The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-08
AMBASSADOR BAYARD.

No mans fortunes as ambassador
to England have illustrated better
than those of Mr.. Thomas F. Bayard
the singular effect, upon which we
have already commented, that the man
who is chosen to the position must, if
tually expatriate himself and invite
upon his head the anathemas of a large
portion of the unthinking public. 1t is
accounted to him for a crime that he
acquires the confidence and respect of
the government to which he is accred-
tied and the people among whom, dur
ing his term of service, he must live.
1t is the most singular and anomalous
position in our whole diplomatic serv-
ice. Not only are we at peace with
Great Britain, but, obviously, we de-
sire to remain at peace. Yet the indi-
vidual who cultivates pacific and cor
dial relations, who does not, while re-
siding in London, take occasion to in
suit every Briton that he meets, who
does not constantly compare, before
British audiences, the interests of that
country with ours to the discredit and
humiliation of the former is accounted
at home an Anglomaniac and a traitor.
This has been the uniform rule with
out respect of parties administrations
or persons. There are few ADLER men
in this country today than Mr. Phelps
of Vermont, who was minister during
the first term Of Cleveland's admins
tration. His one crime was that Of
having made himself acceptable to the
British public while taking proper care
of the interests of his country Yet
that brought upon him malediction
from every part of this country. The
accomplished and patriotic Lowell was
no exception to the rule. He was
abused by friend and foe because he
did not outrage the proprieties Of
Englishmen and cultivate successfully
their ill-Will. Most conspicuous of all
in this role Of misfortune is Mr.. Bay
ard. 1t has been his privilege to act
as our representative during a time
when the most serious difference in a
generation arose between the two coun-
tries, and to assist in settling it to
the satisfaction of both. 1t has been
his part to promote the agreement for
an arbitration Of all differences that
has been hailed with vociferous joy
in two continents. Yet the same peo-
pie who express their sincere delight
because Great Britain and the United
States are agreed upon this policy Of
national friendliness hurl objurgation
at Mr.. Bayard because he has cultivat-
ed the same kind of relations with the
English people personally.
This is one of the least worthy of
all our national peculiarities. 1t is the
product of a mere party dodge. Be
heving that there exists an underlying
hatred of England in the minds of the
American people, political managers of
both parties appeal to it, even against
their own representatives, by the
meanest argument An after-dinner
speech, in which an ambassador does
what any gentleman would do, tries to
please his hearers by finding some sub.
ject upon which he can compliment.
instead of criticising them, is heralded
by party hacks as the worst kind of
tOadyism. There have been very few
services rendered to our people during
this administration which exceed in
value and effectiveness those Of our
ambassador at the court Of St James.
His reward for them will be the appre-
citation of all thoughtful people, and
the hearty abuse of the practical"
politician. Perhaps the situation is not
so entirely ne-sided as people think ii.