Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-10-24
OUR REPRESENTATIVES ABROAD.

has been matter of much regret with the friends Of
institutions and country that party politics should have
often decided the choice of representatives abroad We
could expect however, that democracy,
wonder working form, should change the pur-
poses Of politicians for find every where change of adj
minsaton affecting changes among agents. In England,
when Ministry goes out its friends go with it and 50
in the United Staes-each President and Cabinet
always expected prefer their friends their opponents
To this is unreasonable object All have ever wish
ed this, that each administration should select from the
most worthy of its supporters those who conduct
diplomatic relations abroad Sometimes this has been faith
fully done; but very often it has not been.
Whatever estimate we may form Of our superiority
naton frequently very exaggerated one. when
in contact with the dipomass of established dynas
ties and when have to meet their most distinguished
tue and able menwhen history, the laws Of nations and
the commercial relations of the world to be discussed
then is quite necessary that should
equal to the emergency in which they may be placed This
has always been the case and when glance the
crowd of American Ministers that has been abroad for
the last few years. find but few who have been really
qualified for their positions Their security has been in their
obscurity. The maxim-omne gnofum pro magnifco-
has often awaited them in the hour of pepexiy, and the
ready reference of disputed point the State Department
home has preserved many Minister from trouble and
barrassment
Now, think that hut the most accomplished, the
cleveres and the abest Of this country should be
sent abroad. We all suffer if send incompetent
agents We do our institutions real dscred when they
represented by vulgar ignorant, and uneducaed
We certainly something historic name, free
principles honor federative system and if
wish make favorable impression upon foreign nations
must do il through adequate send states
men, scholars historians lngussand not the poor msera
BILE hacks of party, who for carrying district claim to
present, in foreign lands, the majesty of the nation.
Our consular system has been equally mismanaged. The
theory of consuates beautiful We supposed to
place all the commercial world kndhearted, intelligent
brave, and accomplished citizens who know how to maintain
the honor Of their country communicate to the most i'm
poan and useful intelligence, protect its interests, and adj
minister Justice the foflon and orsaken American. How
this theory carried out In general the American
agents SPECTATORS who go to make moneys
who find their interest conso and uphold the peuJces
and of those among whom they reside and who,
elevated by the temporary consequence which accorded
their position in foreign lands, where rank every thng
deaf the cries of wretched and tempest
ed mariners.
The consus of France have been eminent contributors to
the science and of their country but what
is there, has there been, except very
few like Mr.. Warden who have contributed any thing Of
the interests of their country No, go on,
and drag and waow through the dirty mre of politics for
and forever and favortes mushrooms sprung up in
night the heroes Of canvass the rowdy leaders in ward
election picked up and abroad to m important mis-
son and often become the derson Of the capitals where
they sent-New York Telegraph.