The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-19
Grants Foolish Threat.

Grants Foolish Threat.
During n recent attack of neuralgia of
the BRAIN" Gen. GRANT threatened that II
the Consular and Diplomatic bill failed be
cause of deadlock between the two
Houses. he would withdraw all the Minis
tiers and Consuls and lot the service go 10
the dogs, i'll order to bring odium upon the
Democratic party for the proposed re-
trenchment This menace was intended to
operate on the House of Representatives,
and to bring about compromise satisfnc-
tory to the Administration. We presume
II will fail Of any effect whatever.
Nothing could happen to this branch of
the public service which would more eff
fectually expose its inutility and extrava-
gance than the extreme course proposed
by the President. In fact, 1t is the best
radical remedy for existing abuses that
could be- adopted; for once stopped. the
country would be brought to see the abb
sence OF any pretext for these costly sine
cures, aud would compel thorough re-
organization of the whole diplomatic
machinery.
In Europe the diplomatic service is now
maintained chiefly as n means of pension
ing the younger sons of the nobility, aud
of opening the doors TO another class, who,
by their newly acquired wealth, exercise
large political influence and seek social
Advancement. Diplomatic ministers have
become little more than official messengers,
who carry letters to court, deliver messages
TO the sovereign. and serve as figure heads
at ceremonies. They have little, If any, re-
sponsibilty All the great negotiations
are conducted directly through the Cabi-
nets.
In this country the honors of diplomacy
are reserved for needy politicians, ex-Gov-
ernors out OF employment, seedy Generals,
and favorites of the Administration for
the time being. The volumes of so-called
dispatches which are published at large
cost every year. nre filed with the most
dreary, absurd, and ridiculous stuff, which
has become the laughing stock OF Congress
and the country. They show that our for
eign Ministers have really nothing to do, and
would be far better of ut home helping to
raise crops. We should ut least he spared
the exhibition of vulgarity in represent
alive form, and save the salares paid TO
the CRAMERs and that crew Of ll-mannered
adventures.
Nearly all the important differences be-
tween the United States ana foreign Gov
erumcn,s have been settled by special
agents or commissions Mr.. WEBSTER, as
Secretary Of State, negotiated at Washing
ton the northeastern boundary treaty with
Lord AsHBURroS who was specially de-
tailed Tor that duty while Mr.. Fox was the
resident British Minister The recent
treaty for the settlement OF the Alabama
claims was made by Joint Commission.
Steam and the ocean telegraph have
changed the practical duties of diplomacy
AS they formerly existed, and have left
only an official form remaining without
real substance. If the whole system was
abandoned, and special agents substituted
when needed. and only then, useless ex-
penditure would be cut of, and n return
10 the simple habits of true republican
government would follow. As it is, We are
constantly growing into the habits of i'm
perialsm and monarchy, and following in
their footsteps at best with very poor
imitation.
Consuls are necessary as the ministerial
officers for executing the laws of the
United States III foreign countries relating
TO commerce. They administer these
trusts as they happen to be good or bad.
capable or incompetent But the assump-
ton that they create commerce in any
way is as strained rs it would be to say
that the Postmaster of this city creates the
correspondence that passes through his
Office.
Tho House bill has abolished the salaries
of IA small number or Consuls, whose ON
ces made no returns at all equivalent to
their compensation. Consular agents who
are paid by the fees collected. take their
places and perform the duties of the Con-
sus. Their functions are precisely the same,
and commerce il no way affected by the
change Of names, while the Treasury is
helped by the stoppage off fragrant eXtrav-
agance. Wehupe, therefore, the President
Will find II chance to make his threat good,
by recalling tine unsightly collection Of
Ministers and COnsuls he has sent abroad,
and setting them to work as producers
and not us idle consumers ut the public
EXPENSE.