New-York tribune., 1868-02-20
YIon on ONn CorretpoIdsIt
LONDON, Feb. 8, 1868.

'''- LONDON, Feb. s, 1868.
Mr.. Adamss resignation is received with sincere
regret by those who have known him automatically,
or socially in any of those ways in which foreign
Minister is brought into contact with the people TO
whose courthe is accredited. This might not always
be compliment to a Minister, whose business 1t is
10 look after the interests of the Power which he
represents but IN Mr.. Adamss case II is very hlgh
praise Never had Minister a more difficult task /;
few living men could have done their work as MI
Adams has done it. America needed here man who
was skilled diplonatist and who was something
more. Mr. Adams, when he left home, was one Of
three living American statesmen profoundly read in
political and diplomatic history. The other two
were, of course, Mr. Everett ana Mr.. Sumner.
But TO knowledge and tact, TO the adroIt
ness and even astuteness which such place
demands Mr. Adams added another quahty
not less indispensable IN the emergency; my:
He showed himself one Of the coolest and most
patient Of men. There have been moments when
little heat of the blood would have klndled two
empires into war, but don't believe Mr. Adams ever
showed trait of irritation OF resentment in his ON
cial OF personal intercourse. have heard English
men describe the state of society here during the
war as exasperating to the last degree to an Amer
can Their testimony is that through it all Mr.
Adams bore himself as who would neither give
nor take offense aud at the same time with proud
respect for himself and for his country which ex-
forted admiration from those who. were enemies of
both IN is not for me to comment the ability ne
displayed long series OF dlihcult negotiations.
The histOry OF that is known, but Inc Snare8 that
beset him and the rude trials he had to undergo IN
social relations not well Known ana 1t would
be unjust il omitted TO mention the expressions OF
admiration have heard from many sources, and
sometimes from very high quarters. .
am the more bent on saying this because Don't
think Mr.. Adams represented here the Radical seDti-
ment which should have found in him a representa-
tive. More than any other one man, he had the
power to influence English opinion about America to
present in their true light the ideas which control
It's policy and the principles of freedom and equality
which trinmphed in the war. This may be said to
have been a personal rather than an official duty but
whichever il was, fear Mr.. Adams has not done il.
His politics are appear TO be- Of the Conservative
Republican sort, and opinions of that kind are not
such as ought to be authoritatively disseminated
here Republican ideas one thing. Republican
Mr.. Adamss views on home affairs have naturally
been cOored by the official necessity OF constant cor
respOndence with the State Department and think
something may be forgiven man who, for seven
long wears has had TO read Mr.. Stewards dispatches,
and who being himself a scholar of genuine culture
and severe tastes has found himself IN the position Of
communicating to foreign Secretaries IN England the
rhetorical exaggeratiOns of Mr.. Seward.
Mr. Bright's retOrt upOn Lord Stanley could not
well be surpassed for neatDess The OF the Prime
Minister In discussing at Bristol the Irish question,
brought forward his Tory panaoea. patience, as the
one thing still beneficial Stick 10 the regular prac-
tce, cried he. IL We cannot find complete remedy
all at once, don't at rate put yourselves into the
hands Of qnacks and charlatans But SAID MI Bright
at Birmingham the disease is Of a hundred years
standing. and it, dnrng all this time the Tory phys-
cans have mton no prescription, mighttnot he worth
while 70 Try even the quacks They could not well
90 worse or less than the regulars have done thus
far Ihe orator went step out OF his way TO tiead
Oh mueh less important person than Lord Stanley.