Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-06-23
A Credit Mark to the Admins
tration.

We trust We thall ever BIZ found frank enough
to award credit to our political opponents where
we believe credit is due. AZ much as we con-
denim, and deplore, the course OF Gen. Pierce
upon the Slavery question, which is in reality the
great, controlling. and all absorbing question
now before the country, we have but little
fault to find with him thus tar. in matters wholly
disconnected with this question Indeed, we
have noticed several instances of this kind,
which we thought worthy of our positive cotn
mendatlon, but none so much so as the several
Circulars of Rules and Inst ructions, which.
through his adviser aud willing helper in the
matter, Secretary Marcy, be has caused to
issued to our ministers and other representatives.
abroad. and which, we hope will prove a speedy
corrective # those apings Of royal customs, and
defences OF despite policy, that have recently
flo wed from the examples and pens OF tile Law
rsnces, Washes &C., who have of late found
their way into nur foreign Representations, and
restore those charming precedents OF republican
simplicity established by franklin and Jeier
son, to give character to our country and its ~
situations in the eyss of the monarchlcal nations
of Europe, whom 1t behuoves to 60 TO school to
us-not us to them.
The following is an abstract Of the anstruc
lions to which we have been ~referring.- r.
INSTRUCTIONS TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES.
ABROAD.-Eeveral circulars have been issued
by the State Department to our represent ives
at foreign courts, conta mug Important inS'rhc'
lions relative to the discharge OF their duties,
and designed TO correct some evils which have
crepl into our foreign establishments. The first
is addressed to Ministers, and Directs them in
performing the ceremonies observed on the &C.
casIon OF their reception to conform as far MS IS
consistent with a Just sense OF Their devotion 10
republican institutions, the customs OF The cum
try wherein they are to preside. and with the
rules prescribed Tor representatives of their
rank, but the department would encourage as
far AS pracilCable their appearing at court IN the
simple dress IF AN American citizen. Where
tins cannot be done without delrlment to the
public interest, the nearest practicable approach
to 1t Is earnestly recommended. The depart
meiit Is dtsllous OF removing all obstacles to a
return TO the sI'nple unostentatlous cuurse which
was 80 much approved III The earliest days OF
the republic
Secretary Marcy has taken in hand the reform
alton OF divers abuses which have 81 long exist
ed in oul diplomatic aud consular service. Amer
lca' 5 travelling abroad have often been shocked
10 witness HE employment OF foreigners in many
of our European Legations, and in The United
States cunsuia ar Offices allnost everywhere. Gov.
ernor Marcy has corrected thus abuse by direct
my hereafter none bat Americans are 10 be en-
trusted with diplomatic and consular secrets and
archives.
Hereafter, it is said, our foreign ministers are
" transact their own business and not transfer To
their secretaries the onus and responsibilities OF
official signatures. For the future all our for
elgn legations are ordered to be opened ever,
DAY, except Sundays, from 9 A. M to 3 P. M.
for the accommodations Ut American citizens,
Hereafter American passports are to be vised
gratis by the minister, IN all places where one
resides. This will be found an important re.
form, in Rome and Naples particularly, and IN
some other cities. The new Secretary has
abolished consular and diplomatic uniforms. Ia
all cases where they Can be dispensed with. We
wish we could add that ministers and consuls
were required 10 remain at their posts, except or
leave OF absence. The Secretary OF State has,
huwever. for the present, done enough TO show
his jetermlna'nn 70 correct all abuses as they
come to his ~kuo@ifdge.