Journals OF this
country. Lord Palmerstou was assured by the Ne%
York Herald that all this hgGbrb anout Central me:
rics aud the enlistment, is mere electoneerlng
trick oi su expiring Administration, and that the
President would retreat On the least demonstration OF
spirit by the British government. Lord ialmerstou
is d bully by nature and habit and ne was only too
happy to avai himself Of an opportunity OF indulg-
ing his vulgar instincts and pampering British pride,
by inaictng an indiguisy on the American govern
ment. Even though the President should not betray
any lack of spirit yet as he is 'ool to quit ooe tho
British Mnstry presumed to act upon the assurance
that he would be repudated by the American people
This was their calculation. II war should result the
blame must be Distributed In equal proportion be:
tween an isaolent British Ministry and reckless
American presa
ADMIRABLE FIRMNESS-MORE VErOES.
No act of President Pierce's Administration has
exhibited so signal instance of fearless fidelity to
principle, as his recent veto Of the bills tor the m
proyement of the mouths Of the Mis'ssiFpi aud the
s. Clair ssts. -hese neasprea were artfully con.
tr;ved 10 diminish his popularity. If be approved
them he would sacrifice his consistency, and the sup
port of the States Rights Democracy Of the South If
he defeated them, he would lose streTgL-so 1t was
osl2s,stpd-ip Louisiana and the Northwest he
vas net deferred from hs duty nor did he hesitate in