New-York tribune., 1902-02-14

! him his opportunity. 1T needS 10 De reCdheu
that in a once famous speech on the Johnson
Clarendon convention Senator Sumner had let
his imagination loose on the consequential
damages" resulting from Englands course in
the Civil War running them up without pre-
/ tence Of accurate calculation, TO a stupendOus
and bankrupting total. But Mr.. Ada"0s
! points out, Mr.. Summers motive was not that
| of a sordd creditor. The hope he cherished
was built a grand scale. All he wanted
was that England should withdraw from the
Western Hemisphere, or at the very least from
Canada. When therefore, a few years later,
negotiations for a settlement had begun to make
encouraging progress, Mr. Sumner returned
memorandum from Sir John Rose which Secre-
tary Fish had handed to him in confidence with
this audacious, if consistent, commentary:
First-The idea Of Sir John Rose is that all
questions and causes of irritation between Eng
land and the United States should be removed
absolutely and forever, that we may be at peace
really, and good neighbors. and to this end all
points Of difference should be considered to-
gether. Nothing could be better than this inl-
ttal idea. II should be the starting point.
Second-The greatest trouble if not peril,
being a constant source of anxiety and disturb
ance is from Fenianism, which is excited by
the British flag in Canada. Therefore, the with
drawal of the British flag cannot be abandoned
a condition preliminary of such settle
ment as is proposed. To make the settle
ment complete, the withdrawal should be from
/
ands.
Mr. Adams observes that this proposition was
not so astonishing then as 1t now appears, inas-
much as there is ample testimony TO show that
many English statesmen at that time regarded
the colonies a source of perplexity and ex-
pense rather than Of pride and strength and
would not have objected to letting them go at
their OWL request. Nevertheless. it was well
understood by the administration that Mr.. Sum-
ner's condition was impossible, and it was In
terpreted meaning that he was resolved to
defeat negotiations which he had not directed.
Here then. was the advantage of position which
General Grants strategic eye detected, and he
prepared to move straight against his adver-
sary. Mr.. Sumner had acquired great as
cendancy in the Senate, but his manner had
aroused enmities Of which the administration.
appealing also for support on grounds of reason
and patriotism. was able to make use.
combination strong enough TO accomplish its
object was formed among Republican Senators
and Mr.. Sumner retired from the chairman
ship of the Committee on Foreign Relations
Mr. Adams is doubtful whether he could have
defeated the Treaty OF Washington II he had
retained that commanding post; but, however
that may be, the treaty was ratified. and Mr..
Sumner voted for ii, unquestionably from
sense of public duty.
With the lapse of time many opinions honest
ly based on all the information procurable
must be revised. ard it now seems fair TO con
clude that the dismissal Of Mr.. Motley and the
discontinue of Senator Sumner greatly facili-
tsted, if they were not absolutely Indispensable
to- a rational and fortunate settlement Of ques-
tions grayely embarrassing to the United States
and Great Britain, and full of menace to the
peace of the world The fact remains, never
theless that General Grants part in those pro-
ceedings was primarily the consequence Of his
unbecoming though not unnatural personal ahi-
mostly against the man TO whom he attributed
the failure Of his scheme for the acquisition
of San Domingo 1t was not the direct purpose
OF Mr. Adams to prove that fact, but his re-
searches have left II still clearer than ii was
before His narrative. Interesting and valuable
throughout, Is OF particular interest and value
in that it reminds, and 10 n considerable ex
tent informs the country OF its Indebtedness to
the patience, tact and sagacity of Secretary Fish
for the inestimable benefits of the Treaty of
Washington.