Evening journal., 1897-08-26
SHERMAN'S TALKATIVE WEAK
NESS.

Mr.. Sherman Is q characteristic
American, a generally-beloved citizen.
irrespective OF political views He is
as may best distinguish him-our
grand old man." but as a diplomat,
whose calling it is to deal with the
crafty statesmen of Europe, we find
him by nature uncomfortably lacking
Certain 1t is that If the several press
clipping and crap-book-making bu-
reaus are running their industries on
full time these days to keep him in
touch with himself, he must have little
leisure to eat and sleep The wonder
is that Mr.. Sherman finds time to ex-
press himself as often as he does. But
Mr.. Sherman has always been a talker
He is one of those who has the habit
OF speaking his mind" Whatever
may have been the success OF men of
such character in the Congress of the
nation, in most executive offices and
s in private life, they have certainly
never proved the best, the most eff
cient and most successful in diplomatic
service.
The secretary OF state is in reality
the head OF the nations diplomatists.
With him silence is often golden; but
in case Of Mr.. Sherman it is painfully
evident that the garrulity of his old age
suggests that that metal in particular
is considered base. Mr.. Sherman has
talked in respect to England and Spain
when there was no earthly reason for
his opening his mouth, except for the
mere qualification Of expressing his
opinions. All this is unfortunate. Per-
haps some mistake has been made in
the selection Of Mr.. Sherman for the
great responsibility he has assumed
Perhaps Mr.. Sherman, with the advance
OF years, is not quite the equal of him
self a decade since To be sure, a sec
retary OF state, were he created to or
der by an All-wise Providence to fit the
exact requirments of the administra-
tion, could scarcely escape more or less
criticism and fault-hnding from one
quarter or another These United
States have not had a secretary within
the memory OF man whose acts in office
haYe not been. sifted thin. But it is not
Secretary Shermans action which just
now holds the attention and brings out
so much uncomplimentary comment. 1t
is his talk for talks sake which lowers
the dignity of the secretary Of state.
There was once a man at the head Of
the Foreign Office in England who, as
he grew I'm age, exhibited traits that
may be brought to mind while contem-
plating our own present head of for
eign affairs. The man was Lord Pal
merston; and it was he who talked so
very. very much, that he disgusted all
OF England at the time Daniel Webster
settled to our advantage with Lord Ash
burton that unpleasant dispute regard
ing the boundary line between Maine
and Canada. Palmerston's love of ex-
pressing his opinion on all occasions in
private and in public was a constant
source Of irritation to almost everybody
in high official position in England. II
came near causing a war with France
and started the notion OF one with the
United States Secretary Sherman may
be reminded again that such is the
manner OF man he is appearing now tc
large majority of the citizens OF this
republic. Whether, in the confdenc'
OF himself and his attitude, he may oi
may not conclude that there is the
slightest justification for the consensus
of adverse opinion, It is certainly wertl
his while to notice it seriously