The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-29
DIPLOMACY AND STUMP ORAToRY.

From the N. Y. Journal Of Commerce.
That Mr.. Washburne should be anxious for
the welfare of France, and especially for the
welfare of the French republic, is thing
neither to be wondered at nor condemned
A diplomatic representative ought, as far as
possible, to be on terms of reciprocal good
will with the people to which he is accredited:
and an American representative would almost
deny his country were he to deny his interest
in the success of republican institutions
And doubtless disposition, not, indeed, to
ipjure Germany, but to befriend France, now
appearing in a character doubly attractive of
the sympathies of q generous and free peo-
pie, has presented herself to the view of
America as at once an unfortunate and re-
publican nation. 1t is, therefore, greatly to
be regretted that Mr.. Washburne, in the
short speech which we published recently
as addressed to popular assemblage in Paris,
should have built up of fewsindiscreet words,
if they are correctly reported, an almost in
surmountable barricade to shut out not only
himself but the nation he represents from the
way to that good work which both he and
they would gladly do. Our position, had we
undertaken to mediate, was really hopeful
one. We have been on terms of the utmost
friendliness both with the German people
and the Prussian Government. Our posi-
ton and the fundamental principles of our
of our cherishing any design to enter
into hostilities ourselves, whatever
course the affairs of Europe might take. The
expostulations we should have had to address
to the victorious party would have carried
with them nothing of ill will or menace.
Why, then, should Mr.. Washburne throw
away, SO far as solemnly accredited spokes-
man for the United States could do so, the
advantages of such position by saying, as
l. ,k1I b
crowd, ''Like you, | believe that the
two great republics ought to remain
united before monarchical EUROPE" One
sentence brings the United States down from
the elevated position of an impartial friend of
both parties, as of humanity at large, to that
of a thorough going partisan of one side,
committed not only to sustain the arms of
France against those OF Prussia, but also to
seek the overthrow of the Prussian consti-
tuition. While that avowal stands, what can
we expect but that Prussia should watch all
our movements with jealousy and repel our
advances with haughtiness?
If it should occur to any one to plead that
Mr.. Washburne has simply spoken out the
truth with an American frankness which
scorns diplomatic fneSSe, we reply that we
could not ask for a better illustration of the
fact that rashness is often at very long
remove from sincerity, than is afforded by
this very speech. After utterlng the sem
tence which we have quoted, and going on
further to say, ''You have specially gained
the support of the United States, he con-
cludes-and his conclusion is an almost unri-
vailed specimen of the art of sinking in ora
tory-''but, in consequence of our
relations with other powers, and of
the great distance between us, my
personal opinion is that you must
reckon more upon moral than active sup
port" The latter half of this little speech is
thus devoted to showing that nothing was
meant by the eformer-nothing; for who that
! is familiar with the proceedings of Congress,
of Union Leagues and political conventions,
does not know that of all the theatrical "pro-
perties" with which political sehemers delude
their dupes, and to a certain extent-so i'm
potent is untruthfulness to make any test
of truth-even themselves, this ''moral
support" is the tawdriest and the himsiest :
! The populace of Paris may not know
but We are much mistaken, or Bismarck
does-that the ''moral support" of Con
gressional resolutions and political platforms
and stump speeches means, not spirit and
| purpose that on occasion will not hesitate ia