Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-10-07
RICHMOND ENQUIRER
..,,nNEsD.Y MORNING. OCTOBER .. q"
AMERICAN DIPLOMACY.
p,IpIISuEp DAii.v AND SEM'-"Ehh'h'
BY R1TCHiES u PRYOR.

statesmen and writer's. In recent issue y !, xno
ga zine leading British journal, We h''e " ,o,oa.v
sition Of the char aceiistic detects VI A., william
a., a., .,,,,, NJ ann. ,rpue in hIs county W.
Henry lrrs,ol Of South Carolina mas l''' VIZ :, ,a
l., IN ,h- same spirit and with me same view a.;
r.,aI rons piracy 10 decry hnh utterly "'o'
,, ~, ,;Iomacy ul the United States rs equa'' "
=, n, character OF the country, and inadequate 10 VIC
,,,oclion OF its interests.
IN This general deuunciation, there Is some "u'' '
atrc ration and little positive error :.
rrs din,,,,c representatives OF the United STATES IN
100 many instances. have been utterly incompetent " "
worthy OF the confidence OF the country and ny e STU
pldi,y aud prohigae character 'hey nave frequency
o,eo dishono and de,rment The public interests us
American sa lesman put the fact more broad
~ !, m, assertion that always lost by our diplomacy
vha, 20. wan BY our arms" This, however, Is very eH
oo.r,t.d statement and suspect that on the ~ho'e we
limited States have riumphed often IN nesoua'o" as "
battle Still admit that our diplomatic system"
no, what /, should be- and We must give que cfeui' " e
Administration of President Pierce for Jealous effort TO
core, s abuses and impa il ol dignity ana EN-
cheney.
The vice Of diplomatic system consists IN 'e p"''
ole OF appointment. Not intellectual Accomplishments -
far The place but parzan service and the pressure OF
personal solicitation have heretofore dttci'heu NC
ron OF our diplomatic agents The interests Z" party nave
rather than the interests the country, and me
Eyecp,iye has manifested anxiety 10 PROVIDE lof nee
DIV .uendunl or 10 concae local Influence than 10 ee
yate the name and extend the influence OF the nation ro
eien missions to be regarded not as so'e" usa
for the faithful discharte OF which the utmost oe'o'o "
the intellect in s malurest strength ana highes'
ia necessary bat eg downy pillows which the Invalid
pensioners OF politics may stretch Their paseo h'oS o
reposc their empty heads-as Ia stalls 10 ""'c' INC Wv
yined ssgers party may nget out HE remnant o' '
rfnh an n
exha ueted and worthless lives WIN com'o'aoe a"u u
filno sunoy of proyender For the pars both the
Executive aud te Diplomat have been true to hs concep
lion OF The uuctioa To do the business of diplomacy
that Is 10 draw its pay sad its dnnershc Executive
has sought ls agents among the noisy aud ignorant dea
who rise the surface and catch NE pubic eye on
y on The recurrence Of Presidential can'ass-amohg he
clamorous birds prey who flock TO washington IN suc
countless crowds on The 18th March, and from among old
poca prostitutes whom The people have rejected as un
worthy OF trust unfit Tor service These are inc men
who have brought American diplomacy to ts present aeRa
dation Seeking the position by arts OF importantly ah"
aduaton which argue absence of all deicacy and dgn
" of feeling and with hnd in sort Of honorable
exile am escape from the contempt which they are held at
home and 10 repair expense OF the public The broken
rema;n7 of an l.spent talent fac
~ in ttotly seclanaon and with information when
they might Sehe from the columns oil village news.
paper with atanmeIs above the boast OF cross oaos
peopser ignorant OF history. Ignorant OF geography e
noranr grammar. Ignorant OF the uscses o civilized NE
we cannot wonder lament thai such repre-
septsiyes OF The American Government should bring con.
tempt and derisiou on The American character
We speak III oil but the highest missions Fortunately,
we have had al the principal OF Europe men OF al
least lair capacity if always Of decent demeanor
Missions OF less dignity and emoumeu and consushlpe
have been c legitimate reward Of incompetent party hacks
and the theatre OF their stupid disgracetu exhibitions
How often has The pride nl American gentlemen 10 ioeien
countries slung the quick by some casual sneer al
the American his notorious incompetency
his bnoonery hs drunken rbady and h To-" association
Ii is ma nilesy the determination u President Pierce 10
reform this SD ubuse in diplomatic system Ills ap
pont mens la made with gid reference 10 compe
ency and qualification Against strong proscptiSe pres
sure he promoted Wing representatives 10 frat class
missions oil their ability and service IN diplomat
lie life His original appointments have ul evinced the III
most regard welfare of the country. l" England,
he The eminent aud sagacious Buchanan TO France me
able dexeros and popular Aason 10 Spain The eed ara
accomplished ;Soule; and throughout the diplomatic and
consular he sight Of he honor and inter
ests country his appointments although 10 some
instances his Judgment may have been misled by The repre-
sensations Of false nconsitsrate friends
There is disposition IN men. when driven from Que e3
IRENE fy opposite, and sautary disgust at the no
orious incompeteucy oil American diplomacy has already
given rise 10 some very notions The neces
sary qualifications oil foreign Minister. Some writers.
among whom Mr. Prescott contend that The diploma tic ser
vice should distinct profession, CURING like the army
and NAVY certain conditions Of admission and subject 10
rep ular system Of promotion and graduation Now, take
this extreme Of excessive refinement and preparation scarce
" less Objectionable Than that which is designed TO cub
s,i,u,e A man whose standard OF intellectual competency
10 every department Of human affairs was OF the highest
had o
ed these sentiments THE way 10 make foolish anbas
sador is 10 bring him up il. What Engish Min
lister abroad really but honest and bold hear love
for country and the ten commandments! our arr up
lomac IL stut-no truly great man no" "ouo nee"a'e
upon any shallow principles This was The opinion
OF Culedge and like many other passing remarks OF ms
embodies volumes Of practical wisdom. liberal and mo
rough education the breeding and manner Of gentleman,
experience ia HE conduct Of public affair." true American
heart vigilance dscernment common sense and courage
s,i.ute sufficient qualifications for American Minister
at the first CurrI Europe Diplomacy. when The iuroe
low u Mainleuun Pumpadour the ensign oi
power might be but thing OF Tine French, oou'
joir intrigue and elegant ealunliy. Now, however
il il matter OF concern, aud demands
for the adequate solution o lis grave and difficult
Problems qualities OF head aud heart which excessive
training may impair but never bestow. II is The power
of the country now not SO skill of Tie Representative
need that should times past, be instructed in all The
secrets and with all the scandal OF lie
need not pay ussiduuus this lavorlc bow the
altar OF II he be OF quick perception
general intelligence of strong vii" aud dignity and decorum
in manner that is enough But he must have genuine
courage aud, ubnve all, he must have American heart
But standing in The isolation OF separate profession and
seldom brought contact with the masses how his
heart The fire Of that Intense nationality which burns
the popular mind = II natural that dplon,ais should
magnify the ystrry their craft; but after all clear in
sight Into their Is very difficult Thing
Within few years past, The United States OF America
have position among the chief nations of the EARTH
Their The globe with golden BY
extension OF their territory they brought inu
with all the grea powers and they aspire decisive
influence In The political affairs IN. old wurJ Great
sagacly great rmness ana the devotion the
interest Of their country The pt ol foreign minis
tes necessary make good her position establish
her claim
SIR POLk'S CABINET