Morning journal and courier., 1892-12-16
| NEWS BY TELEGRAPH. From All Quarters. MERCHANTS BANQUET. Diplomatic Service of the
 United States. NEWS OF THE NATIONAL CAPITOL. The Holiday Recess Begins
 December 22. RELIGIOUS AWAKENING IN OMAHA.
NEWS OF THE NATIONAL CAPITOL.
RELIGIOUS AWAKENING IN OMAHA.
Report of the Silver Com.
 mittee on Plans.
THE CONSULAR SERVICE

THE CONSULAR SERVICE Discussed at the Annual Banquet of
 the Boston Merchants' Associa- | tiOn.
 BOSTON, Dec. 15.-The annual banquet of Merchants association was held at the
 vendome. For years these banquets have been the brilliant gatherings of the kind in | this city and the subject of discussion, 'sThe Consular Service of the United States" made this meeting one of unusual ! interest and importance. A reception was
 held in the hotel parlors for an hour be- ! fore the banquet. Promptly at 6 o'clock President Jonathan A. Lane led the pro- ! oession to the banquet hall, which was elaborately decorated with flags and other patriotic emblems. Prominent over the guests table was large stuffed eagle. Near President Lane were placed the speakers of the evening, Hon. Joseph s. Potter, ex-consul to Crefeld, Ger, Hon. Robert R. Hit, representative in congress from Illinois, Hon. J. l.. M. Curry, ex min. to Spain, General c. E. Hooker, represent. ative in congress from Mississippi, and Hon. John T. Abbott United States min. ister to Colombis. Other distinguished guests were Hon. F. H. Underwood, ex- consul to Glasgow; Hon. Samuel W. Mo Call, representative elect to congress-; Lieu tenant Governor elect Roger Wolcott, Hon. Joseph W. Walker, representative in con- gress from Massachusetts; General W. F. Draper, representative in congress-; Hon. Oliver Ames, Hon. M. P. Kennard, sub treasurer of the United States; Speaker Barrett of the Massachusetts house; Gen eral P. A. Collins. Charles E. Adams, pres ident of the Massachusetts board of trade; Charles A. Roberts, president of the fruit and produce exchange, and Jerome Jones of the associated board of trade.
 Covers were laid for about 175. After the discussion of an elaborate menu Presi- dent Lane called the company to order. He made brief introductory speech, in which he said in part:
 "We believe the consular service of this country needs to be elevated in its charac- ter and increased in it's influence and that voice in it's behalf should come from this organization. When the voice of Massachusetts is heard in regard to any great movement that voice Is heard farther than voice from any other point of the union. The men who represent Massachusetts should be of the best type. We are not here as poli- GlCl8nH, as party HIGH, Dut htaAo oa eho broad platform of our country. All be- lieve in reciprocity. It is going to remain, will be developed, and no man here can
 measure its extent and possibilities" Secretary B. K. Moore then read letters of regret from Governor Russell, Repre- sentative Sherman Hoar and Hon. Perry Belmont, and ragrets, were announced from Hon. Robert T. Lincoln, minister to England, ex-Minister Edward J. Phelps, Hon. Whitelaw Reid, John D. Washburn, ex-minister to Switzerland, and Bishop Brooks.
 President Lane then introduced as the first speaker Hon. J. s. Potter. Hon. J. l. M. Curry, ex-minister to Spain, was the second speaker.
 First, it is important that in our com mercial and diplomatic relations with for eign countries we should observe the laws and treaties made in pursuance of the con- stitution with reference to small nations as we'll as with reference to large and pow ought to bs the first cardinal principle of the representative abroad and of his government at home. After refer ring especially to the anti-Chinese | law as violating this principle the | speaker passed on to consider the | relations of the south to the consular serv | ice. He said that this section of the coun- l try was growing to be manufacturing and l was interested in foreign commerce as ben- l sftting manufactures and incidentally ag- riculture. The last speaker of the evening ! was Representative Hit, who is also 8 member of the committee on foreign I affairs. MT. Hit spoke at length and was listened to with great interest.
 He said the first duty of con-
 sul is not to protect the treasury
 department. There is something great
 deal higher than revenue; there is some
 thing nobler than dollars It is American
 citizenship. Our service never was
 planned, but is full of the irregularities of
 wild growth. MT. Hit drew compari-
 son between the English and American
 systems to the detriment of the latter and
 then suggested lines of improvement.
 President Lane then introduced as the
 third speaker of the evening General
 Hooker of Mississippi, member of the
 committee on foreign affairs, who spoke
 in substance as follows: Diplomacy should
 consist not of cunning, not of artihce, az
 1t was supposed in olden times, but of that direct action between nations which ought l; to exist between individuals. Therefore , the law with reference to our relations with foreign nations with regard to repre- ) senting us where state questions are involv ed, as well as commercial questions, should be based upon plain and direct acts. Oul ) diplomats and consuls constitute ths means by which one nation holds inter course with another.