New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-28
Mr.. BAYARD'S EXPERIENCE.
POPULAR IN ENGLAND, BUT UNPOPULAR
IN AMERICA-GENERAL COI4LrNS'S
GOOD RECORD--THE JUBILEE
SPECULATION.
London. April II.

|
land. has had a unique exp .rence in one
| srect He has been as popular on one side Of the
ocean as he has been unpopular on the other
He has been Hospitality received in the highest
and most exclusive social circles in England
and at the close Of his term he has been hon.
ored with exceptional testimonials Of esteem and
| goodwill; and at the same time he has been
sharply censurcd by Congress and has had few
| defenders even among faithful followers OF his
| own political party in America. Why should
| American Ambassador be 80 well liked in Eng
| land and 50 profoundly distrusted in his own
, country? This Is an anomaly which am tempt
| ed to discuss while the new American Amba,-
| sador is on the
One of the explanations Of this phenomenon
| which I have frequently heard Is based upon
what Is described American Jingoism. 1t is
asserted that there irreconcilable enemies Of
England In America, who will never be satisfied
with an American Ambassador unless he con-
triyes to render himself socially mpossible'
that Mr. Bayard was unwilling make himself
an offensive person in London society, and con-
seduently that, while he has been popular here.
he has disappointed public expectation in hisOwn
country. If this be the correct explanation, the
position OF an American Ambassador Is most
unenviabe If the retention OF his popular
ity at home depends upon churlish and ill-man'
ne red conduct abroad. he can represent his Gov
eminent at the Court Of ST. James only by sacr;-
ncing his self-respect 1t is an affront 10 Ameri-
can intelligence to assume that the people OF his
own country expected Mr.. Bayard to be an Of
fensve person in England, and have been irri-
tated and resentful because he declined to make
himself Impossible socially"
Another explanation Of Mr.. Bayard's popu-
larity in England and uppopuarity at home /
consider equally irrational, although | know
that it Is entertained by not a few Americans.
1t is the assumption that Englishmen like an
American Ambassador who hatters their van
ity and who considers il necessary 10 attack the
policies and principles of his own country In or
der to court favor and receive social attention In
England. Mr.. Bayard went out Of his way to
inveigh against the American tariff system but
I do not believe that he was liked in England
for that reason Indeed, | distinctly remember
that he was sharply criticised by many English
journals for his lack of and good sense in
discussing burning questions OF American poll
tics Mr.. Bayard has been liked in England. not
because he was un-American in his principles,
but because he hearty and sincere at all
times in his expressions Of friendship and In his
advocacy Of the maintenance Of fraternal rela-
more consistent and aggressive American Am
bassador he would have been equally popular
here and he would not have alienated the re-
spect and goodwill Of his fellow counrymen at
home.
IF SIR JULIAN HAD TRIED IT?
If Sir Julian Pauncefote had followed in Wash.
ington the example set by Mr.. Bayard in Lon
don. he would have been recalled long ago. and
his career in the diplomatic service would have
been at an end. If he had demanded the Eng
lish Free TrGde system from an American plat
form. or condemned the Admiralty policy Of in
creasing the fleet, his conduct would have been
criticised at home sharply Mr.. Bayard's
economic excursions were censured by Ameri-
cans II he had exaggerated the dangers OF war
after the Venezuela crisis and had employed
himself in making peace addresses in a con-
slant state Of mental perturbation, he would
not have been regarded in England as either
safe or a self-respecting dplomatist. Indiscre-
tons like those of which Mr.. Bayard has been
guilty would not be tolerated In the British
diplomatic service nor condoned by pubic
opinion. When Englishmen have liked and ad-
mired him an American Ambassador, they
have sanctioned diplomatic vagaries which
would be objectionable offences If committed
by their own Ambassadors.
This opens the way for a correct statement or
the whole matter. The American Ambassador
has come to occupy in England unique posi-
ton, and is not judged by ordinary standards
He is the spoiled child Of English diplomacy.
He is received social parsonage Of excep-
tional eminence; he Is expected to lay corner
stones, open public Libraries and to perform
some of the minor functions of royalty; he is en-
tertained on familiar terms at all the great
IN
demand as an after-dnner orator; and he is not
regarded as the ordinary type Of diplomatst
bred to habits Of silence and discretion. Mr..
Bayard enjoyed this license so keeniy that he
felt at liberty to discuss Protection" or Bryan
ISM as a matter of personal right, and also
claimed recognition, not the representative
of the United States, but as the self-appolnted
advocate Of the Anglo Saxon family. He ceased
to be a diplomatist. He was the apostle OF
peace and fraternity He was the confidential
friend of the English nation.
While Mr. Bayard was liked In England. he
lost the confidence Of the American people and
ceased to represent them with dignity and
power. His experience is warning against
abuse OF the exceptional privileges which an
American Ambassador enjoys In London There
does not appear to be any valid reason for re-
garding his office anything except a diplo-
matte post. Just as a loyal Engl!shman In the
British diplomatic service is we'll received IN
every capital. also an American Ambassador
in London does not need to disguise his ma
tionaity nor to attack the principles and poll
cies Of his country. He will not render himself
socially impossible" by being downright Ameri-
can In promoting the interests and maintaining
the dignity Of the United States. He Will not
lose prestige In England by representing his
own country Loyalty and firmly, nor will he for
felt the est cem and respect OF the people OF his
own country.
GENERAL COLLINSS RECORD
The United States Consu-General In London
General Patrick Collins, is now awaiting the