New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-05-15


THEODORE S. FAY.-An American gentle
man writing home from Germany, thus
speaks of our Secretary Of Legation at the
Prussian Court:
BERLIs, Thursday, April 1s.
And here, By the way, wish 10 say
something about Mr.. FAY, our Secretary at Berlin.
l could not but feel ashamed Of my country, when
saw him performing all the duties and labors Of
the Minister, and yet reaping none OF the reward
or honors. He it is who alone was able to conduct
the correspondence Of the oiIceior Haunegan
could scarcely speak his own language correctly
much less hold communication with the Prussian
Government, or maintain any Diplomatic inter
course through the medium OF foreign language.
As MIR. Fay speaks aud writes both French and
German, it became absolutely necessary for him
to do what there was no one else to do, aud yet
what must be done. And was owing ~ him that
country was not disgraced utterly. We are
the only nation that believe it unnecessary for a
man TO have diplomatic training and education
TO enable him properly TO perform the duties of
diplomatic position We deem it unnecessary that
a man should understand the language of the
Court 10 which he is seDt-that he should know its
political history and condition-and last aud worst,
that he should bO able to maintain a geDtlemanly
aud respectable intercourse with gentlemen
What every foreign Court has at least the right to
claim is that person not truly gentleman
should by his appointment as representative of
nation, be thrust INTO the society OF eentlemen-
But so long as our diplomatic appointments are
merely the reward Of party services, given for no
fitness OF person we have only chance to thank
when we are not unrepresented.
IL was an absolute benefit as well as pleasure 10
every American ia Prussia, when his country was
represented by such scholar as Mr.. Wheaton
and think may safely say that no American does
not blush and hang bis head, to own himself an
American, when our late Minister is alluded to.
i hope, aud know that this hope is shared by
very many, that Mr.. Fay may be placed in filter
position than be now occupies. This would be
merely an act oijustce. If long years Of arduous
labor, of valuable service beyond the requirements
OF his office, scholarly education literary name,
and a full knowledge Of the European languages
entitle a man TO political reward, Mr.. Fay should
not be longer neglected. IL there no diplomatic
Office in the gilt OF Government with which il
can reward fidelity, upnghtness and talent, when
u has Its hands full OF largess for those who have
given up to party what was meant for mankind
As 1 am speaking of Mr. Fay, lie, me tell you
that he has for some months past been occupied at
such times as he could command in the loops of
business, upon poem which he calls Uric or the
Two Voices This he has now nesrly completed,
and, among others Of his friends, have had the
privilege OF reading IL am not at liberty TO state
TO you what is the story, but NAV saw that il il
NOT ony very interesting, but full Off poetry and de.
velops most pure and elevated idea Ii has the
merit OF being peculiarly original in its conception
which, IN these days OF imitation is no small merit
The characters are very happily grouped and d;s
eliminated, and the interest increases to the end
hope he will soon give ii 10 the world, for atboueh
only portion lie YET finished that portion is com
plete in itself prophecy il will be read with en-.
ihusissm all over our country.