The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-01

American Diplomacy In Europe.
The letter addressed by George Sanders to
the French people, which VIII be found in
another column, may be regar Ell as Q sort Of
index to the character o. our di lomatic repre-
sepfation in Europe. Whether that letter was
the work Of the 6, ntlema1 whose name 1t bears
or whether the form as well as the spirit was
that it can be considered In no other light than
as manifesto from the revou ut onary commit
tee at London. Mr. Sanders, whose aspirations
for liberty, II indiscreet, are STILL doubtless
sincere, may have jumped at becoming the
mouthpiece-not 10 say the scape goat-of
Kossuth, Naxxin: and Ledru r lin but he can
claim 10 higher post. Every idea, every line
Of the performance betrays its foreign origin
as plainly as II 1t bore the official seal Of the
iunta of confederates who meet to plot the
downfall of Napoleon and the emancipation Of
Hungary.
1t is not the first letter Of the kind that has
been published Some time since similar
manifesto made its appearance, over the same
signature and addressed to the Swiss. It, too
attracted some attention, and was criticised by
the leading journals Of France and Eogland
Like the letter to the French, 1t bore intrinsic
| evidence Of its having emanated-noi II IN the
peaceful lodgings Of ON American gentleman
but from the committee-r0om of the revolution
AIRY cxiles in London.
Both performances have been sl1ilful in exc
cution and forcible in language both have
bee thus tar successful that they haye created
q stir as well among the democrats as In the
ruling circles of Europe. Bearing the sigma
ture Of one who only yesterday filed an official
position in the diplomatic corps of the United
States, they have carried with them weight
which would not accompany similar efrusioD
from a mere French or Austrian exile. The
Importance they have derived from this source
has been increased by the sl0wness Of foreigners
to comprehend the real position Of Mr.. Sanders.
They know that he was duly appointed by the
| President Consul to LOndon-that he went there
to dischar. e the duties Of the office-and that
lie il still there: and hence infer that these let
ters are clothed with official authority. The
Copsul's rejection by the Senate-being q for
mality unknown to European governments
has never been thoroughly understood on the
Continent: 1t would be difficult matter to ex-
plain to Trcnchman that this Mr.. Sanders
whom we sent to London to represent us, has
since, against the will of our government, been
Invested OF his official character and is a mere
private citizen. We may therefore take it for
granted that Europeans generally, reading
these Sanders letters in ignorance Of tbei,
~ Al IA
nation are ready to take up arms for the French
republicans, or the Hungarians or the Swiss
end TO break down the monarchies Of Earopr.
This is exactly the point to which Kossuth
has so long endeavorcd TO bring matters
Having failed to drag the government
Of this country bodily into quarrel
with Austria, he has fallen back upon the
next best thing, namely the propagation
throughout Europe Of belief that i. was
ready to do 60 Next TO Intervention its If
the dread Of Intervention Is the hest possible
lever that Kossuth could use to brighten the
governments Of Europe, and attain his own
ends. Through the al Of Mr.. Sandess. Mr..
Soule and one or two Others tn Il 5arian
exile has been enabled to work this IL. =. The
4 "
In the cause; and the congress Of American di-
plomatists at Ostend, convoked to plc"s. Mr..
Soule, who was Obviously acting uno the
suggestions Of the revolutionary com aittee,
was second great help.
Thus, II the mission Of our foreign ents
had been to give comfort AMI assistance to the
revolutionary cause in Europe, there could
! 10 nck I, c;~ ~
duties. Their conduct appears in quite a diff
ferent light when we remember that the sole
concern entrusted to their care was the protec-
ton of American interests.
Those interests cannot be advanced by secret
affiliations between our ministers abroad and
the disaffected among the people to whom they
are sent. II would doubtless be q glorious
thing to see the European despodsms over
thrown, and solid, substantial republics set up
in their stead. But the doing Of this is not our
business. Our agents have no right whatever
even to have an opinion on the governments of
the countries to which they are accredited.
| They are sent abroad to conduct American
| negotiations, to protect citizens of the United
| States, and to watch their commercial ia
terests. To perform this duty efficiently
they require not only not to allow their
minds to be engrossed by other affairs, but
to cultivate friendly and conciliatory spirit
| with the governments and officers with whom
they mu.t deal: for If In the transaction Of bu-
.iness they have to contend against personal
antipatbies as well as national preiudices, the
odds are fsarfhlly against their success
These things ore 50 plain that they must
occur spontaneously to the mind Of every
man Of common sense who thinks for q mo-
ment on the subject: and yet we find the per-
sons whom we have sent to Europe placing
themselves, by their own imprudence, folly or
| blindness, In the very opposite positiou. Mr..