New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-29

Is u more HOUclul IttIlue III ltS"iu w Du''
ness prospects for the Fall and Winter.
-
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS JNDORSED.
We wish the grandson of John Adams and
the. son of John Quincy Adams joy OF his
new champion. Converts are often exposed 10
some terrible modification of the flesh TO test
their sincerity, but the ex- Minister'S is NOR
tiiicaticn of the spirit. The Office of Governor
of Massachusetts is an extremely respectable
one, but Mr.. Charles Francis Adams has been
spoken of for one little higher, as such
things are estimated; and not great while
ago, we might have felt that if the people of
the old State should call him to the
place of Chief Executive Magistrate, his
acceptance would create an obligation as
weighty on their side as the choice imposed
upon his But if he cannot be Governor OF
Massachusetts, without certificate OF good
character from Mr.. John Kelly, the post OF
honor is still the private station which he so
admirably adorns. Mr.. Adams, 1t is now
known, true to the traditions of his family, mas
become what he was not yesterday ana may
not be tomorrow. An original Free Soller'
and at one time an ardent Republican, ne Is
now a Democrat SO far as his support OF Gov.
Tilden can make him one; and the Demo-
Gratis of Massachusetts,, who never could
and cannot now elect 4 Governor
strictly upon his Democratic standing, are
thinking of trying under his leadership one
of their annual experiments. If they were so
lucky with CASTOR and the Liquor Law, what
may they not accomplish with the mere pres
tige of that honored namef Only there comes
Iii, MI "A
in the shape of Mr. Adams's course while MIN
lister in London toward the unfortunate re-
mans. About this sundry rumOrs have been
industriously circulated; and to elect Mr.
Adams it is necessary TO have for him the
votes of Irishmen in Massachusetts
Nobody who knows him will suppose
that in the discharge OF his diplomatic
duties he did anything in the least improper
If he has not good character enough to estaD-
lish that, he is not fit to be Governor OF Mas
sachusetts. Instead of leaving him to stand
upon that character, a self-supported gentle
man and statesman, his new friends, from
whom he may well pray to be saved, actually
beg of Mr.. John Kelly of this city n certificate
that Mr. Adams in London was the warm
and enthusiastic champion of distressed Fe-
mans! And Mr.. Kelly kindly grants
the desired document. He declares that III
his opinion Mr.. Adams showed himself
"a noble benefactOr and true friend
:" to those unfortunate people" and that he
left nothing undone to amclorate their
condition." It is the grave opinion OF Mr..
Kelly that these rrimOrs were instigated by
Mr.. Adams's political enemies" by which he
means. of course the Massachusetts Republic
cans. Things do change in this shifting world
there is no doubt about that. And men
change with them.
Mr.. Kelly deals somewhat in gcneraliics in
his certificate. al Think" be says, that Mr..
Adams was the means of having the SEN
:" fences of many who were condemned to
death committed to imprisonment for life"
% The whole correspondence" adds Dir. Kelly
shows that nothing was left undone on his
part To relieve aud ame0rate the condition
" of the Fcnians in every way he could" we
have no fault TO find with the course OF the
American Minister upon the occasion; we did
not disapprove of it at the time; but
there was little that Mr. Adams could
do in behalf of the prisoners, and our
recollection is that he was greatly growled ut
and howled at upon this side of the water for
not doing what it was impossible Tor him to
do. lie acted, rs usual, with frosty diScre-
ton, and his proceedings were approved, we
think. by his Government. MIR. Kelly warmly
styles him "thc noble beneiactor" of the
Fenans And true friend adds, Mr. Kelly,
which is coming a little nearer the truth. We
leave the point without special investigation,
glad to be informed that Mr.. Adams was the
warm supporter of anybody or of anything.
and very much struck with his appearance
in the new and ardent light of a Fenian SYM
pathizer. Only we should have supposed that
of all men in Massachusetts he might have
been nominated for Governor without n GER
tfcate from Mr.. John Kelly. 1t must be
charming inducement for prominent Republic
cans who think of sustaining Gov. Tilden TO
feel that they will be nobody in their new
quarters without character from No. 80 Lex
ington-aye.