The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-11
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY Il. 1898.
THE SPANISH MINISTERS CASE.

One of the most wretched and discredi-
table incidents in the history Of this
country was Mr.. Clevelands treatment
Of the British Minister Sackville West,
at the end Of his first term. and when
the next election was coming ON. The
minister had, i'm perfect frankness and
good faith written fellow-countryman
who wished some advice, a private letter
that was intended for the eye OF that
fellow-countryman only. There was
strong reason 10 believe from subsequent
developments that the whole affair was a
plot to get the minister into trouble
However that may be. The letter, intend
ed for the eye of the correspondent
only. got into print. There was a pas
sage in 1t which the Democratic polti-
clans OF New York city insisted could
be- used against Democratic admins
tration with the Irish vote there. and so
Mr.. Cleveland. influenced by jealous
partisan friends it is TO Dee hoped sum-
marily dismissed the minister from this
country thereby ending the chosen career
of 81 very worthy gentleman who stood
well in his calling and had an assured
future based upon a previous life of good
conduct
The Times has several times had occa-
sion TO refer 10 this case and IL has al
ways entered its most emphatic protest
against what was done. and it stin
thinks # one of the most discreditable
incidents in our diplomatic history.
IL Is plain now that something of the
same sort il going TO happen in the case
Of the Spanish Minister. We suppose
there can be 10 doubt that he wrote the
letter that has been published. But what
II he didy lie did not write it FOR publi-
cation. lie wrote it TO an intimate friend
In the confidence Of friendship. IL was
stolen and published. and the minister
was no way responsible for its publica-
ton.
Suppose the minister had been I'm his
parlor with his friend discussing the gem
eral matters of public interest of the
day and had said there Of the President
what his letter contains. and suppose
some spy lurking in a hidden recess had
overheard him and printed his CONVEX
sation. would any man say that the min
lister should be driven out of the country?
Yet there is absolutely no difference in
principle between the two cases. II Du-
puy de Lone be driven away-as he GER
tainly will be-because his private letter
was stolen and published ne should be
driven away also IL an caves dropper
overhears his private conversations and
reports them. There is no escaping The
conclusion.
The true theory Of the case is that
representative OF a foreign country must
say nor do nothing tending to bring
dlscredit upon the country TO which he is
accredited. but that does not prevent his
having opinions upon the current affairs
of that country and expressing them too
10 his intimate friends in the confidence
OF intimate friendship. For. If his conf
dence is violated and nc Is made 10 pub
ncly criticise his host. the offence Is not
his. since he did not authorize the pub
liCation. It Is therefore an injustice TO
hold him responsible, for 1t IS really maxi
ing him responsible. not for his own, bat
for some other persons act.
when a document Of this sort gets boz
fore the public therefore, the President
Nhoud make inquiry TO ascertain whether
the writer intended II for publication. IL
he did. he should DE booted out Of the
country without ceremony. But II the
President finds out that the writer has
really been made the victim of a base
betrayal he should shut his eyes and
ears TO II and really be as though he
had never seen or heard OF II.
The Spanish Minister violates no pro-
priety IN having his private opinion OF
the President. He has as much right 10
his private opinion OF him as any one
elsc. His only obligation Is not to publish
an offensive opinion OF him
Mr.. Cleveland did Sackvllie West a
cruel injustice and destroyed his career
Mr.. Mckinley will doubtless pursue the
same course in The present case.
After an what Dupuy dc LONE thinks
Of him Is Of no consequence and viii not
affect the opinion OF a single American.
Let Mckinley SO on making the excel