DIPLOMACY (ante), the science which deals with the relations and interests of nations in respect to one another. Diplomatic agents arc of the following grades: Ambassadors, ministers penipotentiary, charges d'affaires, envoys, and consuls. In the United States, these agents are appointed by the president, with the advice and consent of the senate. If a vacancy occurs while the senate is not in session, the agent may enter upon his duties upon the appointment of the president, subject, however, to con firmation or rejection by the senate at a future time. In practice, the secretary of state, under the direction of the president, takes charge of the diplomatic relations of the government, giving to the agents their instructions and keeping himself in close corre spondence with them. In great emergencies it is not unusual for nations to appoint special commissioners to settle a special difficulty, or to draft a particular treaty. In time "United States, the necessity and utility of keeping ministers residing at foreign courts has sometimes been questioned; but the practice is continued iu the belief that it is favorable to peace between nations by affording facilities for prompt explanations of dis putes as they may arise, and also because it is thought that American citizens traveling or residing in foreign countries often need such protection or advice as only a minister or consul is qualified to give. There can be no doubt that diplomatic intercourse, regu
larly established and maintained, begets between nations sentiments of mutual respect and forbearance, and tends to keep alive that feeling of universal brotherhood which is the richest and ripest fruit of a Christian civilization. It is the duty of a foreign min ister to study the institutions, habits, and even prejudices of the nation to which he is accredited, and to keep his own government advised of every movement affecting its peace and welfare. It is also his duty to convey information to foreigners in respect to the government and people of the nation which he represents, in order to abate or remove national prejudices and awaken fraternal feelings. Of late years, American con suls have done the country a valuable service by gathering information as to the pro ductions, manufactures, and trade of foreign nations, and finding new markets for the products of American industry.