Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-07-18
THE ENQUIRER.
Richmond, July Is.
OH CONSULAR SYSTEM.


A writer in the " Y Gazette says, in al!u-
sions 10 our Consuls abroad:
sour conSus receive no salaries; The consuls
of other nations do our consuls rely on fees Tor
their remuneration. They are generally very
poor and needy, many of them foreigners Some
OF them are compelled TO live mad almost said
exlst-on $500 a year, and many under that sum.
What is the consequence! Oar consnls do US
lille credit; The majority OF them liTc in obscu
riiy III some fouth-raie hotel. have no means,
and Gu, but sorry figure in representing this
great nation. How mortified | have often felt
in Europe in seeing how we were represented.
"Thc reader very Justly eSclaims, what is the
remedy? We all see d leel The evil TO be bad
enough. The remedy is 10 appoint intelligent
ami practira men; 10 give them moderate sala-
ries, with half The present ices. which have al
ways been loo high.
1--WE all know, that in lie Navy Of the United
States there are good maay officers who have
grown too old Tor active sea life, but who, b.
their intelligence high character, experience and
good manners, would ably represent our country
as consuls abroad. Why not appoint some twcn-
IS OF the cd Captains Of the Navy and Colonies
in the Army 10 the foreign Consuiships, leaving
t!lrm their pay and half fees This arrangement,
will be- popular, polite and advantageous; and
would elevate The character OF cur country
abroad. hnmbly make the suggestion, and hope
may attract attention"
Though moi yet prepared to accede 10 IL The
views Of the writer, for long lime we have been
clearly convinced of the importance OF giving
10 our Consuls competent saieyp. In the pre-
sent interesting crisis of allairs-when the Uni
led States, yet in their infancy, though like the
Young giant, Hercules, well practsed in srang-
ling the serpents Of foreign oppression and in
trisuc, have made the world TO feel the moral
rower OF free Government, based upon repre-
sentative principles and administered hy viruous
men, responsible TO the intelligent mass Of The
peoPle-when the Jeaiousies Of European powers
have been aroused b. our success and prosperous
increase-when even our "oldest ally" France,
through her distinguished Guizoi, has advanced
the odious doctrine OF controlling our movements
o. The absurd "ba!ance OF power and when, 10
keep down The rising popular spirit Of liberty,
the rulers of the toltcrins governments Of the old
world find it necessary TO dcpreciate our insiltu
lions and misrcpreseEt the public ard private
condition Of The c,iz.ns OF our growing Republic;
al this very moment We repeat, il IS OF vital
concern that "" should be represented abroad by
men Of intelligence ard character The Office Of
Consul may appear 10 be Of inconsiierablc mo-
nenl-but, i! carefully examined. all will admit
that il may be made mos; useful branch Q! the
public service We have had occasion 10 know
the extreme ignorance which exists abroad, in re-
gard TO The iundame n,al principles ofour Govern
ment and the character Of our people. In time,
light viii break in npcn The preudiccs and blind
hess Of The old world. Its our policy, however,
TO hasten that period, b. providing adequate corr
pensation for oar foreign agents; tha, being The
only plan 10 obtain The services Of valuable men.
II such a reform be Instituted, we may easily
send 10 The dfleren, points Of he world, men u
talents and influence, lmbue! with The true princi-
pies Of Republican Government, and with snif-
Glen; boldhess and lac, 10 explain orr position,
and 10 defend our policy. On one nnni in mar
lcular. much ignorance exists, To the INJURY OF
our good name. We allude 10 The obligation Of
the General Government 10 assume The Stals
debts. 4. couended nv foreign creditors. II
sioul, be The first duty OF our accredited agents
10 unfold the Federal Constitution. 20 explain
clearly The exaci powers Of the Federal and State
Governments 50 iha, The prejudice against our
supposed wan, Of faith may be removed, and III
,ure transactions NAV be conducted, with full
knowledge Of facts as they exist. Again, there
are commercial arrangements, OF immense
Importance to tho United States, which re-
qure most shil.ul heads 10 manage. To swell!
orr commerce. and bring back The rich ifuls
OF labor, our foreign agents should te 50 Sc
lecied as 10 impress, those around them with the
vast resources OF this country its willingness 10
conduct business upon the most liberal system,
Tor The advantage Of bo:h nations, and for The
promotion Of the permanent peace oil the world
Put, ADORE all, We should that our agents
abroad possess true American hearts, willing
and able 10 present our people as unanimous in
their determination TO sustain The national rights
and honor against foreign interference ana IN
risue-and as acting upon the golden rule oil
Jackson-''ash nothing but what is right, submit
10 nothing that is wrong In word, our agents
should BE- an exact echo of their people al home
All tha, We can desire is, that our people and
Government may be represented exactly as they
are-and, 10 that end much care should be taken
in the selection of our commercial representa-
lives.
For these, and other weighiy considerations,
we hope lha, the next Congress will take up and
seriously reform lhs consular sy>leln-s' as 10
secure good otlcers-ior, upon their selection The
mighty problem OF our commercial greatness
will materially depend.