Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-03-28
DipIO " ACy.
The Diplomatic and ISIS Onco-Posia
tion md Duties OF the Various
Banks of DipIomats-Nice Disiino-
lions Of Etiquette.
from a recen' lecture BY c. ". Ernst.

lions Of Etiquette.
from recent lecture by c. W. Ernst.l
The diplomatic is The representative abroad
OF the sovereignty Of anation. He is not a
popular, but q governmental representative.
In this republic his appointment is far re-
moved from the direct influence OF the
voting masses, and on the whole he may be
said to be beyond the reach OF Congress. la
this there is nothing inco1gruous with Rep
ubcan principles. His function and his
method are necessarily characterized by
secrecy and reserve. Publicity and popular
discussion are Incompatible with the SER
vice for which he is appointed The di-
ploma,e is an official distinct IN character
from consul, aud Of higher rank. Tho
consul does not represent The sovereign but
is only an agent OF the government usually
in its commercial relations. The diplomatic
has in his cation the sanction of the inter-
national law. The term or word "interna-
tiOnal law is of modern date. 1t was coin
ed by Jeremy Bcntham less than century
ago, and first became formally recognized at
tie congress Of Viruna in 1925.
Treaties between nations have the sanction
of international law, and thus become part
of the fundamental law of the land SO long
| ne they remain in force. Legislation by any
one of the United States, for example, adj
verse to the conditions Of a treaty With a
| foreign natl n, would be void, precisely rs
| legislation conflicting with the federal con-
| stltution would he. The requirements Of the
constitution and # treaties are paramount to
AL other laws aud arc ona par with lch other.
! The protocol IF treaty is Uf hardly less
| importance, though il is a question whether
| a pr itocol would exceed ia authority Stale
law. protocol is a written agreement en-
tered into by two nations which for reasons
Of policy do not Hish to enter into formal
treaty. 1t may be defined % an official
acc Junt Of diplomatic transaction. The
protocol fist came into use IN the diplomatic
nCgoliltiIns at AK la Chapel Z in 1918
| One who would make study OF diplo-
macy and II International law should, hav.
Ing frs, made the subj ct familiar through
some elementary work, read the proceedings
and the treaties consequent thcreupon OF the
congress of Wc-tphaha in 1G4S, of the con-
grcss Of Vienna in 1915 and that Of Paris In
1856. Herein are the bases OF internttiona
law. The congress Of Vienna fixed definite
lY the respective grades of dipIomaes
making these grad,s-that Of amOass Tor,
tire highest GIadc that OF minister plenipo-
Tertiary, and that Of charge de affairs Tho
congress at AK la Chapelle authorized an
other grade, namely, munster resident. An
ambassador represents The person OF the
sovereign. lie is of no grcater weight d D.
lomaically, and is charged with no more i'm
portant responsibilities, Than minister pleni-
potcntiary may be. II superior importance
derives from court etiquette This is prac-
teal advantagr, since court etiquette
though but form, is form which has the
force OF law. Etiquette gives The ambassa-
dor prccedesce over the minister, for the
former, representing the person Of his
soverelGn,s reated precisely rs the sovereign
himself would be were he present A min.
lister does not represent the person Of his
sovereign but being accredited to the 5 DvereIn
of the country where h. resides is Of equal
| dignity and has the same consideration in all
matters where etiquette does not comes in.
An ambassador and minister may always
have audience With the verei-l; but if the
1 two happen to demand audience at the same
hour, the minister must defer t. the
ambassador and Withdraw. A minis
ter resident or charge is not
entitled to audience as Il matter of
course. II Mr.. Lowell, being minister plcn-
Iipotentiary, were IN consultation with the
Queen or the premier, and the Turkish am
oasSadUr were announced, etiquette would
require Mr.. Lowell t. Withdraw until the
Turk shonld have had his say and this not
because Turkey IS considered in England II
more important power than the United
States, but because the ambassador repre-
sents sovereign in person. 50 in court
professions, ambassadors follow Immediately
behind princes of the royal family and before
the Archbishop OF Canterbury, but minis
tiers come in later.
The United States government never sends
an ambassador to repres mt it, Its diplo-
matte service comprises II ministers and I6