The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-05
LOWELL AND SALISBURY.
The Unamerican Man Who Did Not
Represent American Diplomacy.
the Difference Between Mr.. Gladstone and
His Blue looded SuccessOr-The Mar
quis Of Salisbury's characteristics.

LONDON June 25.-Minister Lowell (who has
just left us wrapped in the cloak of his British
dignity combined the privileges of American
freedom with the stand-ofism of British aristoc-
racy in such a way as TO have made him the
amazement and wonder of the time. Secure in
the democratic strength of his official position,
the minister of the great Republic, he has, with
an dir that apes humility, snubbed great men OF
state, and sitting away up in the high estima-
ton of London society," he has looked down upon
Americans with lofty scorn that has fairly
With cred some of them into their boots. No
citizen of the great West mas been known to
stand the Lowell stare. 1t has struck many Of
them speechless. Others have gone straight to
their hotels and committed suicde-not in the
English fashion, by the way. You know the
British method, according to the Frenchl Well,
we are so afflicted with ennui during the
foggy month of November that it is
common thing for persons to lean out of their
windows and cut their Threats upon the passers-
by, who cry out Gottam!" and hurry away.
We ore very queer lot, according to the French;
but America is beginning to like us, and it would
seem that our manners and customs are quite
fascinating to some of Jonathan's most shining
counts, is the champion Anglo-American-fa
more Anglo than American. Well, England
ought to be very proud to have captured so great
man. He has certainly represented American
scholarship and culture in England as no other
citizen Of the Republic has represented them. A
poet, pundit too, for that matter, he has given
a FLIP to the study of oratory in London. His
post-prandial speeches have been good enough to
take place in the literature of the day. And
yet the Anglo American Morning News of Paris
says this of him: 'Tenpyson, as you know, has
gone into the House of Peers, and Browning
dimes with duchesses every night. Mr.. Lowell
might have done the same without blame
only he was a little too absolute in his
way Oh doing it. He could give the cold
shoulder as no native even can give it
here. There were old friends with whom he had
been on terms of the most affectionate intimacy
in America yet whom he never once asked to his
table all the time he lived with them under Brit
ish skies. In one ludicrous instance, where the
friends had another minister visiting Them and
actually staying under their roof he invited the
minister to dinner and left out the friends There
was nothing wrong in it, nothing deliberately
wicked; it was only 4 curious example Of that
sympathetic adaptabity which is the essence of
the literary genius / would like to see Mr..
howell contradict this. But suppose he won't.
think he lost his proposed farewell dinner be-
cause the Americans would not take it up. This
was the announcement in the papers that chron-
lcled his departure: 'NTr. Russell Lowell, who
since Sunday has been guest of the Duke of
Westminster, at Eaton Hall, embarked on
board the Cunard steamer Scythia, yesterday
afternoon, for Boston, by special tender, it
being in accordance with Mr.. Lowells request
that no official recognition should be taken of
his departure. Mr.. Lowell was accompanied on
board the steamer by only few personal
friends" And the Americans say that mo off
cial recognition and no crowd to give him good
send off was contemplated-even Gillig did not
move friendly hand in this direction" If this
be so the retiring minister must have felt
lonesome" but that is what he prefers. they
say. AS chronicler of the times in which we
live am bound to chronicle; and you will take
all this for what it is worth. For my own part
have met Mr.. Lowell but seldom 1 do not
court the pompous duness of so-called society
One looks into the tents of VANITY Fair now
and them it is necessary But Mr.. Lowell has
impressed me as man of sorrow. / have al
ways seen "a sadness in his eye" and [ wonder
sf good deal of that reserved and reticent
manner which is more or LEGS natural to him has
not been unfairly set down to haugh fitness and a
disinclination to friendliness The position of
American minister to England is no sinecure. Mr.
Lowell has had some curious experiences of the
sort of work some OF his countrymen have ex-
pected from him. To look after lost luggage,
lend money in emergencies, square affairs with
the police, recommend hotels and other favors,
are among the things he has been asked to do
for his fellow subjects of the Republic. 1 think
may say that he knows how to answer fools
according to their errands" Speed the parting
welcome the coming guest! Mr. Phelps has
made an excellent Impression. If he wants to
live in the hearts of his American friends in
London he must not forget that they have
5tomachS.
MR.. GLADsToNEs SUCCESSOR.
Never were there two men more opposite inap
pearance, character and training than Mr. Glad
stone and the Marquis of Salisbury. / can i'm
ngine a community of people being far happier
under the personal government of Lord Sails
bury than Mr. Gladstone-that is, supposing
community desired and used the power to elect
despotic governor with full authority.
Mr.. Gladstone is gentleman "who
would be continually in evidence. He
would always be making fresh laws. The
community would never know upon what pr1n-
ciples they were at work. If they formed their
trading details upon the recognized laws of polit-
ical economy, Mr.. Gladstone would outrage its
first conditions. Then he would be lecturinE
them on Homer, chopping down trees, reading
lessons in church, and otherwise pervading the
government a meddler and muddler. Now,
on the other hand, Lord Salisbury would stick
to his work The lines and duties of his govern
ment settled, he would govern. the rest he would
leave to the community. He would not try to
invent new financial! or commercial ideas, not
he If the community were content and flour
ished, he would let it be, and go on himself liv-
ing for it, aud working to relieve the govern
ment machine of all possible friction. | am
simply putting supposititious case, justified by
some knowledge of the two men, and long ex
perience OF their work and methods. Lord Sal
isbury can say yes" and no" Mr. Gladstone
cannot Lord Salisbury has a full knowledge of
international affairs. Mr.. Gladstone hates for
eign politics. Lord Salisbury dislikes
interfering with the settled regulations
ne trade and commerce Mr. Gladstone is never