The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-03

Few men looked less like soldier than
he, or proved to be better soldiers
Such, at'least, is the Judgment Of Gen
eral Walter @. Gresham, who was his
brigade commander.
Coming out of the war q colonel, Eos
ter settled down at Evansville to prac-
tlce law. For time he edited the Ev-
ansvllle Courier, and having attracted
the attention of Governor Morton, was
made chairman of the Republican state
committee. In 1878, through the influ-
ence of Gresham, between whom and
Foster warm friendship has always OK
listed, and of Governor Morton, Mr.. Fos-
ter was appointed minister to Mexico by
President Grant. This was tho begin
ming of career which has proved illus
trious in its quiet way, and which has
reached elimination during tho last
ten days in promotion to tho secretary
ship of state. AS have said, he entered
upon the work of his foreign mission
with students enthusiasm. He was
not content simply to hold the Office.
have pleasant time socially and to
draw tho salary. He quickly became
the most influential resident minister
at the Mexican capital. He studied
Spanish law and literature, and was on
confidential terms with the leading men
of the country.
When he left Mexico to go to Russia
rs minister to ST. Petersburg, under
Hayes, it was with the regret of all the
leading men Of the former country. In
Russia, though he did not remain there
long, he pursued the Same methods
which had made him both popular and
useful in Mexico. He studied tho Ian
guage. the people. the law, the customs.
He made invaluable friendships. When
he was transferred to Spain, under Presi-
dent Arthur, it was almost like return
ing home. He knew Spanish matters
almost as well as no did those of the
United States. He spoke the language
fluently and wrote it with such accu-
racy that he revised all TRANSACTIONS
passing through his office-it being SO
difficult to have translations made from
English to Spanish or from Spanish t..
English without changing tho delicate
shades of meaning which are of such
vast Importance in international neeoti.
atoms
After spending seven years in Mexico,
a year and half in Russia and two
years and half in Spain, Colonel
Foster settled in Washington to practice
as an international lawyer. He had the
prestige of long service in the diplomatic
field, and tho additional distinction of
being the only man in our diplomatic
history to hold three first class missions.
Naturally his services were in demand.
He became counsellor for Mexico, q
special agent for Russia, and the Span
ish government was once his client.
Several of the south American republics
employed him. At one time his income
reached the princely sum of $4,000 u
year, and for some time it has not fallen
below $25 900 year. Yet with all this
success he has found time to serve his
own country when asked to do so.
President Arthur sent him to Spain to
negotiate commercial treaty. Score
tary Blaine and President Harrison sent
him again to Spain and to Cuba to nogo-
tate reciprocity arrangements.
e For more than two years he has been
virtually the secretary of state, specially
representing the president in that de-
partment, and ut the same time assist
ing Mr.. Blaine. in full possession of the
latter's esteem and confidence. The
very important work of preparing the
Behring sea case has been left almost
entirely to him. With Harrison ON one
side and Blaine on the other-for it is
no longer denied that there was at times
much friction between the president and
his secretary of state-Mr. Foster bore
peculiar and delicate relations to both
and to the public service. That he was
able to meet oil phases of the situation
and to do admirable work while at the
same time retaining the confidence of
both chiefs is evidence enough of his
tact and Skill
1@IgWiaSSA