The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-13
TUESDAY, APRIL 1s, 1869.
TBB DIPLOMA TIO APPOINTMENTS

TIE DIPLOMA TITO APPOINTMENTS
TuE Diplomatic appointments sent to the Senate
Yesterday will give general satisfaction. Tho
selection of Lothrop Motley as Minister to Eng
land Is very appropriate and judicious. Rcverdy
johnson Notwithstanding his antecodcnt fame
as A lawyer and Senator has proved a miserable
failure az diplomatIst, and his recall will afford
welcome relief to the English well as the
American Government His admirers across the
water win probably feel in honor bound to give
him one good dinner more, but after this in-
por,ant ceremony is completed and farcwels
are exchanged he cannot too soon be shipped
hack TO the classic shores of the Chcsa-
peske. His successor has a triple claim
upon national confidence, based upon his
wen-attested abilities as historian,
his training diplomatist, and the infamous
espionage established over him by Androw John
son. As he was driven from Austria because he
would not sacrifice his manhood and mako
hypocritical professions OF admiration for the
Presidential policy, which every honest Republ-
can spurned, 1t is just and fitting that now
honors should compensate for this persecution.
Besides, Mr.. Motey's past career and his supe-
rlor talents afford guarantee that the nation
will be ably represented at the court where
effective representation Is most important, and
where questions of the most vital interest remain
unadjustod.
The appointment Of Ex-Governor Curtin a.
Minister 10 Russia will please the admirers of
that gentleman. The administration IL obliged
to closely consider tho political prominence of
aspirants for diplomatic honors, and it cannot
be denied that Curtin's position and his rela-
ons to the people and the politicians OF the State
are such as to justify his selection as the recipi
cut of the highest diplomatic honors awarded to
Pennsylvania. We hope he may find, In the
honor of serving his country abroad, full com
pensation for the disappointments he has en-
c0uRtcred In his efforts to gain leading positions
at bome and we have no doubt that he will
prove a popular and creditable Envoy Extra
ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.
The new Minister to Austria, John Jay,
of New York, Is descendant of one
Of the few historic families of our country
in which political knowledge, capacity, and in
fuence Is ''bequeathed from sire to son." His
revolutionary progenitor was one of the most
celebrated of the early diplomatists of the coun-
try, having served as Minister to Spain In 1779,
as Commissioner to negotiate peace with Eng
land after the Revolutionary war, and subse-
quently Minister to England, in 1894, when
he negotiated the celebrated Jay treaty, which,
although it drew upon him a storm of obloquy,
was accepted by the ruling authorities of the
period as the best adjustment that could be made.
noticeable feature of the new appoint
mepts is the selection of Ebenezer D.
Bassott, one of the most intelligent colored
men of this city, as Minister Resi-
deAt and Consul General TO Hayt Our relations
with that region are rapidly rising in import
~ance, and the period may not be very distant
when II will become an integral part of the
Great Republic. At all events, the commercial
interests of the United States might be greatly
promoted by wise diplomacy in that quarter
All other things being equal, there eau be little
doubt taat colorcd man of ability could render
better service at the seat of Government con
uolled by men OF his own race, ruling over
people of African descent, than white ambas-
sador For similar reason we presume j. X.
Clay, colored citizen of Louisiana, has been
appointed Minister Resident and Consul General
to Liberia; and he, too, will be more likely to
awaken cordiality Of feeling and desire to ad-
vance American interests on Afric's burning
sands than white man.
Few of the other new ministers are mon of
great prominence but they all possess fair
records. John g. Carlisle, appointed Minister
to Sweden, was one of the first Senators from
West Virginia. and gained honorable distinction
oy his early and continuous opposition to seces-
son, j. X. Jones, the now Minister to Belgium
was one OF the most active and efficient members
OF tho Republican National Executive COMMITTEES
during the last Presidential campaign.
lho appointments made yesterday embrace
but comparatively small portion OF the diplo-
matte Held. We presume other changes will soon
be made, and that while some of the Ministers
whose character and talents render them useful
In their present positions will be retained, Others
wiz soon give way 70 better men. Fitzpatrick ia
sun apparently accredited " Santiago, Hale 10
Madrid. Rosecrans 70 Mexico, Van Valkenberph
70 feddo, and Harvey 10 Lisbon.