New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-24
yopn .RyRDEry,S WISE WORDS.

Lord Aberdeens speech al Princeton on COM
memoration Day. in acknowledgment OF the de-
gree Of Doctor of Laws which the University
had lust conferred upon him. was the speech not
only of British official in high station, but Of
a gentleman and scholar. 1t was interesting
and instructive throughout. hut there was spe-
cial significance in that part Of 1t In which the
Goyernor-General of Canada deprecated the
prevalence of unfriendly and unmannerly pub
lie utterances inconsistent with the relations Of
goodwill and courtesy which Englshmen and
Americans constantly maintain in private inter
course We do not understand that Lord Aber-
deem meant to charge or imply that we are more
AT fault than his own countrymen in this re-
gard. though it may be true that the accusation
Is more often brought against us than against
them. and that too little care IL taken in this
country TO show that only minority here Is
open to Indictment. Doubtless there has been
much needless and injurious talk on both sides,
hut II does not reflect in either case general
temper of rancOr and resentment. Lord Aber-
deems gentle reproach. nevertheless, Is timely,
and should be taken TO heart by citizens OF ooth
countries who have been at fault in this par
ticular and are capable Of comprehending how
unfortunate are the tendencies which snarling
promotes
The utility of incorporate speech is far less
common than its use in all the affairs or life,
but il there 10 one field In which 1t Is less ap-
propriate and less likely TO be helpful than in
any other it Ia the field Of international discus
SION Ii Is often necessary to disagree and
sometimes to censure and condemn. but 1t Is
rarely necessary to verge on imprecation and
never to be merely spiteful. Even where 1t Is
impossible to bestow a blessing 1t Is almost al
ways wise to withhold curse. Americans
would do well to accept the Governor-GeneraTs
suggestion in the spirit in which 1t was offered
and we are sure that 1t will be the disposition
of most of them to do so. We may also hope
as doubtless he does. that his countrymen viii
share his feeling Of regret for past errors and
refrain from repeating them.
A rather striking proof that Lord Aberdeen
remarks are at least as deserving OF consid
Grafton In Great Britain as in the United States
was presented almost simultaneously with tht
publication Of his Princeton speech. The Eng
fish Government has rejected the proposals OF
the American Commissioners relating to the
monetary use Of silver. as 1t had perfect rgh
10 do. and English public opinion. az was to bf
expected, sustains its decision. There IL NJ
cauke for complaint on this account, but II Eng
fish editors had been a. courteous. az wise anC
as fully mbued with sense Of responsibility
as Lord Aberdeen q, their comments on tht
affair would have been widely different from
what they are 1.-THE London Standard. fol
example, would not have characterized thu
American proposals as "preposterons demands
or 1.-THE London Times have said that 1t was
amusing almost impertinent. "fOr some gentle
.,oon from the Tinted States to come here t(
"tel, us how to improve our methods Of cur
'rency and banking; or 1.-The Pail Mall Ga
zette" have called the proposals simply auda
clous"; or 1.-The St James's Gazette have rs
surned that the result will add to the Jingoisn
Of America: or "The London Globe have al
x:sed the President Of the United States here