Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-23
AN EXCITING SUBJECT!

4 NcxJ III llupOrtuuc6 W tuu AIooeoAh N"SS
ton 2 il that relating to the Plain Dress" OF
American diplomatists in Europe-of which,
however, we may as well confess that we feel
somewhat ashamed
The Liverpool Times says that Some still"
was caused in diplomatic orioles by the absence
Of tho American Ambassador from the opening
Of Parliament. II appears, from the statement
Of another paper, that Mr. Buchanan had
written two letters for cards of admission to his
suite, and others, and that he received no other
answer than q printed form, stating that court
dress could not be dispensed with, and two
tickets--one for lady, who does not evcn ex-
/ list! This was cool treatment, to be sure; but
the Morning advertiser adds the following in
structive particulars:
/ Gin this manner, Governor Seymour United
States Ambassador to the Court Of Russia, who
| is now on his way to St Peterborough, was pre-
vented from being present, although he applied
to his Minister to get him ticket OF admis-
| sion.
| General Webb, also, was disappointed in
the Same manner. This gentleman is ex-Min-
ister from the United States to Austria, and
was, we understand, head Of the Engineering
Department an the american army The en-
| baasy is said to feel tho affr0nt deeply"
| In view Of all tho trouble the regulations
promulgated by Mr.. Marcy have occasioned,
we doubt not he has repcnted Of his work.
Military men and diplomatists, it appears, like
peacooks, are more impressive and important
for the feathery ornaments they wear. If how
ever, he wishes to retire from his position with
ont discredit, we would submit the suggestion
that he might make the conformity Of our Dip
lomatic agents abroad to the costume of each
Court dependent upon the conformity Of the
representatives Of such Court at this capital to
the costume Of all other civilians. We do not
know that we should gain anything by this;
but as it is accordant with the usages and ETH
quette Of international intercourse, when one
nation makes an exhibition Of its folly, for its
competitor to 20 beyond it in similar effort
| we may in the present instance gain our point
and cover our nation with unending glory
We remember something Of an incident oc-
curing in our own Presidential mansion, wor-
thy Of naming in this connection. point in
volying question Of precedence, in some mat
ter too minute for the common apprehension,
arose between the representatives Of England
and France, and each parsonage had his hand
upon his sword, when the Offices Of mutual
friends were fortunately interposed; and q long,
sanguinary and disastrous war between the
two nations was thus possibly ayerted.
| AS we are now at peace with oil mankind
beyond our own domaine we trust this argu-
ment Of the sable coat may be disposed Of
before our ministers at foreign courts come
pouting homeward with their fingers in their
mouths 1t is hard enough for these gentle
men to bear the snubbings they receive; but
how much worse would it be were our whole
republic called upon to settle the important
controversy, by reference Of the subject to o
conflict at arms, and an appeal to the umpire
whom the Christian nations of the nineteenth
century denominate the god of battle "a
deity, permit us to say, not revealed to us in
the volume ia which the religion Of Christ is
taught.
When the ENJOYS Extraordinary and Min
listers Plenipotentiary" from tho Kiokapoos or
other nations" of their complexion, with
whom we very often make treaties, visit our
Capital, without asking their leave, we forth
with encase them in pantaloons and frock
coats and throw aside their leggings and
blankets. Were similar course to be pur-
sued by the nations Of the Old World toward
our untinselled Plenipotentiaries, the latter
surely could not be held responsible, and might
not even be offended at the summary proceed
ings. As the relative positions Of the parties
are presumed to be about the same why not
try the effect, as Mr.. Swills would say, Of this
"rummy startfn
Seriously, however, we trust Mr. Marcy will
maintain his position If the representatives
Of American Sovereignty cannot appear "at
Court" except as monkeys we hope they viii
DO men enough to come home What we have
to do with foreign nations can for the most
part be done by business agents.
WATER.WoRKs FOR THE DISTRICT OF Co
Observation-Disclosures John C. FIR. Solomon has
presented TO US pamphlet, containing his
memorial to Congress on this subject, and let
ters commendatory Of his scheme from Robert
Mills, Esq, Engineer and Architect and Hon
Francis 0. J. Smith, together with largo
lithographic view Of his plan
This plan is similar to that Of the Fair.nount
Water Works at Philadelphia, but as is
claimed, possesses superior advantages TO
it. Reservoirs are proposed to be made at
an elevation OF 3s2 feet above the Potomac, or
I42 feet above the apex Of the dome Of tho
Capitol; and, IL is alleged, the work can be
completed within two years, at cost Of less
than s 1000 900. II is stated for this plan also
that it is capable Of indefinite expansion. The
supply now proposed is Fifty millions of
gallons per day. Paris is said TO have but
twenty-five millions per day; London, forty
4 M - o,rI