New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-01
THE CASE OF NJ. GENET
. COMPARISON OF HIS TREATMENT WITH THAT
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Washington, Oct 81 CSpcc.an Perhaps the most
analogous TO that OF Lord sacsville was NJ. Genet,
who sent to this country as an Envoy from tho
French Republic in 1904, and who, as soon as he
arrived in tho United statoe. sought to excite the
sympathy OF citizens for tho French Republic and
involve us I'm with Great Britain. Thomas
Jefferson who Is now called the Father of the present
Democratic party, and his party warmly sympsthIzed
with France and insisted that gratitude for Revolutions
airy favors commanded aid to France in her struggle ;
60 that Genet had the active support of q large
political party here. Washington, however. who was
then President, exhibited his usual frmness, and In
harmony with he principle Of avoiding all entangling
foreign alliances eRunclatcd in his celebrated
Farewell Address, betoro the expiration Of
the month in which Genet arrived
issued a proclamation Of neutrality, and when Genet
threatened TO appeal 10 the American people the
President demanded HIS Immediate recall lhls re-
quest was promptly acccied to by the French Govern
mont and NJ. Funchct was sent as Gencts successor
Lord sackville's position differs from that OF NJ.
Genet In that though the Administration and the Tree
trade leaders Of the Democratic party may have
secretly reolced over the assistance he was endeavor
inc 10 render them the great Of the people without
regar, TO party affiliations, at once I'D
dcnantly resented the Minister'S attempt
10 interfere with the free exercise OF me
right OF suffrage in this country There Is also wide
difference in the treatment of Genet by Washington
and the course of Mr. Cleveland toward Lord Sack
VILE In ae former instance there was prompt, vigorous
patriotic action: In the latter there has been hesl-
fancy, tcmporz!ng delay, and finally deliberate
insult to friendly power while diplomatic negotiations
were pending. This action, too, was so plainly fof
political effect that It is condemned even by those
most friendly to the President The fact that the
course resorted yesterday taken at the urgent
request Of the Democratic leaders Is well csab-
lshed and generally believed that its effect upon
the Irish-American voters for whose benefit It was
mainly intended will be entirely lost.
1t may not be unineresting In connection with this
whole controversy to recall what Secretary Bayard
thought of the British Government only two short
years ago and TO ask ones self how he reconclcs his
opinion then entertained Of 1t with the present course
of tho Administration, for which he apparently is
willing to all the credit, If credit there be.
Mr.. Bayards real opinion of tho character of the
British Government I'm its International relations was
fully disclosed by three words I'm of his letters to
Sir Lionel sackville West In 1896, published In The
TO relates to tho seizure of tho fishing schooner
Everett Steele, Of Gloucester by the Canadians
September 10, 1856 Mr.. Bayarl. in brin ging this
outrage TO the notice Of the Minister takes pains TO
that he IS confident that II not the act of the
wise, humane and magnanlmous government repro
senied by tho Minister, thus apoOgZing. In fact, for
troubling his Government with the matter. But
what Is most Observable the words with
which he chaIactcrizcs the British Government wise,
humane and magnanmOus' No American Secretary
Of State ever gave that Government such certificate
Of good character In It's international relations.