The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-09-21
AMERICANS ABROAD
Robert Lincoln's Standing Among
the English People.
HIS Is A VERY TRYING POSITION
The Estimation in Which Reyerdy johnson,
Robert Schenck, James Russell Lowell
and Others Were Held.

LONDON, aug. ~, 1S90.-lSpeclal cores
pondence of THE HERALD. 1--we are look.
ing to see Robert Lincoln4president Of the
United States next time,ni said a noted
Englishman to me yesterday He was
speaking of the high position our pres
ent minister has among this peo-
upon the political conditions in our
country. I was interested in his talk
because it gave me another evidence of the
fact that it is next to impossible to make
the English mind understand that Presi-
dents son has no more chance in our game
OF life than blacksmith's. There was an
other very interesting feature of his con-
versation, for it intruded again into prom
inence what l have often heard since |
have been here, that many Englishmen of
prominence were looking forward to Minis
ter Lincoln's advancement to the place his
illustrious father once occupied. a
AS | looked at our representative to the
court of ST. James, this morning, couldn't
but recall the wonderful change which has
come to him within "a very short time.
Transferred from his law office in Chicago.
to the first court of the world, he reached
its shores to meet reception such as has
rarely been accorded an American diplomat.
In country like this where
ACCIDENT OF BIRTH
is regarded as of great moment, it seemed
important TO its citizens that he was the
son of one of the greatest Presidents of the
United States, and they honored the son.
not only for his own worth, but for his
fathers fame-a double element of power
under a monarchical condition where the
idea does not prevail that all men are
created free and equal. They very readily
took to the idea that this honor was but a
stepping stone to the presidency, because
they could not understand the barriers that
were up, and the intrigues and accidents
which were certain to combine in deciding
the question first in the convention and
then before the people.
Englishmen know little and care less for
politics or conditions unless they can make
money out of them, and their impression
about Mr.. Lincoln only found foothold
because he was Presidents son, and be-
cause he had grown popular since he
reached London. But the gloom that the
death of his son cast over his life has
stopped all social engagements, and bust
ness alone occupies his attention. So his
position is changed from a round of strong
attractive combats with the highest intel
lects of England to the routine of what
may readily be called thankless place
The salary of $1,000 a year will no more
than support it, if economically conducted,
and the official duties alone are anything
but engaging.
Up to the moment of Mr.. Lincoln's be-
reavement, his social life here was some
thing delightful and could it have contin-
ued he would have been one of the most
popular representatives we have ever had
here, because he is already credited with
that rare Gift of
KEEPING ON GOOD TERMS WITH AMERICANS
who have business with him, and at the
same time filling his place in court life. So
far he seems to have escaped much of that
criticism which Americans are almost GER
tain to visit upon diplomatic representa-
tlveS abroad whenever opportunity offers
Mr.. Phelps, whom he succeeds came in for
his share of it, but ex Governor Waller of
Connecticut, who served with him was the
most popular among consul-generals. Mr.
New, the present occupant of that office.
follows him in popularity, and in looking
after the interests of Americans, and gives
to his Office the same business-like atten-
ton which he gave his bank in Indiana
polls.
The American minister to any foreign
court occupies very trying position. This
is especially true of the Court of ST. James,
where he has to meet and greet the great
tide of travel from the United States as it
lands on English shores. The average citi
zen of our great country IS won't to look
upon its diplomatic representatives as not
only protectors of their persons and prop
erty, but as purveyors to their wants and
whims Therefore it takes very careful
and patient man to deal with the ebb and
flow of American travel without becoming
unpopular with it, and in someway affecting
his standing to the government to which he
is accredited. The seige on the consul
generals Office is even greater than on the
minister's and a man who can keep his pop
ularity with his countrymen and do his
duty in that position is indeed fortunate.
At best the diplomatic representatives of
the United States do not occupy
VERY ENvIoUs POSITIONS,
because the country from which they come
is not very highly regarded in determining
the honors to be accorded to Representa-.
tives of foreign governments. Their posi-
ton here must depend very much upon
themselves, butif they please the English