The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-21

don should have preferred the medium
of the Chevaier Webb to public
explanation ia the House of Lords. Yet tbs
mystery may be susceptible of logical aalu-
ton. Since the advent of Chevalier WiSoif,
new element has been introduced into tae Ame-
rican diplomacy Of the English CAbiaet. tits
supplemental department Of The Foreign
Office, consisting of amateur volunteer Ameri-
can diplomats, whose functions 20 regular di-
plomecy bear the same relations as the que
Iillas TO regular army. TEey do the bash
lighting, tire foraging. and serve as scouts and
spies within the enemy's lineD.
Chevs,ier Wikoff was the pioneer in ibis
branch of English American diplomacy, and
Chevalier Webb was his successor Each has
his peculiar merits. Wikoff is of the school Of
Richelieu and Wolsey--a cardinal diplomat,
smooth and flexible, but keen and sagacious,
hinging the affairs OF nations upon love affair,
and seeking international alliances of lasting
peace through the siklen bonds of matrimony.
The Chevalier Webb, on the other hand, is G
military diplomat of the school of Butcher and
Schwar2enburg, going point blank to the issue
ofpeace or war. He has always been mill
tary chieftain, always warlike diplomat even
in his negotiations for peace. Such is the
diplomatic distinction between Wikof aud
Webb. II is the difference between Wolsey and
Blucher, or between the Pope's Nuncio and
Prince Menschikoff.
Each of these chevalers has made his diplo-
matte mark in bis peculiar line. Wikofg, in his
confidential interviews with Lord Palmerston
at his country seat Of Broadlands, chaiked out
his most beautiful programme Of everlasting
peace between England, France and the Ame-
rican Union. WHAT it was, he is about to pub
lish to the world. We know that marriage
between the young Napoleon Bonaparte and
charming daughter of Hon. Abbott Lawrence,
cur Minister then at London, was the arranged
alliance between France and our great and glo-
rious country. We know, too, that Miss Gam
bic, from having been adopted by the English
government, would have served, as the bride of
Chevalier Wikoff, to bind old England and this
young republic in the bonds of lasting
peace and mutual affection these things
philanthropic Wikoff had fixed upon some.ouch
treaty for bringing Russia into the Western al
lance with US, perhaps by marriage wish the
sons Of the .Czar-Constantin Michael and
Nieholas--to beautiful daughter, respective
ly, of England, France and Brother iona! than.
But the English branch of this fascinating pro-
gramme was unhappily defeated ut Genoa, and
the whole superstructure, like splendid cas-
tie in the clouds, gorgeous and glowing in the
morning sun, and surrounded by voices OF love
and harmonious music, vanished like dream
Hence this alliance of the Western Powers
against US. Hence this manifesto Of Lord Cla-
reDdon Hence this bloody Russian war;
The Chevalier Webb took up the diplomatic
entanglemepts resulting from the disastrous
coup dItat to Wikof of Miss Gamb,e and the
British Consul Brown and as Wikof had been
made the .confdant of Palmerston, so was Webb
adopted as the American counsellor of Claren~
don. Wikof received five hundred pounds
year, Webb was, perhaps, satisfied with his
patriotism for his compensation. Virtue is its
own reward'--Old but orthodox. A financial
arrangement with the Chevalier Webb could
hardly have been cOropassed short Of fifty-two
thousand dollars. He would hardly serve the
British government for smaIer sum than the
bonus of the United States Bank. We must
conclude, therefore, that the pleasure Of ser7-
ing his country was toe salary OF Webb for his
diplomacy with Clarendon. The results are
before us. The Courier has published them,
and General Cass has secured their transmits
SION to posterity.
One great diplomatic achievement Of the Che
Waller Webb was the prevention of war with
France Apprised Of the stoppage Of Soule at
Calais the Chevalier hastened to Lord Claren-
don vale our minister Buchanan was still
asleep, and notified, him that il was peace or
war. Clarendon acted at once elegraphed
Louis Napoleon-the interdct was revoked
SoulG passed on, and war was thus averted. So
in regard to this celebrated declaration of the
"happy Accord between England and France.
The Chevalier Webb made it a question of
peace or war at the dinner table of Cla-
reDdon. His lordship authorized the Chevalier
to explain, aud wrote letters himself to Marcy,
which my steriously enough have never come to
light. But, satisfed with bis work, the Cheva-
lieT published the whole story in the Courier,
with touching appeal to The American people
in behalf of the allies.
Such was the English diplomacy of the Che
waller Webb. j is not 50 deep, nor as compre
hensiye, nor as fascinating and romantic as the
diplomacy of Wikonf; butt was more to the point
and to the purpose. II was not complicated
with petticoats, Alpine adventures and Genoese
dungeons; but it will do We are assured that
the balance of power" of the allies does not
extend to Cuba, and we ought to be content
Gen. Cass is incredulous. Clarendon has made
nothing like retractation in Parliament the
English and French fleets appear to be part and
parcel of the Spanish forces of Cuba--she island
is declared under siege and blockade. hut we