New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-31
INSULTING AMERICA.
THAT IS ENGLAND'S WAY OF ExCUSING THE
SACKvILLE OUTRAGE.

POSSIBLE SUCCESSORS TO
THE ELEcTroNEERINa
MINISTER.
sY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.
Copuight 1888; BY The Ne,c York Tribune.
London, Oct. 3O-Three London papers yester-
day made an interesting discovery " The Tines
THE Standard ard " The Daily News all to-
gether became aware that the British Minister
at Washington had written letter advocating
the reelection of Mr.. Cleveland, and the three
simultaneously broke silence. All three seize
upon Lord Sackville's offence as occasion for
being themselves offensive. The tone Of all
three is insulting to the United States. They
do not defend Lord Sacl1villes indefensible inter
ference in the American election. None of the
English papers defend him. That is beyond their
casustical powers They prefer to attack US
for rescnting his interference. They all accept
that version of the incident which they regard
as most discreditable to America For this how
ever, they have an excuse. All three journals
have Cleveland correspondents in America, and
these gentlemen Dir their partisanship on this side
of the Atlantic as freely as in New-York They
do not think it indelicate to invite the censure
of the British public upon Americans who happen
to be Republicans. No impartial reports Of cur
rent political events in America reach England
by telegraph from any special correspondent. AL
lowanoe may be made for English treatment of
American affairs. if you bear in mind how much
Of American news sent here is untrustworthy and
untruthful Whether it is true that the Muir
Gibson letter was trap, and that no Murchison
exists, i do not know. But that is what is
asserted and believed here.
Mr.. Cleveland's alleged request for Lord Sack
ville's recall is, Of course, regarded as based on
VI
remark, that if Americans were not in the thick
of demoralizng struggle for the spols of
Office, it is possible that some of them would
protest publicly against the undignifed vulgarity
and interested unfarness shown by both their
political parties throughout the whole transac-
ton Lord Sackville Is condemned for inds-
cretion in giving advice, but excused for not
suspecting trap. British Minister, whether
at Washington or elsewhere, says this journal,
must be an English gentleman, and may be for
given if he is not up to all the dirty tricks of
American politicians Then, quoting what The
Tribune says, The Times" asks: What is to
be thought of the conduct of those who have
turned an occurrence in itself Of conceivable
significance, to the bascst purposes of party war
fare? What sense of the honor of their Nation,
or of the obligations of truth, can exist among
men WHO deliberately cndeavOr to work up
popular animosity to England on the ground that
Lord Sackvilles trumpery letter is objectionable
affront to the intelligence and patriotism of the
country, and official attempt on the part of
the British Minister TO array citizens OF English
and Canadian birth against the Republican party?
Those who write such stuff as this can hardly
expect to obtain credence for what they assuredly
do not believe themselves. Yet the chance OF
inJuring their opponents among the mos ignorant
of Irish voters is too precious to be lost Then
follows the usual attack on MIR. Blaine coupled
with the very unusual discovery that the be-
havior Of Democratic politicians is quite as con-
temptible and dishonest The article concludes:
I" It is our most sincere desire that the English
and American peoples should remain always
united by ties of amity and concord But for
the maintenance of that happy state OF things
no thanks will be due to the professional poll
ticians of either party in the United States"
Perhaps not; and certainly not to the journal
which promotes amity and concord by such ur-
banties as l have quoted
THE Standard" writes more quietly but oo-
serves: Indeed, when recollect the In
decent fashion in which American Legislatures
and officials have openly approved, encouraged
and abetted dangerous agitation In these Is
lands, we find it difficult to believe in the reality
of the anger which finds SUCH vigorous express
sion in the New-York journals"
The finest of all flights of absurdity may be
found in The Daily News which traces Lord
SaclSvile's indiscretion to the influence of Mr.
Chamberlain 1T would really seem" says
this wise writer, las if Mr.. Chamberlain's bad
example had thrown Lord Sackville off his
diplomatic balance But this seems brought
in for the sake of calling Mr.. Chamberlain a
boisterous bungler from Birmingham" Not for
moment, however, does this free-trade organ
forget its anxiety for Mr. Clevelands election.
Every Englishman, in its opinion, must sincerely
hope Lord Sackvilles indiscretion will not in
any way affect the great contest in which the
United States are about to engage. Its solcitude
for the Presidents reputation takes still more
comic form in the remark, that only boobies
believe the Presidents Retaliation message had
a potical object. Some of these boobies were
in THE Daily News" office, many more in other
English newspaper off res, and more still else
where in England and everywhere else AS
for the Republicans, they are, as usual, objects
of dislike and contempt, authors of the trap into
which Lord Saclville fell, contIivers of pal
try manoeuvre against The Daily Newss' can
didatc, and people who play tricks. Lord Sack
ville's letter says this English guardian Of Amerl-
can morals, has been placarded far and wide by
the Republicans, who care more for the success
of General Harrison than for the security OF per-
sonal correspondence.
The English are, as you perceive, very angry
with u.s. partly because the English Minister
has committed diplomatic blunder, partly be-
cause they are alarmed lest the prospects Of
their favorite, Mr.. Cleveland, have been injured,
and partly because they are English. 1t is
taken for granted in London that Lord Sackville
has resigned. II the instructions given to Mr..
D,alr with
British Minister'S only choice is considered to
lie between resignation and recall. Mr.. Phelpss
visit to Lord Salisbury at Hatfield, here supposed
70 have been occasioned by the SaclSvile Incl
dent had in fact been arranged some time since.
L o.a IIIa,c hnc