New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-01

1Ur DtpTOUITTC AND CONSULAR SERVICF.
Secretary Frelin ghuysen's argument In de-
fence Of the Diplomatic and Consular service
ronrcsonts one side of the question quite forci-
bIv. The proposal of the Democrats In Con-
cress 70 exercise mean, cheese-paring econo-
NV NV reducing the already insufficient salaries
of many of the consuls. and by merging NM
;storiol offices and consulates in utter disregard
of the inherent distinctions between inc
functions of consuls and MINISTER'S Is on par
with Randalrs opposition to the reconstruction
of the Navy. 1t is an attempt TO make n'tlo
marty capital, and as usual with the Democrats
they would a little sooner do TINS al the
EXPENSE of the cOuntrys honor, goou
nomc and general interests than in any less mis-
cbieyous way. 1t is a fact abundanfly demon
strated. that the foreign interests OF the Unlteo
States have frequently suffered because or the
nepuriousness of Congress in regard 10 Inc
Diplomatic and Consular service. EnShhd
nolicv on this head has repeatedly put us 10
shame. and while there is some force III the
consideration that we have not Englands need
for elaborate foreign representation, there Is
no country the citizens of which travel abroad
more, and therefore no country which requires
better and more potential agents in foreign
ports and capitals.
1t must also be realized that the old policy of
partial or comparative isolation cannot be
always maintained A nation of iifty-sX mill
ions will, even against its inclination, be drawn
more or less into international politics, and must
be fifty and honorably represented. Drawing
orr citizens as we do from all parts of Europe
questions of diplomacy constantly arise with
inh
handled by minister residing on the spot.
Nor is it to be supposed that our foreign com
mcrce will remain incOnsiderablc, and as 1t
grows we shall feel the need OF consular
agents in ports and countries which we nave
| had hitherto but little business WITH.
| If the Consular service has at any time come
| into disrepute the cause does not consist III any
! evidence showing the uSeleSsness OF the service.
| but in the vice Of the political methods through
! which unfit men have sometimes been appointed
| TO these Offices. The remedy for such abuses Is
not be found in curtaimg the Diplomatic and
Consular service, but in clcvatns the standard
of the appointments. We do not need fewer
foreign agents, but better ones, in fact.
The two branches of the service, moreover,
cannot be merged. ~ proposed by the Jiouse'
without destroying their efficiency. The consul
cannot take the place of the minister and one
reason is that foreign Governments resent the
attempt to communicate with them through Of
fcials of an inferior grade. Their feeling in
thematter may be unreasonable, but we must
make our account with cncounterinS that
feeling, and if we desire to keep ON good terms
with our ncighbots we must make concessions
to their preiudlces.
The whole cost Of the Diplomatic and Con-
sular service, however is really 50 inconsidrr-
able that there is no excuse for parsimony in
the premises. If we want the public work
done well we must pay our agents literally
| Able men in thcs. times will not work for q
pittance for too many avenues to fortune are
omen 10 them. What is required in addition to
an efficient Diplomatic and Consular STALL how
ever, is a State Department that will operate in
harmony with them; that will uphold the
honor OF the Nation abroad; that viii support
is agents when they are wrongfully attacked
For without such reinforcement at head
ouartcrs the best staff in the world will become
demOraliZcd.