The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-11

and there, in the lodges and councils Of the
Know Nothings.
What is to follow? The answer is as simple as
the axiom that q "house divided against itself
cannot stabd.n There must be a reconciliation
in the house II the Know Nothings-harmony,
aud a general and prevailing spirit of uaitei
action, in Massachusetts,, New York, Virginia,
and throughout he Union. These outbreaks
Of mutiny in the camp must BE- stopped by an
exercise Of the best appliances of Cancellation
among the councils and lodges of the party.
II the government Of the councils is too de5-
potic, it must be changed; if the platform and
principles Of the order are too stiff and harsh
for general acceptance, they must be modified
In fact the question seems to be reduced to
very narrow compass. 1t is manifest that the
discipline and the platform Of the Know No
things must be considerably changed aud SIM
plifed before they can absorb into their party,
and retain in their caase working and har-
monious majority of the American people. Let
the new party look to these things and act ac-
cordingly. A despotic party government will
not work among free people.
CONSULAR RgFoRM-Before any action is
taken by Congress on Mr.. Perkins, bill for the
reform Of our diplomatic AMI consular systcms,
We think that some effort should be made to
collect from our repres-n natives abroad, and
more especially from our consular agents, the
results of their personal observations and expe-
rience in the discharge Of their respective mis-
sions. We believe that the practical views
cleaned in this way would conduce more to
sound and effective measures of legislation than
the theoretical conclusions of men who have
never, perhaps, been out of the country, and
who therefore have had no opportunities Of
noting how far the present systems are applica-
BILE to the circumstances of each locality, and
in what degree it ia necessary to remedy their
deficiencies by more just and liberal scale Of
remuneration.
We will just select one example, to show how
little acquaintance with the eject is manifested
by those who have taken the task of reform in
hand. Mr.. Perkins bill provides salaries of
81 500 each for the Consulates Of Port-au-
Prince and Cape Haytien, with the condition
that the Consuls in these places shall
not follow any other pursuit, and $500
for the Consulate at Aux Cages, with
out this restriction. Now, why this
distinction should be made between Aux Cages
and the Cape it is difficult to understand. II
the scale of remuneration Is to be based on the
relative Importance OF the localities and of the
extent Of the duties to be discharged, some
effort ought rather to be made to equalize the
salaries of these two consulates. Part of the
large amount allocated to the Cape might, for
instance, be very well divided between the con-
sulates of Port au Prince and Aux Cages, in
order to render the prohibition as regards COM
mercial pursuits in the case Of the former, rca-
sonable one, and the salary of the latter pro-
portionate to the responsibility Of its duties
1t is advisable, for many reasons, that the rule
restricting the Consul to official business should
be maintained as regards the capital; but there
is no necessity that it should be applied to the
other two consulates. At Port su Prince the
English and French Consuls are not allowed by
pursuits, and the expenses Of living there are
considerably higher than at any Of the other
ports. In order, therefore, that our Consul at
that port may be enabled to maintain posi-
ton becoming his dignity, his remuneration
should be proportional to the circumstances in
which he is placed. There is certainly no rea-
son why this Consulate, the most important on
the island, should be estimated below that of
the city Of st. Domingo, to which o salary OF
$4,000 is apportioned.
There are one or two other suggestions which
we think ought not to be lost sight Of in the
consideration OF any comprehensive measure of
consular relief As in the regular duties Of
the Office, legal questions are continually
arising, which require immediate reference t.
prec. dents, every Consulate should be provided
with library Of the most approved authorities.
not only on international law, but also on the
jurisprudence of the country with which it
holds relations. Under the present law there
is no ALLEGATION Of money for this purpose; but
its expediency is so obvious that we trust an
effort will be made to secure its introduction
in any new measure that may be brought un-
der the consideration of Congress-
We also think that the fees for n0tarial
services performed by our Consuls should not
he included in those claimed by government.
These fees are paid for extra work, which they
are only authorized, and not required, to do.
If their duties are rendered more onerous and
their expenses in the way of clerks sre in
creased by business which is purely extra
official, we do not see why they should be
debarred from receiving q fair remuneration
for these additional demands upon their time
7 III e l. A II e s Il N f w 8.