The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-14

dual merit and honor to the positions they now FILL
Not here, as in Europe, can wealth buy rank, but
the road is open all Deeds, not dollars, are the
stepping stones TO promotion. This principle is
one which, in great measure, seems to refute
the objections to the existence of military body
in our country but the strong opposition given
TO the increase and even to the provision for
standing army in the United States, seems to be
principally from misunderstanding as respects
the distinction between military and martial law.
The soldier, on enlistng in the army, does not be-
come released from the restraints of civil law,
but Is taken up by the martial code, where the
civil law leaves him the one is added to, but
does not cancel the other, and this is the great,
the radical distinction between our own standing
army and that Of the generality of monarcmcal
governments. There, The soldier is withdrawn
from the jurisdiction of civil power, and even his
debts become liable to military supervision With
the check now mutually held by the President
and Congress, standing army can never be used
In this country for the selfish or usurping pur-
! poses ofeither.
While we are upon this subject, there is one
point which we think has too little excited the at
| tenton OF those in power. 1t is the exercise of
practice, the benefits of which have been proved
with most signal success. IT'S the distribution Of
rewards OF merits and badges Of honor amongst
those who, either by good conduct, long service,
or deeds OF valor, are worthy of receiving them
A soldier, though looked upon by many little
superior to machine, is human being suscept-
ible OF the same feelings which actuate the officer
at the head of his regiment. Ambition, the spirit
oil emulation, the pleasure Of approval, ana
sense of injustice, are feelings which spring in
his heart with none the less impulse because that
heart is covered by rough exterior. 1t is in
accordance with the spirit of our institutions that
merit should be acknowledged and rewarded in
every citizen protected under the flag of our
try. The soldier is a ctzen-a useful citizen, and
no matter what the distinction consist of only
let 1t be conspicuous, and the effect would be felt
IN every branch of our army. Napoleon gathered
around HIM half million of troops eager to re-
ceve from him one look of recognition, and who
died happy ifthe of the legion of honor hung
on their hearts; let our government by the in
ducement instil into the heart of every man how
ever humble, fighting the battles Of his country,
the like reverence for the flag, and that glorious
esprit dn corps, which is the sure guarantee Of
victory Let every one worthy have evidence
to show that he personally assisted in the work
which added to the glory dignity Of his country;
an evidence which shown to his children with the
pride of one "who has been to the wars" will
make them, inspired by his example, better men
and more useful subjects.
The New CONSULAR BILL.-What has become
OF the bill for the revision of the consular system,
which was presented in the House of Representa-
tives on the 18th Of last month, by Hon. w. w.
Campbell! The many valuable alterations which
the bill suggests should be put in operation as
lv : nd ;,l;
ference Or supineness the part of Congress
will allow the consideration OF this bill to be post
poned TO another session. There is no better time
than the present TO urge the adoption of the bill,
and we hope the mover of it will attend to it inn
mediately.
Under the present system our consuls abroad
are allowed to participate in commercial or mer-
camille business of any kind; and, in fact, nearly
all are engaged in business either as principals or
agents. This generally produces handsome in
come, which in addition to the fees of the consul,
enables him to support himself and his office with
becoming dignity. OF the many evils attending
the fact of our consus being generally merchants,
we have already spoken; and, indeed, they are
too obvious to require explanation. The new
bill abolishes consuls fees, and forbids their en-
gaging in private business of any kind.
| In order to compensate for these deprivatons,
list of salaries is proposed, varying from fifteen
hundred to four thousand dollars. Thus the
former salary isl paid Bordeaux, Cadiz, Trieste,
and ohe. places, and the latter at London, liver
pool, and others. The only objection we have to
this part of the b that the salaries, particularly
the lowest, are too small. As the bill abolishes
all other sources ofrcvenue to the consul, he must
necessarily depend entirely for his own support,
and that Of his office, upon the salary which he re-
cevcs Fifteen hundred dollars is too little for this
As the representatives of great nation our con-
suls abroad are subjected to many expenses other
than those absolutely necessary for the support of
themselves and their families. Civlities must be
rendered to our own countrymen, and returned to
residents of the country where consul may be
stationed. In many cases, we doubt not the ex-
penses would far exceed the salary. This being the
fact, we think that men, capable and well qualified
for the office, could not, under the present scale
Of salaries, be persuaded to leave their business
here and enter into the consular service. 1t would
be necessary, then, to appoint hungry office
seekers, ready for anything, who would disgrace,
rather than sustain with HONOR the dignity of their
office representatives Of nation like ours
| We trust that the scale Of salaries will be care
fully examined, and materially altered before the
bill is passed.
| AFFAIRS IN BRAzIL.-Our advces from Rio de
Janeiro of the 9th ult.
The Senate and assembly were yet in session.
We find amongst the documents laid before them
10y the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the protest of
the Argentine Republic against the acknowledge
ment, by the Brazilian cabinet of the indepen-
dence of Paraguay, and the reply thereto. From
the latter, we make the following extract, as ap-
pearing rather republican, coming from the min
lister of an Emperor
1.-THE anti american diplomacy is to subdivide into
small independencies the nations Of South America 90
that may acquire great overwhelming power and
for this the government of Brazil would not have
acknowledged the off revoed province Of