The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-11-14
Ambassador Choate's Edinburgh
Address.

We publish tbs greater part OF the Grafton
on the lifs and character OF ABRAHAM
LINCOLN which the Hon JOSEPH HoroEs
CsoATE delivered yesterday before he
Philosophical Society Of Edinburgh. Tho
theme IL invariably rendered interesting
70 Americans by Intelligent treatment
Moreover, We believe that this 10 the Am
basssdor's first Effort 70 win abroad . repu-
tstion for more serious thought and loftsE
~s,oqusnos thar have distinguished his oo-
calional utterances aoross the tabisoloth
and elsewhere.
Nr. CaoAIE's ambition is praiseworthy.
The measure Of bis success Is fully recorded
IN the report which we print this morning;
for the passags, omitted are mainly such a.
AFFORD Biographical and historical infor-
nation perhaps less necessary on this side
Of the Atlantic 10 81 effective presents
ton Of IiScoIr's greatness than before q
British audience. furthermore, II u proper
70 remember. IN reading the address, that
snccaotes ard quotations which to Us seem
title, and views Of character and oonduos
which are s. generally sooeptsd here as 70
rate as truisms. and philosophical 1udx-
monts which DO not Eive the impression OF
keenness and frat hand intellectual y. may
all be useful, II not indispensable. In sxhib-
ting LINCOLN TO tho minds In Edinburgh
which Mr.. CHoATs undertook to instruct.
Nobody, however. BAR find anything com
monplacs in tho picturesque passage In
which Mr.. CRoA-E describes. from his vi
reool.souon. Mr.. LiSooL.Ss appearance and
triumph over doubt and Indifference at the
Cooper Union meeting in 1890: or. again.
in the Ambassador personal estimate Of
LIscoLH's merits as a lawyer:
How did he become . learned and accomplished
lawyer Ws!, No rrsr d.. lie never could have
estnsd be salt as 4 Writer foi Toe sirnet nor have
Won a place a. advocate In the Court Of Session.
whore the ,oohnieu s q Ihe profession mas reached -
hign,s, Perfection. and centuries OF learning and prsc-
,d.st are Involved IN Tie equipment Of a lawyer"
Whether Mr.. CHoATg's real intention was
sub:ly uonicnl. or whether he alleged
LIScoLN's professional deficiencies In order
70 compliment the Writers OF the sigres
who doubtless form an Important part Of
tho membership Of the Edinburgh Philoa-
optical Society. Is a question which must
be left 20 the Ambassadors own conscience.
II is not likely 10 be discussed by tho
learned gentlemen concerned
Somewhat oruder. and therefore less
pleasant 10 consider. was the impulse OF
iocosity which led Mr.. CHoATK to re-
mark. in connection with his recital Of
tho wel!-known story about LINCOLN
and GIANT end the brand Of whiskey
preferred by GRAFT. that this anecdots
must pos.sss peculiar interest 70 sootoh.
mon. The idea that whiskey cannot be
men toned north Of the Tweed without q
sy wink at oil Scotland is not intensely
humorous or strikinQly original; and tho
circumstance that the American AmbaNa-
dor elabora.ely prepared the poor les, for
use az Edinburgh on such an occasion II
Cishear oDing,
We wish this we're the end OF the list
Of Mr.. CRoArR's larses from the dig
nifty ard good taste which the occa-
sion demanded. 1t ia not. After quot
ing LIEcoLS's wonderful letter to tho
mother who had given tho lives OF
1ye sons 10 tho cause Of tho Union-a
otter revealing more accurately. perhaps.
than nything olse that the President ever
wrote the full measure Of his sympathy and
human love and kindness, and at the anne
time his powers Of expression In the Ian
a Of genuine ~fselina-.hs Ambassador
thought Il necessary 10 add:
"Hsrdv c,.d v ~ i1uH-,ou, So~psrsign. from III.
de7ths OF her au.snly and Wornaaly hear. have
spoken words more i,ndtr sne touching 70 sooihs he
stricken mothers Of Der own soldiers"
The comment and comparison might