The New York herald., 1868-06-25

Diplomatic Breeches.


Diplomatic Brooches.
There is only one thing wrong in the world
just now. The bloated aristOcrats of Europe,
Asia, Africa and other places want us to wear
gold lace, and we refuse. We object because
the thing is against our principles. 1t is
against our principles because we are republi
cans for every one knows that it is inconsis-
tent with republicanism for man to wear
any garments but such as are made of black
broadcloth, and in the plainest Presbyterian
style. Just in proportion as q man looks like
a sexton dressed for funeral is he worthy of
his freedom and capable Of appreciating the
American eagle-a plain bird, that sports no
gaudy colors. Just as a man gives way to the
vanities of dress, cultivates elegance and art,
so he falls the victim of luxury and becomes
the tool Of the tyrsnts Of Europe, who do
nothing else Of much consequence but look out
for tools to be used against our liberties; and
although our liberties have stood it very well
thus far, we cannot take too many precautions
or guard the future too carefully. 1t was with
PoooO0
the backs Of our representatives at foreign
courts and keep them in plain breeches.
People in Europe, especially kings and queens,
have queer notion that when they invite a
man to ball they have the right to say how
he shall dress. 1t was proper for the repre-
sentatives of the American eagle to assert their
dignity by resisting this, and the law requires
them to do so-all of which is wise and not
small matter at all, but subject eminently
worthy the attention of a great nation. 1t is
erroneous to suppose that being in Rome we
ought to do as the Romans do. We ought, on
the contrary, to set the Romans fine example.
We ought to try to bring them out of their
ancient medieval notions, especially on the
subject of dress, and cultivate their taste to
our standard. The most advanced type of our
standard is the dress worn by the Shakers at
Lebanon, which is the logical future of our
present coat and breeohes and is dress in
which no man can find any gold lacery or the
faintest suggestion Of that puerile vanity of
taste that is related to such ornament. When
| we have made that the court dress of Europe
| we shall have gotten great deal Of nonsense
out Of the way.
Several of our Ministers abroad have re-
ported progress in this great attempt, and
Mr.. Seward has just sent their important let
ters to that grave body, the United States
Senate. Mr.. Yeaman declares, all the way
from Copenhagen, that he knows nothing
about the law, but perceives that it will have Q
very bad effect. He doubtless reached this
conclusion on general principles and know
ledge of Congress- Mr.. Hovey, from Lima,
wants to know If he can wear his militia suit,
and the Secretary consents. We must regard
this as weakness on the part of the Secre-
tary. It is q compromise, and as such is un-
worthy of US. The Secretary evidently
thought that in the case of South American
republic we ought to take what we can get
but we think this ground ought only to be
taken in regard to Mexico. In that republic
all must consent that the Minister should be
permitted to wear any kind of breeches he can
keep in his possession, or, otherwise, the kind
that is most ingeniously constructed for the
concealment of the pockets. Satisfactory
progress is reported by Sandford, Hale and
Adams at Brussels, Madrid and London. Dix
will write when he has considered how this
subject is touched by the classical authors, and
Bancroft is understood to be exhausting the
matter in volume that will be issued by
Boston house in four hundred pages octave.
We hear nothing as yet from the man who will
undoubtedly prove the great authority on
q okv, do
General James Watson Webb, whose expen-
sive diplomatic breeches were the first things
secured on the occasion of the famous appoint
ment to Vienna. Mr.. Webb's experiences will
make him peculiarly interesting on breeohes,
and his ability in the discussion of diplomatic
niceties will give permanent value to his
treatise. His letter will be q treatise, of
course. Perhaps the heat of the climate In
Rio Janeiro may seem to him just now to
make breeches of less consequence than some
other things, and 80 induce neglect; but the
country hopes otherwise, and expects great
things from the illustrious Chevalier.
The Brooklyu Yacht Club Regatta To-Day.
The Brooklyn Yacht Club, in the arrange
ments for their annual regatta to-day, have
introduced feature that insugurates an era
in yachting matters in the United States
worthy of general adoption. That q more
general collection of model vessels, under
proper auspices, should be brought together
for trial of speed than has. heretofore marked
their aquatic reunions, this club. without dis
tinction and without the least reservation, save
Al. Al IL. ASSN nj. ;In0 ra0ulatio ahall U0vorn
the race, invited all yacht owners
OF kindred associations TO join them.
This desire to bring our yachts together in
manly, true, yachtmanlike manner, sprung
from the wish to further the pastime alone,
and IL Is peculiarly gratifying that the