The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-22
Tho Case OF MIR. Blair.

Our esteemed contemporary, the Utica
Observer. seeks the explanation OF what 1t
calls The SUNS persecution OF Mi. BLAIR"
The Mr.. BLAIR In question Is the unfortu-
nate gentleman from New Hampshire who
Ia still drawing o salary as United States
Minister at Pekin months after the Chinese
Government has courteously declined to
receive him as such.
We suppose the Observer agrees with The
Sun in believing that 1t is one Of the most
important duties Of q newspaper, although
by no means one OF the pleasantest. to sup
plement the sometimes very short men,
DRY Of the appointing power, in cases whore
tho person nominated to a public office Of
high honor and responsibility is obviously
and conspicuously unfit for the post.
Gen. HARRISON sent to the Senate Mr..
BLA1R's name for the Chinese mission. and
the Senate promptly confirmed him. accord
Ing to the so-called rulo OF Senatorial cour-
tesy. without any investigation Of the merits
OF the appointment. Nobody seemed to re-
member TINT within three years MIR. BLAIR
had publicly insulted the Chinese Govern
ment and the entire Chinese nation,
using language in a speech in the Senate
which made 1t impossible for a self
respecting Government to receive him or to
deal with him In any diplomatic capacity.
In recalling this strangely forgotten episode,
The Sun expressed the opinion that Mr..
BLAIR could not be useful to our Govern
ment as Minister to China. and that he
would not even DO received at Pekln should
he travel thither.
The event proved the soundness OF this
view Of tho matter. In due course Of time
there came from Pekin the politely worded
notification that it would not be agreeable
to the Emperor to have Mr.. BLAIR Of New
Hampshire near him. The consequences Of
The Suns publication Of extracts from Mr..
BLA1R's now famous speech comparing
Cinnamon to pestilential disease. were
that he was spared a long and fruitless
journey to the other side OF the earth. and
the intense humiliation which awaited his
arrival at Pekin. At the same time this
country gained the advantage Of the con.
tinued services OF our present accomplished
and tactful representative In China, the
Hon. CHARLES DENNY; services, we may
add. that have been especially valuable dur
ing a suddenly critical situation that was
unforeseen at the date Of Mr.. BLAIR's ap-
pointment.
The other day 1t was currently reported
that Gen. HARRISON had made up his mind
to send Mr.. BLAIR to Russia, q Government
with which this republic has long been on
tho friendliest terms. It happens that Rus
sia has been insulted by Mr.. BLAIR, in terms
hardly less offensive than those which he
has applied to China. It Is scarcely possible
that the Russian Government would
regard as welcome parsonage q
statesman who has publicly accused
it Of encouraging the Cars subjects In
habits Of dreadful intoxication. In order to
tolerated at St. Petersburg. Mr.. BLAIR could
ever be useful to his country ct that i'm.
portant post. Fortunately, as we learn
since the publication Of tho extracts from
Mr.. BLA1Rs volume on the Conflict Be-
tween Man and Alcohol" the idea OF In
flcting him upon Russia has been aban-
doned. II 1t was ever seriously entertained.
Our present Minister to Russia, tho Hon.
CHARLES EMORY SMITH, will return next
week to the post where he has served for
two years with dignity, acceptabllity. and
distinguished ability.
Now. II this constitutes persecution, The
Sun gladly pleads guilty to the charge. Mr..
BLAIR may consider it as such, but for tho
trouble he experiences in finding comfort
able place In the diplomatic service he has
only to thank his own cobwebbed brain and
too loosely hung tongue. We bear him no
III will. II anybody can discover o vacant
diplomatic post near any Government to
which he has not rendered himself obnoxious
in some moment Of moral enthusiasm, and
where no is likely to be useful. Mr. BLAIR
can sail for that unknown port accompanied
by our heartiest Godspeed.