The Wilmingtonian., 1885-08-22
COURTESY AND vULGARITY

| 'NH w ohoSo Wuo may nave Deen 1nclln
ed heretofore to look sharply into the meth
DDS followed by Mr.. Bayard as Secretary Of
state, it seems incredible that he could
have used expressions such as are ascribed
to him in his recent correspondence with the
Austrian government.
Washington kilograms, however, affirm
that MIR. Bayard expressed himself in the
following terms:-"This Republic does not
only recognize, but has a profound con
tempt for race or religious distinctions:
that not recognizing them ourselves we can.
not be expected to consider them for the
purpose ofbumoring other peoples preju-
dces, etc..
If 1t be conceivable that Mr.. Bayard
clothed his correspondence in such words,
the most extreme condemnation would be
entirely insufficient for the grossuess Of the
terminology.
Surely the most elementary requirements
Of diplomatist include the ability, when
direct and harsh facts are necessary to be
impaired, Of stating them in the most inof
fensive, most considerate, most courteous
manner. Courtesy and firmness are not in
compatible terms! When extreme meas
ures are called for we surely are not to be
disgraced by the raw bluntness of back
woods cabn-tak. Certain social REQUIRE
ments, intutive etiquette, may properly be
expected to have reached and impressed
that entity called the American gentleman
and nodded him into some form or other
distinctive from barbarism, by this la te date
of the nineteenth century.
ln the present case Secretary Bayard hiss
gratuitously stated to the Emperor of Aus
tria that this country cannot be expected to
recognize the race and religious distinctions
OF the Austrian Empire. Tis assertion, in
its manner of presentment is coarsely gra-
tuitous, and profoundly untrue in fact In
ternational association, like domestic socie-
ty, has for its first mandatory law the fact
of the consideration of others. As in an
individual in any ordinary society, so in a
nation, he who fails to recognize this ele-
mentary fact and batautly requires others
to formulate their ideas, feelings, impress
sions and conduct according to his sole and
peculiar views is commonly looked upon as
naught but boor. And very properly too.
What right has Mr.. Bayard to compromise
the American people into such boorish po-
sition.
We contradict the position of the secre-
r'l-S-lt st2ls anll.Laks this
saying that the citizens of this
country are not so crude and |
ill-bred as to lack even full recognition of
'the race and religious distinctions" of 9th |
er countries IN their Own county. So in
Austria, it is incumbent upon the American |
people to accord consideration to the social |
conditions that exist in that country, no |
matter what our private opinion may be or
to what extent we may deprecate or con-
dernn them here at home.
It is not such very fine point Of discern
ment of the meun et tuum of international |
courtesy, but that the Head of the Depart |
ment of State should he, of all people, OBJ
livious to its requirements.
Should an American, an intelligent
American, thoroughly imbued with the
great advantages that human equality has
endowed him with, on finding himself in
England, Germany, China, or Austria, act
upon the principles clearly implied in Mr..
Bayard's words he would continually find
himself in hot water. The customs of the
country must be respected and recognized.
And if so by casual visitor, how much
more so by the American Minister resident
Would any person dare have the gross
hardhood to declare in any community
that he had a contempt for its usages Yet
such is Mr.. Baysrd's declaration, represent
ing, Cor more properly msrepresentng)
America, to the nations of the world.
What is tue use of telling the French, the
iermans the Chinese, OF English, or Aus
.rians, that we have contempt" for their
isages and traditions! Probably they are
llready well aware of our political ideas and
code and what vast distinc-
ion there is between the citizen of any Eu-
ropean country and that of the United
States. But there is no necessity Of max.
ng the American eagle scream in their ears,
md ''youp' its contempt" for their efrete
nonarchs and slavish peasautry.
If this IS the best we can do through our
State Department, they on the other hand
,an teach us lesson of ordinary politeness.
We caunot accuse the Austrian Of impolite-
less because he simply expressed wish for
/ different Minister on account of Mr..
Eieley's antecedents.
The Condition of Ireland.
Recent revelations in connection with the