Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-02-21
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

CAN THE system BE CHASeED The Sev
York Tribune is bitten with the yea t1at
Chinese dipIomacy''-that is no regular for-
eign missious-will be far best for this Govern
ment. and ever and anon airs the notion in It's
columns. Not few honorable members, prin-
cipally from the interior, seem to have adopted
the auisicality, as has been evident in more than
one TRADE against American foreign missions
uttered in the consideration Of the diplomatic
and consular bill. The opinion when enter
tanned in such quarters is a pernicious one,
and is simply the result of almost entire
ignorance Of the requirements of that branch
OF our public service. By way Of shedding
light on the subject we quote below re-
marks in connection with it from the pen of
Mr. o. Jennings Wise, an editor of the Rich
mond Enquirer, who for seven years was con-
nected with the diplomatic service of the United
states-ss an attache (clcrk) to the Brazil Lega-
ton, and as Secretary of Legation in Paris
We commend the result of his experience as
therein stated to the sober reflection of Con-
gressiOnal advocates Of no-Amcrican-missions
abroad
Having seen nearly seven years of diplomatic
service In subordinate stations-nearly three as n
Tour years as secretary of legatcn-haviny served
under four distinguished ministers plenipofentjary
having copied. filed, indexed and arranged
many volumes of diplomatic and consular cores
pondence, and having now desire whatever To
ie-enter the diplomatic service. evRce no egot-
ism In saying that we would much rather trust our
own experience and observation on the subject,
than the lucubrations Of Legislators or editors any
one Of whom would probably bluntler in the word
Ing of n note rerbdie.
I'VE can truly say that in the course of our OBJ
post which could be Abandoned without injury TO
,he puDic service, nor one at which faithful pub
lie servant could not find important labors 10 occu
Py his time benefcially for his country. Every
where we have seen advantages to be gained
abuses to be corrected prevented, valuable in
formation tn be collected. The consular depart-
InenI alone requires the constant supervision of a
corps OF d.ploinatists The ascertaini,ty. arrranv
ing ana digcstng statistics of high iminrt,nce Tn
commercial and International connections. would
alone furnish ample material for useful labor. The
c,n nd o. our eitzens against foreign governments
can ma no emcient advocates except In ministers
ieSlulhS AT foreign Courts. The theory and work
ing OF most OF the governments Of the earth are in
sucn connlct with our own system and doctrines
1 70 require INC frequent interpOstiOn Of efficient
olpionists 10 protect the life liberty and proper
" OF our citizens, native and naturalized. For ac
Hrate and timely information. too as to passing
events our Government is often entirely depend
eht on our ministers abroad. beautiful mess we
would nave OF IL. IL Mr.. Greeey's plan were car
rieu %, ana the State Department left To depend
xo sun inioriilallon on items such as the New
iork tribune caters for its readers
IN manly instances negotiations are best carried
on al the Court of the foreign government when.
700: commissioner sent out for the lob would be
incompetent Tor the purpose.
- Again: the science Of International law is in
us mSest lnfNncy. 1t must be ly modified
III us now lnclpcnt stage, by the pecufarities Of
euCu Iofh Oh government tO which its doctrines
are 10 DE applied: What bold novety-wl,at a
sIlkihS oTiginality-wlIat n vast and import,ut
eeuiehi does the moral and material force of such
nation aStie United states offer for the construc-
uon OF an International code, Indeed we have al
rtaoy unsettled old and established lSlpes and
ehgraI''d on the customs of international olsery
ahce new theories and practices STAMPED with their
purely republican origin. Is ID desirable that we
should nave no complete and well appointed corps
Oh i,Dorefs 10 continue the work,
NOR IS The pretense that the personnel of the
uIPioha'ie department is behind that of other
branches OF the pnblic service i'm caIacitv or en,
cheney. entitled to better credit Its 5cbieyements
are certainly not inferior 1t is true that Instances
can pe FOUND OF unworthy men i'm high diplomatic
's wei DIS III other stations OF our own or foreign
governments. But we are proud to saw. IL has
never peen our lot tn be brought i'm official contact
VINE an incompetent or unworthy American di plo-
niatst 30 Tar as our own associates are concerned
io1el2h missions have been filled with men NOT At
All wanting in character and efficiency ar Who
idiieu In any instance to command the perfcct r
spect oi Their diplomatic colleagues,
FACTS AKIN Rrxopv ~ Nv, ~, =,