New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-21
MR.. DANAS NOMINATION.


THE NEW DEPARTURE" -IMPROPBTErIEs OF
EI-MINIsTER sCHENCK's FLIGHT.
lFRoA THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE TRTGUss.l
LONDON, March S.-The news Of Mr.. Dana's nomi-
nation as Minister to England received in Lon
don-I quote the words of an eminent American
who lives herewith equal surprise and gratiiica-
ton. The nomination il most credltable to the
PreSdent-onc for which he deserves and receives
hearty thanks. Ii goes far one act could go TO
atone for the long shame and scandal caused by his
obstinate retention Of Mr.. Schenck. Ii has even
done something to diminish the evil impression
produced by the crime of Belknap. People are,
after all more ready TO believe good than
i'll of America and its Government and
they instantly hail this nomination as an omen OF
better days-Of better counscls prevailing in the
White House. Tie effect upon English opinion is
greater than can be described all at lfcarit had
been taken for granted that Mr. Schencks successor
would be man of no better stamp than himself
some political "war-horser or workcr'-some-
body who was too far inside politics TO he sensitive
to sound public opinion outside. Now it may be
taken rs ccrtain-thOugh don't hope To persuade
everybody Of it-that men of that sort are quickly
understood in England. 4 mans name may never
have been heard in Europe but within few days
after his nomination To any European Court his
career and character will be found TO have become
familiar to those with whom he is to be brought
into official relations.
As To Mr. Dana, however, neither diplomatiSts nor
the leading in public life of any kind have any
occasion 10 inquire. He is known all over Europe
by reputation and Is known personally to many OF
the men most distinguished in politics and literature,
as well ~ To the celebrities Of his own profession.
He stands as high any American stands, and his
nomination i, greeted in the tone which in other
| in rna
men As Mr. Adams and Mr. Motley. The lines leader
ON this appointment leaves nothing 10 be desired IN
respect Of cordially, both toward Mr. Dana and
toward the United States. IL contains variety OF
observations which venture 10 think, deserve the
attentive study Of men in authority at Washington
President Grant will not, let us hope take amiss the
hint implied in the remark that he has returned
TO custom las honorable to the United States ms II
is agreeable TO other countries" in nominating Mr.
Dana in the room of Gen. Schenck.' IL there be
any doubt a, To the meaning of this, II is removed by
what is said directly after about our diplomacy and
our Ministers. The Times does not think we
have rs much need a. European Powers
have Of trained diplomatsts Our business
calls for nothing more than general ability,
clcarness Of head and the qualities Of gentleman. 1t
i. much more important that the representatives of
the United States should command respect than that
they should be able to snatch little diplomatic vie
tories Such trds the principle hich
Of their Ministers abroad until a recent ddg' Whether
the writer of this article knows Mr. Dana personally
| cannot say hut he could not have described his
fitness for diplomatic work better than in his re-
mark that 1.-The simplicity, truthfulncss, and
urbanity of a cultivated mind and polished manner
cut deeper in diplomatic contests than mere political
or legal acutenessp When these talents are united,
rs they are in Mr. Dana, we may fairly be said TO
have complied with the rule The Times lays down
that a nation ought to be represented abroad by
its best qualities The Dd,iy Aous speaks of the
nomnatonin similar terms, and with that profusion
of intimate know ledge about the best Americans III
which il stands almost alone among English journals
1.-THE new Minister'S combination Of varied expe-
renee" observes The Daily Ner,, of literary power
of that rare kind which really finds the people,
and of legal and technical knowledge, as well as his
| ancestral connection with England and with band
of Englishmcn Of times past whom the country that
bore them now delights to honor, make Mr.. Danas
appointment seem one of the most acceptable that
could have been sugge sted" Aud with precisely the
| same view expressed by The Times, The Daily hccS
| adds Mr.. Dana will on many accounts be welcome
| here and not the less welcome from the fact that
| his appointment seems TO indicate n return to a
healthier sense Of public duty III the distribution OF
posts of honor and responsibility than has lately
prevailed" 1t il seldom the President has gwen
our friends in Europe the opportunity to write about
| the public service terms 80 tatering as these
But he may be certain there is lack of disposition
20 praise where praise is possible; ana certain Oh
| another thing that nothing will tend more strongly
TO promote good will between the two countries than
the occurrence of such opportunities for the display
| of such disposition.
Ii is believed here-rightly or wrongly-that when
| Mr. Schenck quilted London under pretense of
| going home on leave of absence TO q" confront his
| examinations" his resignation had already been
accepted by the President | hope this can be con-
tradicted and if il can be it ought to be, and the
| sooner the better l do not mean contradlcted ny
| Mr. Schenck, but by some one whose word is beyond
| dispute-by Mr. Fish, for instance III the story be
| true if Mr. Schenck really left London knowing he
| was not to return. his departure without taking
leave of the Queen was afront such AZ has never
been offered to her before. am reluctant to believe
that even Mr. Schenck could be guilty of an ofense
| like this He has not shown himself sticker for
propreties when anything Ii to be gained
| by improprietes, but here one does not see
| what there was to gain. IL was known all last
| week in Washington that Schencks resignation
| was on the way. In substance it had been offered
| by cable Mr.. Lyons testimony, Mr.. Johnsons tes-
timony the two new charges against Schenck III
connection with the Southern Land Agency and the
| Colorado Land Company, all known to the
President last week-all but one were known at the
time when Schenck wrote his letter to The Times
| dated March l. published March q, saying he had
obtained leave Of absence from his Government, and
! was going home on his I" confronting" expedition.
! Between that time and the announcement OF the
acceptance of Schencks resignation, no other charge
and no other evidence had been heard of, on this
side the water Is it conceivable that on Thursday,