Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-25

Senator Morgan, member OF the Senate COM
mittee on foreign relations, was the defender of
the Administrators foreign policy In the Senate.
Upon him devolved the chief labor of sustaining
the President in the fisheries controversy and OF
explaining and defending the treaty. No one else
50 well speak for the President on this subject
He Is the Presidents friend and conndant in this
matter From the beginning they have talked
freely together on the subject and Mr.. Cleveland
has disclosed to him his ideas plans and purposes.
The Senator was at the White House yesterday
and the letter Of Mr.. West, the British minister,
| which has just been made public, in which he ad-
Vlses an American citizen now to vote and attempts
TO dscredt the sincerity OF the President to his
retaliation message, was discussed between them.
STAR representative called on Senator Morgan
at his residence on ~ street last evening" and dur
Ing the course Of an hours conversation, this let
ter and the general attitude OF Mr. Cleveland with
relation to the Canadian question, was discussed.
senator Morgan spoke with perfect frankness,
briefly sketching the history OF the controversy and
making positive statements as to Mr.. Cleveland's
| attitude In the matter, which will throw much
light upon it and prove OF interest to the public.
He has direct and frank manner Of speech, with
out any attempt at studied effect. His natural
dignity and his earnestness during the interview
gave TO his conversation o peculiar impressive
ness.
THE SINCERITY OF THE "RKTALIATIoN MESSAGE"
TIE STAR reporter directed his attention to the
repeated assertions by politicians and others that
the President had sent his retaliation message"
to Congress merely for political effect to assist in
his reelection and also to Minister Vests letter
| conveying this same idea. In reply Senator Nor
gan ito quote him as accurately as possible from
memory Of an hours talk) said:
edge to the Presidents disposition In this mat
as you nave or as has any other private citizen.
ne has no more! The only thing he has to base an
opinion on Is what the whole world has the PreSi
dents message. Not only has Mr. West no private
Information, but as know to be fact, Mr. Cleve-
that conf1ict with the clear utterances of
his message. When Mr.. West attempts to
construe the Presidents attitude differently, and
10 advise an American citizen to the disposition
OF MS political franchise, he Is guilty OF unwar-
rantable interference with the affairs OF this coun-
conclusions are absolutely false do not say that
he does not believe In them himself; say merely
that he does not know Mr. Cleveland and Is deceiv-
ing himself.
IT INVOLVES MORE THAN THE FISHERIES.
"This Canadian question is broader than the
limits Of the fisheries 1t came over to MI. Cleve-
land as an Inheritance from past administrations
"The treaty Of 71-T3 having been terminated
| under the former administration, it expired in
August, 1885. very serious question at once
arose erecting our friendly relations Mr.. Cleve-
land appreciated its importance, and at once
entered upon a study Of the entire subject.
know from repeated conversations with him at
the time ane since how earnestly he studied the
matter and what Importance he attached to the
broadening and extending of our commercial in
| tercourse with Canada. He felt that the
Of sss msy thss Ss
have existed along that border, through
almost the entire history Of the country, and Tor
tionS He has been kind enough to discuss the
| matter with me very frankly, and think l know
the course Of his inquiry, his conclusions and ali
his hopes and desires in the matter 1 assure you
| do not think any man has been moved by more
patriotic impulses, and had his course not been
the country. with one voice, regardless OF
party feeling, would now declare the wis
DIST distinctivey American. Il Is % poy GanW tipsed by
oemagoguery. He made an Independent study OF the
subject not relying on anyone else his infOrma-
It, He has astOnished me by his quick grasp OF the
situation. He is the most perfect student OF facts
have ever met. He has no Imagination what
ever. He grasps the facts and does not see the
shadows that surround them, to delude No fancies
ever allure his mind from direct course and con-
met. He has a great power OF concentration,
and taking up subject he masters II quickly &C
Quirng all the substance there is in 1t before he
sets II aside.
STUDYING THE WHOLE SUBJECT.
"He took up this Canadian question saw the
importance ana extent Of It at once and became
deeply interested In it. In his study he did not
neglect one branch OF the subject historical diplo-
matte or commercial Every phase was carefully
explored, and he felt that the interests OF America
were not properly guarded, and could not be ad-
he found that at no time have we enjoyed our
full rights IN intercourse with this colonial gov
He &c ,ns with patriotic
Ing al. al the rights and advantages
matter and how entirely free his mind was at ali
times from any feeling OF partisanship. He had
no IDEA Of @ gaining to himself any political ad
question, that he would prize above most things
the honor Of having served his country to her I'm
the Of inas
his mind, but the whole broad question CT
n,S Sis So s
could not be convinced that he would meet
with any party opposition. He said repeatedly
would be such opposition. that he did not see how
that would be possible, when the rights OF the ma
tion were involved. He said he could not but be-
ueve that republicans and democrats alike would
cease being parttsans In matter OF this sort, and
be nothing but Americans. He could not be con-
BILE.
THE PRESIDENTS ANXIETY.
"Before the treaty negotiations were begun he
viewed the situation with great apprehension.
Our fishermen were being disturbed in the enjoy
ment Of their rights and all along the lake region
our commerce was being Disseminated against.
OlcvClouO AClt SuIC VI OoluR 6Ul0 70 Il&Qt tQlS
wrong by an amicable settlement, unless some
individual acts disturbed our peaceful relations
before there was time for settlement HIS fear
was that In some OF the contacts In the fishing
grounds there should be bloodshed.
''He expressed his anxiety TO me. II once the
waters should be stained with blood, all chance OF
q peaceful settlement would be at an end There
was danger OF either country entering into war
deliberately, but the hasty act OF individuals
might at any time provoke active hostilities. He
frequently spoke OF this with apprehension.
"rhe history OF the negotiations entered upon Is
pretty well known. The Joint commission held q
prolracted session On several occasions they
were on the point OF breaking up and declaring al
negotiations failure. IL seemed impossible for
them TO agree.
.But At length an agreement was reached Nj.
Cleveland approved II, and sent it to the Senate
He believed, as believe and a. was demonstrated
by the satisfactory condition OF affairs un0er the
ns0dus vfvendi that It was the very best treaty
that had ever been drawn between the two
countries. He discussed it frankly with me. what
he hoped for most through It's agency was the
opening up OF the way 70 . closer commercial
union. It brought the two people together In
friendship, and being in this relationship he was
confident that all parties would soon eee the
mutual advantage OF coming nearer together. He
did not regard the treaty as 1nal and all we could
hope for. II opened the way. knew when the
treaty llrst came TO the committee, OF which am
member, that II would never receive the approval
OF the republican senate.
WsWhy noffs thA Presidanf aa1A6 When told him