The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-04-17
Our Ambassador to Germany.

standard by which to test the qualifications
of our Ambassadors to foreign countries.
The President has the privilege of nomi-
mating the persons who are honored with
foreign missions and the senate the right
of confirmation or rejection. The selec.
ton as to whom he will nominate, being
exclusively a presidential prerogative, is
undoubtedly as much matter of personal
preference, or made as a matter of reward
for political and party services, as it is on
account, of any special qualifications and
fitness for the position,
Whatever may have been the political
influences which in times past have deter
mined the executive mind in proposing
men for missions abroad, there is no longer
any room to doubt what special qualities
indicate the man who is worthy of anbas-
sadorial honors. Mr.. Bayard Taylor, the
recently appointed minister to Berlin, has
demonstrated the point of ambassadorial
qualifications and exhibited his abilities in
such an unqualified degree that hereafter
the question will have no element of doubt.
The bibulous qualities as measured by Mr.
Taylor's capacity must be measured at
three hundred glasses OF Lager at one
sitting, including 'salamanders" and such
other minor tests as the company present
may require. His having accomplished
the feat of imbibiDg three hundred glasses
of beer within the limits of an evening"
convivial entertainment is considered by
every well regulated and moderate drinker
as being only fairly up to the standard of
good beer-drinking, and as in no wise bor-
dering upon an Incorporate aptitude for the
refreshing beverage; the social hearted and
jolly company of Teutons who were present
are entirely unanimous in the opinion that
MIR. Taylor can perform the duties of
American minister at Kaiser Wilhelms
Court with credit to this country, and
good degree of satisfaction to himself.
AS there is no disputing about tastes we
have no disposition to detract in any degree
from the well.earned favor which our new
Minister has so early acquired among the
people who know the customs and wants of
the Fatherland, and we respectfully Isub-
NIT that their opinion upon that subject
may be received by the American people
as conclusive.
The president therefore will have no
trouble hereafter in regard to whom he
should select as minister plenipotentiary
to any country where the capacity for beer
drinking is the national rule. 1t may
be objected that this rule, although
suthcent for the countries iustanced, is
not wholly adequate to the requirements
OF other countries where some other kind
OF beverage is held more 10 vogue. The
force of this objection. though readily
acknowledged, is by no means insurmount-
able. Such nations as excel in the use of
wine, as France or Italy, it will only be ne
cessary to ascertain what is considered a
fair average in those countries for a person
to imbibe at hearty social gathering; and
when whisky or brandy are the ruling
drink, the same rule will apply; the neces-
sary change in kind aud amount being
first ascertained, and the aspirant for
foreign hOnOrs then submitted to the
crucial test by competent and experienced
bibulists.
Mr.. Bayard Taylor may be considered
as having done his country the honor of
establishing the experimental test for
places abroad, and this postulate may be
considered as now fixed and determined.
1t is reported of Baron Won Humbolt that
he once remarked to a coterie of literary
friends, who were discussing the merits OF
literary personages generally, that Bayard
Taylor had travelled more and seen less
than any noted person of the age. From
this time on the people OF this country
may rest perfectly easy in regard Ito any
further unfriendly criticisms of our dis
tinguished countryman. Since the days Of
Humbolt, Mr.. Bayard Taylor has improv-
ed not little even in his literary produc-
tlons, and we venture to say has made
immense strides, or more correctly speak
Ing, has immensely increased the capacity
OF his gastric regions for the reception of
the one great fluid which commands the
admiration of Humbolts couutrymeu; and
IT the great Savant were now living, we
feel satisfied that he would have spared
our countryman any little deficiencies in
his mental make up out of respect for the
admirable development of his stomach
and his line attainments and undeniable
good record as a superior beer drinker.
The Nineteenth century has been much
lauded tor being an age of progress and
Improvement, and if any doubts have ex-
lsted In the minds Of philosophers or
scholars in regard to the verify of this
claim, SO tar as diplomacy is concerned the
question Is now at rest; MIR. Bayard Taylor
has In person settled the yexed question
oil the standard of qualifications and the
United States are honored in the person of
so distinguished and practical exemplar.
MT Taylor has left the shores of his native
Iahd with reputation that will only
brighten with increased lustre as age and
opportunity afford him occasion for the
display OF his extraordinary bibulous
capacity There is no need of any Reform
Club for him.
The tariff on Sugar.
During his late visit to New York Secre-
tary Sherman was waited upon by dele
dalton OF merchants who made suggestions