Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1857-06-27
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
TESTIMONIAL TO THE HON. VIM. B. REED.

on the 22d instant, to the Hon. WILLIAM b. REED,
the new Minister to China, an evidence OF their
regard for him personally, and their sense of his
high qualifications for the trust assigned him. The
Hon JOSEPH r. CHANDLER presided and there
were six Vice Presidents.
On rising to propose the fourth regular toast,
Mr. CHANDLER made the following remarks:
GExTLKNEs: I rise to ask you to prepare for the
fourth regular toast 1t has reference to the special
mission which has been created to China to the means
and the ends of the diplomacy connected herewith and
the citizen whom its discharge has been entrusted
and in whose honor we assembled to the measure
and the man.
At such moment it win not be expected that the
chair should give history of the diplomatic connection
of the United States with China Important as is and
has been for many years. the of this country
with the subjects of the Chinese Empire it is remarkable
that we had no real diplomatic intercourse with the
country until about the year 1914. For many years
previous to that time consular authority under the
general direction of the late Mr. Wcocss of this city,
settled it could the question of commercial interest,"
and regulated the exchange of hard Spanish med dol
lars and ginseng for teas silks shaws grapes and ivory
toys and fire crackers The negotiations with China that
have been carried since have all been advantageous
to the business of this country but of them antic
paed the state of things which the action of other nations
has produced And questions of policy have been
raised and phases of mercantile interests are
caused by the quarrels which the Celesals have
rived to get up between themselves and their European
customers. And with wisdom and forecast that be-
comes PRESIDENT
has provided special for Watching those
interests without necessarily mingng in the settlement
of other nations quarrels and he has provided for the
protection of the rights of citizens there without
lneddling with the wrongs of others.
IL has seemed to of course 1t must, 1t be re-
ally have been clear to most of at this table-tha
though the question at issue is apparently one only of
commercial Importance. yet 1t evidently Includes 1t ne
eessarly involves the great consideration of civilization
and the social and civil rights of Nay, it seems to
ITSELF by consequences with the religious re-
generation of that populous nation.
That the time has arrived when China may no longer
maintain her national exclusiveness evident To
enforce without fair preext is dangerous
because unjust; to, neglect fair opportunity to
Tighten the people of that Empire in moral and social
duties and rights would be treason to the great mission
of civilization and religion and may hope that the
influence of American negotiation In such hands as it is
placed will be not for the enlargement of COM
mercia intercourse though directly aimed only at that
than it shall in its consequence prove for the ameora
ton of the political social and moral condition of the
Chinese.
To negotiate terms of peace after decisive
be of the easiest Offices of diplomacy To stand
silent witness of the negotiations OF others upon ques
lions that in their consequences reach beyond parties
negotiating and to know how to abstain long and to
interfere late to forbear till duty demands inerposi
ton and TO interfere at the right moment, must be
garded among the highest qualifications of diplomacy
And when, in addition to the commercial and political
objects directly involved in his guardianship, the dplo
mas finds that true to its anteeedens and its instincts
changes influencing the character of morals and pu
riyng the ideas of religion sense of the respon
sibilities of his Office must be forced upon him.
Looking at the Chinese relations in this light with
their immense moral social, and political consequences
the President in the creation of the special mission has
shown his of what is due to the political and
mercia interests of this country and he not feel
satisfied regardless of what this country to the
of human rights; and though he may not create
direct mission for such purposes he certainly
the capabilities Of that mission with the import
possibilities which have referred by committing
1t TO capable of eomprehendng and securing the pr
mary and direct Objects and of approaching the import
of its moral consequences In that the President
has consulted the best feelings of his heart and is
sustained by concurrent public sentiment that oracle of
republican rule. And the selection from our midst of
whom con6de such important and delicate trusts
is compliment of which give good evidence of de-
serving when show appreciation of the choice,
and give fuller expression to esteem for the citizen
thus distinguished though mngle with that ex
preston the melancholy regret that the pride feel in
his elevation must be INDUCED at the sacrifice of the
wonted pleasure of social intercourse We feel, how
ever that townsman friend and neighbor takes
with him the chain of civic and social affection, and that
that chain, however heightened is TO be broken.
Gentlemen, the history of relations with China is
easily given Our high appreciation of the policy of the
President in instituting the present mission could
Oily express, but when approach the of the Phi
ladelphan selected for that mission and hence for this
evenings honors hesitate upon the language that should
express my approval of the choice and wishes for
Nearly thirty years of intimate acquaintance, natu-
rally rpening into friendship have given the OPP
portunty and supplied frequent of estimating the
lofty talents and sterling worth of guest but
of immediate separation deprves of the power of
expressing that estimation and compes to resort to
the fornates of the prescribed ritual of the table.
In my heart then, gentlemen, adopting the language
of the toast which about offer, and with you in
censng the sentiment with the unspoken affection with
which hearts abound towards its object and inviting
you to manifest participation in the spirit that sug
gested it, give you
THE Hoy. WILLIAM B. REED: Fifty chosen by the Chief
Magistrate to represent the interests of the nation
important embassy. May the results of his mission justify
the high estimate which his feowcitizens place upon his
abti and realize the American doctrine of asking
nothing but what right and submitting nothing that
wrong.
Mr.. REED rose amid much applause, and, in re-
Spouse, said:
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: have very few
words of gratitude for this mark of your
good will They believe me- from the fullness of
heart deeply touched by what has to-day been kind
ly and gracefully said
Thirty years ago exactly left the city of Phila
dephia the humblest member of Flomatc mission,
dispatched on what was supposed to be errand of
benefcence to the world, and advantage to
country especially The mission proved sad failure,
and the only persons that derived any benefit from
had even any enjoyment the class to which be-
longed whose duties consisted in copying few de-
spaches, being seduousy attentive all places of pub
lie amusemenis and studying foreign language under
most agreeable circumstances and the most fascinating
auspices Such TO this point, is the diplomatic expert
of my life This is the exact measure of my red
tape. There was, however, gentlemen, one benefit OF
inesnable value which that brief experience gave me-
of association, the closest, the most confidential and
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