New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-27
SOME DIPLOMATIC PARALLELS

The British Minister'S blunder has driven
the Democratic managers to the verge of de-
spair. They are casting about to see whether
anything can be done to retrieve impending
disaster. There are frantic outcries from Dem
ocratic journals for the immediate recall Of Lord
Burchard, as he has already been grimly named.
AS their sOlictude is shared by members Of
the Cabinet, it is not improbable that the Presi-
dent has already been importuned by his closest
political advisers to counteract the fatal effects
of Lord Sackville's correspondence by bold
stroke like the Retaliation Message An abrupt
request for the dismissal Of the British Minister
would be patry expedent, for it would not
remove the sting Of his meddlesome intcrven-
ton On behalf of the candidate whose election
England desires from motives of enlightened
self-interest. IL is, however, the only sug-
gesticn Democratic journals have to offer in
this crisis of their party's fortunes. 1t may
not be premature to discuss it in the light Of
diplomatic precedents.
Three parallels have already been drawn in
these columns-the cases of Ministers Genet,
Catacazy and Jackson. To these "The Sum-
adds another-that of Poussn, the French Min
lister, whose recall was demanded by President
Taylor. The list may be extended by refer
ences to the Yrujo and several other similar
cases. Since the foundation of the Govern
ment the American people have been jealous
Of the interference OF foreign Ambassadors in
public and political affairs Washington him
self sanctioned this feeling when, in his fare
well address, he said: Against the insidious
wileS of foreign influence, | conjure you to be-
lieve me, fellow-citizens, the jealousy Of free
people ought to be constantly awake, since his
tory and experience prove that foreign influence
is among the most baneful foes of republican
government The first President demanded
the recall Of Genet the French Minister, for
participating in American public affairs and
for denouncing the conduct Of the Administra-
ton and Congress. He was also extremely
sensitive to criticism Of American representa-
tives abroad particularly Mr.. Morris and Mr.
Monroe in France, for giving advice and sup
port to political parties. 1t was during his
Administration that avoidance of political in
reference by Ambassadors and Consuls became
recognized canon of American diplomacy.
The dismissal of Yrujo, the Spanish Min
lister, in 1906 was grounded on an attempt on
his part to influence an American newspaper to
advocate his view Of a boundary question then
in controversy between the two Governments
This was held to be case of unwarrantable
interference with public opinion. The Jack
son episode followed in 1910, the offence Of
the British Minister being Il series Of wanton
reflections upon the good faith Of the Secre-
tary of State and the Administration. Con-
gress passed joint resolution sustaining the
Madison Administration in dsmisSing him and
declaring his course to be indecorous and in
sulting. Poussin, the French Minister, was
furnished with his passports by President Tay
lor for referring contemptuously to the Amer-
can Administration and Navy in his commun-
cations with the State Department. His Ian
guage was held to be insulting, and he was
promptly rebuked for his discoutesy. Cat
acazy's offences were Of a more personal nature
He rendered himself odious to the Grant Ad-