The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-08
!. OUR CONSULAR SERVICE.
What Consuls Are and What
They Should Be.
OFFICIAL LIFE IN EUROPE.
Curious Phases of ROutine-Salary
VS.. Courtesy.

VS.. Courtesy.
THE SERVICE In FRANCE.
PARIS, May %, 1874
I Ihave lately been brought into personal commu-
nicati0n with great many American consuls and
desire here to express my thanks for the unfail-
ing courtesy and ready assistance which have In
variaby received from these gentlemen while full
filing my duties as correspondent Of the NEW
YORK HERALD. They understood perfectly that In
giving the press prompt and easy access to all
sources OF information within their knowledge
they were in fact serving the public OF the United
States and the interests OF truth They acted upon
that understanding frankly handsomely. and have
never had o single complaint to make against an
American consul.
think 1t right to say this because there Is some
thing excessively painful connected with the crtt-
cisms to which Americans travelling in Europe
subject diplomatic and consular representatives.
Most ofthem are tourists bent on pleasure, and
few are mindful Of the fact that it is an easy task
to be critical upon the actions OF neighbor with
whose position and circumstances we are not,
perhaps very wen acquainted. 1t is OF course,
very clever to have ones wits about one, to be
quick at splitting HAIR and finding out things
which look on o superficial view, ike fallings or
backslidings; but the censures we pass, however
smartly worded, are seldom just and never gen.
erous. 1t does not seem to enter into
the consideration OF the sharp-tongued traveller
that the fault OF which he complains when there
is fault does not rest 80 much with the consul
as with the consular system at present existing.
which Is IN several respects an Objectionable sys-
tenn, for reasons which shall endeavor to point
out, without prejudice or desire to impute blame
| Aff hA
necessary sort are SO difficult oring about that
he Is poor reas0ner who sets up such obstruc-
tions to his own arguments as personalities ana
hard words.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TIE OFFICE.
1t must possibly be conceded that among the
diplomatic and consular corps OF the United States
there are, though have not met with them, some
men who spoil their places, and are untitled either
by character or education for the responsible duties
which devolve upon them. Their nomination was
blunder OF those VINO appointed them, and
doubtless arose from the vague notion which ire
quently exists respecting consular functions In
high quarters. An American consul In many
foreign cities Is . parsonage Of considerable I'M.
portance In some places he Is almost project
as in the cities Of the East In other places he is
more than European king. In every case he en-
joys the local rank of colonel in the regular
with serious powers. In Egypt and Turkey. In
the BarDary States, in China and Japan ne
may fine or imprison his fellow countrymen
ALMOST at pleasure. In Europe, wherever there
is not an American legation, his word decides upon
their social position and character. To pitchork
needy office-seeker abruptly into such position as
this right; and If 1t Is done there Is no great
wonder II he does not always know how to con-
duct himself it it. tailor is not generally en-
ployed to repair lock- nor is suit or clothes
ordered from blacksmith. We train our soldiers
and sailors at military and naval academies; we
take pains TO insist that all men in the learned
professions shall give evidence that they have re-
ceived proper education; but governments in all
countries seem to think that any person viii do
for o consul who Is sent out to represent his ma
ton and to whom must be Entrusted the uncOn.
trolled management or much of the weightiesr
business which Is carried on between man and
man.
the requisites for q good consul are sound
knowledge OF commercial law, fair abilities, clean
hands, liberal education. firm character, con-
siderable patience and absolute lmpartialty.
Neither a government nor people can be well
served by discreditable officers and it is worthy OF
consideration whether men oil energy and reputa-
tion are likely to be found who willing to fill
appointments OF which the tenor is at best Orlef,
always uncertain and which require the highest
qualifications, while they are tnadequately remu-
nerated.
Able men. vino nave nothing hut their ability,
win always be eager enough TO accept consulates,
knowing little more OF them than taose by whom
they are appointed; but when these able men get
warm In their places it Is to be feared that unless
they have enlarged public minds as well as small
public salaries they Will be tempted to serve their
private interests rather than those Of their coun-
try.
No Improvement can be expected until consular
appointments are not only thrown open to the
best men-that is to say, TO those who have prac-
tical knowledge OF commercial and international
afairs-but also until good service Is adequately
rewarded. Up to a recent time consulates have
been considered merely as prizes IN the Official
lottery, to be won by any successful politician.
The men who gained them were often as ignorant
as carp, and when they desired to learn their
duties their term Of office expired while they
were still begging over the first rudiments OF in
ternatonal law and foreign customs. 1t would
not be logical to assume that because man Is a
politician he has aptitude for consular affairs,
or that he may not study to fulfil the i'm
portant functions OF an American representative
with intelligence and discretion. 1t may be posi-
BILE that he possesses all the special qualifications
necessary for his posi- but II he has no practical
experience they will be nearly useless to him and
to others. Every country has Its usages, its
language and its mode Of conducting business.
Unless they are known to a consul he might a.
well be stick or a stone, for all the value which
his advice be to his fellow citizens IN dicuity.
Now 1t II worthy OF note that the interests Of the
United States abroad are essentially commercial.
We do not want to go to war, or TO upset thrones,
or to strengthen one people at the expense Of
another; we have concern with the intrigues oil
| courts and the tricks OF diplomacy. We want to
trade with all the world as safely as possible; to
! see our way clearly to extend our commerce, and
| to protect 1t when we have extended 1t. Our
| Ministers as well as our consuls, no matter