The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-23
Diplomatic Correspondence.

Yesterdays Union returns to the subject of
the recent publication of diplomatic correspond
ence, which it has before condemned as folly
or fault on the part Of the Administration.
The Union reiterates the view with good tenn
per if not exact fairness, and supports it with
the following reasoning:
ITO ma e public the successive steps in pend
ing negotiation would in most cases inevitably de.
feat the aim OF such negotiation. To unfold to the
world the intrigues, the persuasions the menaces,
the artifces, and all the various means by which
the object of past negotiation has been accom-
plished, would not only give foreign nations an
insight into diplomacy, but would excite their
Jealousy and hostility, and throw them into an
attitude Of defence against what they might i'm
agina to be our unfriendly Vaccinations In either
the act OF publication would be detrimental
to the interests of the country The results only,
and not the means and process, Of a negotiation
should be made public.
"There ia another relation in which the question
may be considered. IN the publication of the di.
pomatic correspondence Of the Government this
country is not alone concerned. The dignity the
rigtts, and the interests Of other nations may be
most injuriously affected by publishing to the
world their secret sEd confidential negotiations
WIFI our SoNeTnIutHt. Ildb tnlD government the
right to perpetrate such act Of wanton injury to
a friendly nation /? Foreign powers consent to ne
Qotiste with this Government on the tact under
standing Of muipel good faith and is it an act OF
good faith to publish papers which, in the progress
of negotiation, other nations have confidently en-
trusted to us3 Will foreign powers consent to
operate with this Government in a negotiation,
and to trust it with knowledge Of their motives
and designs, if it be known that their confidential
communications will be published to the world
"These opinions have recently been most forci-
bly, illustrated By the publication Of the Cuban
correspondence serioEe obstacles are opposed to
all subsequent negotiation win Spain in respect
Cuba, And m.re than this, official persona ses "a
England and Spain have been irreparably dam.
aged by such a violation Of confidence. The pub.
LEGATION of the Haytien correspondence has not
been less embarrassing to this country, while to
Francs srd England it has been gross wrong.
"The talk nooLt simplicity and frankness in the
conduct of republican soysrnment is mere SEN
tinent. IL a republican government - to main
tain and extend its power it must avail Itself oil
the means Of ACKNOWLEDGMENT employed by other
governments"
Let US look separately at the points here ad-
vanced and see how far they are tenable as
grounds Of complaint,
Granting that the publication of CORE
spondenre while negotiations were pending
would be injudicions, we are yet unable to per-
eeiye how the conduct OF the Executive is af-
fected by the position. 1T does not apply to the
Cuban or the Hayten correspondence, in both
Of which instances the negotiations were ter
minated some time since. One ended when
the Spanish minister declared that the people
Of Spain would prefer to see Cuba sink into
the sea rather than transfer il to another power;
and the other closed when the Emperor Sou
LoUaUE refused to submit 10 the proposal Of
the three powers by whose representatives he
was addresaad. In each case negotiation was
at an end. and beios. therefore, part of the
pasr-not Of the present-the aiw originally
entertained could not be frustrated by pubiica-
ton.
Whether the people OF fsea country would
be satisfied with knowledge Of "the resp)ts''
of It's diplomacy, without reference TO 1.-The
means and process" lie question which ad-
tas OF good deal NJ doubt We think that
they have right 10 know by what mesne
their officers achieve success, or from what
cause failure has resulted Ii is some salts
faction TO perceive that efforts, though unsnc
ccsstul, Were honorable in themselves while