The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-17
Mr.. REID'S WORK IN FRANCE
Again Reviewed at a Banquet ven by
the New York Chamber of Commerce.
The Modest Diplomatic Gives the Credit of His
Success in Negotiating Treaties to President
Harrison and Secretary Blaine.

NEW YORK. April 16-Whitelaw Reid to-
night, at DelmOnico's. received the vel.
come of the representatives of the CON-
mercial interests of the United States in Q
banquet in his honor, gwen by the Cham
Der of Commerce. 1t was not only q greet
ing by representative men. but it was
tangible evidence that, in the discharge OF
his diplomatic functions as United States
minister to France. be had been highly sue
cessful. Speeches were made by several
gentlemen. and then Mr.. Reid was intro
duced. and said in part: There is one
point. Mr.. President, on which / accept
very frankly and honestly all your eulo-
GUM. | have tried to do my full duty to
this great CITY and TO the great country
behind it, which / had the honor to repre-
sent near the government of our earliest
European friend. My difficulties there
were largely lessened and my power for
any useful service increased from my having
had the good fortune to be supported by my
countrymen without distinction Of party.
And now. Mr.. President. / wish. if not to
discharge, at least to acknowledge, my
heaviest obligation. / wish to tender my
best thank to my Own professionalism
press-for the uniform and considerate kind
ness with which it has treated me without
distinction of parties and without excep-
tion. This was as 1t ought to be, for o min
lister in q foreign nation representing his
whole country is entitled to its whole sup
port or his lmmedl ate recall. But in my
case there has been a spontspelty about it.
and a generosity alike from old friends and
old enemies which touch me to the hearts
core.
"If there has been any success at the
warrant this great kindness of the press
and this DISTINGUISHED honor four chamber
now bestows. 1t Is due frst Of all to Benla-
min Harrison and James g.. Blaine. They
determlned the policy and stuck TO it.
They gave me their Instructions, and then
gave me unQuestioning confidence and sup
port, and left me q free hand. The man
who, under these circumstances cannot do
good work has no good work in him..
II had the pleasure of bringing homo an
extr addition treaty completed in the last
three weeks of my stay and signed on the
day of my departure. 1t will be of some
interest to the merchants OF New York.
for it more than doubles the number of
our Senate should now take the same
benevolent view of 1t as it's authors and
confirm it promptly, 1t may have the effect
Of making the crimes which peculiarly
harass the merchant more rare among you.
and Paris less attractive to Any Americans
except the good ones.
"A limited commercial agreement. which
i had the pleasure of closing Just before
my return. and in which the Chamber will
take some interest, has not yet been pro-
claimed by the President, since it needs
first assent by the French Chambers. The
tariff commission has reported. however,
unanimously In its favor. and the French
Ministers seemed to have no dOubte
AhD. 49,. La AD -vl4-
Section 3 of the new tariff bill, it requires
no ratification by the Senate. 1t gives US
the French minimum tariff, and the treat
ment Of the most favored nation, on an
amount of our products equal to their eX-
portations to US of hides. skins. sugar and
molasses.
There Is another matter on which we had
some talk and ON which / hope for some
thing definite by an early steamer. 1t Is
possible that this may lead TO o little more
fetal. l betray no confidence in saying
that the thoughts of French statesmen, in
and out of the government, are turning In
the present economical condition of their
eral reciprocal arrangement with the
United States. Some suggestions tlat
come to me on this subject could not. per.
haps. be properly detailed here. but there
can be no harm, l think, IN quoting
once s' by the P &ess ns of %S the m iass cs sann
Der. and the president now of the Cham
ber's tariff commission, NJ. Meline. who IS
more than any other, the author of the new
taritf-the Major Mckinley, in fact, Of
France. Said he: One of the first thing
i should favor, after the workings of our
tariff are known, would be q complete com
mercial treaty with the United States
This is a matter. however, IN which the
assent of the legislative bodies on both
sides of the water would be reQuired; and
when i recall the trials of pork, and the en-
tirely unsentimental view both countries
take of trade problems. / am not sure that
the lot of the minister who is fortunate
enough to negotiate that treaty will be ON
altogether happy one"
Mr.. Charles A. Dana responded to THE
Press" Modern Diplomacy, the Ally of
Commerce" was responded to by Gen.
Horace Porter.
President Harrison sent a letter of re-
gret at being unable to attend. He said:
There are controlling reasons Of q public
and private character that will prevent my
leaving Washington at the time indicated.
! am glad 10 notice that New York so grace
fully and fully recognizes the important
services which Mr.. Reid has been able to
render to this country during his residence
In Paris as United Statee minister, and
would be glad TO participate in the ex-
preston of this feeling, IL it were possible"
Other letters were received from ex-Presi-
dent Hayes. Secretary of the Interior
Noble, Chiet-justice Fuller. Senator SKIER
man. Speaker Charles i. Crisp. Hon. Thos.
+. Bayard. Hon. Robert T.. Hit, French
Minister j. Patenotre and from many
others.