The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-04-16
q wink to an inanimate object, we should sus-
nact the nassnpe lust quoted OF that operation

wink TO an 1nanlmate OBJECT, we snoulu bub-
pect the passage just quoted Of that operation
These were not the only elaborate compo-
sitions with which, just before his election
from the State Department, Mr.. BLAINE I'M
dertook to gull the public. There were many
things in Mr.. HURLBUT's official conduct
which had been sharply reprobated by our
people, and accordingly on Nov. ~ Mr.
BLAINE pretends to disapprove OF HURL-
Butts memorandum addressed to Admiral
LYNCH, of the letter to PIRRoLAs Secretary
and Of the convention concluded with the
CALpERoN Government for the naval station
at Chimbote On Dec. 3, being then on the eve
OF retiring to private life, Mr.. BLAINE GEN.
sures the Chimbote convention still more
distinctly, and severely reprimands Mr..
HURLBuT for procuring railway concession
for himself. 1t must have been one OF these
dispatches which bore the now notorious
marginal note, Go 1t, STEPHEN" and whose
composition Mr.. BLAINE had In his mind
when he dilated to Mr.. SHEPHERD on the de-
vices and expedients practised by the trained
diplomatist.
We are not aware where Mr.. BLAINE re-
ceived his training in diplomacy, his expert
ence in that or any cognate field being Linn
tied, so far as we know, to the MULL1aAN af-
fair. There is no doubt, however, that he be-
lieves himself to be an expert, and his dis
course upon the subject is certainly very ed
flying as regards his personal character and
fitness for public trust. Gentlemen" said
he rubbing his hands and smiling unctuously
on the precious pair Of operators, SHEPHERD
and BLAIR, there are various ways OF CIV
ing diplomatic instruction. We not only
write on the lines, but trained diplomat will
read between the lines, and sometimes he piH
read on the margin / will give you
an illustration Of that. In the
time OF GEORGE ". some dispatches
to British Admiral were prepared with
great care. and in such form that they would
read remarkably well when published; but
on the margin the Kings brother wrote with
pencil: This Is all right, BILL; but, GOD
damn them, give them hell! Now, within
twenty-four hours after receiving that de-
spatch the Admiral fought battle in direct
violation OF his instructions, but in exact
compliance with what the Kings brother
secretly wished him to do" This more or
less apocryphal story was repeated, 1t is al
legged, to the editor OF the World, who had
been complaining, reasonably enough, that
Mr. BLAINE had wronged Minister HURLBUT
by disavowing official action which he had
himself dictated. No sooner was the pleasant
tale recounted than the brilliant and accom-
plished journalist Is said to have exclaimed:
did BLAINE say that? Then have him.
have in my possession a despatch on the
margin of which is written, in Mr. BLArNEs
handwriting, Go it, STEPHEN" For this
part Of the interview between them the edi-
tor OF our contemporary says that SHEPHERD
drew upon his imagination, buthe refrains
from questioning the existence OF the mar
ginal note.
We regret to see that Mr.. BLAINE's diplo-
matte training Is not complete, and that he
is apparently ignorant Of some historical
precedents quite as pertinent as the anec-
dote he related. Men have been impeached
and sent to the block in England for perform
ances like that Of which the Duke OF YORK
and too complacent Admiral are said to
have been guilty in the case described.
Had not, moreover, the author OF the
pencilled note been the Duke OF CLAIR
ENCE Mr.. BLAINE had seemingly COMPOUNDED
one brother with another) and the heir to the
throne to which he presently succeeded, he
would have been sternly dealt with, pro-
vided, Of course, the pencilling could have
been found INCREASED and brought home to
him; while had the naval commander hap
pened to lose, instead Of winning, battle, he
would have risked mourning the fate OF Ad-
miral BYNa. And who is Mr.. JAMES q.
BLAINE that he should presume to play the
tricks Of kings brother, and to cheat the
people Of the United States by drawing up
the text OF q despatch in seeming conformity
with their peremptory demands, and then
turning 1t into mockery by such a marginal
note as go 1t, STEPHEN"
We opine that the late Secretary Of State
may be quite as anxious to gain possession
| Of the document which Is said to have once
borne the marginal note mentioned, as he
once was to sequestrate the MULLIoAN let
tiers. We therefore advise the House com.
mittee to act promptly in this matter. Let
them subpoena the editor Of our contempt
rary, the World and request him to produce
the paper which bears upon its face the
proof Of Mr.. BLANE's deceit and perfidy
and even though 1t be no longer in his pos
session, yet, If it came at any time under his
eye, his testimony might be found highly in
teresting and useful by the committee.