The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1813-07-23

house, Tic embargo descended TO the grave; ;
hope never again TO rear its 'miscreant
IN iiont among us. In pursuance of the
principles OF the report, on the first of
March, 1909, an act commonly called the
non-interconrse law, was passed, to COM
! mence on the succeeding goth Of May,
against both bclligcrents; but in strict &C
! cordancc with the new aud impartial policy
OF our government, containing provision
! that il France or England should so far
repeal or modify her cdcts, as that They
should cease TO violate our neutral rights,
| ne fact should be proclaimed by The presi-
! dent, and the act was to cease as 10 that ma
ton.
| This act was TO expire with the next ses-
! sion oil congress pass over the arrange
nent OF the British minister Erskinc, the
proclamation Of the president founded
thereon, the resembling of that proclama
ton, the outrageous conduct of France up
on the pretcnce of retaliation for that act
the vile insults heaped upon our govern
ment by France, and borne with patience
bordering on pusilaninlity, and request
| your attention 10 the act OF the ist May
| 1910. This act was founded on the princi-
! pies at me rehort--it was passed Just be-
fore the expiration of the act of non-inter-
course, and was intended to supply its
place. 1t declared that if GIea, Britain or
France should so revoke or moGifv her e.
diets, as that they should cease to violate
the neutra! commerce of the United States
which fact the president should declare by
proclamation, and il the other nation should
not, within three months thereafter, revoke
or modify her cdcts IN like manner, then
certain sections oC the hon-intercoursc law
of March l3o9, should be revived against
the nation, so refusing 10 revoke or modi-
I fy." I he sections thus TO be revived, con-
stiiuted an iron system OF non-importatiou
against such nation.
Mr. Speaker from this act this country
may date the origin OF those sinister events,
! which row cover her with distress and
blood. This is the Pandora box, whence
have escaped all that swarm of disasters
which this nation will long remember with
tears OF blood. 1t placed the fate OF this
county, its peace, It's prosperity, Its bappi-
ness, in the hands of men unable TO guard
and protect them. The constitutional
guardians of the people, the immediate
centinels of our honor and independence,
shrinking OF flying from their posts, sur
rendered their powe' to DC exercised by an
tx fiicient executive. What 4 wild field
of Gallo intrigue was now presented ! The
imperial magician had now only 10 seduce
or to dupe the executive, and this proud
! nation would lay PROSTATE, In the snarcs Of
French perfity end violence. A gortlian
| KNOT" would be fastened upon us, aud this
last republic be found fighting Ill the uni
versal battle side by size, with the West
tyrant that ever criInsoned the earth win
| blood.
| From the moment, that this law was
known in France, the work OF the Guplici-
| ly began, and il never ceased until ali the
designs of the French dcspot were fully
accomplished. By the principles Of the
report, adopted by congress; by the avow-
ed and permanent policy OF the govern
rnent by the non-inlercourse law o! 800 !;
| BY every consideration of " justice, nation
| al honor and rational Independence" and
| finally by the express provision Of the law
of May 1910, on which only he could act,
| the president WAS solenEiy bound never
to issue his proclamation Until the French
government should have, in good tain, re-
peaied or modified her DEGREES, in relation
10 American commerce. How was the
act The president waited Tor no SRch re-
| zeal or modification He became the dupe
of French dupiicity and faishood. In the
1 language OF MIR. Russell, then our minis
ter in France, the president syas Shu67cd
into The lead where national honor and the
law required him to follow"
| (Sheech 10 be continued in our nert.
|
Io tie editors IF me Herald.
|