Year: 1873

earned yO6ltlOu unueE the government ne went
to Washington and demanded the position OF post
msster at the town where he published his paper.
Some dficulty stood in his way here, however, and
he Was not appointed to the position. Subse-
quently, however, he was sent for and, after an in
PRODUCTION at the State Department, was put down
on the list OF consular nominations, confirmed with
number OF others by Congress at the end OF
session, when everything Is rushed through With
out SUFFICIENT investigation or debate, and ordered
to B. in France to act as Consul. He had not
the slightest notion OF what were his duties ana
didn't understand single sentence OF French. He
had been there long enough, at the time OF my
visit, to pick up little French and learn his
business sufficiently from the attaches to prevent
absolute laundering, and thus he held on. But his
unntness foH the post could be seen almost the in
slant he spoke"


A TABOoED AMBASSADOR.


"Another instance" continued Mrs Fillmore,
"during the visit TO the Continent, will show
how little attention had been paid to the honor OF
the country In the appointment Of diplomats.
had made an ascent Of the Rigt and passed over to
Switzerland and been travelling considerably for
several days. On our way we were to pass city
where one OF the ambassadors OF the country
lived. I will not mention names or places
definitely because they win have no bearing upon
the subject and the Illustrations to be made After
we arrived sent my card as usual, and was called
upon by Mr.. -. On stating that we were only
to stay there for short time and would like to see
as much as possible OF the country and people, our
representative informed us, with considerable en-
barrassment, that he would be unable to introduce
us to the Court or members OF the Cabinet. We
did not care for that and only desired to see the
city and the people generally. On asking the reason
he said he had had some little social disagreements
and for the time being did not associate socially
with the people with whom the nature OF his calling
demanded almost constant contact. was aston
lshed and made inquiries as to the cause OF
this remarkable condition OF adairs. learned
that this gentleman who held high position
at q foreign Court in the service OF the United
States, had formerly been connected with Q
daily journal somewhere in New England He had
entered upon the duties OF an important ONCE,
calling for the exercise OF the greatest skill and
good Judgment. He was admitted to the ranks OF
society as any other man might be under the sup
position that there were certain sacred obligations
he would scrupulously respect. The arst thing he
did however was to write series OF letters to his
journal containing severe and unfiattering COM
ments upon the people at his new home treating
the ladies especially in q most unhandsome man.
ner. In his ignorance or fOrgetfulness he had
imagined that the departure Of his letter by the
mail would be the last Of it, But the facilities OF
exchange soon undeceived him. The letters re-
turned, were translated and read by the persons
who were most concerned. Mr.. - was instantly
shut out from all social gatherings; the native
officials even scarcely liked to have dealings with
him.


MAKE DIPLOMACY A PROFESSION.


"a sad commentary upon our system OF appoint
ment,n remarked; 'but how can 1t be reme-
diedPn


81 will tell you how I think the evil can be
avoided in the future,n said Mr.. Fillmore with
much sincerity of manner. "We have naval
academies Tor our officers of the navy; we have
training establishment for our army officers;
doctors and lawyers and engineers receive special
educations for their respective walks In life, and
the benefits OF such course OF training are too
paramount to admit OF doubt. Now, our
diplomats and foreign representatives have as
much need Of special training as either OF the
others have named. They are often found in po-
sitOns OF great decacy calling for the finest logic
and experience; they are supposed to take rank
with the greatest trained minds in other countries,
and yet the appointments are not even appropri-
atey made; much less Is there expert
ence to direct. l would suggest that q
system Of training be inaugurated similar
to that the British Foreign Once, for instance,
wnere young men have to study diplomacy as a
science, and are only advanced, with few excep-
tions, after they have had experience in the differ
ent grades leading to the position to which they
are finally appointed. There might be prelimin-
ary educational department leading to the State
Department, whence the young men might be
drafted attaches, &C., until fitness and capacity
alone should recommend them to the higher posi-
tions in the service Of the State.


GENERAL GRANTS UNFORTUNATE SELECTIONS.
Inext asked his views touching some of the re-
cent appointment, from among the ranks OF the
Credit Mobilier heroes, especially the Japan Com
mission.


"lknow nothing OF several OF the gentlemen re-
Gently appointed, but alter rhe late emphatic ex-
preston OF public opinion the best that can be
said is that they are unfortunate appointments.
The same applies to spain as to Japan"
| al hear that frequently now The White House re-
ception rooms are thronged by loud-mouthed ONCE
seekers who actually demand places pursuant to
promise and for services performed. Did you find
things so during your term as Chief Magistrates"
asked.


NO." replied Mr.. Fillmore. "If man came to
me and stated his services to party the claim on
which he based his demand for ONCE frequently
considered that good reason for refusal. never
promised man an oaice; never allowed him to
know whether would appoint him or not II q
relative came to me and pleaded relationship as
his claim, as well as special fitness, invariably
told him that the people would never believe it
was mis- capabality that had planted him in gov
ernment office, but the relationship, insinuating
that favorltism instead Of ability had been his
special aid, to the exclusion OF some better man.
Such suspicious should be avoided.


"when l formed my Cabinet there were one
or two gentlemen l might have retained
as advisers; but 1 had my own views
OF certain leading matters, and had l con-
sented to allow them to remain many Of my
supporters would probably have believed was
permitting the opposing interests to prevail in the
state councils. l therefore accepted their resigna-
tions and appointed in their places well known
and, think, trusted men, in whom the country
had confidence. placed Mr. Webster at the head
of the State Department, because he was o man OF
considerable experience In matters Of state, and
because he was known and respected by the peo-
pie both for his diplomacy and the public services
he had rendered He was not great linguist, like