New-York tribune., 1909-06-13
XIX.
London. Nav rs

u =. Caller whose book on England and
Hi' --,.sb was published a few days since.
-. ministers and ambassadors who have
--..s-,e6 The United States in England have
~ s-.srest individually and as body. So long
,,-. .. men mostly distinguished. is almost
- some of them are totally forgotten
-. are remembered family. Some have left
,.,.inr impression. ] have known round dozen
.,sr- The public memory is short. If say
-. - ETr Charles Francis Adams II was per
- ~ so = greater service 10 his country
80 taar 70 env American since Franklin
,,o. his grandfather John Adams. who
~,-,. rerhsps as diplomatist be ranked above
T-o,tlin.-ff I say this. there are Americans to
49,, g. will seem doubtful. But since Adamss
latest service consisted in Just menace or
- n England II she let loose the Alexandra.
-. current histories written in DAYS when every
a., ~ hostility 70 England was applauded, right
~ wrong have done him justice. He was right.
: ,boussnd times right. and cannot remem-
ber il toe often
eu- what Americans ought also TO remember
4, this that when Mr.. Adams flung his glove in
r,-6 RusselTs face Il was done neither from
.s-7rsr nor impulse. Il was the considered act
- minister who had weighed all the chances:
--ho had made up his mind that open war was
better than covert hostility. and that il belonged
n hin TO accept the responsibility. Whether
Mr. Seward would have backed up his minister
-rsv be question. had the ministers This
means var heen met by Lord Russell with
Then war II is" But the British government
tnev-even Lord Palmerston kneV-they we're
N the wrong. and they gave way. But they
gave way only because Mr. Adams had put the
alternative II war before them. II was very
far from being his only service or his only tri-
unph but il WAS the greatest OF all.
Il is not too much 20 say tnat the diplomatic
fortunes of the United States were in the hands
Ct the American Minister 10 Great Britain from
1861 70 1863. and indeed. 70 the end OF the Civil
War. A weak man, or an incompetent minister.
would have brought US TO the dust. Adams. Of
course was neither. He was match for any
body in his business as minister. He had the
Intellectual qualities and he had the personal
qualities Moreover, he was Adams. He be
longed to the governing classes 10 one of the
few great American families in whom the tradi-
tons and gifts OF government are hereditary
The philosopher who divided the population
Of Massachusetts, into men. women and
Adsmses made g strictly scientific distribu-
ton. The Adamses were Of that minority which
under one name or another and in all countries
alike, governs 1t governs none the less when
Il sees fl allow the democracy 10 believe itself
eli powerful than when it takes command as an
sristocTacy
knew Mr.. Adams. Mr.. P. Il. Dana. jr who
smoothed so many paths for me. gave me let
Ter 10 him. This was in 1867. The days of
tumult ard conflict were over. His great work
vas done, but he remained minister till 1865
TIE legation was then in Portland Place Nr
Moran was secretary Of legation: an excellent
efcisl whose service in that position in London
lasted seventeen years. and was finally rewarded
H- IN Lie a5r7fs
good watchdog. secretary. Of whatever rank
has - be that Like Hora thus he has TO keep
the bridge albeit against his own countrymen
They are the Tolscisns When I asked to see
Mr. Adams Mr- Moran very properly wished 10
knoH Why. and when I produced Mr.. Dana's let
Ter Mr- Moran seemed % think il VAS addressed
70 hin. and not Til had explained that it was
Nr Dsnss, who was Nj Adams's friend and
that hsd no other business than 20 present this
letter. did Mr.. Moran's vigilance relax. We be
osrne friends sfterward
When saw the minister he departed little
from his official manner. greeted me kindly. and
said; You have brought ne q very strong let
ter What can ! do for you?" When thanked
rim and said I wanted nothing he relaxed .
uttle further laughed 2 little. and observed that
most of his countrymen who called az the leea-
non had an object. He talked with singular
precision, his was mind Of precision. like tire
modern rife equally good al short range and
long Z YOU adjust the sight. But good as syas
his talk. what impressed you most was the
silent power of the mantle force in reserve.
the solidity, and the delicate temper of tho
metal
dwell moment on the relations between
travelling Americans and their legation or en-
sassy.-which % The untravemed may seem
Ar7r AM nd
perhaps more than ever. the duties OF minis
feT. II an ambassador. Of the embassy are 50
often misunderstood by that portion Of the pub
lie from America which is intent on immediate
admission 70 Buckingham Palace. ! have
known many secretaries since Mr.. Morans time
They have been. as rule willing and compe-
tent, really desirous to be Of service to their
couutryr7en
There is no other embassy than the American
On which such demands are made ours in
London and in Paris; and to some extent IN
ether capitals. These demands are addressed
hrst q al % the ambassador or ambassadress-
vill take single instance. There is each year
large number of Americans who desire to be
presented IT court and who think il the duty Of
the ambassador 10 arrange for their presenta-
ton Many Of these applications are sent by
istts- well in advance Of their coming There
are hundreds of such applice tions-literally hun
ereds. four or FIVE hundred this year from
American ladies' who think themselves, and are.
worthy TO appear before the King and Queen
az one OF tae three courts presently TO be held
The number Of presentations which the am
hssssdress is entitled 10 make at eacn or the
thfee courts is four That is a rule an ordl-
nance OF the King, who has the sole authority
In such matters. Sometimes in some special
case. upon reason assigned. the rule is relaxed
snd a presentation may he made outside OF It,
r.. -, - - .sofa,,, scr,,tiuized and