New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-22
Mr.. B4YlRD'S SELFTINDICATION.

Inc American Au).iSsiuoI I" i|HSh'h" "'''
his pen with better effect than his tongue. lie
made last year some speeches which caused the
iudicous to c,ievc Now he writes letter 10
explain thcm-so far explanation seems 10
him necessary or possible. The latter is by lar
the better work. 1t will not. rs those OF ilt'lr
faith might have feared add 10 the poignanry OF
the grief which the former caused. 1t VIII rather
soothc il. by virtue Of its cogcnt logic and con
vncing. II PLACID. philosophy Upon diplo-
mat playing the demlgoGuc II was Impossible
to look without rcprobatlon and regret Upon
an airy and graceful philosopher assuming the
solemn gravity Of a m0untebank II Is easy 10
look with compliment grin.
Mr. Rayard docs not deny that he made Il
speech 70 a foreign audience. in which. in the
spirit Of Il rancorous partisan. he Denounced the
poliCv which for many years has been the fixed
policy of the Government he represents and
which is to-day the policy Of party comprising
tbc M iorliy # lis counlrymcn. rs n vile and
corrupt thing: dcpouncing. also. the majority OF
American public men aS 'i"bbcrs ana chah'r
crs" Practically he admits that he did So
But he explains il was N II non political meet
ing: and the opinions he expressed were HIS
own. which he had formed with great dcibera-
ton: and. moreover. MIR. Lowell had years be-
fore made TO n similar audience speech 10
which nobody had taken exception. what cX
PLANTATION could he more satisfactory! what
vinlication could be more complete: II is Just
As though Sir Julian Pauncciotc should tell some
non-political gathering in N"w-fork that. Ill MS
deliberate Judgment. British free trade was IL
system Of mingled imbeciliy and rascaliiy, ana
Mr.. Gladstone. Lord Roscbery and their cot
leagues were the direct successors of the Forty
Thieves. and then should add that Lord Lyons
had once made speech in Philadelphia in
which he said nothing Of that sort.
Nor is Mr. Bayard less happy IN his vlndica-
lion Of the other speech. in which he said the
American people were strong. scf-coniiden'.
often violent. and wanted 10 have their own
way. and II took a real man 10 govern them.
He tactly admits that he said that too Bu'
pray observe the circumstances. lie had brcn
visiting n Grammar School IN ancient founda-
"tlon. of modest proportions. simple. honorable
"and respected" He made a speech there and
distributed prizes. Then in the afternoon hr
went TO 4 dinner. and at the close Of ii made The
speech in question. lin kindly. humorous post
prandial tone" II" didn't know there was a
reporter present He didn't prepare his speech
beforehand Ills memory Of II now j. some
what vague" Rut he j. quite sure the reporter
didn't get II right. for some II IL WAS in Latin.
and how should n mere reporter understand
that tongue: That explanation j. We think,
even more to the point than the other. When an
Ambassador after The simple exercises ~ nm
ancient and honorable Grammar school. dimes
however wisely and however WELL and then
makes an imprompiu speech. post -prandiai ih
tone and polygot In words 81 which hls Snhs"
oucnt membranes are somewhat vague. u
would be unklnd and anti-conyivial 10 hold him
10 a strict account for H.
Yes: Mr. Bayarl has written we'll Far bet
Ter. indeed. than he spoke. And "" ar" very
glad he has. Hitherto his speeches have been
lv a few people taken seriously. and hav" there
fore had some little power for harm. But such
will be The ease no more. No insult which he
may offer 10 his countrymcn will hrnc"iorth pro-
woke resentment No libel which he may utter
against America will do the sligli"S' mischief
We shall all know that he i merely delivering
"a Judgment formed 10y him after careful lie
.lihcration' that he has been visiting some
ancient and honorable Grammar school. ana
that he is consequently speaking in poSl-prandlal
nolyglot Surely. such urtcranc'S should hc. rs
Mr. Ravard himself says. free from any mis-
conccpton. and perfectly transparent"