The Woodville Republican, and Wilkinson advertiser., 1853-07-12
Instructions TO Representatives
Abroad.

yves. SECRETARIES Qt leRauQn ana conSulsF---
Their character is Of sufficient importance to
require something more than brief notice,
and we propose to furnish our readers with o
synopsis Of their contents, together with such
reflections as NAV seem 70 Us appropriate.
II is time that something was done 70 check
the growing conformity Of our public servants
abroad, TO the customs, habits and sentiments
prevailing at the courts where they reside-
The republican simplicity which ought to
characterize The representatives Of our govern
ment has long been upon the wane, The ex
ample Of Franklin, which ough, never 10 have
been lost sight Of, Is apparently forgotten, and
we now see our ministers aping the manners
Of aristocracy, and putting on such fantastic
liveries, on public occasions, as would excite
the contempt Of men, the laughter Of children
and the howling Of dogs in our streets at
home. Franklin appeared in the presence Of
Louis XVI, with unpowdered hair and simple
dress, the beftting gaib Of an American cili.
zen and yet he WAS as much respected and
honored, perhaps more so, than any Of his
hrerfcd and obsequiously ceremonious sue.
cessoB.
Mr.. Marcy recommends return, as far as
practicable, TO the simple and unostentatious
course pursued in the early days Of the repub-
lie. lie advises our representatives 70 con
form, ms far as Is consistent with q just sense
Of their devotion 10 republican institutions 10
the custons Of the country where they reside,
but at the same time encourages them 10
make then appearance at court in the simple
dress Of an American citizen. In cases where
this cannot be done, The hs arest possible APP
proach to it Is recommended. {" II is oar
purpose he re atks, sto cultivate the most
amicable relations with all countries and this,
we believe, can be eiTectually done without re-
quirihg our diplomatic agents abroad 10 de-
part frotr what Is suited TO the general senti-
ihehts Of Our citizens nj home'
Each minister or charge d'c0hirs is instruct
ed to establish his legation in a central posi-.
ton OF the metropolis where he is sent, and
keep il open every day, except Sundays and
tets days, from nine o'clock in the forenoon
till three in the afternoon. Tho secretary at
tached TO it must perform his duties ID per
son, and in no case deyolve them upon a per
son who owes no allegiance TO the United
States. These are desirable changes, and win
greatly promote the convenience Of our coun-
trymen who travel into other countries, IA
well as the security Of The government Tray.
ellers have heretofore been subjected 10 much
inconvenience and vexation from The custom
which fixed the diplomatic working day at
three hours, Mr.. Marcy has, with great pro-
priety, extended ii 10 six. and we are are not
sure that il might not be prolonged TO still
greater extent Men in office shoud work as
well as their fellow-citizens who enjoy no off.
cial honors. Besides, in the case ofrepresen-
tatives abroad, the convenience Of their coun-
trymen requires an easy and almost constant
access to their legations.
We imagine no one will call in question
the regulation which guards tho correspou-
dence Of the government from the curious and
prying eyes Of foreign powers A custom haa
Of late grown up Of employing clerks owing
a foreign aliegiahce to copy dispatches and
other papers, thus exposing the most ifnpor-
tant state secrets, which are perhaps catefully
guarded OF home, 70 exposure abroad. This
custom, says Mr. Marcy, must at once be dis
continued and il my case, its further tolera-
ton will be regarded as an indiscretion worthy
Of immediate deprivation Of Office.
Heretofore ministers have been In the habit
Of leaving 10 secretaries the authorization Of
the passports Of American citizens. They are
now required 70 do this by their own sigma.
lures with the seal Of the legation.
The instructions To secretaries and oonsuls
are Of the same general purport, so far as the
employment Of clerks and the observance Of
profound secrecy as 10 eli official eorrespon-
dence are concerned. Consuls are required
70 make setni.anual returns Of the amount of
fees received by them. as well as of all their
official transactions. The unnecessary exac-
tion Of fees for the yerifeation Of passports rs
prohibited under the penalty Of removal from
Office. This will be gratifying 70 such Of our
citizens as propose 70 visit the south Of Europe,
where i Is represented American travellers are
subjected 10 continual extortion BY the consu-
lar agents II their own government.
We hope the President will thoroughly ear
~ out the reform in our foreign intercourse,
which has been commenced. It is inpera-
tVeIy demanded by many considerations, not
merelyof convenience TO our citizens, but of
national dignity. We have afepablican gov
ernment which should have republican rep
reseDtatiyes- republican not merely in ideas
and principles but republican in habits, nc.
tons and daily customs The fswning aud
subservient disposition which would east aside
republican simplicity 70 ape the fashions ard
dress q foreign afistoefacy, ongit not To Ne
tolerated IN anyof our Representatives abroad
Let our minister be men who are as much
above The gaudy frpperies Of court ciFcIes, as
government of equal laws, based upon the
popular sanction, Is superior 10 the hoary des-
potisnis of Europe, which are onIy sustained
BY tranpling into the dust with M iron heel.
the libsFises and rights of the people.
oaf whole cansalars sYsieln is dsise,iyc. am
geitt feffte fEa affaf.ssf-r.