The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-09
ANGLO-AMERICAN LEAGUE.
Presents an Address to Ambassador
Hay on HIS Retirement.

Hay on HIS Retirement
London, Sept. "a committee of the
Anglo-American league, headed by its
chairman, James Brice, has presented
the United States ambassador, Colonel
John Hay, with an address congratu-
lating him upon his acceptance of the
portfolio Of secretary of state at Wash
ington. The address expressed regret
at his departure from this country,
where you have discharged the weigh
ty and delicate duties of ambassador
with such eminent tact, Judgment and
courtesy as to win the cordial appre-
citation and confidence Of the British
people"
Continuing, the address says:
1t has been your fortune to repre-
sent your country here at a time of ex-
ceptional interest, when the war, now.
happily ended, gave occasion for an
expression Of the feelings of affection
ana sympathy towards the United
States which the British people have
long entertained, but never before have
they been so conspicuOusly manifested.
You carry back the assurance of the
depth and strength of these feelings.
The principle that there ought to be
permanent friendship and cordial CO.
operation between the British empire
and the American republic is one that
all parties and all statesmen here agree
In regarding as a fundamental principle
OF British foreign policy and by it the
whole people desire that their govern
believe that in your country cores
ponding sentiments are entertained and
that corresponding principle is now
largely accepted. Knowing that no one
holds these convictions more firmly
than yourself, or can express them in
clearer or more felicitOus terms, we
gladly acknowledge the great service
you have rendered to both nations and
console ourselves on your retirement by
the reflection that you are called to du-
ties in your own country even wider in
their scope and graver in their RESPONSE
bitity and more important in the re-
suits they may secure
Mr.. Brice, during the course of the re-
marks which he made on the occasion,
dwelt upon the admiration for the
splendid gifts and boundless energy of
the people of the United States and the
sympathy with the principles of their
constitution, which have been quietly
ripening among the British people and
which this year found a sudden and
hearty expression" He also said he
saw in the universally of these senti-
mentS here and the fact that they were
reciprocated by a large majority of the
Americans, a happy augury, as he be-
HeVed that nothing could contribute
more to the peace of the world and the
welfare Of both nations than the sense
Of essential unity of the two peoples.
Colonel Hay, in reply, referred to the
qualification he experienced in hearing
such words from men so qualified by
experience and character to speak for
the British with certainty.
He added MY voice has no sanction
as yours; but, I give it for what it is
worth. to assure you that your senti-
ments of kinship and amity are reciprO-
Gated to the utmost in my country"
The ambassador also said that his
work in England had been made easy
by the instructions he had received
from home and by the frankness and
fairness of her majesty's ministers and
of all Englishmen he had come in con-
tact with. He then said:
"On both sides of the ocean the con-
victiOn is almost universal that a clear.
cordial and friendly understanding be-
tween Great Britain and the United
States is a necessity of civilization I
shall hold myself signally fortunate If I
am able to do anything to continue and
strengthen the relations of fraternal
anitY between our two nations