Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-03-01
The Costume War.


Tie London Chronicle enters flriouslv unon IN
Costume War Its position, that foreign Embas
salor has no right as ambassador 10 prescribe hi
own dress in Court ccremonia!s is unnucstionohI,
correct In his official visits the Secretary for For
cgn Affair.", he may wear what dress he chooses
but in State ceremonies, he has no right in virtue
his Office TO be present. and he is indebted for an in
vitation to the courtesy of the Cortland is amepa
bic to the laws, not OF nations, but of good breeding
and they enjoin conformity to the costume anl
uSages prescribed by the Court officials. Judge Ma
son drew this distinction AMI acted upon it Wher
he went on business to the foreign office he wore the
dress that suited him when he attended an imperi,
entertainment, he considered himself guest, and
under Obligations to appear in the dress most agree
able to his host
IL was unworthy OF the dignity OF this great conn
try To stake its reputation upon the cut Of a coat
1t does inustIc. to the character of our peonle-
who Of all the people the earth are the most nr,
teal and have the greatest CONTEMPT for mere firm,
The idea of advancing the principles of Republican
ism by such an expedent, could only have oririno-
ted in the brain Of an oil al, who charged the State
of New York 30 cents for pitching his breeches
We publish the Cnronicle's article, which, while
right III The main, bctrays an unanablc temper, and
strong disposition to disparagc this country.
From the London Chronicle, of OH,
tiS HI' as tney say, III Ireland for the Examiner 10
bacK up General fcices republican III manners. But We
cannot agree that the absurdy Of the quarrel If
rel there il 70 be, about the etiquette Of cour, res IN
state occasions lies the side of the court oIicis In r.
ropean monlrchies who Gdhere establish ceremonies
rather than Oh the side OF the American puppyisn which
claims special exemption therefrom in favour of ia d
OCrAtc scnsiblitics
General Pierce should recoec that it is no necessity NJ
fNHrtff tic .t.asr
which Introduces the free aud Heightened citizen" whom
he sends 10 Europe to negotiate with European
INTO any cther apartment other presence than that
o. ue secretary OF Sia'e for Foreign Ahrs There il
not the least reason why Her Majesty at least or any o
or Sovereign who is not his Minister should be
Died 10 receive the gentleman in the black Goa, FINN
ahAee-iahd lie can say his say at the Foreign office
he At chop house. in King street sleep al the Old Hum
NUNS, and be oil a. he cmc per liner when his busncsu
IS done. But the conrteses Of European courts have
tended an Infinite atm unit o. unnecessary ciyities 10 the
ambassadors OF state; aud because ambassadors have
usually been gentlemen, md have dressed and bab.yod
themselves such, TIC coufesies of Eutopean aorv
nave been extended 10 them habitualIy in the like prof
sion But certainly with regard TO the latter n C;n
Fierce should adopt the Examiners hint and n,d,in
smockrock and hO1nails for the court des nj Wasbg
ton and II hi1 free and enlightened officials chose u
submit TO such ordnance the Ambassadors of the t
oses would not expect many invitations 10 the par
ue' OF our mobility. And IL seems 20 us tina, tho
parallel holds exactly in the of invitations from ts
eiher TO receptions at tue panceor to seats on
II
courtesy requires 10 be 10y courtesy else Il become.
er"y' fielding TO arrogant assumptions Is no part al
courtesy az al TIE American President in bidding the
Voys OF The United states wear their ordinary jres.
assemblies where all present. IN honor Of the Sovereign
" ""osg Government these gentlemen are accredited are
oNPe''eu ana are perfectly willing 20 wear dress Of cor
O"y noes virtually bid hs envoy TO display the reyo,s,
" courtesy contempt both for the claims of that Sover
Bn 20 'he dslnc'inn Of his exalted station aud aIo fo
le conplsi-ce O the Of the diplomatic corps and
UT .ho ontln respect Of that Soyorcgn's subjects
ihc proper way TO this impertinenco L. simrIy N
vu 'o caf"S OF invitation TO the uuucky envoys Dc
Peu upon w. when they find they canno, euiDy tie pty
"eSS O'couTey along with the distinction of repuir,r
courtesy these gent cnlen have logic enough and th,o,r
enough 70 TAX over their bnry President and &c, Nj.
'1''sn'iH Order fc.ginlej, ani very likely snps,cedI
more SENSIBLE edict in the shape of ailor not,en
OF rcit star and sfpy uuifJrm with eagle or Unc s
buttons ~ proper array thereon ~
y We nope mat no concession will be m al. IN bja
mover 'nHd-on Of shyctel republican simplicity into ,b
tll'' OF t,' cbir4 II Europe AMI that not merely
"'c'u'o e ci'ty which would waive the n,,ut nvoi,
g'peit 10 one ~ whom much more tlin tho oviIv b
uuc ron all WHO approach her presence but fecsusn t
pIeeh'i'n spTt aud parcel vi a1othcr--rvs lilo ro,.
sS ~ n1t "p,h novel Sni seifOtdtned law of n,,,
VI T"eh we Onei states has NJ late given yerv n,eoy
oVa' miWie'taun"', and TO which sp,edy che ,,yb,
~ We s'in o. Tue con ert and combination Of thu Ob1t
'pcan iuuiy. The comfy Of uAons i. mari ~ ,o
aN 81 naiJn and 80 far frOs expecting win, ,L r. ~
insr tlt fbe deern on ~ uphold either vii b,n M
ulr@na relations Eb Anerlca, II 10 our urm