Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-06-02
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
BY RITCHIES e. PRYOR,
THURSDAY sIoRNING, JCNE 4.
THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE.


1t is doubtful if tho Diplomatic service of any
Government is 30 badly organized and 20 inefficient us
that Of the e. Statcs In other countries diplomacys
distinct profession, and for the capable discharge OF
its ducs and for promotion to its higher grades, tho
rough instruction ind long experience ndspensn-
BILE. 1t is impossible to attain tho lowest posi-
ton in tho service without the requisite qualification,
and every atop in advance III determined BY the rgor-
ous test Of merit. As the ancient rhetoricians held
every accomplishment and universal knowledge esscn-
ta to tho character and proper culture OF gn orator. so
do the Governments of Europe demand of tho dplo-
matist the widest range of information and the high
cat possible perfection in all courtly attuinments
thorough acquaintance with the principles Of public
law and tho usages of courts, skill in the usc Of
language, general capacity and intelligence, and
particular knowledge Of tho character aud resources of
the Government at which ho may reside. ore abso-
lutey indispensable qualifications Of the Diplomat
1t is instructive TO observe by what slow gradaton,
by what laborious attention to details, by what able
discharge Of more important duties and by what
length OF service, the more ominent Dip!oma:sts Of
Europe have achieved position aud renown.
In this country there is profession of Diploma
to employment in the foreign acrvce of the govern
mcnt. And why should thcy' Government never
concerns sei about the qualifications of its drlo.
matte agents. They arc selected solely with view
to the conciation OF political influence and hoir pro-
motion Is simply tho reward Of activity in the inter
este OF party The result Of this vicious system is
that the Diplomatic service ID overrun with ignorant
denagogues and the noisy politicians of the commit
tee room. The needy adventurer and tho broken
down hack without credit or employment al homo,
finds in the foreign service of tho government ncm
nifty for loss of rcspcctahty, and compensation for
his industry in determining the fortunes of local
election 4 man who il unfit for the ducs Of the
most insignificant consulate is sent Ia represent tho
interests o! tho government nj tho most important
Court and to diagrace his country by tho ignorance
of the boor and manners Of tho hack.woodslnan.-
When by chance competent person gets diplo.
matte appointment, it il attributable to !ho anoma-
lous working of vicious system, and is not the leg-
timatc rcsut OF prcmcditnted purpose but Of ortu-
nate accident.
When the cour;ly graees of the well bred gentle
man come to DO the Sft OF nature and not the result
of education and refined association, may be safo
principle of promotion to select tho diplomatic agents
of the government from the stump and the ogshop.
Whom rabble Of raw militia comes to contend sue
ccs.fnlly with disciplined nnd veteran troops, possi-
bly, the rude and Ignorant representatives of tho Uni
ted States may provo match for tho n-occomplish-
cd agents Of European Diplomacy. While prcacnt
abuses exist, VIC must expect tie repetition OF blum
dcrs which have already brought upon Amcri-
can Diplomacy the reproanh Of the civilized world;
and until all tho distinctions Of learning and discip
line are done awuy, must submit 10 the sncriro OF
the interests of tho country.
Slr. Perkins. an intelligent and promising menbor
from Louisiana, whom thorough education and ca
tcnsive travel havo nade competent TO tho lask, is
about to bring forward for the reform Of
the Diplomatic service Nothing but radical and on
tire reorganization will avail 10 correct tho abuses
sure but Congress will not adopt il. Perhaps, then
would bs better limit present exertion 10 the
dress of abuses which it in not difficult
The compensation Of our diplomatic agents s deter
mined by no rule and boars sort OF relation TO the
importance Of tho service In some it is cxhor
bitant, iu Others shamefully inadequate Our Minis
tors at tho trst courts Of Europe starving our
consuls at Honolus and Liverpool ore nmussipg i'm
mense wealth. This absurd inequality should be cor
reetcd the proportion botwcon tho dignity Of tho
service and tho amount Of compensation should be
adjusted in accordance with the rules Of conmou
sense. ANer this is done Congress may proceed to
correct othe, less Gasrant abuses.