Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-02-18
Mr.. BAYARD AND ENGLAND.
Boston. Mass. evening transcript

The dinner given by Ambassador
Bayard at his own London residence to
the Prince of Wales. Lord Salisbury
and other distinguished representatives
of royalty and nobility has almost the
significance of an international event.
1t was a courtesy, never we believe,
hitherto conferred by the royal family
upon the Ambassador of the United
States. and very rarely upon the AM
bassador OF any country. When royalty
takes new departure; when it puts
aside, even for u single occasion, its
| traditional ceremonial, anil forgets for
the tune being, one of It's most rock
bottomed presidents, there must be
some good reason for il. That reason
seems to be found. at tho present time,
/ IN the unusual esteem in which the
/ present representative OF this country
is held at the British court. and in the
desire to promote greater amity and a
better understanding between the two
| great countries.
This conspicuously expressed liking
! for Mr.. Bayard, in the higher official
and social circles of the British capital,
seems 10 US creditable to all concerned.
Our Ambassador is nearing the end
| OF his term. He has drawn 10 himself
considerable criticism this side OF the
| water by what is looked unon as an
excess of caudor. manifested at inoppor-
tune times and places, bui candor is at
most an honest and amiab!e weakness,
which, in this instance, mas not justi-
| fed the vials of wratL over il. He has
neither said nor done anything that
| reflects in any way upon his manhood,
his patriotism or his Ame-icanism.
The reproach has been inadvertently
passed about that he was not taken
into the negotiations which led up
to the arbitration treaty. II is not
generally known. though it probably
some time. will be. how important a
factor Mr. Bayard has been in the
removal of obstacles standing in the
way of tine amicahle arrangement that
has now been arrived at. lie had held
for many years the ideas that find ex.
preston in that treaty and when the
opportunity came to give them practi.
cal force, be has employed his best
Offices 10 Hllay prejudice ard remove
Misunderstanding, and results eeem tc
show. With skill and address that
were very effective.
All this has value, not appreciated
bS the iipgues on either side the water,
but acknowledged by those who believe
in the new political gospel of peace. Il
, is important for many reasons that oul
international ties should be stronger
and more friendly. We may be governed
too much by tradition and Inherited
animosities. In fact, some very inteili
| gent and practical English statesmen
, observe signs of this. Last year Mr.
, Samuel Smith, prominent member o
, Parliament from Flintshire, revisited
| ION and hnFa nj tbI
, things he remarks upon this subject
I +" here is. unfortunately, onv caus'
which underlies much of this irrita
tion. The history books taught in TIL
, public schools too often give the chill
i dren of America the impression tina
/ the main events in human history ar
the American War of Independence
a concluded in 1888, and tho war witt
, Great Britain of lsl2.14. 1t need nu
: be added that Great Britain appear
/, in those histories always IN the wrong
4 and the Americans always right her
q is not pains taken TO show that tn
n lest men IN England protested agains
the policy Of George Ill and Lor
North, and that tho British nation to
day esteems George Washington a
much as do the people of America. ]
a is not explained that the England c
!. the last century was governed by th
y aristocracy, and that the England {
5 to day repudiates the fatal policy c
1t the eighteenth century as much 40
;. the citizens of the United States. y
d Another point which he makes ough
), to be rcassuripg to those Senatore5sn
u members of Congress who are nervnu
l. about the safety of the Monroe doctrin
n under the operation of the arbitratio
treaty:
81 would add, that the statesmen {
Great Britain nust never make tt
,e mistake of ignoring the intense sens
s. tiyeness of Americans to the Nonrt
" doctrine. 1t may appear to US u!
reasonable 10 extend it 10 Sout
America, bat the fact exists, and it
better to accept it as oae doss the Law
of nature, and ADAPT orr policy to it.
Mr.. Bayard entered upon his missio
at fortunate time. His predecessU
a had prepared the way for his fayorab
reception. He han made wise use
~ bis opportunities and one which mu
benefit his country, especially if We CT
n. hold anu even extend what We har
a gained.