The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-06-24
THE WASHINGTON UNION.


Hon w. b. Reed, our new minister to China, was
given Monday evening last and, judging from the
accounts before US the occasion proved to be Of
more than ordinary interest. After the usual pre-
liminary toass, Hon. Joseph r. Chandler called on
the large company present TO fill for the Fourth reg
ular toast which he profared by some admirable
marks touching China and the new minister TO il, and
concluded by reading il is follows
The Hon. VIM. b. Reed Fifty chosen by the Chief
Magistrate TO represent the interests OF the nation
most important embassy May the results of his mission
justify the high estimate which his ellowctizens place
upon his abilities and realize the true American doctrine,
of asking nothing but what is right and submitting TO
nothing that is wrong"
Mr. REED said:
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GKSrLKsEs have a very few
words Of earnest gratitude TO utter for this mark OF your
good will They come believe me- from the fulness of
heart deeply touched by what has to-day been kindly
and gracefully said.
Thirty years ago exactly left the city of Phadel
phia the humblest member Of diplomatic mission
despatched what was supposed TO he GRAND OF be-
necene to the world and advantage TO our country
especially The mission proved sad failure and the only
persons who derived any benefit from it, had any
enjoyment was the class TO which belonged whose dt
ties consisted In copying few dispatches, being scu
otsly attentive at all places OF public amusement and
studying foreign language under the most agreeable cir
cusanccs and the most fascinating auspices Such, to
this point is the diplomatic experience of my life This
is the exact measure of my red tape There was how
ever gentlemen benefit Of ncstimabe value which
that brief experience gave meof association the closest
the most confidential and afectionate with whose
memory is dear in this community, MIR. Sergcant.l
need hardly say to you Mr. President, who knew him
well as did to whom i refer He was not only my
knsnan, but my friend, my counsellor and guide in
early life and early manhood and it Is his prcccpt
and example owe, with many debts besides, the nvigo
ration of that sentiment of State loyalty with
national fcelinglovc for Pennsylvania affection for what
Doctor Franklin long ago called " dear Philadelphia,
which, ii know my heart has been the controlling
influence my public life and if had other reason
for the political which have felt it my duty to
pursue found in thisthat il had for its aim the
elevation to the presidency of Pcnnsylv statesman
who, with sngleness of purpose beyond all praise, is
trying to keep his faith to the nation and to execute
his high trust principles of enlightened and conserva
tive patriotism.
Thirty years ago This is no small portion Of hui
man life and these years have been passed wholly
under your eye in the labor Of my profession in public
trusts conferred by You your representative in the
councils of the State and city, and in semi judicial
functions still responsible and now that am
about to venture different sphere and in doing so
to leave YOU with all the perils of such separation feel
more sensiby than can describe this proof that all
these years of life have not been fruitle but that
have won, and enjoy, your confidence and esteem
that leave friends behind who will for me- and
think Of me- and be proud of my success if succeed in
the distant and doubtful enterprise on which
turing. To you my Immediate friends and townslnen,
owe more than / can repay and yet this your
kind farewell, affects me more than all beside 1t is
your approval that prize For it have been most
ctous and venture to add that when the President
did me the honor to offer this responsible mission
paused long enough before accepting it to be made
scious that my immediate fellowctizensthe Of bu
sncs and character here without distinction of party
approved his selection heartily and believe unani.
mously. For all this again thank you aud them
And now, gentlemen, shall venture to say word OF
two as to the future future of the representa-
ves of the United States abroadhe future of
try in its relations to the mysterious empire TO which
am to be accredited There are of course official pro-
priecs imposing some reserve, which will expect
me to violate but there is, the other hand an official
aectation which here, at least should be sorry be
suspected Of There is, imagine, marvellous exagge-
ration about this thing called diplomacy and diplomatic
reserve if not diplomatic reputation 1t is Lord Chester
field, think who, describing the mysterious journey of
German dipomatist says .sThe mystery was not on
account of the journey for he made the journey for the
sake of the mystery have desire that there should
be any unnecessary mystery about my Grand char
actcr for diplomatic skill sometimes does a harm j
in no danger of suffering in this way for there has
been paid to by who have criticised my appoint
ment what cannot but suspect was an unintentional
compliment, in being described ''wholy without
diplomatic experience, (Which freely admta speci-
men Of that natural curiosity known the world over
"a Philadelphia lawyer and with share of tact
shrewdness, and common sense Now, it to the
point of the praise il such meant lies in this last
attribute; for, after ALL gentlemen it is common
sense, enlighening loyal American heart which must
guide me
China is place where the homcly quality called mother
wit is very much in requisition The public well
educated shrewd masters Of the fence of sophstry and
eminently diplomatic in the technical sense of the word
they very apt to get the better of those who try these
weapons with them There is nothing like precedent or
authority to regulate intercourse in that region of iso
ton. One approaches Chinese diplomacy very much MS
the navigator approaches the Chinese coasts There
no lighthouses no buoys signs of friendly counsel or
guidance They want strangers and they help none
to The gallant ship which is to bear find
her into their ports and rivers by the skill and cour
age of the American on board of her. and will
anchor there without word of welcome except from
strangers like herself But, thus potcd she will get Sc
curey in She will be safe and respected under her
flag aggressive in act for her GRAND is peaceful
one but ready to resent insult and to give prompt pro-
lection where protection is due.
My mission, sincerely hope, may not be unlike my
ship its anmating spirit vigilance over my countrys
interests, consciousness of power, reluctance to it,
fidelity to my countrys traditions and republican faith
honestly say go abroad with dependency as to
the future want of selfreance, If the anchorage
which my education has given me only holds l am
proud belong to that school which believes in the ira
dictionary policy of this nation IL first came from the
lips of Washington and it has been maintained with
certain miscellaneous alterations ever since There is not
on the pages Of brief history instance of depart
urc from Westinghouse foreign policy unattended with
mischief to all parties concerned 1t is this belief this
implicit faith resting principle which alone can guide
through the pcrpexties of state OF distant warfare
to which parties have foreign sympathies
or antipathies have cosmopolitan enthusiasm
have suspicion there is danger from too many
treaties than too few especially when undertaking to reg
uatc other peoples concerns or the general police of the