The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-11-19
Our Diplomatic System.

In OlplOudCy, tHV NAisSN tSs0sSS oie pCAihu
every prominent European government. There is
scarcely petty German principalty that Is not
more ably represented near foreign governments.
Our diplomatic system Is all wrong--radlcaly de-
fective, and defective In almost every branch and
detail. There is no lack of diplomatic talent In
the country; on the contrary, there supera-
bundance of it; but the system which at present
prevails IN the selection of men to represent us at
the seats of foreign governments precudes the
employment of this talent, and nothing could be
devised better calculated to make us despised
abroad. This system, framed when the Union
consisted of but thirteen States, is continued now
that 1t consists of thirty, and unsuitable to
our present growth, as would be the swathlng
clothes of an infant to man of mature age. II
was framed, too, at time when we only began to
learn the rudlments of republicanlsm when we
had not yet unlearned the errors and prejudces of
monarchism and aristocracy; and is one of the
few features in our institutions which have not
kept pace with the advancing spirit of democracy.
When this government was founded, there was no
such thing in existence as republican diplomacy;
and the consequence was, that we were forced to
adopt system fashioned on the model OF the
miserable, hackneyed, knaUsh arlstocracies OF
benighted Eur ope-benighted, not in arts and
sciences, but In regard to the relations that ought
TO exist between the governors and the governed
Accordingly, our present diplomatic system Is an
utter anomaly and sad defect in our otherwise
glorious institutions.
1t is true that TO this evil should be applied
thorough, sweeping, and radical cure and for
effectlng this cure, there is no time more appro-
pirate than that which approaches, when, by the
solemn judgment of the American people, we are
about TO witness change of rulers.
We have three species of diplomatic representa-
tives-the minister plenipotentiary, at salary of
nine thousand dollars the minister resident, at a
salary of six thousand and the charge ai'afares,
al salary of four thousand five hundred. (The
commissioner is special officer, and may rank as
either minister plenpotentiary, minister resident
or chcrge, as occasion may require) The charge
d'aGaircs is an anomalous rank, and should be
totally abolished except Its original use, which
was altogether special and temporary. 1t was,
originally, an officer delegated by the minister to
act for him in his absence. Our ministers peni-
potenuary are mere ministers resident They
have not, and ought not TO have, full powers They
cannot close any negotiation without consulting
their government, nor can they act at all, in any
welghty affair, on their own responsibility The
minister resident is vested with much power
the minister plenipotentiary, the only difference
being In the amount of salary. The same may be
said of the charge dofdues.
We would have the latter grade abolished
altogether. il exists at present, and would have
three species of diplomatic agency lnsttuted-the
ambassador, or minister penipotentiary, special
Office, TO be filled whenever the settlement
OF grave questions requires an extraordinary
mission the resident minister, permanent posi-
ton, TO be substituted IN every case where there
are at present full missions and consuls general,
10 be invested with ordinary diplomatic powers
and 10 reside wherever a full mission is unneces
sary. The salary OF ambassador should be
leait fifteen thousand dollars; OF a minister resi-
dent, twelve; and OF a consul general SIX Thus,
there should be but two permanent missions, that
OF the minister resident and of the consul general
The present salaries of our diplomatic agents
are too small. No man can afford TO accept a
mission 10 any OF the larger States OF Europe who
IS not sufficiently wealthy 10 spend al least double
the amount OF his salary. In Paris and London,
especially, our ministers are compelled to main
tain lavish expenditure. II is too bad that, for
the sake Of few thou sand dollars, the dignity Of
this nation should be lowered abroad, and that
the representatives OF every small State in Europe
should be enabled 10 take precedence OF our
ministers.
But what tends more than all TO leopard our
reputation abroad, Is the mode Of selecting our
representatives,. Our ministers generally APP
pointed because of their political services to the
party IN power, and not from any special aptitude
for the mission, or any experience or talent in
diplomatic affairs. This is all wrong. We are a
present disgraced by this system, and itwould be
well that severalo our representatives. should be re-
placed by men who are somewhat conversant at
least, with the common Iudments Of diplomacy.
This should be one OF the fret duties of the lncom-
inR administration. Our diplomatic system requires
a thorough reorganization. and We hope, ere long,
to see this reorganization effected.