The New York herald., 1877-10-25
Lochiel to the Front.

LOchiel to the Front.
The most laughably instructive thing
which has come to pass in our recent poll
tics is the amusing tangle which Secretary
Evarts has got himself into with the repub-
lcan delegation in Congress from Pennsyl-
vania. 1t seems that the President has Tor
some time been anxious to conciliate the
Pennsylvania republicans and had decided
to give the English mission to citizen of
that State. Wishing to make the healing
influence of such an act rs extensive as pos
sible he concluded not merely to deviate
from his practice Of ignoring Congressman
in making appointments but to go to the
opposite extreme of empowering them
to make the selection. Mr.. Evarts
accordingly signifed to Senator Don Cam
eron that if the Pennsylvania delegation
would agree upon candidate he should be
appointed. This was n most extraordinary
change of base for m administration which
has been proclaiming its entire indepen-
dence Of Congressman in the matter OF APP
pointments and has 50 slightingly ignored
the wishes of the republican Senator'S and
members from other States. But this sudden
somersault was neither so amazing nor SO
amusing rs the unanimous selection of the
delegation. OF all men in the world it was
least expected that they would agree upon
Simon Cameron but this venerable poll
tician was the man whom they
united in recommending in response
to Mr. Evarts' suggestion and promise.
OF course Mr.. Evarts and all the
Presidents friends are aghast at this odd
result Of the change Of base. Mr.. Hayes
has now to decide whether he will stay in
the frying pan or jump into the fire.
This is altogether the queerest scrape
into which civil service administration
could have got itself TO have put the ap-
pointment OF our chief diplomatic post in
commission to be decided by set of Con-
gressmen was strange and comical enough
but to get such result is unmatchably
ridiculous. AS Prince Henry said to Poins
in that merry robbery at Gadshill, "The
thieves have bound the true men" But
the words that follow require an interchange
Of character, for it is the mouth Of Lochiel
that should continue the speech, for if he
should secure the booty ''and go merrily to
London itwould be argument for q week,
laughter for month and o good jest for
ever"
This incautious promise having been
made with q consequence SO notifying and
ridiculous what should the President and
Mr.. Evarts do? Having made the promise,
would it not be better on the whole to keep
it? Looking merely at Mr.. Cameron's per-
sonal qualifications Mr.. Evarts might search
Pennsylvania long time before finding
more capable Minister to England. Mr..
Cameron has served in diplomatic capacity
as Minister to Russia; he has been for many
years the chairman of the Committee of
Foreign Relations in the Senate; he is
one Of the last over whom the English gov
crnment could gain diplomatic advantage.
He is very rich, and would maintain the
respectability of that important mission
without incurring expenses he could not
afford. Besides. the English government
would regard his appointment as a pleasing
mark Of friendship, knowing very well that
he replaced Mr.. Sumner after the violent
philippe Of the latter against England and
was put mt the head Of the Foreign Rela-
tions Committee as a representative of the
opposite order Of ideas. Mr.. Cameron
would be infinitely more popular in Lon
don and would exert more real influence
than any other Pennsylvania whom the
President could appoint.
But the names of many of our public men
are symbols, and that of Cameron, what
ever else may be said of it. is not symbol,
OF civil service reform. But civil service
reform applies 10 our domestic politics, and
there is not the slightest reason to suppose
that Mr.. Cameron would make any improper
use OF his influence rs Minister to England.
On the score of fitness, apart from what the
name OF Cameron symbolzcs in our home
politics. Mr.. Cameron would be an ADLER
and better representative of our govern
mcnt ut the Court Of st. James than any
other republican citizen of Pennsylvania.
Is a promise 10 be broken and good ap-
pointmcnt discarded on mere shibboleth
which has no relation TO tho English mis-
siong There is blessing in the Psalms for
''tho man who swearoth to his own hurt and
changeth not"
Foshuuttag tn Queens County.
Tt.ts v..o,s -, .xost;r, apl Ia -. =,