Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-08
rhs t.lothrs controversy.

Thomas Carlyle is the author Of the only work
we know Of On the Philosophy Of Clothes. Are
vised and enlarged edition Of Sartor Resartus is
impera,ively required at this time. In that ia
nous book. the author informs US that Herr leu
felsdrockh has expouuded the moral, political and
religious influences ofgarmens, and undertaken
to make manifest ,his grand proPoslf"n' THAT
man a earthly interests are all hooked and button
cd together, and held up. by Clothes" When
We first read this passage We regarded II as; the
mere speculation Of q German metaphysician, but
| recent events induce us tn think that the world
may soon be satisfied of its literal truthtnlness.-
Soon after Secretary Marcy was installedin Of
fee, ne issued circular to the representatives Of
the United States abroad, advising them to es-
chew the gold lace and other fRPPery prescribed
to be worn on State occasion by most foreign
courts. and to appear at all times in "the plain
garb Of an American citizen" This circular was
highly ladded a. the time as an evidence of the
Republican simplicity of the Administration, and
as promising to accomplish wonders In the way OF
giving other people taste for our institutions
But it was soon found that our representatives did
not consider the instructions obligatory, and many
of them, when they got to Rome, determined to
do as Rome does. Judge Mason, United States
minister at Paris, without hesitation donned the
uniform, and figured at the late ball given by the
Emperor in full costume Mr.. Buchanan, minis
ter at London, pursued different course. He
was too stern republican to compromise his prin-
ciples by conforming to any such monarchical Gus
tom, and he stood it out to be bitter end. Paria-
ment was opened with the usual ceremonies early
in February. and the foreign ministers were invi-
ted to attend They were notified, however, that
they would not be admitted TO the seats provided
for them unless they appeared in Court Dress
Mr.. Buchanan concluded not to 60, and while the
other dipomates were off witnessing the grand pa
peant he sat alone in his chamber meditating up
on the ndignity offered to him and his country
President Pierce and Secretary Marcy have been
duly informed of it, no doubt, but what the up
shot will be does not appear. Some persons pre-
dict war with England, and the least evil an
ticipated is the withdrawal of Mr. Buchanan and
suspension of diplomatic intercourse. Verify,
'reufelsdrockh was rght-''man's earthly inter-
ests are all hooked and buttoned together, and
held up, by clothes!"
Mr. Buchanan's conduct has excited some feel
ing in Great Britain, and London paper makes
it the pretext for scurrilous article on "Ameri'
can Puppyism." But notwithstanding the low
abuse of the piece, it takes in the main correct
view of the matter. All these customs appear
ridiculous to US. but they are nevertheless the
customs of the country, and conformity to themis
regarded as nothing more than showing proper
respect to the sovereign. Foreign ministers are
not required to wear any particular dress during
their official intercourse with the Government,
and i, is only on special occasions that costume
ls prescribed. They cannot demand invitations
at such times as right, but tickets are sent them
as courtesy, and courtesy requires them to COM
ply with the usual conditions Of reception. Mr..
Buchanan has evidently misapprehended the char
acter of the Seeretary's circular-itwas intended
for Buncombe at home, but he has interpreted it
literally.