The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-10-03
SIR FREDERICK BRUCE.
His Negotiations with Mr. Seward and Dini-
cult Position in WashinGIon-The Relations
Between England and the United States as
Illustrated by His DEATH
from The London Times, Sept. q !

Illustrated by His DEATH
From the London Times, Sept. oil
with great regret we announce this morning The
death yesterday Of Sir Frederick Bruce, her Majesty
Minister at Washington, from an attack OF diphtheria
Within period Of four years the nation has lost the
services or three members OF one family, who
each endowed with eminent qualifications for the i'm
portant work to which they severaily devoted their
lives.
the death Of Sir Frederick Bruce whenever 1t had hap
pened. but his loss is especial misfortune at time
when negotiations OF the utmost intrcncy aud delicGcy
are pending scA government iclch Is not al,cays d
posed 20 approach Gre1t Bion IN spira Of generosity
and forbeardnce Seldom has citizen of another
country yis cd the United States who possessed
so keen insight into the political working Of the great
republic and at the same time ingratiated himself
thoroughly with every American who approached him.
He did fun Justice the people and their form Of gov
eminent, while he read the national character with
faultiess nicely and explored with large discrimination
every detail in the action OF thor national institutions
Americans who were best acquainted with their civil
polity perceived after little conversation with him that
he understood its machinery better than the majority Of
their countrymen 1t might almost DO said that he ap
Piled himself night and day TO the systematic study Of
its merits and Its defects, through the medium OF men
or books His own house at Washington was frequened
by the most eminent political men whose duties detain
them In that city great part OF year. Although
naturally somewhat impulsive In temperament he nva-
riabiy exhibited entire calmpess and self when
the circumstances OF his position led him into trial In the
spring OF last year he accepted invitation from the
Secretary OF State to attend tho Hall OF the House Of
Representatives in order TO hear tributary ora to
President Lincoln. He compelled 10 listen to vioIent
eIrupIudnt EnytdTu
fean po,oers Most Americans OF any position felt tina.
their OF hospitality had been outraged and called
Afterwards console sir Frederick Bruce. They found
him earnest in his coincidence with them upon having
had solemn occasion turned TO their dscredh 9
know nothing OF national sensbiliy in this matter he
was accustomed to say. "ar. Lincoln was q noble
specimen OF the AngioSaxon race and as such went
10 hear justice done 10 his memory. Beside the open
grave stand chastened and subdued. and all ami
moses extngushed II am invited TO see q
savage put paint and flourish q tomahswk and
execute war dance around IT, the responsibility Of the
exhibition docs not rest with mo-"
This imperturbable temperament In all his official
relations served him well on many occasions from tho
day when he succeeded 10 the aborious duties ren-
pushed BY Lord Lyons, but never was It Of greater
advantage than in the prOtracted and difficult Contro-
versy concerning the Alabama claims This discussion
1t fell 70 the lot Of Sir Frederick Bruce to conduct on
the part Of her Majesty, and dyulge when
stste that 1t was 10 accordance with the late
Minister'S repeated advice and exhorations that wise
overture toward settlement made by the present
government Ho had succeeded In establishing for HIM
self relations OF cordial friendship with MIR.
outside the circle Of his own family who win be more
shocked At the tidngs Of his death than the astute
and keen eyed old man with whom he had sustained
ss1nt diplomatic Jtace Sr Frederick Bruce Away
ceshed the hope that he would be able 10 ronde his
c,antry the service OF removing fertile ground oi
csntention from tho path OF the governments and
t4us bring them into closer aud friendly relations
- trc hard TO inducc tho administration at Washing
- 70 adopt somc amica6o netlo. OF terminating tho
Tong DISPUTE. Er Seward may sometime. have been
disposed 70 tife tpis re sb other times he may
1t OF rdiual and portentous
Cnc0ce. ent tho Biiiisn Mhlstcr WIS always wacffu
scze oprortuntiy OF advancing towards such
reconciliation would not offend the pride and honor
OF either people y was greatly owing 20 his trm and
rers representation that the United States govern
Interrupted year tho preparations for the FenaR
raid into Canada and his arIteAess often changed
the opinions OF those members OF the Presidents Clbi.
net tc tngusbsd for the bitterness OF their
prA'ud ces agant the country he represented 50 o.
hieniiy.
he Is gone and the iuty devoves upon the govern.
men. OF appointing representative 10 one n the most
oeopS cna p@psrlng offers IN rs ggf Each oecupoI q
that pot finds his ldb0rs crccting Than e Of ht
pre- essor Lord Lyons bad the ren, affair 10 arrange
but IL was exigency which brought his govern
TO his sido with positive Instructions The critical diff
sometimes placed could only be met by
tho unprompted discretion Of the MN ister
We render the dead but justice when record that
he deceived or disappointed his government and
Ia the smallest act OF his life unworthy OF
the great nation which It his PRIDE to IL Is
impossible TO estimate the mischief incauous
unguarded acting IN his capacity might OCCASION
and therefore in choosing his successor every consdera
ton ought 10 be aside except the single OF
sonal fitness for the Office The old OF irritation
which Sir r Bruce endcavored to close for may
easily be reopcned and we should anticipate more good
fortune than ordinarily falls to the lot Of nations
individuals IL dared to hope that cause
OF umbrage either tide would arise. England and
America arc too nearly related not to disagree on
rant and elastic mind and Of large compass of thought
will know how to deal with these emergencies when
they present themselves, and such II IL in.
cumbent upon tho government 70 send to Washington
Tho American people need no assurance from that
the good relations which the late Minister made his
daily study 10 promote will be taken up IN the same
spirit by his successor There must como day
,oen mall National reratons pH be abandoned by
MN agreement and ill arrives the only Eng
land can pursue give evidence of her frendiness
towards people OF her own race and her own nurture
by sending TO them ~ her Ministers men like him
whose loss she now lamsnts