Washington sentinel., 1853-10-19

was shot down at the head of his gallant regi-
ment. He has an abiding reputation rs wise
legislator and an efficient chief magistrate.
Nor should we forget the brave and intelli-
gent minister to Central America, Mr.. Borlaud,
the late faithful and efficient senatorfrom Arkan
sas, one of the most daring, pcrsevering, aud
progressive spirits of the age, and man Of SIN
| gularly varied requirements and experiences.
| Nor yet should we exclude from this brilliant
catalogue the name of General James Gadsden,
the accomplished American representative in
the republic of Mexico, whose eminent practi-
cal ability long since secured for him high
place among the chivalric and polished sons of
the Palmetto State.
Such gentlemen as these are either among
those who are rated by the writer for Putnam
as ignorant, coarse minded, coarse hammered
speech-makers," or else they are included UNI
der the head which damns them as not being
of the proper sort"
Never before in our history has there been
a list of selections for the diplomatic service,
more distinguished and unexceptionable. Each
name is the guarantee OF high ability, ire
proachable character, and devoted republican
ism. We shall have no cause to blush for the
conduct of these representatives OF our coun-
try in the old world--no cause to hang our
heads in shame at more of those exhibitions OF
toadyism to foreign powers which have re-
peatedy disgraced us within the last few years.
The American character can never be dis
honored abroad while it is in the hands ofthose
who have so much respect for their own repu-
taton, and SO much at stake in the progress
and prosperity of their own country.
! But, not content with this assault upon some
Of the purest men in the nation, he goes ON to
expose his ignorance. He says:
''There are hundreds of young literary men in
Aft
Young artistes, skilled in languages. of accom-
plished address, of more than ordinary powers of
mind of local consideration and repute, but not
pre-emnentiy endowed with the gifts of fortune,
10 whom subordinate places such as chargeships,
secretaryships, consulates, would be bcnefac-
ton and the duties of which they would dis
charge with fidelity and honor, while realizing for
themselves and their native land the modest har-
vests Of slland culture. Why are these nearly
all forgotten! Why is Hawthorne, the bographer
of President Pierce the solitary example OF an
appointment ofthis kind? :?
Another wanton exhibition of untruth and Of
ignorance. If there is any one thing which has
distinguished the selections of General Pierce
to places Of the character desi signated, it has
been his marked preference for Just such men,
as have been alluded to. We have, in the first
place, Theodore S. Fay, the new charge to
Switzerland; Robert Dale Owen, the new
charge to Naples; John NJ. Daniel, the new
charge to Sardinia; Daniel Il. Sickles, sec.
retary to the London legation; Duncan X.
McRae, consul to Paris; James G. Marriott,
secretary to the Chilian mission; Frederick
Beelen, secretary to the Central American
mission F.; R. A. Irving, secretary to the Russian
mission; Hon. II. M. Bedinger, charge to CO.
penhagen; Donald G.. Mitchell, consul to
Venice; Hiram Powers commercial agent at
FLORENCE; and among the last appointments,
Carroll Spence minister to .Constantinople-
all, with one or two exceptions, in very mode
rate circumstances all of them gentlemen. and
the associates of gentlemen, all Of them accom-
pished scholars and all singularly well.ftted
for, and accustomed to, literary labors, and
scientific pursuits.
/ We cannot pass over the appointment of
Hon. Samuel Dinsmore, of New Hampshire as
consul to Marselles; and that of Hon. Reuben
\ Wood of Ohio, as consul to Valparaiso-both
having occupied the executive chairs of their
respective States, to which they were chosen by
overwhelming majorities.
Among the qualifications of our representa-
tives abroad, our reviewer desires that {" they
should stand ready at all times to help on, so
far as they can consistently, among any people
struggling for their emancipation and Just
rights, those principles which we hold to be
truths of God, and absolutely essential to the
welfare of the human race"
No appointment has been more criticised by
q portion of the press than that of Mr.. George
n. Sanders, as consul to London hut if there
be man on the face Of the earth, who, by edu-
cation and instinct, in heart and in soul is so
well fitted to realize this idea Of the Putnam
pundit it is Sanders. His circle of acquaint-
ance extends not only to his own countrvmen,
but to most OF the patriots of the old world, with
whom he spent a considerable period of time
subsequent to the last French revolution. OF
remarkable dexterity in politics, bold rs lion
in executing his plans, selfsacrifcing to fault,
and generous and hospitable to extremes, he
will be found to be a most energetic and useful
consul. Our countrymcn now visiting Europe
by thousands, will find in him a friend whom
only they can appreciate, who, alone in a great
city, are strangers in strange land Born
in Kentucky, married in New \ FORK to lady of
rare accomplishments, blessed with children be-
yond measure promising and beautiful man
of taste, education, and noble impulses-he will
astound his calumniators by his department
and his achievements at the London consulate.
No American who shall meet him, no patriot
struggling for his rights will ever fail TO find
in Sanders an intelligent and sincere friend, a
courageous and sagacious ally; and yet this
appointment has been assaled by Just such
lamenting Jeremiahs as our reviewer, in terms
Of unexampled bitterness.
Among the especial qualifications which our
diplomatic and consular representatives should
possess, we are told that they should know at
least the languages Of the courts to which they
are addressed" A rule like this would soon
reduce the number of applicants to the select
circle from which our reviewer would have APP
pointments made. Such rule would have ex-
cluded George Washington, Benjamin Frank
lin, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and Daniel
Webster fror, diplomatic appointment to
France, or Russia, or Germany, or Austria
Few, very few, of our public men would be able
to come up to this standard, and the great self
wrought minds that tower in the Senate, in the
cabinet, and in the courts of law--the men who
study the history of the worlds politics with
grasp of intellect equal to any emergency
would be forced to forego the honorable post of
representative abroad because they could not
talk French or German! Not that the absence
Of such an accomplishment should bar any man
from preierment--on the contrary it is always
| to be desired; but in this country we do not