The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-11-13

ed towards otner Hdtters, OF an Interesting naouai
character. Among these, the early action of the
cabinet at Washington, in revising the diplomatic
budget, very justly claims examination, and there
viii be much curiosity to know who are to be ap-
pointed reapers in this lourishng, but yet much
neglected, field of national policy In taking up
this subject, the cabinet will weigh the capacity,
intelligence, and accomplishments of those who
are pressing their claims tor diplomatic appoint
| ments Several individuals are named already as
| candidates for such distinction; and rather Gu.
Iiously, we perceive Hiram Fuller mentioned as
| ambitious for some chargeshp. He is a very
coed storekeeper, no doubt. and where common,
vulgar English is spoken, may be able to conduct
himself with considerable zeal and discretion, in
watching over the Lavy property and supplies,
| and preventing the big cannon from being stolen
| A Charge d'Aflares, however, is public servant
| of a higher order than mere naval storekeeper
| He is presumed to know something about the
ventOnal e gancies of lfe-to be familiar with the
| principles of International law-to have some H.
tie knowledge of diplomatic history-and, at least,
| TO be tolerably conversant with the French Ian
| guage, il not with the language of the nation 10
whose government he is sent representative.
Hiram Fuller, therefore, is a man little fitted by
ste, education accomplishments, for any post
| in the public service, where he would be brought
into the society of highly accomplished indivi-
duals. The Hon. William Duer, who is named as
! a suitable candidate for one Of the foreign dplo-
matte stations, is man of different stamp from
Fuller, and is rather accomplished; but there may
be some doubts even, about his fitness for a very
high position at a foreign court
The truth is, that the system of making up the
diplomatic roll of the United States is an erroneous
one. The appointments are made on the ground
of services rendered TO parties and not on the in
dividual fitness and capacity for such important
Offices. The consequence is, that the character OF
the country frequently suffers in the estimation of
foreigners, who judging the people of the United
States by their agents in places of dignity and
| trust, too frequently decide that vulglny, igno-
rance, and want of address, are common to Ameri-
eau society. Well informed nations look upon our
| whole Diplomatic system as ridiculous. They
naturally wonder that neglect our men Of ac-
knowledged learning, taste, aud refinement, TO
place public honors in the hands Of those whose
chief merit may be in standing firmly and long at
the bar of tavern, in brawling loudly during eec-
toE week, OF in sticking TO party errors with the
| pertinacity of prejudice Accustomed as all other
nations are, to form their di plomatc agents from
the best materials Of society, system like that of
the United States, based upon no grounds of rea-
son-but upon the declarations that to the "victors
belong the spoils'' lis calculated more than any,
thing else, perhaps, TO bring our government into
dsrepute. Again and again have we been very
properly laughed at, for sending ont crude speci-
mems Of civilization, without single element with
in them suited 10 the necessities of the case. This
is shameful on the part of the government.
In other countries, character, department, ad.
dress, taste, learning, a knowledge OF languages.
men, and manners, form the basis OF qualifications
for a diplomatic Office This is as it should be.
Frequently, the position and accomplishments OF
families are the foundation of the confidence Of the
government Ladies are not unfrequently deemed
valuable for the influence they may exert in con-
nection with their husbands by their superior taste
in the arts, by their many Accomplishments, and
| their requirements in the polite languages. Many
a diplomatic negotiation has been aided by such
women of genius while, on the other hand, some
very eminent men, IN the nIgnvst urpIom1uc sta
tions have been shorn OF all their influence in
favor OF this country, by the very want Of accom-
plished families, or by an extreme of vugary,
where foreign courts have looked for refinement
Now, the United States ought to be more pune
tilious in relation to he establishment Of diplomatic
agents abroad. We are taking the highest rank
among nations, in political, and commercial, and
social prosperity. Our republican institutions have
fosered talents of the highest ORDER and our edu-
cationsl sy stem brings out, every year, many men
If modest bearing, but of brilliant requirements
Thest form the true glory of great ration. These
are the true representatives of the republican cha
racter Of our people; and these are the men who
should be sent abroad, rather than those party
politicians, whose fame is acquired in the same
puTlieus of political debluehery aud kalvery al
have recently given an example Of the character Of
! the lower end Of the democracy in this city. Not
OF such desperate political gamesters should The
high Offices sf dignity and Trust, established by or
government. be flied, but by men Of sober ia
tesrity, high patriotism, strict honesty, sssociard
with enable manners, and with the graccs OF
education and ~ social hts recourse.
What is the rule that nov nc mates those who
f''m he government Why, it would seem ihu
! the tys'em e rewards is in The a.ccndaq.---ihli
mth'- political ptriinaci'y 8 the chi,i N ri aud
/ qualification for Office, and that the credit of the
| country has hut ltge influence in dircctog ap-
| ro'n'mtnts. Too many Of those who have b.cn
| arIointrd az Ambassadors 10 foreign countries,
within the lsei few years. abso!l ely knew no hins
~ entitle them ~ th,ir distinction. They went
into their positions by a biunder Of ihe goscrn.
ment. ebd lhey have Continued ia them. blunder.
ing continuilly, % the disyrAsr Of the country
| and 10 The modification Of the people.
| We DO trust that President Fillmore and Mr..
Webster, in heir attention to our Jomes:c aliirs.
VIII not overlook that desirable, elevated system
a appointments TO foreign countries, upon which
our national reputation 80 much depends. We
have long enough been made the Laughing. stock
Of other nations by negligence in this business.
end II s quite time that our Diplomatic system
should be placed upon a more exalted and liberal
basis.
Tm COMMISSIONERS or EMtoRATr,N -DIssEc-
TIoVs AMP REsuREEcrross --HoRriuLE CASE or
CRur1Ty Under the head oFour city intelligence
will be found an extraordinary account OF dongs on
Wards Island and Randal's Islind, which has