The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-30

subject. While there must be consensus of
opinion as to the improprietory OF expression of
individual views by any one holding the posi-
tion OF a foreign envoy, it is still to be hoped
that we Will be able to settle the issues in
vowed in the pending canvass, without the
importation OF foreign interference or inter
meddling in our domestic affairs. The Ameri-
can people will be prompt to resent and repel
as iimpertinent any such attempts, but they
will easily recognize the political pit-fall AR
ranged by the California letter, with its object
SO plainly stamped upon its face and addressed
to the British minister, into which he has so
surprisingly tumbled. Such petty schemes to
break the fall of despairing politicians will be
held in proper estimation by popular intelli-
gence."
Tie Evening Star publishes this evening a
two column article quoting as accurately as
possible from memory OF an hours talk the
utterances OF Senator Morgan upon this cor
respondence, and upon tle general subject of
the foreign policy OF the administration. In
regard TO the w est -Afurehison correspondence,
Mr.. Morgan is quoted:
Minister West has probably as much
knowledge rs to tho presidents disposition in
this matter as you have or has any other pri-
vate citizen. He has no more. The only thing
he has to base an opinion on is what the whole
world has said of the presidents message. Not
only has Mr.. West no private information but,
as know to be fact, President Cleveland
has no private views on the subject that con-
hict with the clear utteEances of his message.
W hen Minister West attempts to construe the
Presidents attitude differently and to advise
an American citizen as to the disposition Of
his political franchise, he is guilty of unwarrant-
able interference with the affairs of the United
States. His deductions are based on nothing
and his conclusions are absolutely false. L do
not say that he does not believe in them him
self say that he does not know President
Cleveland and is deceiying HIMSELF
Minister West was shown the interview
with Secretary Bayard this evening, and
asked what he had TO say about it. He said:
Nothing. / don't care 10 criticise it. The
letter sent me from California was fo4 the pur-
pose OF trapping me. In a few days I expect
to be in position to make public the manner
in which the affair was planned, and the iden-
tity of the persons concerned in it. The efforts
which are being directed to the discovery of
this were planned by me, and think shall
succeed in making everything plain.
CAT your interview with Secretary Bayard
this morning, did you discuss this matter?''
asked the reporter.
"Oh, yes" replied Lord Sackville Natur-
ally enough we alluded to the matter, but not
at any length"
did Secretary Bayard intimate to you the
publication of his views as an official?"
II do not know" said the diplomat, "that
he has made public any official utterance
but" he continued, II understand that this
published statement, which you have shown
me, has met with the approval of others as
prominent politically or more so than the Sec
rotary of state. This was understood to mean
that the president had sanctioned the secre-
tary's action"
"This matter has annoyed you somewhat %
"Yes,' said the minister, cit has annoyed
me, but only to trihing extent. have moth
ing to be sorry for, however, except that was
trapped. This affair reveals to me new
phase in the ways of the American politician,
ways that In this instance are
distasteful to me. In American ways delight,
but would like to be excused from having
anything to do with politics In the United
States'
The cabinet meeting today was long one,
lasting till nearly 8 o'clock. The British
minister's letter was the chief topic of con-
sideration.
Minister West Interviewed.
New YORK, October The Washington
correspondent of the Herald called upon Min
lister West today in regard to the California
letter. He writes:
went this evening to the British legation
for the purpose of receiving the explanation
that Lord Sackville had expressed himself
willing to make of the circumstances under
which he had written the letter.
An English born citizen of California had
sought from him an approval of his expressed
desire to vote for the reelection Of President
Cleveland.
The minister first confirmed the accuracy Of
the copy of his letter that / had taken 10 him
for verification, and then, producing from his
cabinet the original of the letter addressed to
him by his unknown correspondent at Pomona,
CAL, asked me to read it and tell him if l
could what reasonable objection had been or
could be raised to his answering it, or to the
matter and quality of his answer.
informed Lord Sackyille that certain gen
tlemen prominent in the republican party
deemed his letter of sufficient Importance to
their cause to make use Of it for the purpose of
creating prejudice against tho candidacy of
MIR. Cleveland in the closing weeks of the
campaign, and that those who took that view
and made that use of the letter considered that
its publication had put him SO far on the de-
fenSive as to require him to justify or excuse
the writing of the letter.
HIS POINT OF VIEW.
Lord Sackyille declined to accept that view
or to say anything to plaeate, help or hinder
any partisan interest connected with the pend
ing contest for the presidency. adding that he
did not write letters nor refrain from writing
them out of regard to political exigencies
within the United States, which were matters
that in no way concerned him otherwise than
as friendly aud impartial spectator, but
solely with reference to what was courteous
and proper between himself and those that
saw fit to honor him with their comInu-
nications. He was aware that the native in
genuity Of the American people was apt TO
come out strongly at the time of their national
OtOCOiOuS, dhu IiO bllObSllb tilc ana
enterprise that they threw into such struggles
were indications of sound political constitu-
ton, but he would like to know how any of
the present contestants are to gain an adyan-
tage from the publication of his letter, which
contained nothing but statements of well
known and undisputed facts.
LONDON, October 25.-The st. James
Gazette, referring to a letter written by Lord
Sackyille, British minister at Washington, to
an Anglo-American resident of California, says
In the present position Of American politics Lord
Saekville should not have written such q letter,
under the seal of privacy but the fact that he
acted in perfect innocence is clear The idea which
certain American politicians appear to hold that
England is ready to help reeleet President Cleye-
land is through mistake. The personality of the
future president is o purely domestic question.
The Globe says that Lord Sackville fell into
the trap too easily. Happily he did not COM
nit himself by giving o testimonial which
would be invaluable 10 republican wire-pullers.
The trick is too obvious and discreditable to
have much effect
The letter Genuine.
WASHINGTON, October 26-The New York
Herald this morning publishes the following;
Los ANGELES, Cal, October Is. 1SS8-To the Edi-
tor Of the Herald; Your dispatch received The
Pomona man who wrote 70 British Minister Sack
vile West, asking the minister's opinion how the
writer should vote for president is a responsible
republican citizen, for whom vouch, but he re-
quests that his name be withheld for the present.
The minister's letter is unqHestionably a genuine
The writer's object was clearly to elicit the real
opiuiOus of the British minister NJ IN the fo great