The sun., 1897-08-04
Tho Still. Small Voice.

On Saturday last the Hon. WHITELAw
REID, Special Diamond Jubilee Ambassa-
dor Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Uimited) to the Queen and Empress, re-
turned to this country.
On Monday morning the Ne,1 York TIT
bune contained an important editorial arti-
Gle entitled "Some Diplomatic Dealings"
in which not only certain recent diplomatic
events, but also the philosophy of diplo-
macy and the qualifications of the success
full American diplomat were discussed in a
fashion highly Characteristic of the Special
Ambassadors well known manner of
thought and style of literary workmanship.
We quote this superb passage:
at has been q good week for American diplomacy;
and II. without irreverence likeness may be drawn
between that which is infinite and that which.
though great. is nte. It may be profitable point
the moral that not In the earthquake nor in the
fire. but in the STILL small voice. does the real power
reside. The American Secretary OF State set
forth the American side OF the sealing with an
emphasis and directness which some deemed harsh
That was the signal for regrettabe outbreak. The
rritated British press replied in kind and injudicous
American critics added a strdent chorus For time
the ears OF the groundlIngs were we-nigh split. But
the calm. self poised and undemonstrative Anne rcan
Ambassador and the businesslke British Min.
ister OF Foreign Affairs pursued the even tenor
OF their way unmoved; and now. amid tho
vanishing wrack OF the storm. they announce tho
world their deliberate conclusion, unswerved by all
the tumult. 1t ia lesson that many may well take
to heart, dipomatists journalists, and private ct
zcns alike. Those who really responsible for In
ternational relations, and who are worthy to bear
such responsibility able to talk without shouting
and to bargain without lighting And in such men
the American foreign service has and Is
lacking"
Herein is a dignifled rebuke to Secretary
SHERMAN for sending to Lord SALISBURY
such a letter as that which the Hon.
WHITELAw REID's newspaper surrepti.
tiously procured and published, to the
extreme annoyance of the Hon. WHITE
LAW REID and the serious embarrass.
mcnt of President MCKINLEY's Admin.
istration. Herein is an instructive compar-
ison between the impotence of the states.
manship which merely raises din that
splits the ears Of the groundlings, and
the calm, self.poised intellect that speaks
In whisper but accomplishes momentous
results. Herein is a description of the
statesman who ought to be intrusted
with the responsibility OF our interna-
tional relations in place of Mr.. SuER-
MAN; and II the portrait resembles the
Hon. WHITELAw REID. or rather the Hon.
WHITELAw REDS idea of himself, or,
perhaps better, the idea which the Hon.
WHITELAw REID would like to have people
entertain concerning him, the circumstance
Is purely accidental.
That was one of the still, small voices
Sunday tasks. On Sunday, also, the Same
voice was heard across the telegraph wires
that lead from White Plains to Amagansett:
not arrange to spend few days at my place. ophlr
Farm. when you are your way TO Boston? It is on
your direct ine. and II you and stay over
will send you time tables and all uredful directions
"WHIrELAw REID"
This may seem to the groundlings like an
impcrtinent summons from The subordinate
to his superior, from the Envoy to the
Secretary, to come and hear the report
which the subordinate has to render,
But it is nothing more than conscious
power speaking in u still, small voice.
Those who are really responsible for in
ternational relations, or who are worthy to
bear such responsibility, are able 10 ignore
the conventional forms of official etiquette.
The ride to Amagansett is long, hot, and
dusty. The Hon. WHITELAw REDS men
tai vision framed picture of a scene at
the portals of Ophir Farm. scene of
stately and gracious greeting, likely to i'm