Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-12-26
a7trUlala Argua.
RIG H NJ o N d,
TUESDAY, DECEMBER %, 1909.
ENGLISH DIPL0MATIC SrYLE.

ENGLISH DIPLOMATIC STYLE.
There IS something peculiar in the En-.
gUsh diplomatic style, for il seeks o6scuri-
~ of expression in preference TO htainness.
No production can be cited in rroof of this
assertion more forcibly than Mr.. Jack
sons letters to Mr.. Smith, the ideas of
which might certainly be comprised in the
Compass # any one OF them, instead of be-
ing spread over the wide surface VIII CHI
they are made TO occupy.
Whence proceeds this disposition To oh.
scurity? Justice, III nor, Faith, disdain +,
Truth needs nothing but ;he simplest earh.
1t must, then, be for the purposes of coa
ceaintent that the British dipl2matists shroud
themselves III multiplied wards aud euui-
vocal phrases and it must DC for conceal
IHent of Something which is too odioas to
be seen Gin ertenso" by the world. Ap-
PLY this remark to Mr.. Jac5son's CORES.
poodence with the Secretary of State.
What do W. find Principles the most
arbitrary and su5versive of the law of ma.
lions; new doctrines under the plea of re I.
taiiation real injuries under the complex
ion OF pretended friendships; and insults
under the aspect of professions of profound
respect. The frieads of Mr.. Jackson ask
for the particular harts of his letter where
IN these things appeal. But that which in its
nature is general Cannot oe harticu arISed
ALL, every fdrt OF his letters breathes a
spirit OF haughtness, of defiance, OF scern, of
superiority over every thing A American. In
| one hotns only Gas 10 insoleace) is he sheet
fc. Il is that poin, for which he was dis
missed. The iHsInHGti0H which Mr.. Smith
| repealed, he said he could substantlate as
fact. On all the other points he was e.
vasiVe, appearing forever to approach the
question, but forever stunning 1t, forming
! a complete foint no hoint. After COLA
ting, comparing, rctracing, and contras-
tag, You perceive the foaI principles of &C.
! ton which be supports lurking, like a We.
nomous reptile, under the trash of words
carefully collected around them. Wallis
/ very aptly furnishes a specimen OF this spe-
cies OF style, in the following words.
When a tvuisier twisting will twist him
! TWIST
! For the twisting of his twist lac three twines
doth intwist
But if one ofthe twines of the twist do un
twist,
The Irvine that untwisteth untwisteth the
J twist.
Un,wirlag the Irvine that untwisteth be.
tween,
He twirIs with his 'tsi,'er the two in a
Then twice having twisted the twines of the
He twioheth the lwine he had -t,,'iaea IN
twain.
The twain that in ,winins before in the
! twipe,
As twins were untwisted, he now doth
untwine,
Twixt the twain intertwisting twinc m ore
between,
He twiriins mis- fVsi'.er, makes twist of the
( twine."
Here is nothing bat trtisine and unt7uis
ing, and t1r'hing and tzUiriing, and this is
precisely Mr.. Jackson's style. This style
has one advantage for the English it ena-
bles their partizans to render the subject
stu more confused, by false applications,
loose conJectdres, and turbid commentaries ;
and it serves to place this nation In a very
ridiculous attitude: it serves to place the
people of the United States before the
| world as Uer5iUorOu8 animals, and silly dis.
Iputants about the meaning of phrases. 1,
IS time TO give over this species of triHinr,
which makes our friends ashamed aad eX'
cites the contemptuous sneers of our adyer
saries.--if our opponents nil have words
why cen let 'em. Let rs act.