The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-16


States In all that concerns international relations.
Washington, and Monroe, who was only the "con-
tnuator" of the immortal founder OF the republic
established q principle that the federal Union
should abstain from all foreign alliances and from
all Interference in European AFFAIRS while it ought
also not to tolerate any Intervention or "immix-
ture" IN the affairs OF the American Continent.
This principle was rational and OppOrtune at the
epoch when 1t was formulated into q doctrine.
When the Union counted only two or three mil
lions OF citizens and when it was only in the pro-
cess Of formation; when steam and electricity had
not swept away two thirds OF oceanic distance;
when emigration had not turned the waves OF Eu-
rOpean population to the United States, an exte-
riOr policy Of abstenti0n and OF negatOn was indi-
Gated.
But greatness and progress-that nOosesse Of ma
tiOns-"oblige"
nonrishing State Of 100000 cannot isolate
itself
What proves that it cannot escape the inevitable
solidarity OF general interests is that while 1t pro-
fesses still the Monroe doctrine the Cabinet at
Washington is forced to constantly disregard 1t.
One Of the consequences of this contradiction be-
tween theory and practice Is that the American
people, who watch and control very actively the
progress of the internal affairs Of their country
show an absolute Indifference with regard to
foreign affairs, and abandon the irresponsible
management Of them to hands which are inexpert
and sometimes even little scrupulous and which
use them as feature Of electoral combinations or
with views of personal interest.
The constant and unlimited exercise of selfgov-
eminent famiiarzes the great majority of the clti
zens of the Union with administrative, judicial and
financial affairs. The system OF public instruction
also aiding In this matter America may Justly boast
of being the richest country in the world in excel
lent magistrates, in eloquent orators and in able
lnanciers.
But it is necessary to recognize this also: that
she has produced, up to the present, but very few
diplomats.
With some eminent exceptions, offered by Messrs.
Adams, Sumner, Motley, Bancroft and Wheaton,
the diplomats Of tire New World are improvised
from day to day, and attempt the most delicate and
difficult of careers without any special preparation.
diplomat Is exactly the most difficult Of all
things to 'improvise"-that is to say, man COM
plotting the technical knowledge necessary, with
the tact and suppeness which are acquired only by
a long and laborious experience.
In default OF this Indispensable guide one inalli-
bly, strays and Is crushed by the rocks with which
the diplomatic career is sown.
1t is in that should try to substitute for
these qualities boldness and selfsuniciency.
1t Is In vain that one should substitute bad faith
for fnesse, the special pleading of the lawyer for
discussion, brutality for dignity at the first
breadth Of wind, at the first storm, goes astray
and finishes soon or late by shipwreck
The events OF the day and some other facts Of
secondary Importance, but Of public n0toriety,
seem to corroborate these criticisms and to point
out to the American people the urgent necessity Of
remedying these grave Inconvenience
PARIS, July, 1872. c. CATACAZY.
The Letter to Chief Justice Chase.
SIR-Artcle three second section OF the constitu.
ton Of the United States, establishes the compe.
tence of the federal Supreme Court "in all cases
affecting ambassadors, other public Ministers and
COnsuls.n
In virtue of this constitutional clause 1 would
have the right to claim from the federal Supreme
Court justice and reparation for the acts against
my honor and my interests committed by Mr.. Ham,
iton Fish In the exercise OF his functions Of federal
Secretary Of State at the epoch when had the
honor OF being Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor Of I'll
the Russas In the United States.
But while was clothed with that character the
duties Of my position forbade all such recourse to
justice, as well as all public refutatOn of the arn
trary and outrageous assertions set forth by the
federal Secretary OF State in Official documents,
given the greatest publicity.
/ would have compromised the interests which
had been confded to me In thus engaging the i'm
perial government in personal incident, which
could not and ought not to influence in any way
the friendly relations between the two countries,
which are happily sheltered from every attack Of
intrigue or OF personal Ill will
RESIGNED-WAS NOT DISMISSED.
The Emperor, my august master, having deigned
to very graciously relieve me, at my own request,
the possession of the right inalienable in every
man to claim and obtain justice.
will use this right, however, only within very
do not intend to begin formal suit for "mali-
cious slander' against Mr.. Hamilton Fish, because
the American law pronounces on this head no PEN
atty but pecuniary compensation to the complain
ant, and am not able to face an eventuality Of
honor to- His Maes he
Emperor or all the Russas does not accept pecuni-,
airy compensation. He Is able to claim only moral
reparatiOn, and that Is what am about to secureS
In placing under your equitable auspices, sir, an
authentic erpose Of the facts which have been so
profoundly altered by the Secretary of State, II.
Fish, in official documents
The federal Supreme Court has for Its mission to
watch over the maintenance OF the American con-
stitution. Among the principles serving as the
base OF that constitution there is not more inn
portant or more sacred than that establishing that
Justice must be accessible to all the world without
distinction Of origin, OF nationality or OF position.
COMPLIMENT FOR CHASE.
Called, by the esteem and confidence Of your fell
sir, the supreme magistrate of the Union, and
the most authorized interpreter OF the letter
ana the spirit or the laws wnlcn rule your coun-
try. Under this title you will be very willing,
/ hope, to take into consideration the excep.
tonal conditions in which was placed
man who, on one side, was powerless to engage In
a formal procedure without compromising interests
more grave than those OF personal defence, and
who, on the other, finds 1t impossible to vindcate
his outraged honor otherwise than In placing under
the auspices of the most respected authority in the
United States the demonstration of the inanity Of
the charges produced against him.
will strive now to expose the acts OF which
have so grievously to complain, while avoiding all
irritating polemics, and observing the respect due
to the eminent functions that Mr.. Hamilton Fish
formerly filed.
THE ATTACK DIRECT.
! cannot avoid, nevertheless, establishing right
at the outset that in note addressed to Mr.. Cur
tin, Minister OF the United States at ST. Petersburg,
under date OF the 10th November, 1871, and in
raj other documents submitted to Congress the 9th
December 1871, Mr.. Hamilton Fish has wilfully sent
forth erroneous assertions with the evident pur-
pose OF provoking my recall from the post which
had been confided TO me and Of striking blow at
my character and personal honor.
nj Aun