The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-18


net-there is not power Of any note which is
not practically exerting itselfto draw closer
the bonds of trade. by interchanging its produc-
tions with others and by strengthening the ties
of friendship which spring into being as the le-
Ultimate fruits of extended commerce. The
, power of Great Britain lies in the office OF her
commercial marine; and her maritime suprema
cy is an object at once of admiration and imita-
ton by every nation not excepting our own IN
deed. commerce has become the heart OF the gov
ernmenta' systems of men everywhere. Polit-
cal ascendancy is gained and maintained through
| its instrumentalities. AS its letters have been
| removed, one by one it has assumed the place
Of the exploded theories of the balance of power,
and become the controller of political move
ments. The spirit of progress, manifest
destiny extension of territory, annexation
and remuneration, have their origin in the
commercial rivalries and successes Of nations.
Commerce is the guiding principle of the age
the locomotive power that sets in motion those
great enterprises in the political world which
so bewilder and astound the psralytic organs
Of fogy dem here and elsewhere
We count nothing upon the military power
of our people as an actual means Of advance
mcnt On that field, the veriest serfs Of Russia,
subject 10 the will of the Gear and paid for two
months hard service what will scarcely buy a
dinner at the Astor House, are, perhaps, as
destructive and powerful as ourselves. Def
cheney of intelligence is made up in numbers
the terrible energy of patriotism which has
characterized our soldiery on the field of battle,
is answered by the absolute authority of the
Empire. What we have gained, in political
power even, hos been through the energies of
our internal and external commerce. These
system, and sustain our industrial energies,
even in the midstof wars and through oil the
vicissitudcs Of our changing occupations and
populations We rely in nothing upon hct-bed
expeditions, commanded by restless band of
adventures, who geek to overthrow monarchy
at this Point or that. They constitute the ma
~laria Of our political atmosphere, and rise up
after rains and storms. in obedience to the de-
Ealds or the ardent sun of our system. But
we do rely upon the power Of freedom, displayed
in the gigantic commercial enterprises Of our
country men-upon that COVER which has peo-
pied q continent, and made its every &c
cessible part instinct with life, and the busy
bome of trade and industry.-upon that power
which is seen on the Pacific and on the Allan.
Gin the Gulf and on the Isthmus; which has
subdned and peopled the great valley Of the
Mississippi, and covered it's waters with NOV
ing panorama of industry which has converted
the plain of the lakes into garden Of produc
tion and studded it with rich and populous
cities, which has spread over US, like net, q
system OF railroads, drawing US into common
interests and sympatLies, and unfolding therein
a common destiny; which has diffused educa-
ton, and has taught by Precept aad example
that knowledge is the basis Of happiness and the
only guarantee Of stability il government-this
is the power upon which we would rely to con-
quer other political systems. This is the work
of that spirit which has usurped the office of the
politician in England and transformed the GO
vernment of that country into commercial
agency, and which il acting upon the yielding
continental systems in the same manner. Free
trade is the bond of union Of the new order.
Now. what is the actual condition Of our di-
plomatic and consular systems? Have they
been modi5ied and re- organized so as to meet and
answer the demands of the people in the altered
condition ard Office of commerce to which
we have referred: The diplomatist is
commercial agent-nothing morc-sometimes
much less He is student of French or Span
ish. or German. SO as to learn how to ask for
his dinner and his breakfast. He thinks much
upon the social or political systems of the coun-
try to which he is accredited and studies hard
to ascertain how to act at court and how to
avoid mistakes at dinner party, and to give
opinions upon wine in proper way. If his
countrymen are in trouble, he takes it for
granted that they must be all in the wrong. be-
cause be has never been thus annoyed or de
tends item on untenable grounds The only
thing he arranges personally and clearly is
how to draw his pay about which few mis- |
takes have been recorded. We speak of course,
Of the many Of cur diplomatic agents, rot of
the few.
The consular or strictly commercial agents,
however qualified, with some exceptions are so |
many hungry mendicants sent abroad to beg Of |
the commercial interest, or perhaps worse. The
system, as it is called. is misnomer it has
neither beginning or end. II any thing, it is
system OF utter disorder. 1t has neither respect
or consideration in the State Department. 1t
is there regarded as an unwieldy excrescence
convenient only as means Of rewarding
dozen consular incumbents We fatter our
selves with the perfection Of our government.
and call upon Great Britain, even. to clear the
way for our advancing commercial asccndancy;
as yet we retain upon the statute book monu-
PREY, commercial Ignorance and governmental
stul idity which would be unworthy of the
councils OF Pekin or Madrid. The consul is an
thorized to collect fees Of captains, consgnees
and vessels. These fees are often exorbitant
seldom necessary, and nearly always the sub