Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-12-05
Capital Sidelights
By Viii P. Kennedu.

NeWSpapermen at the National Press
Club, specializing regarding the posi-
bility OF foreign interference In ap-
preaching national elections, were some
what nonplussed the other evening
when Luther c. Steward, veteran presi-
dent OF the National Federation of
Federal Employees, a well-read authority
on American politics, called their atten-
ton to the Baron Sackville- West Incl
cent IN 1888. The Century Dictionary
and Cyclopedia explains that the baron
was an English diplomatist, British Min
lister to the United States for seven
years, beginning in 1881. He received
his passports from President Grover
Cleveland for having written in an
swer to a correspondent who repre-
sented himself as a naturalized citizen
OF English birth in search of advice, a
letter known historically as "the Muir
Gibson letter." published October "a. in
which he recommended the inquirer
vote the Democratic ticket as favorable
to British interests.
This occurred during the presidential
canvas for President Cleveland's re-elec-
uon to second term. Secretary of
State Thomas F. Bayard of Delaware
wrote to President Cleveland on October
Is, 1888: Il have just received a note
from Sackville- West-which will give YOU
an idea Of his faulty in general I am
disposed to think the animus of the let
ter will react injuriously upon the con-
structors OF the plot" The British Min
lister in his letter to Secretary Bayard
protested that he had been BETRAYED in
the publication of private and proper
communication, and that he had meant
no harm. BY President Cleveland's in
struction, Secretary Bayard cabled Lon
don that the Minister'S usefulness was
ended. But Bayard's surmise was
wrong. While Cleveland, as Democratic
candidate. had a majority OF 1l6,70O in
the popular vote, he lost out on the
electoral vote l68 to 233. Chauncey M,
Depew in MY Memories of Eighty
Years explains the Sackville West Incl
dent. "A little company of shrewd
Republican politicians in California
thought that if they could get an ad-
mission that the British government was
interfering in our election in favor of
Cleveland, it would be a fine asset in the
campaign. So they wrote to Lord Sack
ville-West, telling him they were Eng
llshmen who had become naturalized
American citizens. They were anxious to
vote for the side which would be best
for their native land; would he advise
them whether to support the Democratic
or Republican ticket? Sackville West
swallowed the bait without investigation,
and advised that they vote the Demo-
cratic ticket"
Another American shrine is proposed
In speech by Representative Henry O.
Tale, Republican, of Iowa, to John Han
son of Maryland, first President of the
United States in Congress assembled,
who died l60 years ago on November Is.
He was one of the first to sign the non
importation act several years before the
adoption of the Declaration of indie
pendence. In the War of the Revolu-
ton he was one of Washingtons most
dependable supporters, provided the
first army of the South to join the army
of the North, built and operated flint
lock factories and powdermills for the
American patriots. He visioned a great
empire from the western wilderness to
be added to the Union-and that is why
Maryland held of signing the Articles
of Confederation, our first political
constitution. Hanson stood firm that all
the colonies having backlands should
turn them over to the Union before
Maryland would lend it's aid to the adop-
ton. AS delegate to the Continental
Congress with Daniel Carroll from
Maryland, he signed the Articles of Con-
federation on the same table on which
were signed the Declaration of Inde-
pendence and the Constitution. He was
elected first President on November 4,
1871; welcomed Washington after his
defeat of CORVALLIS at Yorktown; or
dered provided and was first to use the
great seal Of the United States, which
has been used by every President down
to the present day; appointed the first
cabinet, and issued the first Thanksgiv-
ing Day proclamation naming the last
Thursday In November, 17s2.