Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-12-11
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

1t is with profound regret we perceive in the Nation
al lncllgcnccr of yesterday, indication, that in
pending controversy with France, have to antic
pate the operation of that anti patriotic and suic
dial feeling, which forced country into the late war
with Great Britain and produced whatever of disaster
attended in that conflict There is the same
bv 5regn S the e s spSn oTF
proposed by Government obtain redress; and
the effort to persuade foreign nations that the
Administration has not the confidence support of The
American People in the measures it proposes We
did hope that the feeling extinct. We did hope
that in this case where the wrong is so clear that
worst enemy dare not deny il, our country would
have presented undivided front and spoken with an
unanimous voice. We did not doubt that when France
conscious of wrong HERSELF bcheld this front and heard
this voice. she would have been aroused proper
of the wrong she is nictng, and hasten make rcpa-
ration. And we say that if she shall shed Amcr
blood in this controversy and push her injustice to
actual war; the responsibility for all the destruction of
human life, and of valuable property which may ensue
seW justly rest apon ho hoads Of tic Editors Of the Ma
fo',a Ieigencer and M0Se ho may speak and act upon
The basis presented IN the article upon irhieh are noo
commenting.
Indeed we can hardly persuade ourselves that these
editors and their promptcrs not the doOcatcS of rar
andeT the iRSidOWS musk ofpcdce. Why, otherwise do
they seek to consruc the Message into menace when
that document expressly dsavows such Intention
Why do they tell France in many words "whils, the
language Of menace is held, the disclaimer will 90 for
nothingwe had almost said, ought TO go for nothing
with proud, fiery, civarous, and powerful nation ,"
If the editors and their promptcrs do mean by this
TO operate the PRIDE fire, and chvary of France and
thus induce the French People resent the LANGUAGE of
the President persist in Withholding the properly Of our
citizens and bring ON war, what can be their object
meaning?
But il this part of the article leaves any doubt Of tbc
purpose of the editors TO stimulate France persist i'm
her refusal to pay her acknowledged debt there
thcr portion about which there can be 1t is the
concluding sentence, in which they say
4" But before quit, take leave to express our
trust that will be universally understood only at
home, but every where abroad that the recommendation
of the President, upon which have been remarkine
Is his act only and s not likely n the present state OF
the case to receive the appreciation either oftho Con@e
q he Oft ~ Ipif cd Afuia
Thus is France distinctly Informed, that the President
will not be sustained by Congress the Pcopc--tlat
she may persist in rcuing pay debt which she has
acknowledged 10 be due, with perfect mpunity lhat as
she delayed the acknowledgment quarter Of century
she may delay payment n quarter In fine, hdi
she may act as size aseS ,roW Teg0rd To- 01noricdn
rights, French 0Jtg0OHS The editors cannot believe
that the American People, American Congress are
lost to the rights and honor of the countrv Thov
cannot believe that they prepared to sustain the
Executive in any just to vindcae bofh They
have object but TO scad the French government
to make the authorities Of that country think them.
selves insuted by ncnace-to induce them to persist
in Withholding the just rights Of citizens-and thus
bring war between the two nations
In fine consider the article of the Intelliqcncer
proer ofits support to France ia should persist in
refusing justice, and in commencing hoscs upon the
editors country in the 81 it's rcsorng 10 the
only redress short Of warlcft hut we foreet-the edi
tor ofthe Intcligcncer is not Amorcanand his ma
tive country may profit by collisions with Francc
We trust this spirit docs not extend far We trust the
editors will find few nccomplccG in objects so afro
cious. We trust that Congress and j,c People will
lct theIa Know tnat Inherent sentiment pCTvapa the
bosoms Of our citizens They want no warthcy depre.
cate il as Of the worst Of evils and especially war
with France.
The President must have said something lie was not
speaking 10 France IN his Message but the American
Congress and their constituents. Seciag there was but
faint hope Of The iulGlmcn Of the treaty 10 was his du
y to suggest some alternative in that result lie glp-
gess the only short Of virtual submission or
His Message s not addressed TO the French Government
II should be considered by them in other light than as
an interchange Of opinions and views between the df-
rent departments Of Government in relation TO their
own official action. One may be orlcgsatng upon French
commerce; another for cutting of all intercourse with
her another for cPrisas; another for war And should
France consider the expression Of these opinions me
mace, which ought TO dcterher from doing act ofius-
tee, which would at the basis ofall these
discussions If The views Of The Inteigcncer be- cor
ract then there must be discussion our public conn
sels IN relation 10 measures necessary vinhcate the
rights and honor Of country. We must never once
hint Mt our power and disposition use it, in the
event OF long continued injury lest forsoot the foreign
power which ~ beaping upon usday wrongs shall take
II az menace
We trust the French authorities will not suffer hep
selves to be msed by The article Of the Tntelgencer
They must understand tho President according 10 vi