National Republican., 1884-01-16
Mr.. IEeNvltt,s ORense.

| Mr.. Hewitt sustains Minister Vests version
of the conversation had between them con-
cerning tho O'Donnell resolution after its
adoption and before tho execution of the
doomed man. He says there is not tho
slightest difference between Mr.. West and
himself on the subject but he complains that
the meaning OF the words he spoke was not
understood How unfortunate that Mr..
Hewitt should bo so obscure or his hearers
so dull. "He explained TO me-" says Mr..
West, "the peculiar circumstances which led
to the introduction of the resolution. The
resolution adopted was to prcrcm The introduce
ton Of other resolutions which would not ex-
actly convey the sentiment of the American
congress upon the subject! | construed what
Mr.. Hewitt said as a simple explanation, and
not as an apology"
In aid of Mr.. Hewitt an ardent friend of
his comes in with tho statement that his
explanation to the British minister was that
q resolution by the house could not be
regarded as an expression of tho opinion of
tho government. For that purpose u joint
resolution signed by the President would be
necessary.
From all this it clearly appears that Mr..
Hewitt persuaded Capt. Edward Meagher
Condor, of the Clan-na.Gae association, to
consent to certain alterations in the resolu-
tion he had submitted upon the assurance
that these alterations were not material,
would not make tho resolution less Ell
cacious, and would the better insure its
adoption. Thus modified, the resolution was
offered by Mr.. Hewitt aud adopted, and by
him hurried Off to the President. He wishes
the full benefit of this latter fact, and lays
great stress on it as proof that he was in
earnest.
So far for the Irish side. He then called
on the British minister, because young
English nobleman who was his guest desired
to call, and because he had neglected sooner
to return q call. OF this visit Mr.. West says
it twas purely social one. In the course of
tho conversation Mr.. Hewitt spoke of the
resolution" Dlr. Hewitt thus appears to
have introduced the subject, and to have tex
planned" mot apologized) to the representa-
tive of the British government that byihis
action in the house he had forestalled more
offensive resolution. He had deftly broken
explanation seems to have been
calculated to give him the appearance
of having done the British govern
ment quite valuable service, He had
drawn its teeth by appealing to that gentle
mans fears that moro pronounced express
sion would invite defeat, and by assuring
him that rs amended it was really Just as
strong as before. We submit that Mr.. Hew-
lit is great diplomatic. A man who can one
day excite the gratitude Of an intense Irish
American patriot with resolution calling a
halt on the British government, and who can,
the next day but one, make an explanation
, to the British minister so satisfactory that he
feels justified in cabling to his government
that no attention need be paid to the resou-
tion, as it is neither in earnest nor the voice of
our government-such a man hides his light
under bushel by accepting any other than
diplomatic service.
, His declaration to Mr., West that only Il
, joint resolution signed by the President would
be entitled to be regarded as an official utter
ance of our government is of course
not true. Mr.. West knew that. Thl
,ttn nf Ia DrociJ ,rn
power is the voice of our government. Roso'
lutions of either house of congress, or joint
resolutions of both may be addressed to him
, on behalf of the people they represent; but
they add nothing to the authoritativeness
of words addressed by him to u foreign
nation Besides, if house resolution was
/ worthless, why does Mr., Hewitt show Sc
! much desire to prove that he hastened its de-
, livery to the President? Mr.. Hewitt knew
! that the resolution appealed to the President
and not to tho British government. 1t wa;
D tho unanimous call by the representative!
! of the people upon the President to stimu
5 late him to earnestly and promptly dc
what he had the power TO do in the prem
, ises, and did not profess 10 be an Off
t cal utterauce of the government. 1t would
e have had a strong moral influence if il hat
S been adopted as originally drafted, and hat
a not then been explained away by its mover tC
c the representative of the very government
= of whose conduct it complained. 1t was yer!
: natural that Mr.. West should telegraph to
o his government that, so far as the
O action of the house Of representatives
l.. was concerned, the English side had been par
Il TALLY successful there, its friend Mr. Hewitt
n having stifed a strong resolution and substi'
If tuted weak one, and, Furthermore, that Mr.
Hewitt had explained mot apologized) tina
no action of the house in such matters need
4. be regarded as expressive Of the sense of tn
government This left tho request of tn
r. President for n stay of O'Donnells execution
- stripped of much of it's force, not only by dc
l. priving it of the moral support of the hous
r. resolution, but by actually antagonizing
IT, with private information derived from it
:, " mover that It was adopted to prevent tn
ID introduction ofother resolutions which woul