The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-06-05
Prom the ohls statesmsn.
Foreign ConsuIs.

OF the consular ofces II has been The habit TO re-
gard these Offices. with few prominent exceptions, as
honorable exlles But the growing extent OF our COM
mscia marine, and the intesciDg interests OF our iof
egn traffic. have given 10 these agents OF government
intIt ased Importance The President has chosen for
these Offices OF the beet politicians and nnfsl intel
ecs OF the country. Ex Governors Leake. OF irgihs'
and Hubbard OF Maine. and Hawthorne and Ike Mar
VEL" have been rendered consular positions
What is their dutyi The name consul, and its his
lorc Incidents afford but little clue 10 this inquiry. The
Chief Magistrates OF Rome in the first ages OF the epub.
lie, when The public mag siates were chosen from the
parcian families, and subsequently, when
ecied from The pebeian, were called consuls. They
wee the head of the republic, their French al
teypes were, in The beginning of the present century
Our present consus unlike them in the extent Of
their jurisdiction and in the penude OF their powers
but unlike them in every other regard Under laws
important functions devoved upon the foreign
late is the representative Of the power aud dignity OF
the nation It's simple hag-the emblem of it's national
strength and honor-signhes Than did the curue
chair, the ivory staff. and the twelve cors with the
fasceslnsigna OF The ancient cousulsbp; for il is the
representative OF international law which was but
family recognised in ancient times.
In those countries remote from OUR own, where our
laws would hardly reach the offending American citizen,
becomes necessary 10 invest the consul with extraodi
nary powers. Accordingly treaties sometimes s,pu.
late for the exercise of such powers by consuls
foreign soil By a treaty Of 1891 with Turkey for in
stance, il is provided as follows.
Citizens Of the United States OF America, Quietly pnt-
suing their commerce. end being charged Convict
ed Of any crime or offence, shall not be molesed; and
even when they may have committed some offence they
shall moi be arrested and put in prison by the local author
lies, but they shall be tried by their minister consul
and punished according TO their offence following. in
this respect the usage observed towards other Franks"
In August of the year sis act passed to carry
into effect the treaty which conferred the most absolute
fha Init al
By the provisions OF this law, the consul is vested with
all the judicial power necessary to execute the poy;s
ions OF sail treaty." Section provides
That each of the cossals aforesaid. at the port for
which he is appointed. shall be competent. under the
thoTy herein contained upon facts within his own
knowledge, which he has good reason TO believe rue
upon complaint made or information filed in writing,
and authenticated in such way shall be prescribed by
the commissioners TO issue his warrant for of any
citizen of the United States charged with committing sny
offence against laws and when arrested TO arragn and try
10 punishment in the manner herein prescribed always
melting out punishment in a proportional to the
offence which punishment shall in all cases, except as
herein otherwise provided be either fine imprison
ment."
This law was extended TO our consuIs in Turkey and
in other countries.
The powers thus given are so high and important as to
call for men OF sound and discriminating judgment and
patriotism The fate Of our counrymen abroad, was
The with Brace in Hungary. and The dictated Cuban
STRANGE of patriotic consul while their lives and for
tunes may hang upon his decision.
As range of commerce widens, as the Pacific fills
with merchantmen, and as our citizens continue TO
run 10 and fro upon the EARTH, geaet Importance will
attach 10 this ubiquitous parsonage who meets The citizen
every port TO guard his interests assist him in the Ia
ctes of intercourse and trade, and hold him the
shield of nationality.
From the Chambsrsburg (Pa.) Spirit.
DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR APPolN rMENTS.
The diplomatic and consular appointments announced
by the official organ OF the administration will be found in
another place. We have yet expression, from
any quarter, the subject, except that of almost uni
versa appreciation The wing press, with It's cap,ious
hosts Of metropolitan correspondents, has not adduced
plausible objection. although they have been indusi-
Gus enough in The hunt for personal grounds of dssas
faction Even the New York Tribune after elaborate
dissection OF The private and political characters Of all
the apponees is constrained TO pronounce them "better
than the average Of the last twenty years" This is
empty compliment, proceeding from paper which
no, withhold sneers and filings in its treatment Of The
highest and meat sacred matters OF public interest.
The general satisfaction with these appointments pro
ceeds much from the strict imparaiy which has been
observed in their selection, from the acknowledged
merits and competency OF all embraced in the list Eve
ny section OF the country is represented and every wing
Of the party finds It's claim duly recognised and supported
without any sacrifice OF the infexbc rules which have
been adopted by the administration for the dispensing Of
their official iavors There be no complaint which
will be increase the popularity OF the President
by its inherent evidence Of the rejection OF unworthy and
incompetent, applicants Ia this matter he occupies an
mpregnable position, and will be wa'rny tpplauded lot
the ,horoughne.. OF his efforts redeem our foreign
representation from the just charge OF inbeciliy and
corruption The appointments are in strict accordance
with the high toned resolutions o his inaugural 10 al
ford TO the American abroad the privileges and
.,pb,r bp Tba~ 81
the policy OF the late administration is apparent that
there is every 10 congratulate the cousv rpon
the Inauguration OF new aud thoroughly national posi-
ton la our external relations.
The distribution OF these appointments made with such
admirable adaptation TO every portion OF the party,
well the whole party, cannot fail TO be highly propi-
ous to its future security, tranquility and pedom.
nance We cannot doubt that th. obicc, has been held
steadily in view while IL has not been permitted 10 in
'ererc, in the most remote way, with the advancement
OF The great national interests involved in this difficult
and perplexing branch Of administrative duty. We have
already expressed convictions OF the absolute neces
siiy OF this course in the distribution of Offices and
must add our qualification at the means employed at
Washington TO the party and place il beyond the
chances OF future peril, far udicious honest and
impartial recognition of all its divisions the part OF The
administration cad secure that desirable end
FoRnes COMMERCE or BALTIMORE There were
cleared during the month OF May al the Baltimore Gus
tom house for "foregn ports" ships IA barques 20
briggs, and scboones-toal 40 vessels with an aggre
gate tonnage OF 1885 tons, and naygated with sos men
O these vessels. 81 were American 6,Brtish Prus-