Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-18
Our FOREIGN Ministers.

MT. hen1y w hJterSOn, e0ltOr OF the
Louisville COurier-Journal, is writing
some very interesting letters from Europe.
They are forcible, and as full OF interest
ing matter as an egg is of meat.
One OF the subjects he has discussed is
the position which our Minister TO Eng
land occupies, He declares that this
position is very much like that of "a poor
boy at a frohc." Having scantv pay and
no rank he stands almost at the foot of the
diplomatic corps. The fact that he repre-
sents one of the greatest and wealtNiest
countries in the world counts tor nothing.
The representatives. Of the little One-horse
powers of Europe, even though they are
not remarkable for brains or breeding, are
thought more of than he is, simply
because they happen to have title and
are furnished with the means TO make
display. If he seeks social success he
must do so at the expense OF his self-re-
spect and his country. He must become
a toady, and laud that which is English
and condemn that which is American.
Mr., Lowell, who enjoys a world
wide fame, and has the highest
degree which an English univer-
sty can confer, would have had but poor
success as our Minister to England if he
had not fawned upon the aristocracy.
Mr.. Phelps. our present Minister, ap-
| pears to be getting on very well, but 1t is,
according to Mr.. Wattarson, because he
| is trying to make himself more English
than American, and does not stand up
| sQuarely for American ideas and in.
stitutions. In speaking of MIR. Phelps.
! and what it is necessary for a Minister OF
| the United States to do to secure popular
| ity in England, Mr.. Watterson says:
"But do say that popularity in England
| for a Minister OF the United States means
the subordlnation of American to British
! ideas, and The adoption by the Minister
/ of a complete British outfit. Mr.. Phelps
/ showed that he had done this, or was
seeking to do it, when he tickled the To-
rles by the cOnceit that nobody in Amer
lea but riff rati of demagogues. seeking
the Irish vote, sympalhized with Mr.. Glad
stone in his home rule fight. and then
thinking 10 reinstate himself In the good
graces Of the ritl-raff, our genial but in
experienced representative hurries down
t, the footlights to preside at midnight
supper given in honor of a variety clog
dancer"
This picture Is not calculated to make
the American bosom swell with pride
Indeed no true American can regard it
! with any other feelings than those of
shame and indignation. Why should the
| representative OF this foremost nation in
many respects in the world deem it nee
essary to make any concessions or sacri-
fees Of dignity aud opinions to secure the
good will and recognition OF any class Of
people ofany foreign country
our representatives abroad ought to as
sert with simple hut firm dignity their
equality with the proudest of the titled
aristocrats OF Europe. If they pursued
the proper course they could command
what they now become toadies to Sc
cure, and instead Of being solicitors for
recognition they would be sought after,
The failure OF our representatives
abroad to uphold their country's institu-
tiOns helps TO develop the tendency IN this
country TO ape English manners and Gus
toms. In the larger cities there are plenty
! VI pt"plo NHuSS ulEueoI ahUlIlou appears
TO he thought Entlish, and a foreigner.
even though he have notning to recon.
mend him but cneek, stands a better
chance for social recognition than an
/ American.
! Our representatives in foreign countries
ought TO be American To the backb
not in coarse, aggressive, spread eagle
style, but in he quiet, courteous, dignhed
way so well understood by she genuine
! and cultivated American gentleman.