Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-04-23
THE BRITISH MINISTER.

Lord Lyons, as recently communicated to Paria-
ment, in which he reported to his Government the
impressions he had derived from various sources
respecting the state of political sentiment in this
country at the date of his return to the United
States from England, in the month Of November
last Immediately after the result Of the elections
in the great State of New York and elsewhere was
known. 1t will be remembered that in this letter
the British Minister stated that while he was in
the city of New York several of the leaders Of the
Democratic party called on him and freely impart-
ed to him their views upon the present aspect and
probable future complexion Of public affairs in the
United States. In the interviews thus sought on
the part of these gentlemen they merely commune
Gated to the Minister, SO far as appears from his
report of their conversation the views which it is
known were currently entertained at that time by
the principal organs Of the Democratic party, and
which, having been proclaimed on the hustings and
In the public press were novel to Lord Lyons only
because of his previous absence from the country.
AS was to be expected Of any gentleman when thus
waited by persons of influence and respectable
ty, he received their voluntary communications
with courtesy, though, as he adds, he "gave no
opinion on the subject" deemed by them the most
important.
For thus giving social audience to the represen-
tatives of dominant political party, and for report
ing the substance of their conversations to his
Government, with such differences as he deemed e-
gitmate from their tenor, Lord Lyons has been ar.
ragned by portion of the public press as having
been guilty of departure from that reserve which
imposes on Foreign Minister resident in the Uni
ted States the duty of abstaining from all compli
city with political parties.
1t is not denied by any that this duty is most
imperative. The only question is, Has Lord
Lyons been insensibe Of its obligations" And
SO long this question was raised with the heed
less facility marking much newspaper criticism
in this as in every other country, it not per-
haps topic that deserved to be treated with seri
BUSINESS. Springing from susceptibilities which
were in themselves natural and audable these cri-
ticisms erred on the side Of exaggeration, which
generally spends all its force by its own over
exertion, and requires but little extrinsic opposi-
tion to reduce its volume and momentum
But when we reflect that Foreign Ministers re-
siding near the Government TO which they are ac-
credited must from the very necessity of their po
stion, maintain an unbroken silence under what
ever assaults may be made upon them, and that
they can utter no word of explanation in response
to any representations that may be made against
them by the political press, it will be admitted
that the latter is bound to observe some peculiar
oomities towards them, only out Of respect for
their character and Governments, but in simple re-
gard for justice and fair dealing. This is SO plain
that to state the matter is to enforce it,
AS the complaints uttered against Lord Lyons
by small portion Of the public press have already
died away, we should not have adverted to them
had their echo not been caught up by an organ to
which we look for the expression of only grave and
substantial utterances all topics of public con-
oern. We alludo to manifesto recently issued in
New York in the name of the Loyal Leaguers, and
emanating from the pen of DR.. FRANCIS LIEBER,
who, as the author of several works on political
science, is deservedly quoted as an authority in
such matters. We give the concluding portion of
his paper in another part of to-days Intelligencer.
1t will be seen that, in his judgment and in the
putative judgment of those for whom he speaks,
Lord Lyons transcribed the limits Of his diplomatic
mission in receiving the " Democratic leaders" who
called on him in New York, and these leaders are
themselves characterized as "disloyal men,"
1t will be remembered that the Government, in
despatch addressed to our Minister in London,
written by MIR. Seward and approved by the Pre-
sident did not take this view of the New York
election. In that despatch, under date Of last No
vemher 10Th IL was said
From whatever cause it has happened political de-
bates during the present year have resumed consider
able degree their normal character, and while loyal Re-
pubcans have adhered TO the banner OF the Union
party the Democratic party has rallied and made vgor
with view to the recovery OF its former po
tcal ascendency Loyal Democrats 10 considerable num-
ber retaining The Of Democracy from habit and not
because they oppose the Union classified by the other
party Opposition 1t is not necessary for the nforma
ton OF representatives. abroad that should descend
into any OF the relative principles policies
Of the two parties 1t will suce to say that while there
may be men Of doubtful political wisdom aud virtue in
each party and while there may be differences of opinion
between the two parties the best calculated
to preserve the Union and restore lis authority yet it ia
not to be inferred that either party any
portion Of the people of the Loyal States disposed to
accept dsunon under any circumstance or upon any
terms It's rather TO be understood that the people have
become 80 confident of the stability OF the Union that par
hsnn combinations are resumng their sway here az they
90 IN such case IN all free countries In this country es
peciay IT is habit not only entirely consistent with the
Constitution but even esental TO it's stability TO regard