The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-12
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 1869.
PENESYL VANIA'S FIRST GLASS 70
REIGN MISSION.

IT IA announced, on apparently good authority,
that Ex-Governor Curtin will be appointed Minis
ter TO Russia. This seems to be the favorite
place of banlshment for prominent Pennsylvania
politicians to the favored classes OF TINS
State in a modified and comparatively agreeable
form, the purpose which Siberia serves TO RUSSIA
Soon after General Jacksons first election, James
Buchanan, who thon the rising man OF this
Commonwealth became the American Ambassa-
dor NJ st. Petersburg. Subsequently the same
honor was conferred by Van Buren, upon Bucha-
mans rival, George NJ. Dallas. This example of
the Democracy has been initiated by their Re
publican successors, for Simon Camcron's ap-
pointment as Minister to Russia by Lincoln inn
medately followed his surrender of the War
Department, and now 1t is alleged that Curtin's
failure to win Vice-Presidential or Cabinet
honors is to be supplemented by the transfer of
his graceful form from the quiet
shades OF Centre county to the Court
of the Czars. Instead of bothering himself with
the griefs of his disappointed followers he Is to
have glorious opportunities for hobuobbing with
diplomats and bejewelled Counts, and for bask
ing in the sunshine of the presence Of the sue
cessors of the doughty Peter the Great and the
dazzling Catherine With this arrangement
Curtin has better reason to be satisfied than the
politicians who cherished the fond hope, pre-
vious to Grants Inauguration, that he would be
enabled to dole out bountiful supply of the
spoils of office to his faithful friends; and they
will scarcely be content with the fate that honors
the leader, and leaves his attendant army of
ofice-hunters destitute of rations.
1t is currently rum ored that among. the other
Pennsylvania names pressed upon the President
p for first-class missions we're Louis W. Hall, who
was backed by Governor Geary, and George Ii.
Boxer, of this city, who was earnestly recon-
mended as a worthy successor of John P. Hale,
at Madrid, by committee of the leading MEM
bers of the Union League, but that General
Grant has decided that the State can receive but
one first-class mission, and that Curtins claims
override those of his competitors. So far as Mr..
Hall Ia concerned, it is extremely difficult to see
what possible pretension he can have to exalted
honors. he has no national reputation what
ever, and no especial claims that we are aware
of to the admiration or gratitude of his fell
low-ctizens within the confines of the
State. The appointment of George II.
Boxer, however, to a prominent mis-
sion would be highly ereditable. He has not
only gained honorable distinction by his literary
abilities, but has rendered continuous and useful
service to the Republican party as Secretary OF
the Union League. He possesses in large
degree the qualifications essential to a successful
clans are wofully deficient. While the country
has often been dsgraced abroad, and rarely re-
presented with efficiency by the heads of brawl-
ing factions the mini:ters whose intellectual
capacity had been demonstrated by literary sue
cesses, have usually reflected credit upon them.
selves and the nation. The mental and social
culture which is SO readily dispensed with by
those whose sole aim is success in the temCe;-
tuous struggles of home politics prove
useful rs well as ornamental in the polished
Circles of European capitals. Whatever we may
think Of the political principles of Buchanan
land Dallas their varied intellectual requirements
were undoubted, and the country can regard
with more just pride the record of such men as
Franklin, Jefferson, the Adamses, Irving, Ban
croft Everett and Motley than the diplomatic
career of host of foreign ministers who were
distinguished chiefly for their skill in partisan
warfare, and who rendered little real service
either at home or abroad.
In the Blue Book at the commencement of the
present year. Pennsylvania was charged with the
following diplomatic appointments:-H NJ.
Watts Minister to Austria; James K. Harvey, Min
lister to Portugal; and Edward JOY Morris, Minister
to Constantinople. 1t will not be at all surprising
If General Grant concludes to dispense with the
services of some of these gentlemen, and in that
event new fields viii probably be opened for the
diplomatic talent of this State