Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-30
AMBASSADORS vs.. MINISTERS.

AMBASSADORS ". MINISTER'S.
Much ado is being made in official
circles at Washington because several
Of the frst-class European powers have
elevated their representatives TO the
United States to the rank OF ambassa-
doris. II may not be generally known,
that an ambassador is a peg or two
higher in rank than plain minister
plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary
Notwithstanding the average uuSOphis-
ticated mind might think, from the
length OF the title and pOlysyllabic
nature Of the words that the
latter carried with it the higher rank
and greater dignity. To be specific, an
ambassador is a personal representative
Of the sovereign, while a minister is
an agent of the government. For
Instance the former is privileged to call
in person upon the potentate Of the
country to which he is accredited with
out having TO go through the red tape
formality Of first making his salaams TO
the Secretary OF State or some other
90 between and getting an au-
dience through him. There is Mr..
PAUNCEFOTE whom Queen VIC has just
elevated to ambassador. If he sees Mr..
CLEVELAND on the street taking q con-
stituuonal, he can walk up to him
without any bones or IFS or ands, and
engage him in conversation or request a
light from his cigar with perfect non
chalance. and it would be all right. 1t
is not unlikely that under the rule Of
ambassadorial privileges, he might if
be wished, be extremely familiar and
assuming the Democratic ways OF the
country, step up to the President and
say; "Hello, old boy, how are you?
Let's have a shake Of your fist for old
acquaintance's sake"
Now as we understand the distinction
II would be a great breach of etiquette
for plain minister when on the street
to even extend look of recognition TO
the head Of the government, let alone
approach the familiarity referred to
above. For these reasons, and others
which we have not space to enumerate
we are in favor of Congress forthwith
raising our ENJOYS extraordinary and
ministers plenipotentisry, &c, &c, to
the rank OF ambassadors whether there
be extra pay attachment or not. II for
eigu representatives TO. the United
States are TO be entitled to the exalted
privilege Of addressing our President
wherever, whenever and however they
please, a right that the Democratic ciJ-
izen OF this country has held sacred as
belonging only to himself, then we want
the reciprocal privilege extended to our
representatives abroad. 1t is only fair
that WILLIE WALLY PHELPS can, if
meets the Emperor Of Germany on the
StrassC, pass the time of day with him;
or IL MI A. d. WHITE should run afoul
Of the Emperor OF all the Russias on
the public highway to exchange pinch
Of snuff, and to Inquire about the par
ticulars Of the latest nihilistic plot upon
his life; or even, II the son of our be-
loved LINCOLN were to see Queen VIC
taking an airing on Rotten Row,
be could signal the royal carriage to
stop, doG his hat, and politely, though
intimately enquire about her health
and the matrimonial prospects of some'
Of her numerous progeny, even down to
the third or fourth generation.
This great and glorious country must
be on an equality, in this respect at
least, with the efTete powers of Europe.
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