The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-05-04
Tue RIGHTS OF DIPLOMACY.


We notice the following paragraph in New York pa
per which we believe is copied from Paris journal
.The telegraph announces that the Spanish government
had demanded the recall OF Lord Howden the British
bssador Madrid consequence OF his interference In re-
ligious matters.
IL will be recolleced that years since something
like similar course pursued by this government
in relation to Sir Henry Bulwer whose functions
either suspended his recall demanded 10 consequence of
what deemed understandable interference with the
action Of the Spanish government The British govern
men acquesoed and Sir Henry recalled to be sent TO
the United States.
Though great photographer has defined ambassadors
privileged spies and though they are entitled to va
rious exemptions from the general laws which
strangers visiting foreign countries yet there certain
limits the exercise Of this discretion which, If they
leap the government which they accredited is
doubedy entitled suspend their functions demand
their recanay there certain offences against the
laws for which they may be punished like any unpriveged
citizen Thus Don Pantason Sa ambassador Of Portugal
hanged in England for murder and thus the British
mniste Mr. Jackson suspended from the exercise Of
his diplomatic functions by the government of the United
States disrespcul language in his correspondence
There u.s. therefore, limit recognised in the laws
and intercourse Of nations TO the action OF diplomatic
sssls Ia foreign countries and just at this period it may
not be amss to draw the distinction between their egi
mate and assumed rights.
They certainly have right and it is their duty, to adj
vocate the interests their country aud to maintain
tho position 1t assumes in its foreign relations but they
have no right to interfere with the domestic policy Of the
government which they accredited. They should
not for example intermedde in the struggles Of parties
become sctve agents in forwarding the interests Of
either one or the other They should avoid identifying
themselves with the interests Of coutendng factions and
while manfuy sustaining the rights Of their country
abstain from taking, nstgatng Others to take, posi-
ton openly hosts the administration of the govern
nent which they accredited. They should confne
themselves maintaining those interests by amicabe dis
custom and argument without appealing to the popular
feeling with which they have right TO interfere through
thu medium of public journals which may have been pur
chased by other influence become subservient
their purposes This, think is carrying the liberty Of
the press little far The freedom of speech and
writing limited by the laws Of TRUTH justice and pa
triotism.
Suppose, for instance, Mr. Buchanan, Mr.. Mason, or
Mr. Dodge should by mysterious process obtain the
entire control of leading journal like the National lntei-
seac the New York Courier and Enquirer in London
Paris Madrid and it into supple instrument
for only advocating the interests Of the United States
in direct opposition those of Great Britain France
SPAIN but for undermining and weakening those govern
ments by fomentng party dissensons and in some
perhaps parayzng their efforts to vndcae what they
deem their rights and their honor. Would not this be
rather ranscending the proper limits Of diplomatic dscre
ton and would either all these governments be
perfectly jastabe in suspendng the functions demand
ing the recall Of minister, who with being
the friend Of his country, had thus absolutely
spred against that which accords him privileges denied
others the faith that he will abuse them? And is
it not say the least shonoable in any foreign minis
ter to convert his position hls privileges, his Influence
(and perhaps his of corrnpton into instruments
for making the government and the nation to
whom he presumed 10 be deputed for the sole purpose
preserving peace?
Assuredy the pursued by the Inelycnccr, the
Courier and Enquirer and the Cronca calculated
preserve peace either with Span England France
unless the supposton that the only way do is
for the United States submit quietly the injuries and
insults these journals daily inviting by becoming their
apologsts defenders When they find that the opin-
ion Of the Ango-FrancoHspano American press they
doing nothing but what they have right do and
the United States have right resent they
least wegrounded hope that large portion, if not
majority of the people Of the United States speak through
these expatrated organs They not aware--though
would think they have had sufficient experience to
eanhat there is in the heart of every free citizen Of the
United States chord that vbrates the touch of patriot
ism and that however the members of the great family
may occasionally fall into discussions among themselves
las the best housewife sometimes does with her mate
yet fate if third party into the conflict
he will have them all about his ears like of bees
in hurry. Even the abolitionsts would be compelled
be decent for while the wings remember the lesson they
received in the late with England and verify
believe the know-nothngs might really awake to
something like American feeling
But to all this experience foreign nations especially
Great Britain which ought to know better are either
naturally wilfuly blind. Though often drawn into
serious difficulties and sometimes involved in war; by the
encouragement held out by false signals from this side the
Atlantic they ke the true believers Of the South
who anxious to become martyrs to know-nothng
whggcry) to have faith in their oracles and see the
London Times looking forward that coming triumph Of
the fusonsts from which derives the consong
Of the revival Of the old colonial system of subms
sion and subservency the policy and interests Of Great
Britain.
HON. THOMAS L. CLINGMAN
We glad to the unanmity with which tls gem