The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-07-16

Few men looked less like a soldier than
he. or proved to be better soldiers.
Such, at least. is the judgment of Gen
eral Walter U. Gresham, who wa his
brigade commander.
Coming ont of the war a colonel, Eos
ter settled down at Evansville to prac-
tee law. For a time he edited the Ev-
ansville Courier, and having attracted
the attention of Governor Morton, was
made chairman of the Republican state
committee. In 1873, through the infiu-
ence of Gresham, between whom and
Foster warm friendship has always ex-
listed, and of Governor Morton, Mr.. Eos.
ter was appointed minister to Mexico by |
President Grant. This was the begin.
ming Of a career which has proved illus
trious in its quiet way, and which has
reached a elimination during the last
ten days in promotion TO the secretary
ship of state. AS l have said, he entered
upon the work Of his foreign mission
with a students enthusiasm. He was
not content simply to hold the Office,
have a pleasant time socially and to
draw the 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 ne left Mexico to go to Russia
as 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 the 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 rs well as he did those of the
United States. He spoke the language
huently 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 the delicate
shades of meaning which are of such
vast importance in international negoti
atoms.
After spending seven years in Mexico,
a year and a half in Russia and two
wears and a 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 the 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, d
special agent for Russia, and the Span
ish government was once his client
Several of the south American republics
employed him. At n time his income
reached the princcly sum Of $4,000 /
| year, and for some time it has not fallcr
below $4,000 Il year. Yet with all thi:
success he has found time to serve hi
} own country when asked to do SO
: President Arthur sent him to Spain /,
negotiate a commercial treaty. Score
t tary Blaine and President Harrison sen
him again to Spain and to Cuba to nego
tiate reciprocity arrangements.
: For more than two years he has beef
= virtually the secretary of state. special.
representing the president in that &c
partment, and AT the same time assist
ing Mr.. Blaine, in full possession Of tn
{ ~latter's esteem and confidence. Tn
very important work of preparing til
!. Rehring sea case has been left alinus
entirely to him. With Harrison on OF.
side and Blaine on the other-for it i
e no longer denied that there was at time
much friction between the president an
a his secretary of state-Mr. Foster Dor
peculiar and delicate relations to bot
C and to the public service. That he wa
9 able to meet all phases Of the situatio
and to do admirable work while at tn
a same time retaining the confidence q
both chiefs is evidence enough of hi
r fact and skill