The Wilmingtonian., 1885-12-19


following terms This Republic does not
only recognize, but has profound contempt
for race or religious distinctions that not
recognizing them ourselves we cannot be
expected to consider them for the purpose of
humoring other peoples prejudices, otc."
If it be conceivable that Mr.. Bayard
clothed his correspondence in such words,
the most extreme condemnation wonld be
entirely insufficient for the grossness 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 firmuess are not
incompatible terms When extreme meas
ures are called for we surely are not to be
disgraoed by the raw bluntuess of back
woods cabin talk. Certain social require
ments, intuitive etiquette, may properly be
expected to have reached and impressed that
entity called the American gentleman and
nodded him into some form or other distinc-
tive from barbarism, by this late date of the
nineteenth century.
In the present case Secretary Baya,d d ha,
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. This assertion, in
its manner of presentmeut, is coarsely gra-
tuitous, and profoundly untrue In fact. In-
tetnatioual association, like domestic society,
III g. e mandatory law Ihe fact ofthe
..a-s sdiyidss - s;T- !;
b:ssil ill.ntiy requires otfie.- se,rmulsla then
ideas, feelings, impressions aud conduct ac-
cording 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 position.
We contradict the position of the Seore-
tary of State and take this opportunity Of
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 other countries in their Jaon
country. So in Austria, it is incumbent
upon the American people to accord con-
sideration to the social conditions that exist
in that country, no matter what our private
opinion may be or to what extent we may
depreoate or condemn them here at home.
1t is not such very tine point of discern
ment, Of the nleum ct tuum of international
courtesy, but that the Head of the Depart
ment of State should be, of all people, obliv-
ious to its requirements.
can, thoroughly imbued with the great ad-
vantages 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 il
s,by a casual visitor how much moreso by
the American Minister resident. Would any
person dare have the gross hardihood tu
declare in any community that he had con.
tempt for its usages. Yet such is Mr.. Bay
ards de laration, representing, Cor mole
properly misrepresenting) America 10 the
nations of the world.
What is the use of telling the French, the
Germans, the Chinese, or English, or Aus
triaus, that we have contempt" for their
usages and traditions Probably they are
already well aware of our political ideas and
constitutional code aud what vast distinc
tion there is between the citizen ofan' Euro
pean county aud that of the United States,
But there is no necessity of making the
American eagle scream in their ears, and
''youp" its contempt" for their effete mon-
arehs and slavish peasantry.
If this is the best we can do through onr
State Department, they on the other hand
can teach us lesson of ordinary politeness.
We cannot accuse the Austrian of impolite-
ness because he simply expressed wish for
another minister on account of Mr.. Kiely's