The morning call., 1891-07-04
DON K0MUALDo PACuEoo.

The Government is TO be cong ratulated on
the acceptance by Don Romualdo Pacheco
of the post of American Minister to Central
America. Mr.. Pacheco is exceptionally
fitted for the office. He served portion of
a term as Governor of California, and
also a term in Congress as Representa-
tive of the Fourth District. He is a gentle
man OF culture and knowledge; his polished
manners and perfect breeding attract atten-
ton in every circle in which he mixes.
With the Spanish language he is of course
familiar, but he is American to the back
hone. The American flag will command
due respect in Central American waters so
long as it floats over his domicile.
He will have the peculiar advantage of
being accompanied in his embassy by his
wife, who is equally distinguished in society
and in the world of letters. Her writings
are familiar to readers, not only here but in
the East and in England. Her reputation
will probably be raised still higher by the
play which she will produce in this city
next winter.
Il is, perhaps, not too much to say that of
all our foreign missions the mission to
Central America is the most important.
Up to the present time. no progress what
ever has been made toward bringing Gen.
Mr.. Blaine is striving to establish. All the
chief products of Central America are ad-
mitted free of duty into this country, but
nearly all the articles of merchandise which
we send to the five Central American States
are still subjected to heavy duties at their
cuStom-houses. Again, we are the nearest
neighbors of the GuatemaIans and Saliva
dOrians, but they do far more business with
Germany and England than with the
United States Mr.. Pacheco will find in
these topics material for energetic diplo-
matte action.
1t may rest with him to restore the COM
mercial relations which once existed be-
tween this country and Central America
Business ties and commercial treaties are
often the fruit of judiciOus aud tactful man
agement 1t was the deXtrous management
of Mr.. Golden which secured from France
the treaty of 1852. The Emperor was first
decidedly opposed to it, but Mr.. Golden was
so skIllful ana his reasoning so cogent that
he carried his point in spite of the hostility
OF almost every prominent man in Paris. 1t
is the interest of Central America to cement
her ties with this country. She has nothing
in common with Germany or Engl nd. In
case of assault from abroad she could not
look to them for assistance. She would look
10 the United States, and would not look in
vain. Ought she not to draw the CONNER
cial bond closer with the nation upon whose
alliance she can most confidently count?
Another subject which engaged the atten-
ton of Mr.. Pacheco's predecessor is the
union of the five Central American States.
1t is greatly to- the interest of this country
that these. five jarring republics should be
welded into substantial nation. Mr. Bay-
ard never could understand this, and his in
discreet meddling, together with the incon-
Siderate action OF the Senate, was the
prOXlnate cause of the failure. Mr.. Miner
was more wisely instructed, and ne labored
assiduously to promote the cause Of union
and to extinguish the local jealousies which
stood in its way. Mr.. Pacheeo will proba-
bly, take up the subject where he left it, be-
ing careful to avoid wounding sensibilities
by predicting disturbances which are not
likely TO occur. The arguments which
should carry conviction to tho minds of the
opponents of union in Costa RIGA and Saliva
dor are precisely those which were used
century ago in this country to get Rhode
Island and North Carolina to enter the
Union. 1t should be possible to satisfy the
people of these small States that they will
gain and not lose by exchanging a petty
nationality for a share 10 powerful COM
mon wealth. Ii is agreeable to reflect that
MIR. Pacheco is man who can convince
them II they are open tn conviction.