The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-06

The patriotism displayed by John ".
Foster. Col Fred Grant and Congress
man Draper IL not Of the kind which pro-
ducez heroes They are all pining 20 serve
their country. but they pine TO do IL In the
way that shall be most satisfactory and
comfortable TO themselves. Mr.. Foster
viii not take diplomatic Office below the
rank OF ambassador: Mr.. Draper IL
socially ambitious. and wants a foreign
mission 50 that his wife can cut a dash;
Col Grant hardly knows what would be
big enough for him.
The president realizes the advantage
the country would have In the presence
Of q skfllful and experienced representa-
tive AZ point which IL likely 10 be sur
rounded by emergencies calling for the
best Judgment He paid Mr.. Foster the
compliment Of asking him to assume the
responsibilities OF the Office. but that gen.
tlemAn declined because the Office is not
one OF tbs highest diplomatic rank. Will
Ing TO accommodate him. the president
sounded the Turkish government with
a view TO ascertafning whether the porte
would be willing to raise the Turkish Of
fee. as IL is customary 10 exchange min
listers OF equal rank. In this country
there Is no difference in salary on account
merely OF the title, our minister TO Mex
leo receiving higher salary than the
ambassador to Italy. The respective Dip
lomauc representatives OF the United
Sfa.az ana 1,strk.v "a a,tstlad apvovs ax-
traordinary and ministers plenipotenti-
airy, but Nr. Foster considers that hs
could not do justice to himself as well as
serve his country unless he has certifi-
cate In his trunk that he is an ambassa-
dor extraordinary and plenipotentiary.
There are only four offices OF the first
class. those OF England. France. Ger
many and Italy. Even the mission to
Russia, although IL carries the highest
salary OF 1850 is only a second-class
mission. while that to Italy, although of
the first class, has salary OF only si2. coo
attached. 1t seems that Turkey makes
some distinction. because the reply has
been received that 1t would not be
convenient for that government TO raise
the rank on account of the increased ex-
fore not available.
Mr.. Draper would be useful at Havana
because of his special qualifications, but
he declines to serve: and 1t Is very freely
discussed that the prime object of Mr..
Diapers willingness to take an office was
not for an opportunity TO serve the couu-
try. but 10 enable Mrs. Draper TO make a
display of her wealth at a European
men shows a very good example to the
average citizen who volunteers to give
up his private business In order to attend
TO that OF his own. his native land. They
might have had the good taste to con-
ceal their selfish motives under q diplo-
matte excuse.
OF very different character is the re-
fusal OF ex-senator Palmer. He was will
ing to serve in the cabinet, but declined
a foreign mission on the ground that he
felt himself. at his age. untitled to assume
the onerous duties of q diplomat among
foreigners with whom he had no SYM
pathies and with whose ppmp and feath-
ers he had no patience. He would not
make a good ambassador. and he admits
IL with frankness. he says. IN effect. he
il rot good enough for the place; the
others say the place is not good enough
for them. There is quite a difference.