The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-03-28
The Diplomatic Appointments.

The diplomatic Appointments.
The ofice-seekers had another
surprise Monday. OF the four
men nominated for important for
eign missions, only one had been
even mentioned" as a candidate
for office and this one was the very
last that the party managers of his
State would have selected as the re.
cipient of honors. The appoint
ment of Mr.. Pendleton to the Berlin
Mission has a very obvious signifi-
canoe. The machine politicians of
Ohio are opposed to Pendleton; and
to select him, in the face Of their
opposition, for a position Of dis
tinction, is to read them the same
lesson that the administration has
already read with emphasis to the
machine men OF other Statcs-that
this is II government for people, not
for the politicians, and for principle,
not for spoils. Indeed, Mr.. Pendle-
toms indication with civil service
reform makes him in q particular
sense the representative of opposi-
ton to the spoils system, and the
recognition of his services and de-
serts is thus in double sense a dec
laration of executive independence.
Of his abundant fitness for the post
it cannot be necessary to speak.
The appointment of Edward ].
Phelps, of Vermont, to the English
Mission, the most important post in
all the diplomatic service, was Il still
greater surprise and is quite as sig
nificant as any of the appointments
that have been made of the purpose
of the administration to seek out
the best qualified men wherever
they may be found. Not only had
Mr.. Phelps never been urged for his
place, but it is probable that the
average oflice-secker was scarcely
aware of his existence. And yet it
may be asserted confidently that no
diplomatic appointment as recent
years has been so eminently fit. A
Democrat living i'll Vermont, Mr..
Phelps has had little opportunity to
figure in politics, beyond an occa-
sional honorary candidacy for Gov
ernor; but he is known all over the
the country as one of the strongest
and ablcst of American lawyers
and, to those who have met him, as
cultivated gentleman and man OF
affairs who will in every way dc
honor to his country. In the pure,
ly social and oratorical aspect q
diplomatic life he will be scarcely
the inferior Of Mr.. Lowell himself
while he possesses in addition tn,
professional training that would
make him the master of any inter
national controversy that could arise
There is no influence beyond his
own force of character visable in Mr.
Phelps appointment, unless it be
that of Senator Edmunds, and the
most stalwart Democrat must admit
that such an Endorsement is not tC
be dCspiscd.
The third-or, more properly
the secOnd-ot the leading dlplo
matte appointments, that of Minis
ter to France, goes to Governor Nc
Lane, of Maryland, a man of eXcep.
tionally long and varied experience,
in public affairs, who would be uni
versally recognized as an uncom
monty well-equipped man, even witt
out the special merits of his diplo
matte service in China and in Mexi
co. Though well advanced in h,
is still a man of undiminished men
, tai activity, and he will take at one,
rank to which his rich but com
mon-place predecessor never coulc
have aspired. The fourth appoint
! ment, that of Henry Il. jackson, o
Georgia, to be Minister to Mexico
though less important, is entirel,
creditable, and the whole list is 5,
gratifying to all who are jealous 70
the right representation of the coun
S try abroad, as for the honorabl
and dignified use Of the executiv
= patronage, citizens of every party
Philadelphia Times.