The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-07
Oar Heuresentatfves Abroad,

L
were to have received their final instructions
from the State department preparatory to their
immediate departure. Ere they leave us, it
win not be amiss to let them and the govern
ment know what is thought Of them and their
colleagues by the American people.
We viii not follow the example of John Van
Buren, and Captain Rynders who have publicly
stigmatised one of the foreign appointees of the
administration, as man soiled with the basest
vices, and habitually haunting the lowest dens
of infamy Such charges may possibly carry
weight with certain classes. and can hardly fail
to bring discredit on the government; but we
shall leave the monopoly Of such weapons to
the Ven Buren, party. The miserable inefl-
cheney OF the foreign ministers appointed by
the present administration can be shown plain
ly enough, without stirring the puddle Of pri-
vate life.
If we except the mission to England, the
three mentioned above are far the most impor-
tant offices in our foreign staff. In any Que Of
the three, energy and talent on the part of our
representative must confer material benefit on
this country; while ignorance or ineffciency
can hardly fail to infict serious injury On our
best interests. The Paris mission, which has
always been regarded as one OF great difficulty,
was never more likely to test the ability Of
diplomatist than at the present moment. Tt is
by nc means certain that some combination
among the continental sovereigns, or sort ofholy
alliance, will not grow out Of the present Turkish
movement. Such step might not be jndicious
on the part Of France. Austria or Pussia; but
the pressure Of circumstance, the growing in
subordination Of the masses, and the general
poverty Of their exchequers, may drive them
into it, as dernier resort. In the event Of any
similar occurrence, we have already seen what
course England might be expected to parsue.
Our own could be still less matter of contro-
versy. The masses, who at this very moment
are parading the streets Of Leghorn, with flags
inscribed Viva rAmerice,v and chalfing on
walls: viva Ingraham! Viva il General
Piercer' would then turn confidently to our
foreign ENJOYS, and solicit substantial evidence
Of our sympathy with their cause. A more diff
cult position for an ambassador can hardly be
conceived. II, yielding to impulse, and
unable to determine from experience the
character Of the movement and its chances
Of success, he should give comfort to
the revolutionary cause, its defeat might in
volve us in foreign wars and would, at all
events, produce an arrangement in our rela-
tiOns with European Powers that would be Sc
riously felt by our trade. If, on the other
hand, he should stand aloof from the struggles
Of popular liberty, shut his ear to the cry OF the
insurgent and testify by his attitude that our
sympathies are on the side Of the established
despotisms, he would act falsely to us, and
might, if victory awaited the insurrectionist
cause, imprint an indelible stain on the Ameri-
can name. In such a dilemma, what could be
expected from Mr.. Mason? Has his experience
fitted him for deciding on the proper moment
to sneak out for liberty? Has he enjoyed
| any opportunities Of becoming acquainted
with the character Of popular movements in
| Europe, 80 as to discriminate between
an incipient revolution and a fitful emeute
| Could he even read French or German news
paper? We mean no disparagement to Mr..
| Mason's abilities. If be had been appointed to
| regulate the democracy ofVirginia, or entrusted
with the duty of experimenting the agricul-
| tural societies Of that beautiful State, we are
and the country good. But to send him to Pa
ris, where he will know no one, understand
| nothing, and will hardly learn the names Of
| men and things in his four years, is as cruel to
him, poor man, as il is treacher0us to US to
confde our interests to an envoy who can hard
ly fail to act timidly or rashly, when either IT,
nudity or rashness are sure to entail infinite
disaster.
| OF Mr. Spence, our minister to Turkey, the
country knows little. He is, we believe, Bal
timore lawyer, and as complete stranger to
foreign politics as Mr.. Mason is to French. He
| is probably aware that there is some trouble in
| Turkey just now; and that the Russians have
been making q terrible noise in that part Of the
| world during the last twelve months. BE may
know more than this; If he does, he is an excep-
ton to the average standard Of men in his posi-
lion and with his experience. But we have no
reason to believe he does This is the ambassa-
dor, who, if the sovereigns Of western Europe
| resolve to act in concert TO prevent the absorp
| tion Of Turkey by Russia, and to establish a
new Christian power ct Constantinople, will be
called upon to speak the sentiments and pro
| tect the interests of the United States. Does a
successful career at the Baltimore bar (Mr.
Spence has, we believe, no other antecedents,)
offer any guarantee that we shall be efficiently
represented at that important crisis. and that
this tyro in politics will be able to cope with
the first diplomatists Of Europe?
We are almost inclined to regard the Chinese
mission as the most important Of all. So much
Of the future advancement OF our Pacific posses
sions will depend on the arrangements which
are made with the new Chinese Government,
and so many opportunities will be offered during
the present struggle for obtaining vast con-
cessions to our trade. that our Minister to
China may very possibly have the most arduous
task Of our whole diplomatic corps. Mr. Nc
Lane, who has been appointed to the post,
differs from his colleagues. in having aanuired