Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-06-17
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE l6, 1905
,UR REPRESENTATIVES ABROAD.

II
We publish elsewhere three circulars of instruction au
dressed by tho Department of Stale the dipomac i'p
the Secretaries OF legation and the cohsu''
the United States These circulars were not aese"oo "
publicaon-but having found their way mo "' ~ ~
! papers, they are worthy of public atten''o" ,
the Boston Post that these documents 0po1A 20 80
selves. Tho inaugural only con 'u'"' az :
devoted integrity in the public service "0"'. :.
our domestic affairs but that heh-'oh'u
would be required in our foreign feia''on' ",'o ~.
sre for the cultivation peace and amty was fahSy an
-, =, ;a.,t,n was as frankly declared OF infusne
,ha 80, ,is,s,cs of great people through all the vas
L =, ;o,sroatonal intercourse. 10 DO ms IL 10 re-
,,od that practices which have crept INTO our oregn es
diplomatic and consuar-shouu % 1eloteo
49, re a. little In accordance with the great purposes
for which these agencies they are IN harmo-
no with the spirit of institutions. While they have been
I'm to evince TO other nations
individuality and simplicity hcy have been long constant
Of and modification 10 American czens
abroad Such practices as these been taken in hand
the administration and have been adopted o
one bold stroke TO effect salutary reform
"These instructions revoke old ORDERS aud give dec ons
In full accordance with the political sentiment s progress
sve America.
uThe crcuar relating the conduct OF ministers directs
them 10 observe customs OF the country aud tho rules
laid down as 20 those OF their rank so far as they may be
tuons: bur 10 appear far may be practicable in the
simnle dress of an American citizen This will be return
from vain and osenatious display 10 the smp-
civ of earlier mesto the example set by FaASKLs du-
ring his residence Paris His appearance among the la
ced and embroidered coats and peued heads of the cour-
tiers Versailles In the plain gab of an American csizen
with brown cloth coat and unpowdeed hair detracted no.
thing from the commanding influence which his character
gave him. while it regarded fiji personihcaon ol
the repubcaasm his object promote All instinc.
lively felt that this spectacle entirely congenal TO the
spirit of such institution This true now as il was
then 1t is the power and character of the nation that
speaks through the representatives and would be some
thing than of taste have our ministers, as
possible approach in their haba aspect ana dePo
men 10 the home customs
The two succeeding circulars addressed 10 secretaries OF
legation and consular agents. contain instructions as to
hours which the Office should be kept open the abuses that
have prevailed the exacon of ees the absence OF IN
cumbents from their posts; the transmission o. important
inegence the makg of returns; the preservation OF The
records and specific directions to the conduct mpor
tant particulars There point dwet upon in the cir
cular with great orcethe proprety OF always employing
temporary copysts permanent clerks American cl'
zens twill excite SURPRISE except 10 American travellers
aud manes who have visited foreign ports and done bns
ness at our legations learn that in many cases. the only
guage but impeec,y and who allegiance TO another
mower and tnat they can see him only two hours day
Not only are such clerks permanently employed TO perform
consular duties but sometimes employed IN the ohces
of secretarY legation TO copy dispatches and DO ohe o
fetal duties Thus il may happen that impo!ah secrets OF
American diplomacy may become known 10 those whose
frs, duty subject. s fidelity 10 his sovereign lhere
is something more than improprieiy in this There s
important secrels. Eye.Y con.
hat
and the lepstol2 even az resp?cts our own
,,;ns shouid be guarded with the utmost care but WIN
how npch more care as 10 citizens ot !o''g" County
And vet the n,sl impoen. ecs aud secres eY 'hS p'ac
ce arc ae7osied in the keeping OF foreigner NHea ''S
,,a.,ered il will excite surprise 10 read The decisive
cone Of the circulars this point the %hoe 'hhg IS cut
nm hv The roots The minister who hereafter permits his
dispatches TO be examined by foreigner wiz De deemed 20
have committed an indscreon that will demand an inlme
da,e deprivation from Office; while the custom 50 common
consuls Of employing foreign clerks is no longer 10
bs The directions OF the President are dec-
ed and imperative All such cerEs arc ordered 10 DC aus
missed
~This il must be allowed ia important movement anu
the more aspects under which is Viewed The more mpot
lant will il appear Diplomatic intercourse IN all s phases
has been changed entirely among most natons oy me pro-
of events and little consequence now 70 'he gossip
ne 10 intrigue in 10 :i7ai personal s'rugges
This remark applies With double force TO young
o,ea, henri ouy swels when other nations aspire TO
congenia freedom Blu. the removal OF the ABSURD barriers
,hs, obsuced commerce and checked International inter
course have opened up duties large aud various to' us
representatives 1t has become their main duty 10 ptoo'
40 sr m In them lies the interests OF commerce ana 10
the citizens rights and act for their country az
coeoual among the nations To do this properly "ofthy'
REQUIRES capacity character fidelity, energy, and dsnne
tive Amercanism time that this nation Shoud nave IN
representatives. Its peculiar mark among foreign powers
that amidst the silver aud god and eweed insignia OF roy
ay there should m!ugl quietly the characterslc Oh an
American citizenship Let il be understood TO be American
public opinion that the representatives. oi tue na aoouo
sha spnea In no wise different before crowned heads than
oe ,h;r own chief magistrate before the people from
whom he receives his power Both are representatives oil
l nation of sovereigns.
"In this manner by requiring promptness ia'htuness
and simplicity throughout foreign establishment il WIN
be made 10 feel the Influence Of bold getc anu h
guiding hand Those representing our country 'o' 'e
highest minister The humbles commercial ssen' u "
made 10 feel that they duties to discharge "a wen as
privileges and lmmunios ENJOY Ia too many instances
The duty portion has been forgotten or neglected ana
of personal devotion 10 the labos OF the ONCE 'ey "u's
been left 10 under clerks while the incumbent has ehoye
his pleasure tour All this is wrong and soud oe coee
Such reforms as serve 10 do this and make our com
Il
appreciated by the whole country They VIII onng ou'
whole foreign establishment what It ough! 10 BE- lheS
will Amesicanze them They will present democratic 10
slulons their true character wherever we nave ih'e
course with foreign powers Side by side OF autocrac "
sigma or the ,rappngs of royalty there VIII oe seeh "e
ever there civilization enough TO render IL prac'lcao a
appropriate representation that republican simplicity ina
T. everywhere prevails home 1t is difficult to perceive al
ooecuon TO suck reorm-while faithfully carried OUT
can hardly fail to elevate character abroad protec
rights OF our citizens promote and rem
der Intercourse mere 1t is by such means that MOI
only the rights that belong to rs as nation but those ha
pertain to every citizen in his individual character win be
r slcredy maintained lii in this way that will be realized
words of the President that upon evcry sea and on
SOIL 1cheTe enterprise righuy seek the protection
of our tag American citizenship an nvoabe panop,
l. for the security Of AMERICAS RIsHrs.'"
ITHE BRITISH FLEET AND THE DARDANELLES
Ths cautious manner 10 which the Earl of Clarendon anc
cd IN I'M