Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1854-11-22
Mr. SOnlr, Our Minister Ia Sp0ln

.
cupy large space IN the discussion OF
foreign politics, and greyous accusations
have been brought against him in tbe
newspaper columns of Europe, as well as
OF n certain class Of journals in opr ov,r
country. AS it is now not unlikely ,bo,
great events are to grow out of this oen.
tIeman's conduct, or the conduct of o-bors
toward him, it may be. well for our people
70 inquire who PIERRE SoULE is-wbo,
hIs meris-and what his character.
Mr.. Soule was banished from France
for political offences, at very early az.
and settled in New Orleans. He there
commenced the practice of law, in which
profession he very soon rose to emipen,
distinction. At very critical period in
the history ofLousiana, Mr.. S. was elect.
ed 10 the Senate Of the United States from
that State-to ill vacancy, we believe.
His conduct there must be Remembered
by the whole country. He at once took n
leading part in the discussions in that body
-and whether regarded as a man Of gen.
eral intelligence, OF extraordinary activity
and industry, Of high.toned patriotism. or
oi distinguished argumentaliye and urato.
rlcal powers, we hazard nothing in saving
that he had very few, if any, superiors.-
Tln politics, he was ardent in his advocacy
OF Democratic measures, and in snstnip.
ing the Democratic party, and BY way of
repioach, was clnssed among the radicals
by the organs Of The Wing party. How
far he may have deserved such distinction
depends upon circumstances. His speech
upon the American policy as regards Gu
ba, perhaps afforded the only foundation
FOR it. If so, we rather think it an abuse
Of terms, for he only said on that occasion,
what was then, and is still felt and secret
ly said by a large majority Of our states.
men Of both pares-and for thus having
the nerve 10 declare 10 the world senti.
menis which other men felt but forbore 10
avow, It is but natural that the enemies Of
American interests, and Of Democratic
progression, should mark him for their
victim. This is all the evidence Of Mr..
Soule's sadicaism-and if no other fault
can be discovered in him, we are quite
sure he will be sustained from one eLd
OF lhe Union 10 the other.
In .electSg a person 10 represent the
interests of the United States a, the Span.
sh Court, President Pierces mind was
naturally called to the distinguished Sen.
a,or from Louisiana. He stood before the
American people and the world, as a con.
spicuous member OF The highest legislative
body known 10 our Institutions represen.
ting one of the sovereign States Of the
American Union. In many respects Mr.
Soule possessed qualifications for this po-
sition possessed by no other. He may
have been waning in others but if so,
the fact has yet TO be established, and we
have strong hopes that the result will show
that the President acted wisely. lie may
not have been the most acceptable man at
the Spanish Court. But that was not the
question. We wanted man 10 represent
American either Spanish or French
interests. Immediately on the announce
ment of Mr.. Soule's appointment, the Lon
don Times, and other journals of that
stamp, gave out that the Spanish govern
neut could not receive Minister Sonle
without compromising its. dignity. But
Mr.. S. was kindly received by the Span
ism court, and treated with due Difference,
so far as regarded outward show. But
our readers will remember that in short
time a premeditated indignity was offered
10 The wife of the American Minister at a
marty n, The house Of the French Minister,
by young Spanish noble--that the re-
suit was two duels--one between young
Sople and the author Of the insult, and the
other between Minister Soulc and the
French Minister, the British Minister act
ing as the laiter's second and both dneIs
terminating with the wonnding of the
French Minister in the leg. .
For a brief space after this, Mr., souIe
u,s allowed TO attend 10 his duties unmo.
les,ad. Letter writer's, and British and
French editors, however, left no means
untricd to annoy Mr.. Soulc, and 10 cast
reprOach upon the American Embassy at
As.l,;6 Annovances Of this kind were