New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-07-14

and energies absolutely sacrificed IN the
public service, and marvels why he lets his
patriotism SO run away with him as to
work for nothing and half starve, when he
might rell in wealth and acquire county
if he only devoted his abilities and ac-
quirements to the bar, to trade, or his own
sggrandizement in some private capacity.
We are utterly opposed to the legisla-
ton contemplated. Diplomacy Is a SCI
ence for which we have slender respect,
and have no desire to foster its further de-
velopment. The various embassies are
now the most desirable offices under our
Government, and those where the profit is
least are most desirable of all. There are
very few capable men in the country who
would not Jump at chance to be Minis
ter to London or Paris, poorly paid as
these posts are said to be. we can re-
member but one instance wherein either
was refused, and that by De Witt Clinton,
because he had just been chosen Governor
of this State. No American ever yet re-
fused European Mission on the ground
that he could not afford to take it.
There is great deal of humbug ahoat
as TO the necessary expensiveness of these
posts. Mr.. Lawrence, to be sure, says he
spends over $4,000 year in London,
which is doubtless true but he is a very
rich man, who likes to live well and enter
tain literally, and has perfect right to
indulge his inclination. If he were allow
ed $50, 900 a year, he would probably feel
bound to spend it all and more too Mr..
Lawrence is not the man to make office
profitable, having other ways of acquiring
property. Mr.. Rives, it is reported, estl-
mates the expense of living in Paris as
American Minister, at $4,000 per annum.
We think no American who has visited
that city since Mr.. r. went there as Min
lister, ever supected that his expenses
amount to one fourth of $4,000. And
these are by far the most expensive head
quarters OF American Diplomacy.
We do not object to liberal expenditure
on the part of Ministers perfectly able to
afford it, like MIR. Lawrence; but we
greatly desire to see the day when the rep
resentstives of this Country at Foreign
Courts shall practice and be proud of a Sc
we're simplicity in their equipage and nOde
of living. We wish, for example, our next
Minister at London might be man who,
instead of paying $4,000 year for man.
sion in Piccadilly, as it is very proper for
| Mr.. Lawrence to do, would take small,
neat dwelling for $1,000 to $1,000 in some
more retired locality, and there live within
the 50 600 a ear now allowed our Embassa-
dcrs, keeping house open once aweekt 10 all
well behaved Americans, but not attempt
ing to feast them; and spending more time
with the various philanthropic and scienti-
fc associations of the British Metropolis,
and less in the Improbable, expensive So
cieiy of the titled and fashionable. than has
been the wont of American ambassadors.
We want reports from our Ministers abroad
on whatever in the way Of Invention, I'm
pro,ement, or Philanthropy, may be going
forward in the countries to which they are
respectively accredited, as NJ. Bodsco
carefully watches and sends home what
ever of valuable invention or discovery is
made in this Country. That Russian Cav
eminent thoroughly understands itself, and
is faithful to its own genius, which is more
than can be said of our own. A careful
inquiry into and report upon the SANITARY
regulations of London, its Police, its Model
Lod ging- Houses, Wash and Bath Houses
and other recent attempts to improve the
condition of the Poor, would be worth
more to this Country than all its European
Diplomacy of the last year. If our peo-
pie only knew how much of good is going
on in countries which they ignorantly deem
staghant OF decaying, it would take a good
deal of pernicious conceit out of them.
We have no doubt that our Minister in
Russia, if he had been selected with refer
ence to this duty and instructed to perform
it, could send US quarterly reports from
St. Pettrsburgh by which We might largely
profit. There need be no apprehension of
giving oiense by making these reports
public; since what we most want to know
of any country is what it presents for our
adoption or imitation whereby we might
be sensibly pro6ted; and no nation could
take ofense at that, or object TO its publ
cation. In short, we would like to see
our Country represented in Europe by in