The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-09

THE ALLEGED CASE OF DIPLOMATIC SNUG
| GLING.-We have, on former occasion, alluded
to the article which appeared in one of our New
York journals, in the month of February last
which charged on the American Charge d'1AGairs
at Stockholm, the commission of smuggling, I'M
der coverof his diplomatic station and to the tri-
umphant vindicaton of the party named in con-
nection with the transaction, Mr. H. w. Els
worth. Since that time, we have received copies
of the documents relied upon by Mr.. Ellsworth to
clear himself of the CHARGE and, after carefully pc
rusing them, we have arrived at the conclusion
that they contain the strongest possible proof that
he is not only guiltless of the charge made against
him, but that he never entertained the thought of
doing anything of the kind.
When this charge of diplomatic smuggling was
first made, we were much mortified and annoyed.
Although we had our doubts as to its correctness,
we felt annoyed, because we entertained the opin-
ion that our representatives at foreign courts
not only men of honor, reputation, and character
above doing anything of the kind charged-but
that they were also, like Caesars wife, above sus-
picion. When, however, the name of the func-
tonary charged came to our knowledge, we had
no scruple in at once relieving ourselves of all
doubts in the premises, and becoming satisfied
that the charge was a base fabrication, gotten up
by some evildisposed person for the purpose of In
juring Mr.. Ellsworth's reputation here and abroad,
even at the sacrifice of the American character
A more abortive attempt to ruin public man ne
yer was made. Whoever the author 49, he could
not have taken a surer method to elevate Mr..
Ellsworth in the estimation of his countrymen,
than by fabrcating that charge, for it rendered it
nhen haf MIL m forth md
disprove it, which he has done, not by simple de-
mails emanating from himself but by official letters
from the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, let
tiers from the officers of the Swedish customhouse,
and other persons in official station in Sweden,
all tesufying in the strongest to the falsty
of the charge, and uniting in expressing wonder
ment that under the circumstances, and considering
the character OF Mr.. Ellsworth, such story should
have been circulated at all
The journal which first published the calumny
concerning Mr.. Ellsworth deserves the highest
censure. Nothing short of proof strong as holy
writ would justify any newspaper In acting as it
did in this matter. Our Diplomatic representatives
abroad are not only the representatives, but
the custodans of the character and dignity
of the United States at the courts to which
they are sent; and any attack them in their Off
cial character is an attack the United States,
and should not be circulated, except the circum-
stances out of which it arises are so plain and
clear as not to admit of any but one construction
We congratulate Mr.. Ellsworth and the United
States on the successful manner in which he has
disposed of the disreputable charges that were
thus made against him. and hope that public jour
nails will in future be more careful in circulating
ISLANDERS concerning public men, than the
newspaper referred to has been in this case