New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10
A DIPLOMATIC DREAM.

DIPLOMATIC DREAM
Mr.. Bayard with doubtless the best intentions
in the world, appears to be laboring under
singular and somewhat mischievous deluson.
II be may be judged by bis frequent utterances.
he magines that prior to his advent near the
Court of Her Britannia Majesty. the British and
American nations were filled with hatred of
each other and were at the very point Of open
war, that he was the first American envoy ever
received there with cordiaty and friendship.
and that he alone by his social and other exer-
tlons. has transformed the relationship between
the two nations from one Of hostility to one of
amity. That Is what he seems to believe and
to be entirely sincere in believing. II It were
true, his own self-gra tuations, copious as they
are, would be but drop In the deluge Of world
wide acclaim to which he would be entitled, and
which he doubtless would receive. But. unhap-
PLY for his complacency 1t has no more basis OF
truth than the most fantastic fancies Of a post
prandial dream
There Is no evidence that anything like ami
mostly existed. or had for many years existed,
between this country and Great Britain prior to
the beginning of Mr. Bayards Enthusiastically.
On the contrary. their relationship had long been
1865 there were hard feelings on both sides, but
they were held in check by the wise diplomacy
Of those days. and greatly Modified by the per-
suasive elOQuence In England. OF Henry ward
Beecher and John Bright When the tragic eli
max of that era came there were no more APP
preciative and affectionate tributes paid In all
the world to the memory Of Lincoln than were
paid by the best representatives Of British
thought Since then the Queen herself has sent
a sympathetic personal message to the widow
OF another martyr President and the foremost
British statesman Of the age, who once rejoiced
because Jefferson Davis had founded new
nation" has written with ELUSIVE cordiality or
BrItans kin beyond the sea-" In these and in
innumerable circumstances there Is no trace OF
the enmity which Mr. Bayard imagnes to have
existed.
Nor has Mr.. Bayard's reception in Great Brit
ain been UNIQUELY cordial Other Ministers I've
fore him were every whit as well esteemed, per-
sOnally. socially, intellectually. They We're TAX
en- Just as close to the British heart as he has
been, and were the recipients of Just as many
social attentions and academic hOnors. They
elected from the British press and public men
Just as many and just as cordial expressions OF
goodwill for America. Mr.. Bayard has vastly
enjoyed all these things in his own experience,
Of course; but he is sadly mistaken If he sup
noses no other man ever enjoyed them before.
He has only been experiencing the good old
hospitality which, from time ont OF mind, the
British people have been accustomed TO grant to
all worthy and acceptable guests. Nor must 1t
be forgotten that the most serious controversy
between the two countries for many years Oc-
Cured only year ago, In the very midst OF Mr..
Bayard's term Of service, and Occurrcd-unpleas-
ant though the fact may be-largely because OF
Mr. Bayards failure to conduct properly the
diplomatic business Of his country That contro-
yersy was settled entirely over Mr.. Bayards
head. and for Its happy termination. and for the
greater security of peace and accession of good
will which have consequently been effected he Is
entitled to not the slightest credit.
The agreeable International relations upon
which Nh Bayard so fondly and eloquently
dwells are real But they exist not because OF
his Ambassadorlal labors They existed long
before he went to London, and will doubtless
continue to exist, unaltered. long after he shall
have departed from that capital. They would
have been Just as real, too, II he had strven
more diligently and practically to serve his own
country's interests and TO do the business for
which lie was sent by his own Government, and
had less sedulously cultivated the social hos
pitalty and the personal plaudts of the peo-
pie to whose Government he was accredited.
Friendship between Great Britain and America
Is not so slight thing that it must be codded
and nursed with daily doses of soft speeches and
fattering words 1t is sufficiently robust to
stand secure amid the give and take of manly,
straightforward business diplomacy, and 1t Is so
| regarded by the people Of the two nations. They
do not share in Mr.. Bayard's sentimental fancies.