The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-13
Methods or Extending Oar Foreign

Very soon AFTER MI Gsoiss usooAo" '-
duties Of his present Office he had the saga
city to perceive that his best chance OF dis
tinguishing his administration of the State
Department was by efforts to extend the
foreign commerce Of the country. This
selection of his chief field Of effort evinced
the quick penetration of the Secretary OF
State. 1t attested his possession OF that first
merit of o statesman-the ability to ''under-
stand his epoch" No really able man
ever accepts high Office for the
empty honor of holding the place
and performing its routine duties. Be-
sides transacting the current business OF
his Office an ambitious Secretary OF State
wishes to leave his mark on the history OF
the country by some memorable achieve
ment otherwise the dignity of high
position is mere dross. Mr.. Evarts imme-
date predecessors were fortunate IN the
necessity which was laid upon them OF deal
ing with large international questions. Mr..
Seward was called to work in wide and
fruitful field. II is infinitely to his credit
that he kept the country out OF foreign
complications during the civil war. and
that by ''wise and mastery inactivity"
he foiled the design of the Emperor
Napoleon to establish monarchy
in Mexico in contravention of the
Monroe doctrine. His acquisition of
Alaska by treaty with Russia was minor
achievement; but even that would have
made his administration of the State De-
partment memorable. Mr.. Fish was not
equally fortunate; but he had, nevertheless,
one great opportunity, which he seized with
remarkable sureness of judgment and man
aged with degree of skill and success
which secures him against ever being for
gotten by history. The Alabama claims
treaty is a splendid trophy of diplomatic
ability. When Mr.. Evarts came into Office
rs the successor of Mr.. Seward and Mr..
Fish, there were no important or difficult
questions pending between the United States
and foreign governments, and it seemed
as if he would have no opportunity to dis
play his abilities A commonplace man
would have lamented that he was cast upon
barren period; but Mr.. Evarts saw that
instead of cleaning after former reapers he
could thrust his diplomatic sickle into
new and rich harvest. He set before him.
self, as his chief aim, the extension Of our
foreign commerce by the negotiation of
reciprocity treaties with other trading
nations. If he reaches his aim he will ac-
quire for his country great and substantial
advantage.
Mr.. Evarts' first step was directed to the
acquisition of full authentic information.
He addressed circular to all our consuls
requiring them to furnish him, after dill
gent inquiries, with facts and suggestions
respecting the best methods Of introducing
our productions to foreign notice. The
American consuls were alert in discharging
this duty, and their replies to the Secretary
of State have just been published in o vol
ume issued from the government printing
Office. We lay before our readers an intelli-
gent summary of its contents from our
special correspondent at Washington, to
which we direct tho attention of American
merchants and especially of American manu.
facturers.
Some OF the leading points made in these
interesting replies of the consuls may be
passed without discussion. They insist, for
example, that the want of stability in Ameri-
can prices is q great impediment to the pur-
chase Of our goods; but, inasmuch rs the
instability complained of is consequence
OF our fuctuating currency, it is allowable
to dismiss this topic in view Of the early
resumption Of specie payments, of which we
have ut last an assured prospect. Another
impeachment to the extension of our foreign
trade Is found in our tariff, which, by ex-
GLIDING foreign commodities from our mar
kets, prevents nations who would be our
customers from purchasing our goods by
their inability to pay for them in heir own
productions. If Mr.. Woods Tariff bill
passes it will bring partial remedy, but
attempts to extend our foreign trade must
not be abandoned if the new Tariff bill
should fail to pass. Even under the heavy
disadvantages of our present tariff many
American manufactures are cheaper than
similar foreign goods, as well as better in
quality. This being the case our manu.
facturers must not give up in despair nor
even w NASSouAubcA - III hApAOsSu SuIln
should not be adopted by this Congress.
A large portion Of the replying consuls
think that our goods fail to make their way
in foreign markets because they are SO little
known. The fact that SO many of the con-
suls, acting. of course, without any concert
or communication with one another. strongly
recommend the establishment Of large
sample warehouses of American goods in
the chief foreign marts should recommend
this suggestion to the thoughtful considera-
ton Of American manufacturers. A little
pushing of this kind would secure
the introduction Of our goods, and when
their merits shall have become well
known the interest of consumers will do
the rest. II associations were organized
.,n1nu arch Aypart,an MAN fact o.,