The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-06-06

II il understood at Warrington that decided
movement will shortly be made in the dplo-
matte department Of the government, and some
important changes take place in its representa-
ton abroad. We think it quito time; for the
appointments made by the last administration
have given but little satisfaction. The misfor-
tune attending our diplomatic affairs is, that
every needy and seedy politician in the country
msgines himself 6t to be foreign Minister,
and generally applies for 1t as soon IS his party
elects its President Casting our eyes abroad
do we perceive anything remarkable in the cha
racter or conduct Of our foreign representatives?
We hardly know who they are. Here and there
we find an accomplished man, who is well quail
fed for his position; but it Is rare occur
renee. Should we unreservedly describe the
career, the qualifications (or rather the want of
them), the i'll manners, the vulgarity and the
selfconceit of most Of these persOnages, there
would be considerable surprise at our state
ments, and general wish to kick them out Of
their legations.
The truth is, We have not given atten-
ton enough to the nature or requirements
of diplomacy. On great occasions we have
some times been represented by great men;
but as q general rule, the United States
have been exhibited in foreign courts in psHo
From the time of the Cardinal de Richelieu,
the reputed author of the system, and of Ray
mond de Beccaria, the first regular ambassador
in Europe, down to the present day, diplomacy
has been considered by wise men one of the
most important of political sciences And the
famous instructions of Machiavell to the Flo
rentine agent at the Court Of Charles /. of
Spain, show that even earlier than the establish.
ment of regular intercourse between govern
ments the important consequences of the system
were anticipated Our relations with foreign
nations generally have not been Of a character to
involve us much in their peculiar difficulties
We have had frequent important questions
to settle with England and France at various
times but with no other countries in Europe
1t is somewhat singular that whenever any very
peculiar question Of late years has arisen be-
tween us and the former nation, its solution has
generally been adjourned to our own shores.
Our representatives at London have never ef-
fected much there. When the British govern
ment wish to conclude treaty they transfer
the negotiations to Washington. 1t was Lord
Ashburton who came over to settle the North
ern boundary question, Bulwer to humbug Mr..
Clayton; and Lord Napier and Sir Gore Ouseley
are here to terminate, if possible, the Central
American question retaining, If they can, little
slice in the pie. II is because the English
Ministry are good diplomatists that they do So
An American Minister at the Court of st.
James, in any serious difficulty is almost
nonenity. He may write very forcible letters,
but they amount to nothing. The Foreign
Secretary takes his own time TO answer them
IL is, in fact, mere logomachy and a hollow de-
bate. But an English Minister at Washington
is In different element, and dp1e sphere in
which be may freely and eFdeaSeIy operate
He can see the President and Secretary Of State
whenever he pleases and Oh familiar terms; he
can become the confidential friend of the lead
ing Senators, who are distinguished part Of
the treaty making power he can magnetic by
his attentions the most important members OF
the House, and win their regard and esteem;
he can extend generous hospitality to influen-
tisl strangers who happen to stand well with
the administration, and be can reach the
American people through the newspapers when
ever he chooses TO do so. If the stories are true
which were In circulation not long since in re.
gard to the large amounts Of money paid by
foreign parties to influence Congressional votes
on the Tariff bill, foreign Minister, taking ad-
vantage of his position at Washington. such a.
we have described it, might exercise secretly
most dangerous power even over our Legislation.
II is confidently expected by European states
men that the United States, owing to its rapid
advancement in wealth and power, must very
soon become mingled in the discussions Of
the Eastern world. II is said openly in England
that st. Petersburg, London and Washington
will ere long be at the head Of all political affairs
IL 30, it is time we paid some attention to our
foreign diplomacy and our diplomatic agents.
Our object can no longer be lovingly ito en-
brace sovereigns," but TO secure TO ourselves the
rights of nations, and promote the peace and
happiness of mankind. Let us imagine what
sort of person a thoroughbred American Mi
mister should be. He should be master of
tuc iaWc VI hndch't "hb vi tuCh
cipal laws. On a recent occasion this know
-l8lge has been found indispensable on the part
dkthc French ministry, in order to understand
I'D Gar the English law protects the Emperor
fri such plotters as Orsini and Allsop He
shdI lid be versed in the sciences from which
spriS IL industry and the arts, and which give
any ftate where they flourish its greatness and
lie 81 length. He should be we'll versed in
the tory Of his own country and that Of others.
He Il build be . linguist, scholar and man Of
the v rid. He should write with force and ele-
ganc9 and possess cool head and polished
mann rs The duty of = minister is closely 70
obsery e and inquire into the political movements
Of th$ country 10 which he is accredited; TO
watcl the tone OF public feeling, the moral
and PHYSICAL resources congregsting around
-. a. = a