New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-25
LORD SACKVILLES PARTISANSHIP.

The British Minister has the strongest rea-
sons for desiring the reelection OF the PreSl-
dent. He has controlled the diplomacy of the
Administration from March. 1883, and is
anxious to maintain his ascendancy. Secretary
Bayard entered the State Department three
months before the date fixed by Congress and
President Arthur for the abrogatiOn Of the
fisheries clauses Of the Treaty of Washington.
The British Minister succeeded in entrapping
the Administration into an agreement for pro-
longing the operation of the Fisheries articles.
At his solicitation the policy of the Government
was suddenly reversed the abrogated clauses
remained in force in defiance Of the action of
Congress and an Executive proclamation: and
the President was pledged to recommend in his
first message the resumption Of negotiations
for a new treaty or for some form Of inter
national arbitration. The Presidents first ref
erence to this subject in that message was di-
rectly inspired by the British Minister. The
negotiation of the Fisheries Treaty was the
GROWING triumph of that brilliant and aStute
diplomatiSt's policy. He has directed and con
trclled the Administrations course in British
and Canadian affairs. He is satisfied with the
situation. He does not want a change of Ad-
ADMINISTRATION. When naturazcd citizens Of Eng
lish or Canadian birth seek his counsel he gives
it without reserve. He eXcrts his official in
duence against the Republican party and in
favor of the Administration.
Lord Sackville is not to be censured for
taking advantage of Secretary Bayard's amaz-
ing credulity, as he has done at every stage Of
the fisheries negotiations. He is the repre-
sentative Of the British Government. 1t is
his duty and privilege to uphold British in
tereStS in diplomatic transactions His success
in Outwitting and outmanOeuvring Secretary
BayaId is honorable in every respect. Fort
innate would our own Government be if its own
State Department and representatives abroad
were equally Jealous and efficient in advo-
eating American interests. Lord Sackyille en-
joyed immunity from criticism so long as he
continued to serve his Government in legiti-
mate way. But when he seeks to influence the
judgment of American citizens in a National
election, his action must be resented as some
thing worse than an indiscretion-aS nothing
less than an affront to the dignity and intelli
gence of the American people
Under Washington's Administration the
French Minister, Edmond Charles Genet under
took to influence public opinion against Eng
land and in favor Of his own country When
the Administration adhered TO its policy of
neutrality he appealed to Americans to remem-
Der their obligations to France, and criticised
the Government for its lack Of sympathy.
Washington very properly resented this au-
daciOus Intervention Of the French Minister in
American affairs. He demanded and obtained
lilt , I'm q ma "a
Of the strongest grounds for the rejection of
Mr. Van Buren'S nomination as Minister TO
England was the disposition which he had
shown in official correspondence to convince
Lord Aberdeen that the English Government
had an interest in maintaining the ascendancy
Of the Democratic party in the United States
Mr. Webster took the broad ground that for
egn Governments are concerned with the coun-
Try as a unit, and not with political parties.
Now II has been one Of the worst features Of
the disgraccfu fisheries negotiations that for
eign dplomatists have been placed in the at
tItude Of dealing with one political party in
the United States rather than the country at
large. Mr.. Chamberlain at the Canadian din
ner in this city pronounced all hostile criticism
Of the treaty a demonstration Of the party in
opposition. Inc pam inference 10 De ofdWh
from his remarks was that he had made
treaty with the party in power, and the Re-
publican party were bound to antagonizc it.
Sir Charles Upper went further. In his speech
before the Dominion Parliament he put the
treaty and the Mills bill together and de-
monstrated that Canada had everything to ex-
pect from the triumph Of the Democratic party.
He established an identity of policy on the part
Of Canada and that party, and predicted the