National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-10-03

foreign nations at the seat of the American
Government has been, with very few ex-
captions, greatly below mediocrity. Unjust
also be admitted that the American Govern
ment has not been slow in returning the
compliment paid, in precisely the same cur
rency, for many Of the individuals, upon
whom the honor and responsibility of rep
resenting the United States at foreign
courts has been conferred, have
been almost entirely destitute of the
qualifications required for the proper dis
charge of such responsible duties. But
now that the capital of the American
nation has been converted into city of
magnificent streets and princely residences,
one opulent in educational advantages and
splendidly endowed with social attractions,
we may expect TO see the wisest and most
skillful diplomatists of other nations making
the mission to Washington the objective
point of their highest ambition while on
the other hand our Government, fully ap-
preciating the exigencies Of the age, and
the proud destinies which await the Ameri-
can people in the future, will be equally
circumspeCt in the selection of its agents,
both at home and abroad, whether in the
Cabinet or in foreign missions and thus
render Washington the great centre of
diplomatic attraction, where the most i'm
portant questions of the time, involving
the welfare, the aggrandizements or the
peace of nations will receive their solution.
In order to accomplish this high mission,
however the somewhat injurious practice
of political rewards and punishments should
lie abandoned, and diplomatic career es-
tablished.
Diplomacy has been regarded in general
merely as an art, and it must be admitted
that the practice of most Governments in
the selection of diplomatic ENJOYS has given
some color to the prejudiCes of mankind
against the very name of diplomacy, and
an able diplomatist has come to be pro-
verbal designation for a skillful negotiator,
who can bring about an arrangement, quo
cumQU6 mode, in favor of the party whose
interests he represents. But diplomacy as
a science has higher ends in view, and the
true art of the diplomatist is shown in cas-
ing the lTlCllOn OF INTERNATIONAL intercourse,
and in smoothing the difficulties which may
occasionally embarrass that intercourse,
either by candid representation of exist
ing treaty engagements, or by negotiating
the adjustment of a fluctuating practice
upon a sound basis of constitutional law.
For this purpose, however, the diplomatist
requires, not merely technical knowledge
of the rules which govern the intercourse
of nations, but perfect acquaintance with
the principles involved in those rules, and
it is indispensable to his success in admin
istering the law of nations that he should
have mastered the character OF its philoso-
ply. 1t is here in Washington that this
philosophy will be taught. 1t is here that
the advancemento of civilization will witness
the establishment of permanent classes in
diplomacy, and where, under the instruc-
ton of teachers profoundly versed in dip
lomatic lore, American youth will be trained
to execute the responsible and solemn trust
of proper representative to a foreign
Court