The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-03
OUR DIPLOMATIC SERVICE.

In England when they wish to dispose of
some professional politician, whom it is not
safe to intrust with any responsible Office
at home and who refuses to be suppressed.
they make him Governor, or Lieutenant
Governor, or Secretary, or give him a berth
of some kind in one of the West Indian
islands, where it is devoutly hoped that the
tropical fever will do for him so that he will
be heard of no more. This sort of political
Punishment is not unknown in this country,
but we make consuls out of the rag-tag and
bob-tail of our political parties, and send them
abroad to represent the great American people
in all quarters of the civilized globe. When
a fellow becomes too importunate and
will not be satisfied without an Office
of some kind, they make him consul to get
rid of him, and to send him as far away from
home as possible, with the sincerest wishes
that he may never come back If it is some
great gun in the political world, to whom
home office of value equal to his demands
cannot be granted on account of public
opinion, he is provided for by foreign mis-
sion, it being supposed that the French, Spa
niards, and other benighted foreigners will be
obliged to put up with him for fear of a row,
and that they will at least treat him politely
out of respect for his official position
1t is certain that, with very few honorable
exceptions, our whole diplomatic service is a
scandal and discredit to the nation. Men
whom the administration woUld not venture
to assign to post Offices or even common
clerkships, at home, are considered plenty
good enough to represent us abroad, until
Europe, Asia, and Africa have been turned
into sort of Botany Bay for the reception of
the political criminals of the United States
We sometimes complain that the governments
of Europe ship their paupers and criminals to
our shores, as the easiest way of getting rid
of them; but they might easily retort by
pointing to our ministers and diplomatic
agents, whom they are obliged to receive and
treat like gentlemen.
The United States has arrived at position
when this state of affairs cannot be permitted
to continue without national disgrace. The
revelations made during the quarrel between
Mr.. Hale, our late Minister to Spain, and his
secretary, ought to bring the blush of shame
to every Americans cheek, and yet we have
endeavored to sustain the well-won reputation
of our diplomatic corps by sending out DAME
E. Sickles to succeed Mr.. Hale. 1t is time
that this whole Botany Bay system of diplo
macy was done away with. We have Interest,"
in foreign ports that cannot be trifed with
that require intelligent management
and if we are to expect foreigner
to respect us, we will hav
to send out diplomatic representatives fo
whom we have ourselves some respect.
reform in this matter has been urged agail
and again, but the United States Senate i
interested in providing for the place hunte r
under its patronage and unless the matter i
vigorously andpersistently urged, there islittl
hope for improvement. An improvement il
our diplomatic service rests in great mee
J sure with the newspapers of the country, an
if they advocate it with the proper energy
Congress willIbe forced, in Difference to publ
, opinion, to inaugurate new state OF affairs
, The Age expatiates at length upon munic
f pal extravaganza, and the magnitude of tn
sums squandered to reward political favorite
There may be some truth in its statement
S but we have no faith in it's proposed remedies
q A change from Republican to Democratic ru
= would only intensity existing evils. I'll
v Democratic rulers of New York city are unI
G vailed for extravaganza and corruption, al
i we have no reason to expect better thinI
d from the dominance of the favorites of IL
y Philadelphia Democracy. What is needed
le that both parties should nominate and ele
Sc better men than those usually chosen, an
t, that the whole system of municipal gover
Of ment should be reconstructed on principl
T. that would insure honesty and efficiency
= every department. Reforms in some dire
:, tions have proved entirely successful, and
y legislators and councilmen were sincere
IN anxious to stop stealing, plans could be d
Sc vised for guarding the public interests at 6
ls points,