Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-06-30
THE ENQUIRER.
Monday Morning, june 30, 1916.
REFORM OF THE CONSULAR SYSTEM.
RICH MOND, VA.

Last Summer we briefly pointed out the evils
oil the present consular system, and suggested
some notifications We are pleased TO see, that
Congress, though occupied with other questions
OF vas, moment, has not neglected This import
ant subject. II is most desirable tina, every thing
should be done 10 place our commerce on sound
and healthy basis, and facilitate our intercourse
with foreign nations. Our agents abroad should
be men Of high character and intelligence, fully
imbued with the spirit OF our institutions, and
thoroughly acquainted with our laws and nation
al resources. While they should be able 10 look
after our interests abroad, and keep our Govern
menI constantly advised of the state Of trade, and
as TO what policy should be pursued to extend our
commerce, they at the same time may exert
beneficial influence by imparling correct views
OF The operation Of our Republican system, and
by extending the moral benefits Of free insiu-
lions. Under The present imperfect system, it is
impossible TO secure The services Of such repre-
sentatives abroad, and il is due no less 10 the
commercial prosperity Of the country than 10 The
philanlhropic influence Of liberal Government,
that radical change should be introduced. No
period was ever so suspicious for the movement
as the present lime when we have just establish
ed permanent treaty of peace with England and
have acquired most valuable posts on The Pacific,
inviting a new and extensive trade with the rich
provinces Of Asia:
A bill on this subject has been unanimously re-
ported 10 The House. The accompanying report
states that, with the exception OF some small
changes enacted in 1903 and 1910 in regard TO the
discharge 81 American seamcn in foreign ports,
the present system is substantially The same as
when il was established Immediately after The
adoption of The Federal Constitution Irregular
and inefficient as tits, probably costs The COM
MERGE OF the country, (incudng the salaries paid
10 our Consuls-resdent with the Barbary
powers, abou, one hundred andtwenty five thou
sand dollars. The proposed bill, calculated 10
ensure regularity and efficiency, provides for an
expenditure not much larger than this. The ge-
neral features of the bill strike us as being highly
valuable and we hope that Congress will ADOPT
il. A due regard to the safely and success Of our
citizens abroad, and 10 The vigorous expansion OF
the commercial policy OF The country, on which
the other great national interests mainly depend,
should urge Congress 10 organize our important
foreign system on better and stronger basis.
The Union gives the following outline Of The
bill:
at enlarses and defines the powers and duties
OF consus in various matters pertaining 10 the
protection and encouragement OF our commerce.
II provides for consular bureau, through which
The useful information collected and transmitted
by the consuls may be, from time TO time, ar
ranged and condensed, and laid before the coun-
Try in an available shape. In a word the nb-
ect of the bill seems 10 be 10 make The consul,
wherever he may be stationed, truly and effec-
tually an active and responsible officer CT The
Government, with important duties To perform,
and consan, supervision in their performance
| The Two mosl prominent and striking provisions
OF The bill, are those which prohibit The consus
| from engaging in trade, and which compensate
4sm Sy gh o saas an bpp are
importance 10 its due efficiency. The consul, as
the representative OF his country, should have no
private interests which may come in any way in
conflict with the duty which he owes to his coun-
trymen. The opinion OF The able and accom-
plshed scholar and statesman, Edward l.ivings-
ion. when Secretary Of State under Gen. Jackson,
was, that no consul should engage in trade and
he expressed himself liz strong terms in com
municalion which he made 10 the President on
the subject Of consular reform.
ale was also of the opinion, that The Consuis
sbould be salaried officers According 10 The
nresent sysem,' says Mr.. Livingston our Con-
suls with very few exceptions, are commission
merchants, anxious, like all other merchants, 10
increase their business and obtain consiSnmenis.
In many, perhaps The greater number Of cases,
the place is sought for chiefly Tor The advantage
and The influence it will give 10 extend the com.
merca affairs OF the officer. Can it be believed
| exercised = The Consuls al
least. therefore, if not The Vice Consus, ought to
be salaried officers. They will never then, by
their counlrymen be suspected Of acting towards
| them as their commercial interest, not as their
duty requires; and their complaints in behalf Of
| their tellow.ciZens will be attended To- because
they will not be liable 10 the suspicion OF adyo-
eating their own interest. Consular offices
would no longer be held in contingencies, nor
the Consul himself called from defending The case
of an injured American citizen 10 sell barrel of
sugar. or to despatch The settlement ofan account
| 1--WE may add, that for these reasons none but
merchants and traders are, under our existing law
and mode OF compensation, employed by the Co
vernment, thus limiting appointments 10 small
| portion of our citizens. Nor can il he expected
that merchant who, by his position as Consul,
acquires a knowledge Of the resources and pre-
6,able trade OF the country where he resides, will
be over anxious To make his knowledge public, for
The benefit OF all his counlrymen. TO the deriment
oil his own individual interests"
Ii is refreshing 10 see how sound The country is
upon Inc Mexican war. In Syracuse, New York,
the Abolnonsts, cggad on by the New York Til
bune, attempted 10 get up an "ant-war" meeting,
but the citizens, aroused by the despicab'e move
ment filled up the house, and chose officers op-
posed to the views of those who called The meet
ing, and the anti-war men were completely rout-
ed Their whole force, comprising some twenty
FIVE, Of 6oth SEXES, seeded, and organized in
neighboring church. Here, however, the indig-
nant people did not allow them 10 adopt in peace
their raitorous resolutions. A e-pounder,
fired under The windows, smashed The glass Of the
church windows, and the actors in The disgrace
full scene were again forced TO break up. In the
mean lime, the citizens adopted strong resolu-
lions, sustaining The war, and approving the gall
liant conduct Of Gen. Taylor and our lille army.
The New York Tribune surpas.es itself in heap
| ing abuse upon the meeting. The same old SO.
nv is paraded "a heavy operator in Texas lands
was its maser.sprir" and the meeting itself was
"a gang OF bullies." It's patrioic resolutions are
denounced as made up OF "falsehood, despolism,
slavery and murder" The Editor further as
serts, that ",he falseaoOd in the preamble is ba-
lanced by ose uniusrsal lie in the resolutions"
To show to what infamous exlents small lrag-
ment of traitors, under the guise of "Frienas Of
Peace" were carried by their hatred for The South
and Republican Administration, we give The
substance of their si1een resolutions.
The first calls the war with Mexico Treason"
the second denounces it as having for its object
"lbe extension OF The aceursed system ofslavery;"
the thirds calls war "a duel between two nations"
combat fourth, hnh, SIKH and seventh denounse
the policy Of the government in bringing on Inc he
war; eighth attributes 10 the Executive and his
organ, "a spirit of conquest" ninth declares dis,
tinelly that success 10 this war now prosecuted
for the conquest OF Mexico, would be greater
calamity TO our country and The world than our