The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-06-19

lar IN the space oy those which may yet be ar
rsyed against each other before this war is
ended, and the hopes of the diplomatists must
abide their shock.
Value OF Treaty Arrsogements-ssUnder
standing between Gentlemen"
Diplomacy seems to have entirely changed
is character within the last dozen years
At one time it was believed that the
perfection of the srt lay in the power
of discrimination. Language, according to one
high authority, was given to diplomatists
merely to enable them to conceal their thoughts
IT. was favorite boast of another that his self
command was 80 great that kick applied to his
neither man could not move muscle of his face.
This WAS at time when no understanding could
be arrived at between governments without its
being ratified by conventions or treaties. 1t
was period of selfish bargains of dishonest co.
vepants, of per6dious dealings generally. Ia.
dertakiug to mutually cheat each other, diplo-
matisis felt it necessary to place upon paper re-
cords OF their minutest TRANSACTIONS. Broken
agreements would have been vaIueess for sub
jects of future grievance unless thus authentica-
Gated. Nc treaty, in fact, was entered
into without provision being made
against its Infringement, aud as
natural consequence treaties have fallen into dis
credit. The experience of the last half century
has shown that neither the will of sovereigns,
the foresight of diplonatists nor the strength of
armies can insure their duration. Why is this?
Because new and more powerful influence steps
in to decide upon their equity and 10 limit the
extent to which they shall be carried out.
Public opinion in Europe is very different now
from what it was fifty years ago. Then it was
confined merely to the governing classes and
their organs. Now it is, properly speaking, the
verdict Of the masses, regulated, it is true, by
the education and enlightenment of the age, but
still an emanaton Of the popular judgment.
There is no being so humble whether it be
under despotism or a constitutional govern
ment, who does not, provided he can read and
WRITE contribute something towards this aggre-
gate of moral influence. Every journal and
periodical to which he subscribes is q lever
brought to bear on the inert or resisting
forces which obstIuct human progress. 1t
is these separate influences, concentrating
upon questions affecting the general
interests Of mankind, which have so materially
altered the character Of modern Diplomacy Ia
presence of their collective weight all the sub
tlety and chicanery of the art is powerless
Therefore it is that the men whom this country
sends to represent her abroad are able to cope
with the most experienced and accomplished Of
the old school Of dplomatists. They require but
a fair share of intelligence and common sense to
fit them for the exigencies of the present i'm.
proved state Of International relations. Frank
ness and good faith between governments being
the bases insisted upon by public opinion for the
proper direction of public affairs, it follows that
the best men to send on these missions are those
who possess fewest of the special qualities that
diplomatist.
1t is curious that deepotic governments
should be amongst the first to detect
and adapt themselves to these revolu.
lions in the public mind. During the Crmeau
war Russia was the only one of the belli-
gerent Powers which stuck infexibly to the
truth in it's reports of events. Whilst the organs
of the other governments industriously distorted
and falsifed every thing, we could always de.
pend upon the accuracy of the Russian bulle-
tins The Gear gained as much by this honest
policy as he lost by the ill fortune of his arms
He elevated the character of his country in the
eyes Of the world, by showing that, whatever
might be the assertions Of the Allies to the con-
trary, Russia entertained respect for public
opinion more sincere aud practical than theirs
Whatever may have been the mistakes com
mitted by Nicholas on the Eastern question
and it has yet 10 be proved that the steps which
he took deserve that character-it must be con.
dance with the spirit of the age than that Of his
brother sovereigns
1t will be recollected that when, in his memora
BILE conversations with Sir Hamilton Seymour on
the affairs of "the sick man, was suggested that
his views should be reduced into the form of
treaty, he made use of these remarkable words
There is no occasion for treaty; an understand
ing as between gentlemen is sufficient" Here
III single sentence, are the new principles that
are to govern Diplomacy sutnmed up. In future
we believe that it will be impossib!e to carry on
the relations between governments on any other
foundation than that of mutual confidence aud
good faith, qualities indispensable to even Rus
sian notions Of gentleuanly associations
When in the absence of positive data specula-
ton is at fault, it is singular how s ght circum-
stance will sometimes furnish a clue to the
We desire. The phrase that we have
just quoted from the mouth of Nicholas seems to
us to throw light on the exact character of the
present relations between Russia and France
Our readers remember with what positiyeness
the London Times lately asserted that a treaty |
had been entered into by these two Powers |
against Austria, and how emphatically the state
ment was denied by the organs of the two go
vernments. Notwithstanding the apparently |
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