New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-28
the rapid and uninterrupted execution OF a TASK
which has been far too long neglected.
THE STANDARD OF DIPLOMATIC SUCCESS.

THE STANDARD OF DIPLOMATIC SUCCESS.
Tho nropostion TO censllre Mr.. Bayard Is now
before the House Of Representatives for action.
How it will finally be disposed of is Il matter OF
doubt. not it may be said of supreme interest.
II the resolutions are adopted, Mr. Bayard VIII
not he irreparaby injured. He will probably
remain Ambassador to England until the end OF
this Administration, and then return home and
resume his place in the councils OF his party very
much as though nothing Of the sort had ever
occurred If they are not adopted, the moral re-
bike which has already been administered to
him will lose little. If any, OF Its force The Ma
ton will not condone his improper speeches, no
matter what Congress may do; nor Will II. on the
other hand. long hold him in personal condemna-
ton for making them. genial and accom-
nlIshc( gentleman. through excess OF zeal for
his party and its leader or in the oyercnthrSiasm
of n festive occasion. made some statements AT
variance wiz, good taste and patriotic duty. Let
us put 1t rs strongly possible and say he mis-
represented and maligDed his countrymen His
uttcranccs cannot beitoo strongly condemned.
Yet in doing that 1t will not be necessary to
break him upon the wheel, even to put him
in the pory: nor would it be just to do so.
For after all. Mr. Bayard's sad plumbers are
only the M tural fruit Of seed which the Amcri-
can people themselves have sOwn. They have
for years been accepting English opinion of their
Minister to England as the test Of his failure
or success Nothing could be more Illogical. 1t
Is rs if one party to lawsuit should be SATISFIED
with his counscl's management Of the case SIM
ply because the opposing party approved II.
But naturally enough. when the Minister abroad
finds that this is the test by which his standing
is determined. he is only too glad to live up to IT,
II makes his task much easier To let the officials
with whom he Is sent TO negotiate have Their
own way in everything. II makes his residence
n the foreign court much plcasanter. 1t opens
social gates and smOoths social paths. II brings
honors upon him from academic bodies. ana
makes him welcome and muchapp.auded fig-
urc nj great public functions. Moreover. London
correspondents Of American papers ana thought
less American tourists dwell with "NtIaVaSaht
cuogy upon his popularity and success ana the
American people at home accept these things as
proofs Of their Minister'S distinguished fitness
Tor his place. There is little room for wonder
II such temptations are now and then yielded
TO- and the Minister actually strains his lns'ruc-
tons to the utmost against his own corntrys
interest in favor Of the country whose approval
determines his standing ut home.
What is important is not merely TO rcbuke Mr..
BayarA. who is 10y no means sinner above al!
other Ministers. nor yet merely 10 rcpudiaie and
condemn his ill-adysed uttcrlnceS and his
strange mlsconccpiion OF duty. but 70 gc-for
liz, whole American people 10 gei-a more Just
notion 81 the duties of m Ambassador. \ man
l. sent 10 represent this country: not one party.
Int the whole Nation. lie is not sent 20 curry
favor with leaders Of society. nor 10 be social
lion nor To make fine spec hes at dinners or NJ
university convocliionS These are mere Incl
dents He may do such things or not n occasion
ma. serve iut they are not what hr j. sent
there for. He * sent To safeguard and II pro-
mote American interests. ard Ia be Jealous
man ~ affairs In the keen business " dlplomacr.
IN tho fulnlmcri uf such duties he may often run
.,ur,,r q, III. wishes ~ the G.reinmcnt 10
which ne f. accrrlt,d and even become unpop-
mar with that Nation. Bur that fact surely
should no, lessen thc esteem and confidence with
which he ls regarded ~ h'rn". ON III" cpntr"ry.
there. are circumstances in which II should IN
lauc" them, In any event. III" prop tcst of IN
Ambassadors success is not the favor h" wins
I'm the country 10 when ne is accredited. bu the
service, H.. renders To- the country he represents.
# Americans had always kept that rule IN mlhd'
and had impressed ii upon thcir Minister'S. they
would often have been better served. ana PROB
ably would not now have occasion 10 regret ana
to resent the ind.scrc'i0ns Of their present Am
ba>sador 10 England.