Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-09-06
Our Foreign Correspondence.

american stocks going up-Smyrna at a
prenn"m-Pres'dem Pierce abroad
Hunkcrs an Europe-A case in point
Grim. con. and French nnneratiOn-The
Franklin Court sat brought out, &c
PAR1' August %, 1913.
Editors Erening Star: The little affair
at Smyrna has done more to elevate the
American character abroad than the whole
Mexican war. 1t is singular that the
spirited maintenance of an undoubted
right of an American officer should aston.
ish Europe as it does. Such is the fact:
and we can only understand it by looking
at the singular hesitation of our past
diplomacy. Ofcourse, to resent an insult
was to call attention to the indignity, and
cost deal of money to set us right in
the eyes of the world. Talleyrand's ad-
vice, that a minister's face should have so
little expression or be under such control
as to exhibit no emotion and tell no tales
While the possessor was being, kicked
seemed to have been the sum and sub
stance of our past diplomatic schooling.
The result was that we had insults in
abundance. Shameful submission is a
premium on oppression.
A change has come over the spirit of
our representation abroad, and to under
stand Captain Ingraham's brilliant act,
we must look at home. have no wish
to take credit from the bold sailor, but
his guns were loaded and pointed by the
inaugural. The freshing influence felt at
home was sent abroad, and we who wan
der on foreign shores knew at last that
we had nation and were under the pro-
lection of powerful Government. ssGod
bless our EXecutive," is heard here with
an emotion scarcely to be realized at
home.
Another great cause for the contempt
into which we have fallen heretofore, may
be traced to the character of the great
body of Americans travelling or residing
In Europe. | write it with shame, but
nevertheless it is true. This class is held
in its proper light. Made up in great part
of people suddenly possessed Of wealth,
whose lives have been devoted exclusively
to the pursuit of money-in a sacrifice
of all generous impulse and noble senti-
ment, they come here to be dazzled by the
accumulated capital of all ages, and
have not dignity of soul sufficient to see
we have that athome, compared to which
these equipages, palaces and monuments
sink into utter insigniticance. They un-
Americanize themselves-they ape these
noble lords-tEey humbly apologize for
our rude land-hope that closer &C
quaintance with Europe will improve our
manners and correct our crude nation.
The height of their ambition is to be
mistaken for members of the English
nobility, and are delighted to the best
extent when some funky astounded at
their oaths Swearing proves you accus-
toned to better things at home calls them
"Messeuirs God-dams."
l cannot convey to you Just concep-
ton of the shameless conduct of some of
these people. These people, who have an
undisguised contempt for the democracy,
and would devote their last cent to it's
overthrow, presume to say, l am told,
who should or should not represent it
abroad. Whenever the Government finds
these people recommending an official, let
him thrust him away. 1t is the most
conclusive evidence that he disgraces his
position.
Gen. Sanford, who acts as our national
representative here until the President
shall have filled the place, appeared at
Court since my last, donned as an Amer
lean citizen in accordance with, Governor
Marcy's admirable order. Itwas greeted
by ministers and officials generally, as
being in excellent taste. Even Louis
Napoleon, who is quite at home you know
in the subject of show, expressed his
admiration of the dignifed simplicity of
the appearance-showing conclusively
how N 1ch we have mistaken ourselves in
initiating the toggery of these Courts. 1t
seems to be small business to be devo-
ting State papers to the subject of coats
and breeches, yet it is important seen
from this point; but above all we take it
as a striking indication of coming events.
When our Ministers, Charges and Con-
suls, fresh from the great democracy, shall
have taken their positions these Govern
ments will find something before them
besides clothes poles, and our people
will reap an advantage scarcely to be
realized now.
The tete in honor of Napoleon the Great
came off in brilliant STYLE. 1t is difficult
for us who have scarcely as yet won the
comforts Of life from rugged nature, to
appreciate the magnifcence of their dis
plays, or not wonder at the profuse ex-