New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-13
Mr. B4YARD'S OFFENCE.

MR. B1HARDS OFIENCE.
There can be no doubt that our Ambassador
70 England has committed grave offence
against the United States. Indeed. his act IS
so offensive to the common sense or decency
that It may be doubted whether it has ever been
thought worth while to provide any law or de-
partment regulation applicable to it, unless by
Mr. Bayard himself, who signed and sent out
as Secretary of State circular instructing min
listers abroad that they must avoid discussing
or taking sides in controversies between parties
at home When Secretary Blaine struck out this
regulation on the ground that I'VE shall never
have n diplomatic representative abroad who
can be guilty Of that offence, he did not apprecl-
ate rs well as Mr. Bayard himself how low
minister abroad might stoop in counting foreign
favor. The offence he has now committed is so
fragrant that Mr. Bayard himself would surely
have spurned the idea that any other American
gentleman in his position could have done such
a thing. Even THE London Tines in com
ment upon Mr.. Bayard's speech, says: at is
quite easy to understand from Republican
point Of view that the Ambassador for whole
"nation ought not 10 be the mouthplece or one
section only We should be greatly surprised
''if the envoy of European Power delivered
"such speeches. Even in Mr. Bayards case
there was some little establishment"
But acts of the grossest improperly are not
necessarily mislemeanors in the legal sense.
1t is said that Mr.. Barret's resolution was
framed 10 avoid a point of order and certain
ly the strongest censure Of Mr. Bayards act
IS compatible with doubt whether any good
could be done by sending an impeachment,
on which no one can be convicted except by
two-thirds Of the members present, into the
Senate as now constituted, or whether the of
fence committed Is in legal character one Tor
which a public officer may be impeached. The
Constitution provides that "all civil officers
shall be removed from office on impeachment
for and conviction of treason. bribery or other
thigh crimes and mislemcanors' and while 1t
IS treason to give aid and comfort TO enemies
of the United States" Great Britain Is in law
at least not an enemy. 1t is provided In the
statutes that citizen who shall correspond
with foreign Government. or any officer or
agent thereof, with an intent TO defeat the
measures Of the Government of the United
States, shall be punished by fine Of not
more than $1,000 and by imprisonment not
'1ess than six months nor more than three
years" Mr. Bayard obviously did speak with
u
measure of the Government of the United
States, namely. the protection of its industries
by duties on imports. But it does not appear
that he had any correspondence with the British
Government, or with any officer thereof, with
that intent. In any case, the word measures
in the statute refers TO something be-
sides a general policy Of the Government 1t
does not lessen the Offensiveness of the speech
that Mr.. Bayard has denounced a policy which
has prevailed ever since Washington signed the
first protective tariff. which is to be found en-
bodied in every tariff act ever In force from
that day to this, and which gave form to more
than half the provisions Of the Democratic tariff
now in force. Such garing misbehavior by any
diplomatic representative does not seem to have
been thought possible by any lawmaker
Within this country, and before an American
audience, Mr.. Bayard is at liberty TO exploit
his hostility to the American policy as much as
he likes If he hates the policy which has char
acterized the operations Of the United States In
every Congress and every Administration since
the Government was established, he is free 70
berate it and even misrepresent it to his hearts
content while here. Even the President him
self in his annual messages to the people, finds |
himself free to denOunce the policy which has
hitherto prevailed in the Government But in
the capacity Of an Ambassador Of the United |
States abroad. Mr.. Bayard could not have done |
such thing If he had been in the least degree
mindful of the obligations Of his office, of the
decences which every English gentleman as
well as every American, would expect him TO
observe. He will not be rebuked nor removed !
by President who has just been utering the
same sentiments in form quite as untrutlful
in his annual message. But the Judgment OF J
sober men Of both parties will be that Mr. !
Bayard. in vilfying before a British audience
the policy OF the Nation he represents has |
marked himself as unfit for any position what |
ever in which a decent respect for the Govern |
ment Of the United States is at all desired