The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-06-02
COL. DEM. VOL. XXXV.. NO. 10
How Il Was Done.

Sir John Rose, OF Canada, an astute,
prompt, and energetic public man, ap.
peared here suddenly last winter. and
in quiet and thoroughly practical way,
soon sounded the shallow depths of this |
Administration. He talked TO the |
President, to Mr.. Fish, to Mr.. Boutwell,,
and to others, each in the vein best |
adapted to his popularity, and discov-
cred exactly what could be accomplish
ed in the way Of anegotiation. OF course |
he professed an earnest desire for peace;
a keen affection for the United States
q profound admiration for everybody
in power, and particularly for "1lis Ex-
cellency" in the White House, and his
Secretary OF State. The bargain was
made then and there, and before Sir
John left Washington, he had the salts.
faction OF knowing that the High Com.
mission was agreed upon, and the terms
substantially defined ON both sides. lie
was offered the place of Commissioner,
but declined, and was substituted by
Sir John Macdonald. If he did not ac-
tually promise to place Mr.. Boutwell's
new loan on the England market, he
certainly encouraged the idea, which
like some other great expectations, has
failed.
Sir John Rose went to England, and
the High Commissioners, whom every
body has seen or heard of, came here.
They were all licked out for the work,
and they knew how to accomplish it.
They were appointed for an object, and
it has been attained. Instead of carp.
ing at them, these gentleman are entit-
led to every credit, as sharp.witted,
able, keen, and well-bred diplomatists,
who upon our own soil, with every
prejudice against them, representing
bad cause, and with the gravest embar.
rassments TO confront, conquered every
obstacle, and achieved Il success which
I may be described as marvellous. 1t is
true their adversaries were feeble and
comparatively inexperienced; but even
with this disadvantage, there stood the
unanimous rejection of the johnson.
Clarendon Treaty; the illumination of
Mr.. Sumner the "new departure" of
Mr.. Motley; the peppery dispatches of
Mr.. Fish, and the distinct, broad, and
belligerent committals of the President,
in two successive annual messages, and
one of them not four months old, when
the Commissi oners arrived.
These were grave and imposing OBJ.
stacles, but they did not deter the cour-
ageous Commissioners. They proceed
ed calmly and calculatingly. In less
than ten days they knew the history of
: every man in public life, his strength,
. (if he had any, his weakness. and
;, everything about him. All officials that
;, might be useful, directly or indirectly,
y were noted, and outsiders of every de.
= scription came within the category o.
observation of painstaking agents and
), workers. Society in all its recesses was
= explored and utilized, and emissaries oi
q all shades of politics were scattered
r through the highways and byways tc
p gather information and to conciliate
p opinion. The press was specially con
| sidered as power, and the utmost pain
!. were taken, far and near, to secure it:
Il influence, or at least its neutrality. Thi
4 explanation may serve to open the eye
r of those who have not been able to un
9 derstand the course of newspapers il
n various localities. The ablest counSe
@ in various cities were employed on theii
/. own terms, and Washington woult
! have been flooded with "opinions as i,
!. opinions" had they been needed. No
+. a point was neglected by which theil
2, object could be promoted, however
/. triiling or Indifferent it might seem tc
t be.
y 1t is to be said of the British Com
n missioners, that their sagacity and un
Q firing industry deserved success. They
t labored for it most zcalously, from tht
= first to the last moment. Their proceed
@ ings were daily transmitted to the For
j. eign Office, no matter what might bt
o the en- gagement, before they sat dowr
J. to dim Ter, so that the evening could b(
free for society, where every hour wa
= profitably employed, unconsciously tt
Z those who were charmed with the pres
+ ence ofnobility, good breeding and atla
: bic manners. Our English friend
Z meant business when they came here
Z and business was never forgotten in tn
G most convivial moment, or with tn
u most Insignificant guest. They cam
Ii to win, and they did win here in ou
y own Capital, carrying off such priz
u as Great Britain, in her grandest asper
. ations, never expected to gain. Th'
,, Treaty is tho greatest diplomati
u achievement Of this century, Washing
e ton Patriot
d