New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-01
WILLIAM WALTER PHELPS.
AS HE WAS KNOWN IN BERLIN AND
ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE-HIs DIP
LOMATIC WoRK-sQME PER
SONAL TRAITS.

William Walter Phelps in Berlin, and said some
thing in these columns about his diplomatic
work as American Minister TO Germany. IN
truth, 1t was a year ago. but what Is year!
And this morning comes the news that we are
never to see him again. in Berlin or elsewhere
In that Europe IN which. American as ne was
To the finger tips. he 50 much delighted ana
which delighted in him He IS loss to MS couN-
try In her relations with Europe. loss although
had he lived he might never again have repre-
scented her az a European Court For he was
Of that none too numerous band or Amefi-
cans who have a real insight into the AFFAIRS ana
life Of this somewhat older continent.
He had lived abroad long enough to compre-
bend two or three countries; one Of them being
his own I will take the liberty OF saying that
there are certain particulars in which an Amer
leans knowledge Of his own country Is the better
and surer for a residence elsewhere. whether
that will be disputed by the ultraviolet Amerl-
can know not He sometimes disputes propo-
sitions or which I should have thought most
men OF sense were agreed. But Mr.. Phelps
would not have disputed it. l know what MS
opinions were That and many other SUBJECTS
we have discussed In Berlin. in HomburS' ana
Elsewhere You know well how strongly he held
his opinions and with what tenacity ne oe-
Tended them 1t was. I always thought. because
came abroad he was not quite the same man
whom, We knew in the later years Of his life. He
brought with him the usual stock Of American
prepossesslons and he relinquished his hold on
one or another with obvious reluctance. But ne
had far too much intelligence. and balance OF
character much too even, TO allow him to remain
amid new experiences the victim Of old pre)u-
dices His mind opened. perhaps. in rather
ieisurely way, but It opened. and the door once
ajar the light poured in in floods
He came early 10 see that patriotism based
on comparisons of his own country with others
was a broader and purer patriotism than that
which closed it's eyes If in terror lest kI""l-
edge of other countries might shake ones ale
glance to ones own. To shrink from acKho"i-
edging a quality because IL was not American
or not exclusively American seemed TO MIN out
q poor tribute to the Republic he loved. and
poor evidence OF faith In her institutions lie
had within him, moreover a sense Of justice and
of honor such as forbade him TO deny to Ger
many what was due to Germany.
II may be said Of every able and open-Iainded
American who comes to Europe that Europe Is
IN him an education. II he comes as Minister II
IS perhaps best Of ALL for as Minister he mas
constantly 10 uphold the interests OF his own
people while he is learning in the quickest ana
surest way the distinguishing characteristics
among the people 10 whose Government ne Is aC-
credited Most interesting was It 10 watch the
process going on In such mind as Mr. Pheipss-
His Americanism was not one whit less pro-
nounced and positive al the end or his European
career than at the beginning, but II was more
enlightened and far more effectual from the mis-
s,orarv noint Of view; which was his point of
view pretty frequently. l mean that ne uhoer-
stood far better after few years experience
+. 70 EurOpea1 mind which ne
wanted to reach and which II was his Official
duty to reach He was a better Minister as
we'll as a better American.
The truth is so obvious that it may seem need
less to insist on II. but It is well. nevertheiess
= ,-s,u. o.. 4. and 10 hrivA home AIR. Phelps
himself In the intensity Of his passion TOT MS
own people and his loyalty to the ideas which
were his and our inheritance used to dispute
this To dispute 1t seemed to him kind OF
homage he owed TO the flag. II served no o'her
important purpose. He never msled his hearers
nor misled himself for more than moment
Indeed. will venture to say that though he
had a trained mind. argument was never his
strong point unless confined TO those matters Ot
business or matters OF law in which he was an
expert His perceptions were keen; and he had
a power of absorbing as we'll as acquiring knowl-
edge The decacy Of his perception was almost
feminine; a word which, with reference 10 TINS
subject | use as a superlative. You cannot
praise any mans perceptions more highly than
by saying they are feminine. lie had that in
tuitive sense Of the truth Of things which a
clever woman has-perhaps the adjective Is need
less for who ever knew a woman who was not
clever? love Of paradox sometimes goes with
these shining qualities Of mind. and that also
Mr. Phelps had. They perhaps less fire.
ouently accompanied by a logical precision in
~. q everyday life. such
notifies Not only the Imagination but the emo
lions affect those strict and strictly intellectual
processes which we call logical Seldom are the
Two natures combined. The woman may be- for
example a mathematician and a very thorough
one 1t does not follow that she VIII apply
her mathematics to the affairs Of practical life.
So Mr. Phelps who managed great property
with judgment and success, who was an excellent
lawyer and who went home to take his seat
upon the judicial bench 10 which a Governor Of
opposite politics had appointed him. used 10 al
low himself in his ider moments the privilege
of drawing conclusions for which his premises
supplied no logical warrant He had the most
lively sensibilitles. Arouse them and argument
was thrown away on him. He preferred to be
true not only to his convictions but TO his feel
ings; which for one think beautiful trait Of
character.
Had he ever an enemy? l know not; but he
had opponents who thought II fair poiitcs-and
for aught know II may have been practical
potics-to find matter for rather feeble pleas
antres In what they thought Mr.. Phelps's per-
sonal peculiarites lie did net cut his hair TO
suit these critics. and he 30 far swerved from
his fidelity TO the principles Of the American
Constitution as TO wear a red necktie. They
were not satisfied with his manner He lacked
something OF the genial rlfliansm Of the Bow
cry barroops. and never had IT occurred to him
that refinement inconsistent with Repub
licanism 1t must be conceded that he had &
true refinement Of manner which was but the
outward EXPRESSION Of his refinement " nature