The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-06
Special caoIs Dispatches 70 THE Sun.

LONDON, May 5.-lhe last OF the bplenulo
series Of farewell tributes TO Mr.. Choate, the
retiring American Ambassador, was given
tonight at the Mansion House, where one
Of the most distinguished gatherings ever
assembled in London dined as guests Of
Lord Mayor Pound. Prime Minister Bal
four, Foreign Secretary Lansdowne. Sir
Henry Campbell Bannerman, the Liberal
leader; the Archbishop Of Canterbury and
the leaders in arr, science and literature
and all other branches Of British society
gave Mr.. Choate q reception such as, per-
haps, no American ever before received on
this side Of the Atlantic.
II was, indeed, as Mr., Choate said in the
first words Of his respo nse, the browning
hour Of his career. His speech was worthy
Of such an occasion and il held his $50 hear
ers breathless with interest.
Mr.. Balfour, in proposing the health Of
Mr.. Choate paid a tribute to his eminent
qualities and the excellence CT his diplomacy.
He said the governments Of Great Britain
and the United States may not always
have been wise, but common sentiment
survived despite the ofioial leaders. It
was q matter Of gladness to think that as
time passed the old bitterness had been
lost and there had slowly emerged feel
ing Of common brotherhood and a sweet
prospect Of international peace and prog
ress. He added:
TO that, Mr.. Choate, you have con-
tributed in no small degree. You have
assisted in the ever increasing development
q sentiments and emotions that are not
easily formulated in words or embodied
in formal treaties, but which, stronger than
any treaty or any instrument devised by
man, will bind together indissolubly for all
time the two great liberty loving nations in
the interests Of peace, progress and culture.
When the enthusiastic cheers which
greeted his rising had subsidized Mr.. Chcate
expressed his thanks in feiicitous terms,
which were marked with touches Of humor.
Altogether too much credit, he said, had
been attributed 10 him for the happy and
delightful relations between the two coun-
tries. II he had contributed in the least
degree to maintaining and preserving what
had already existed then the last six years
would be the proudest OF his life, but the
real credit did not belong to him, but to
the two men who had been responsible for
the conduct Of the relations, no longer
foreign relations, 81 the two countries,
Lord Lansdowne and Mr.. Hay.
The diplomatist who would pick quarrel
Win LOIQ lAtnQbO"llb "uuAl hdNb ~ pun
It all himself. Happily It was the same
with Mr.. Hay. So far as he had seen the
policy OF the Foreign Office had been a
policy Of fairness, frankness, justice and
simple truth. He hoped that Lord Lans-
downs had found the policy Of tho State
Department the same.
The personal influence Of the sovereign,
too had played no small part in the rela-
tions. He remembered his last interview
with Queen Victoria. Il was Immediately
after a great cophagration in America.
She knew all the details, and was as full of
sympathy and sorrow as II the disaster
had occurred in her own land. As for King
Edward, his instinct for peace was 80 I'M
erring, his genius for Cancellation so perfect,
that il would be impossible hereafter for
any other nation to quarrel with his people.
Mr. Choate stated that he had been asked
a thousand times why he-was going away.
He was sorry to leave England, but glad
he was going home. He was suffering
from homesickness, and ran the risk if
he stayed longer Of contracting a much
more serious disease, Anglomania, which
many Of his countrymen regarded as more
dangerous and more fatal than even cerebro
spinal meningitis.
He would carry away delightful personal
memories and the highest appreciation
Of the great traits and qualities which made
the national life Of Great Britain. Of the
reign of the law, which was supreme in all
PARTS Of the land; Of individual liberty car
ried to the highest perfection, and Of the
splendid, burning patriotism which in
spired the young men when their country
called on them to risk their lives and all
they held dear for her sake. He would
carry the recollection Of the splendid in
stinct Of public life which animated and
pervaded the people Of England, and the
absolute purity Of public life which neoes-
sariy resulted.
He had come to England believing that
the people were cold and phlegmatic He
had changed his mind. He had found
under their cool exterior and serene manner
hearts as warm and as full Of enthusiasm
as those Of any people. He had been brought
I'D TO believe that work was the end and
aim Of life. but had learned here that work
is only a means to a higher end 10 a more
rational life, and TO develop mans best
powers for the benefit Of others.
When he came the only instruction
President Mckinley gave him was TO pro-
mote the welfare OF both countries cult
waiting the most friendly relations. In
obedience TO this instruction he had gone
to and fro studying the country at closs
range, trying TO make the people better
acquainted with America and showing
that their differences were only skin deep.
He did not doubt the permanence Of the
peace now existing between the two coun-
tries. War would be an unspeakable
impossibility. The gravest questions that
have arisen have been solved by arbitra-
ton. Continuing Mr.. Choate said:
'Of course there are questions that are
Incapable Of arbitration, but not between
you and US. But. serene and secure as our
peace is, / do not indulge in the hope that
il will never be disturbed. Untoward
events will happen, unhappy things will
be said. How are these threats Of disaster
10 be avoided We must be tided over
them by public opinion and the great ex-
ponent Of such opinion, a high toned and
patriotic press.
II the press does its best TO minimize
such events and 10 keep the people cool
until sober second thought comes we shall
always he safe. but II II stirs up the embers,