New-York tribune., 1877-06-15
QUEER SQUEINISZNESS.

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AFRAID or HIsToRy-MR.
JOHN JAY THEREUP0N GIVES THEM A LITTLE
MORAL PHILOSOPHY.
Mr. John Jay recently prepared for the Historical
Society an appreciative memorial and eulogy of Mr..
John LOthrOp Motley, his predecessor at the Court
of Vienna. Objection was made to spreading the
eulogy upon the minutes of the society, according
to custom. on the droll ground that the society
ought not thus 10 perpetuate criticisms upon the
Government. Mr.. jay, being advised of this
action addressed Judge Kirkland, chairman of the
committee to which his eulogy referred in
tart letter. whose scope the following extracts may
Indicate
The memorial contained DO structure on the Gov
which the society would ndorse by It's record
but simply a brief narrative OF the facts and historic
statements Including quotation from the elaborate
defcuse put forth by the Government. which Mr..
Motley rested his appeal 20 history share the regret
which think ynur committee will feel AT the position in
which objection 10 the recording Of the memorial has
placed the society before the world That our venerable
assOciatiOn which had welcomed Motley with 40 much
Of eo and had claimed for the country his eloquence
and his diplomatic fame should now refuse nasty
and groundless suggestion to accept tribute to his
memory and transmit il 10 his children, stands in
regrettabe to the readiness OF foreign lands
sented by oxford and Cambridge mourn their
adopted son; learned societies throughout Europe
lament their honored associate; ana the treneh In
strute looks sadly Tor worthy successor 10 his vacant
chair 1t is in his own land of the treatment by whose
Government he complained when INinR, that Ine New
York Historical Society to turn cOldy from his
aDDeal history, and to IN the Historian and
dplomaiist only an official the proprlety OF whose
treatment by the Government whatever tna treatment
have 0ccn, historical societies must protect from
structure II has been suggested to that 10 would
eve your committee and the society from their dilemma
al reference his diplomatist and his treat
by the departments Of President Johnson and Gen
Grant have always been glad TO the society, but
such thing, could any one consent thus TO trne with
historical truth would at once impeach the hondr OF
the soc ety and deaIne the memory Of the dead
asked 70 prepare the memorial on the ground that my
relations witn Mr. Motley personally, and as his sucees-
nd cpffe IN MAJ
fitting should perform that duty. The same reasons
demanded that my tribute should state truthuy the IN
cdents OF his diplomatic and especially of the
dsmissals by which that career was twice arrested
avoided comment facts when recorded, leaving
those facts to speak themselves that there might be
apology for renewing against the memory OF Motley
the charge ana arOnts which had embittered his life
aud belittled his fame. That the treatment Of
Motley by President Johnson upon the charges
preferred by McCracken, which Motley de.
nOunced false caiunnious and contemPuble,"
or that the treatment OF Motley by the Govern
ment OF President Grant as deVeOpcd by the Official
correspondence and colempoIane0us evidence may not
be alluded TO quoted IN memorial to Motley because
they sound to tender ana sensitive ears Ae on
the Government, isi doctrine which trust the HlsOr
cal Society OF NewNork viii not be too ready 10 accept
That historical societies should aFOld unnecessary hed
ding with the current questions OF the day ana the
politics OF the existing Government as being beyond
their Office, is entirely proper But why the dead ques
tiOns OF a dead government, when recurring IN a
memorial 10 man IKE hotey should De listened 10 WIN
such uneasness that historic stdtv..s are il.staen
for structures and referred 20 COMMITTEE II question
not easy to reconcile with the fearless and Independent
exercise OF the sacred duties hat belong 10 history
Indeed the General whose mistakes IN the chair
Oy all England t0-lay IOFBtls
is in the field has himself in MS last message frankly
contested his mistakes and Appealed 10 history or his
good Intentions IL was my fortune or MISFORTUNE,
aii Ls President to be called To the Office OF Cnef
Executive without any previous political TRAINING.
Mistakes have been made, all can see, andl admit
But | leave comparisons 10 history" Fernaps,
as n Doctor Of civil Law OF the ancient University OF
xor and surrounded by the learning and culture oi
Great Britain Grant may see some things IL i-
ferent light than when he recalled Mouey ron cue
Court OF ST. James sent 10 the Worlds E1hDloh al
Vienna certain commissioners To represent 10 the asstn
biednatiOnalLies the highest type OF american
hch Government especially dehghted 70 hVhor AZ
ali events Cen Grant having himself appealedtO 10 history,
should be the deprive Motley OF that appeal espe
olay when he remembers that the teegralc anhouhce
men OF his intended recall came 70 Motley 50 uhe1pscI
edy he said IL would be- lmpOssDie Tor any mp
Olnatlc agent To believe himself more thoroughly pos
sesng the confidence Of the Government which ne nau
the honor 10 than supposed myself 10 ENJOY al
that moment"