Middletown transcript., 1888-11-01
THE sACKvInLE LETTER.

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The leading topic Of discussion In
the political as well as the diplomatic
world, during the past week has been
the letter Of the British Minister at
: Washington, containing his opinion o1
the intentions Of the administration To-
ward England, in case a new lease Oh
power be given it, in the election now
; nearly at hand.
Various opinions have been express
ed. both as to the reasons why such an
opinion was given, as well as to the
results naturally following the public
announcement Of the same, but by far
the greatest anxiety has been felt by
the leaders Of the two great parties
now striving for the supremacy to
know Just how far the subject matter
Of the letter, has helped the one, or
hurt the other. Evidently this
should be Of the least consequence,
and were every voter as quick to de-
tect the palpable and shallow tricks OF
the desperate politician, as he should
be, the effect pro or con on the issues
before us would, to say the least be
minimized, if not entirely eliminated.
This however is not the case as wit
ness the stampede caused by the luck
less Burchard, in his memorable and
dramatic grouping Of the three Rs.
The Sackville letter was written by
Lord Sackville- West, in reply to a
communication from an alleged Anglo
American containing questions bearing
on our political affairs, and asking ad-
vice as to how the writer should vote.
Lord Sackville unwittingly fell into
the trap and replied in detail to the
questions and hence the trouble. That
Lord Sackville, even under the seal Of
privacy should have allowed himself to |
be drawn unto discussion of matters,
that while permissably debateable to
all others, were obviously and emphati-
cally not so for him, is severe illus
tration Of the decadence in modern di-
plomacy, or else shows deep seated an
tagonism toward our country and its
institutions not compatible with the
functions of a representative of friend
ly nation among US. We could scarce
ly entertain the possibility of the lat
ter, view were it not that developments
point to the fact. that Minister Vests
relations with the President and Secre-
tary Of State, have never gone beyond
the bounds of strictest diplomatic
formality, and that not from the nature
of the service, but from an acknowledg-
ed uncongeniality, personally, on both
sides.
In either case the dignity of the ma
tion demands that the recall of the
Minister be asked for, whether from
incompetency as a diplomat, or too
much competency as an intriguer it
matters not.
We have endeavoured to look at the
possible political effect of this letter
Independently of our wishes in the
matter, and really see but little ground
for the fear that it may prove the nemi-
sis Of the Democracy. Even while ad-
mitting it to have a tendency to divert
The views of some from a careful con-
sideration of the real issues Of the
The main reason is that
The intelligence, and independence of
men, are going to be seen and felt in
he coming election, as never before /;
ind if men once get to thinking, Demo-
,rats need fear no evil from Sackville's
lnWary innocence. or wicked design.
And much more of a set back should be
tiven that party, who in the struggle
or political prominence, allows such !
means to be used to defeat the other.
The author of the cause Of the trouble
tands out a self convicted hypocrit,
md is said to be sustained in his ac- {
ion by the party of high and moral
deas, and it is even asserted that it was !.
one with tine consent and appreciation :
f the managers Of the party with view =
o bringing about the present re-
ults. If such be the truth, which party :,
7ill suffer the more? No honorable man :
hould doubt which.
The language Of the letter Z
s having any bearing on the .
respective policy of President Cleve- h
ind, should the people decree that he I,
Q continued in power, is the last ques- q
ion for consideration. This may, and n
oes, furnish food for newspaper or d
ather organ grinding, but otherwise Of e.
o account. Admitting that patriotism Fl
lrnishes but a meagre amount of that v
rhich politicians, and even Presidents Il
re made of, we feel safe in leaving the
,aterial interests of the United States r
18th either of the candidates, and we :.
re confident that should they suffer, it = =
'ould be rather from ignorance than = :
esign. -
In this connection we may say that o.
ldged by the light of his party utter II
nces and actions Cleveland is not a II
,ol by any means. He has asked for =,
nd obtained the sanction of the y
gislative branch of our govern m
Ient, to carry out retail hl
,ry measures and we have no ii
oubt whatever is done will be done
isely and well. The very absurdity OF
opposing that an American citizen, ,ele- e.
ated and honored by the highest gift m
the bestowal of the American people, w
lould care to be other than true to his T,
,untry and his Office, is amusing and = =
lould carry with it its own refuta- Y
on. as