New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-06-05
OH MINISTER TO MENICO.


The Hon. Lewis d. Campbell draws $4,000
q wear from the United States Treasury as
commentator for bis services in representing
our Government at the capital of the Mexican
Republic. He is supposed to spend his salary
at Washington. Newt Orleans, and other
chief cities of the Union; very pleasant places
for plcnpotentiary to live III, no dOuDt-far
nleasanter tkan the shifting headquarters of
President Juarez; but it will not be deemed
impertinent if we suggest that MI camp
hell is of no use ut such distance
from his post of duty, and we shall not
feel that we are getting our Sl2,oOo
worth until no goes to Mexico and looks after
his business. 1t is not often that our foreign
ministers have the opportunity to DO their
country any service, but here is chance IN
Mexico and we wonder that Mr.. Campbell, II
only for the credit of the diplomatic body, has
not FASTENED to seize upon 1t. foreign
usurper has been overthrow, wicked at
tempt to force Imperialism upon free people
has been defeated, dynasty which built Its
homes Of pirpetuity upon the expected success
of the rebellion in our own country has come
to an inglorous end the victorious govern
ment is one to which We alone remained
friendly when all other nations were
against it, and its prospects were dark
est. In the settlement Of the many
important questions which must ARISE
during the reconstruction OF the revived
republic, in the adjustment OF private CLAIMS
and the determination of public policy, no
voice would be so powerful with the Mexican
President as that of an official representative
of the United States; and at this critical june
ture the official representative OF the United
States is thousand miles away. Here Is
condition of affairs in which our Envoy has
matter for daily communication with the Mex
lean Cabinet; and yet the Mexican Govern
mcnt is at San Louis PotOs or, probably,
by this time, i'll the City of Mexico and
our Envoy is at New-Orlcans, whence IL
takes him two weeks to get message
To Juarcz. The lives, the liberty the prop
cIty of American residents in Mexico are Jeo-
parded in the confusion which follows the
long war in that country; yet the Official whom
we have charged with their protection has not
vet seen fit to present his credentials to the
Government TO which he was accredited SIX
months ago. The leading newspapers OF the
United States have sent their representatives
to the Mexican Presidents headquarters, but
Mr.. Campbell remains at his ease in New
Orleans reading the news which dribbes across
the frontier and sending it on to Washington.
Mr.. Seward pays him $1,000 month Tor
doing this and he could get the same ntell-
gcncc-and good deal more-from IIIE IRIB-
rNE at the rate of SlO year When the fate
of prisoners of war, and with it the honor OF
the victors and the cause of humanity, trembled
in the balance, an American Minister, who had
been on the close terms of good understanding
and familiarity with the Juarez Government to
which our persistent friendship toward them war
rantcd, might have been powerful to save, and
the world might have been able to say III our
praise that we were not only magnanlmous our
selves toward our fallen foes, but we taught
other nations to be the same; yet before Mr
Campbell can venture a recommendation 10
mercy he is obliged to apologize to the Mexi-
can Minister of Foreign Affairs for his long
delay in reaching his post, and his representa-
tions are received with a cOol and cutting ex-
preston of regret that he had not found It
convenient to present his credentials and COM
mence the duties of his Office. We cannot
afford To leave our interests in Mexico to the
winds of chance, and we will not submit to
keep any supernumerary plenipotentlares. Mr..
Campbcll's longer stay i'll New-Oreans Is little
better than criminal Where n reporter can go,
surely Special Messenger and Minister Plen-
"ipotentary of the United States" can follow.
If he cannot 90 let him resign if he won't go,
let him he recalled.