Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-12-11

President Jackson's long message to both
Houses of Congress, as our readers will
perceive occupies almost the whole of
this days paper. AS to the merits or de-
merits Of this important document, our read
ers will have their own opinions. With the
editor Of the National lntellgencer, we agree
that the Message for the most part, is well
written, and approve of several things in it,
while there are others which we have read
with pain-in particular manner that part
of it which embraces our relations with
France.
awe see in this part of the Message, (says
the lntelligencer,) the spirit Of the old soldier,
resentful of injury, real or supposed, impatient
OF delay, and reckless Of the consequences in
pursuit of redress for it. Nothing has, here
tofore, occurred in the Foreign Relations of
the United States, to exhibit these character
istlcs so plainly to the public view. 1t is now
to be ascertained whether our fellow citizens
are so enamoured of battle and of bloodshed,
as to follow their leader headlong into war
with their ancient friend and ally or whcth-
er they will draw back, and survey the width
and depth of the gulf they are invited to pass,
before they leap over Tor into) it.
We have said that the Message, as far as it
goes, is characteristic of our present Chief
Magistrate. In saying 80, we do not mean
that it expresses all his feelings on the sub
ject. We have very little doubt that, had he |
followed out his own intentions, the language
of the Message, and its recommendations, .
would have been even more hostile than they
are. 1t is rumored, and we cannot doubt, in I
deed that, had the earnest discussions of the
Presidents advisers been allowed all the
weight they were entitled to, yet
milder tone towards France, would have
pervaded the Message. We have no doubt
that wiser counsels were over-ruled, and that
the warlike propensity of the General could
not be wholly restrained, either by argument
or entreaty. De this as it may, the language
held to France in this Message must be re-
gardcd as most unfortunate, whether we re-
gard the object to be gained, or the evils and
dangers to be avoided. If any thing could I
serve to delaytor longer time, ifnot to post
pone forever, the payment of our claims on !
hat Government, 1t is the tone of intimida-
ion and menace used by the Chief Magis- 4
rate on this occasion, should the French Ma
ion unhappily not distinguish between the
personal opinion and feeling of the individual
NHo OCCUPIES llaL StaUOn, ana tiit OF the
People Of whom, in our Foreign Intercourse,
le is the restricted and limited Representa-
ive." IL
"The reader will not understand us as vim
licating France in stating our objection 10 the
recommendation to employ hostile means
gainst her. She has undoubtedly put her
elf in the wrong SO far as she has violated {
N obligation which, on the face of it, was I
'erfect In this she has done great injustice
o her own character for perfect integrity, ,
nd violated the law which prescribcs an in
iolable faith among nations. At any sacri- I
ice, she ought, we think, to have paid the
mount of indemnity stipulated by the Trea- 4
y and, if'sho had made bad bargain, to
ave held her own public servants accounta-
lie for it, rather than have refused to execute
:. We have argued the matter, so far, in re-
erence to the interest of the United States,
athcr than as 1t concerns the conduct of
rance; and the course recommended by the
resident is, we arc satisfied, not that which V
ne interest of the country calls for" Il
[Our limits will not permit us to-day to Of
,r any further remarks in relation to the u
lessagc, although we have several well writ q,
IN and judicious structures on the various to-
les embraced therein extracts from some Of q
hch we pu! Pose to make hereafter. !, u
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We have received the usual Documents