The Washington herald., 1909-10-24

met the fate Of the Revenge-the concen-
trated broadsides were too heavy for her.
But it was pretty fight while It lasted.
In the old days It was usual for am
bassadors to have great retinues They
sometimes took with them a following OF
several hundred gentlemen They were
perhaps received with salutes OF 5000
guns and found awaiting them a train
OF magnificent state coaches, each drawn
by six horses with uodding plumes and
golden trappings. I fear that for a long
time the interests Of commerce were not
regarded by this kind OF diplomatist as
business OF the first Importance. That
was supposed 10 be the affair OF the con-
sular service. an older service by the
way. than the diplomatic Yet II is an
interesting tact-I am once more quoting
from the book 7 have mentioned-that
here In the time Of Secretary Jefferson
departing ministers from foreign coun-
tries were presented with a gold medal.
on one side OF which was the coat-of-
arms OF the United States. on the re-
verse a Columbia, a fine female figure.
delivering the emblems of peace to
Mercury. with a legend. Peace and COM
merce.' circumscribed with the date OF
the republic. The medal was attached to
chain of S65 links. and the United
States government emphasized its view
as to the commercial inclinations Of the
diplomats concerned by ordering that no
expense was to be bestowed on the max
Ing OF the chain, because It was expected
they would turn II into money
The old order changeth, giving place
10 new, and much Of the old pomp and
ceremonial and extravagant expenditure
Of diplomacy has departed or fingers only
In the gorgeous courts Of the East II
has long been recognized in England that
commerce is the life blood of the nation,
and other nations have woke uo-rather
too thoroughly. perhaps. for our taste-to
the seriousness OF its Importance The
diplomatic service has caught the spirit
OF the age, and for many years past the
embassies and legations have been devot-
ing their attention much more than they
used 70 10 the interests OF trade. Com
mercial attacheships have been founded
for this special purpose. and every year
sees more attention paid to the subject.
1t should also be remembered that
when not directly working for the inter-
ests Of commerce the diplomatist is al
ways WI hlllE lUI the OlleI nalf OF the
legend on the old mediator peace. AS
Gen Foster observes: The diplomatic
representative is pre-eminently a peace
maker, and II he can through his efforts
postpone great war. or shorten II by
single day. he will save to the public
treasury much more than the cost to the
United States Of its diplomatic establish
ment for an entire year, without taking
into account the loss OF life and destruc-
ton OF property Working for peace is
working for commerce, and Jefferson was
wise In coupling the two things.
II am bound to confess that the diplo-
matist is not universally regarded as a
peacemaker. There are some people who
have no respect for solemn things and
take a pleasure in shocking ones hottest
feelings. 1 remember talking to a dis
tinguished general about diplomacy.
Something he said made me think he
of the service. and asked
him whether it was so. His answer was:
oh. Lord, no; quite the contrary. You
are the best friends we SOL
diers have got. You get UP all the rows - 1