Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-01-16
FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 10.
AN AMERICAN MINIsTER-swIrZERLASp.

AN AMERICAN MINISTER-SWIrZERLA
1t is reported on reliable authority, that tho Anne.
rican Minister at Berne, has been employing his in.
huence to persuade the Swiss Government TO submit
to the demands OF Prussia. If the story were mol
authenticated by the most trustworthy journal in
Enrope-Le N5rd Of Brussels--there would bs no
difficulty in believing 1t. Everybody who knows
anything of the character of Mr. Fay, will readily
acknowledge that there is no act OF abasemen! 10
royalty, ofwhch he is Incapable. born Hunkey and
Il cultivated coIcomb lie highest aspiration is TO
be conspicuous in the train of some cour,ly reiinue
Without conscious dignity Selfrespect he subss,s
upon the smiles OF his superiors, and is unspeakaby
miserable ii he loses the least of the lttle distinctions
Of favor which men Of sense and spirit despise.--
He an american Minister indeed a poor parody
rather on some small pattern Of courty parasite
The grand thoughts and high aspirations OF our De-
mocraey find no sympathy in his shallow and arli-
c;a nature. The perfection of his French, the III of
his glove =" ne proprsty Of his bow, are the
elusive concerns o. his life OF course such ndi-
vldual would be imporunate in entrea,ing the Swiss
Republicans to suceumb to the King Of Prussia.
Bat, there is still more satisfactory explanation
of tho active sympathy which the American Minister
at Berne has displayed in the interest of the Prussan
encroachment upon Switzerland AIR. Fay has spent
the better portion Of his life abroad and has spept il
in the sunshine Of the Prussian court 1t was there
that all the sycophantic instincts Of his nature were
warmed into full development. II WAS there that he
contracted those obligations to the Prussan court,
which make him now 80 active par,iYan Of its iute
rests 1t is said tina, lie regards his mission to Swift
nd heti l b, -inn eYilp
he sighs to he restored to the monarchcal magnif.
oence of Berlin.
The best thing both for Mr.. Fay and for the Gov
ernment, would be to bring him back to this country.
sojourn among the Democracy of America might
make him Il much more respectable person. He
would gain in substantial worth what he might lose in
superficial polish. The Government would certainly
profit by his dismissal from is service. A long re-
sidence near the Courts of Europe utterly units him
to represent this country. He a an American clti.
zen only in legal sense Ignorant Of the character
Of our people aud Indifferent 10 the interests of the
country, all his and all his arts Of diplomacy are
expended in recommending hmselfto the aristocratic
society of Europe. 1t is with this view that be has
taken sides against the Swiss i'll the controversy with
Prussia. 1t is nothing to him il Switzerland destroys
its PRESTIGE aud degredes itself in the eyes of the
world, by all ignoninious concession to the utterly
inadmissibe demands Of al insoleut power. II he
had single impulse in common with the people OF
this country, he would bring all the Influence Of bis
position to the support Of the brave little republic
But, being callous courtier at heart, lie makes in
decent haste 10 unite with Louis Napoleon in en-
treating the Swiss Government to yield TO the threats
of the King Of Prussia The instant recall of such
poor pretence OF an American Minister, would be n
most acceptable sacrifice to the American people.
The conduct Of Mr.. Fay 10 bad enough in iiseli'
but its improperly is greatly aggravated BY the ias'
that he is playing directly into the hands of the de''
potic governments of Europe. Switzerland is tho
last asylum OF liberty the continent, and ii results
from The necessary and perpe,ns struggle between
the principles Of Democracy and de,poiIsm, that the
extinction OF .he light Of hope which this little repub'
lie holds our 10 the oppressed people, lie Ill object OF
conspiracy among the sosolu:ist powers
1t is even confidently asserted that Prussia IL put
forward in the intercs. Of the coalition to begin the
attack, sad that the partition Of Switzerland is their
ultimate objoc,. 1t is q shameful thing that the
Young republic Of tho New World shouid be accesso-
~ ic ns axils ot fresdom from is last refuge in Eu-