The New York herald., 1876-03-25
MIR. DANA AND THE MISSION TO
ENGLAND.

A DEFENCE BY FRIEND OF THE NOMINEE.
To THE EDITOR rnE HERALD:-
Tho friends of Mr.. Richard H. Dana much grati-
fed the fair and courteous statement presented
in the HERALD of yesterday OF bis position the
nominee Of the President for the important dpo-
matte office the gift Of the government Whether or
not no shall be confirmed by the Senate is OF very little
consequence compared with the question whether the
people OF this country shall accept as just the aspcr-
sions upon his character made TO the committee In
purely &c parte manner, by his principal political op-
ponent Massachusetts-an opponent who has ceased
to enjoy the confidence OF his own party in his own
State-and of a literary enemy. whose hostility
has long been OF the most pronounced and bitter
character On the merits Of Mr.. Buffers political hos
tty the members OF the Legislature Of Massachusetts,
without distinction of party, have signicd their
opinion in emphatic er by joining a recon-
mendation' to the Senators OF the State Congress
that Mr.. Danas nomination be confirmed. The Bar Of
Boston, than which there is no more honorable or
Conscientious body, have rendered their professional
verdict with equal unanmity upon the issue raised by
Mr. Beach Lawrence
Nor is this very unusual because non partisan) n-
dorsement OF a candidate Tor political Office connncd to
the neighbors and friends and professional
associates OF Mr. Dana In Massachusetts
and Boston. He is equally esteemed wher-
ever he is known throughout the world, either
in person by his publications. The World OF last
Saturday SAID that he would be sent TO Coventry in
in proof OF IT quoted DR.. Abdy's letter to Mr. Law
renee, written in 1866, which has been the latters
chevat de bdttdie in his assault upon Mr. Danas lit
erary honesty The facts in the case, which am pre-
pared verify, those: e:-When Mr. Lawrence began
his suit for nirnhmcnt OF copyright against Mr. Dana
pdrte proofs printed and widely distributed. What
answers Le may have received from pubcisls he
has ventured to make public only that of
Professor Abby That letter, from an accidental turn
of the writer's expression, "I have read tho report OF
the pleadiDgs &C, gave the impression that be had
cad he whereas. he
of his letter only had he not Mr. Dana's
swer and proofs but they had not at that time been
even put into the Two years later Dr. Abdy ex-
planned all this terms Of high respect for Mr. Dana
In England ever since the publication Of his edition
sonal friendship with Mr.. Philmore Mr. Montague
Barnard Mr. Justice CoerIdge, Sir Vernon Harcourt,
Lord Seborne tSr Roundeil Palmerl and Lord
Tcnterden as well as with Mr.. Gladstone and many
scholars or oxford and Cambridge have yet to hear
OF one man, and do not believe there is man IN
Europe OF any whom Mr.. Lawrencps persistent
attacks have in the least affected In this country Mr..
Dana has long enjoyed the friendship Of President
Woolsey, the highest living authority public Law in
America, and President Woosey has recently uttered
the strongest sentiments in his favor. He
terms Of equal intimacy, during his lifetime, with
Professor IiebeE who did a great deal TO bring
Mr.. Dana and his edition OF Wheaton to the
favorable attention of French and German Jurists.
General Halleck, who military pubcist, held
very conspicuous position called Mr.. Danas book tho
''cxpurgated edition." of Wheaton, the expurgation
being of that which Mr.. Lawrence in spirit OF hos
tiliiy TO his country has foistcd upon H.
II remains TO state the most gratifying ndorsement
which MT. laDOrs JuulClai nave ever
received mean tho one that was made OF his book
the international arbitration at Geneva on the Ala
bama question. His notes cited frequently with
approval by the distinguished counsel both
sides aud by the mpircs, and II does appear that
Lawrcnces edition ever quoted, though he had
annoted the subjects When tho proceedings
came 10 be printed the Department at Washing
ton very terms. asked Of Mr. Dana per-
mission to print some OF his notes, he having tho
copyright and these notes are annexed TO the Amer
arguments
have stated these facts in justice to public
whose reputation is "A national possession, and to a
friend and former associate whom cannot
maligned without vindicahor. II Mr.. Dana, nomi-
mated by the President rejected, the public will wait
the which Senators have TO give for thus
dscharging a trust rcposcd In them by the nation, TO
permit bad man to be confirmed and TO allow
good man 10 be rejected for public Office 5. w.