South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1834-12-13
SATURDAY. DECEMBER Is, 1884.

WHICH ~ " luVCStCUS anu WHICH u U0O
any reason TO believe could be benef.
cialIy employed.
The idea of acquiescing in the refus.
vi to execute the treaty will not, am
confident, be for moment entertained
by any branch Of this government, and
further negotiation is equally out ofthe
question.
II it shall be the pleasure ofcongress
to await the further action Of The French
cbn L---, c--.L-. -~.soIuefattou ~r
the subject will, at this session, proba-
bly, be required at your hands. But, II,
from the original delay in asking for an
appropriation, from the refusal of the
chambers TO grant it when asked, from
the omission to bring the subject be-
fore the chambers at their fast session,
from the fact that, inclu ding that session,
there have been five different occasions
when the appropriation might have
been made, and from the delay in con-
voking the chambers until SOME weeks
after the meeting Of congress, when j.
was we'll known that communication
of the whole subject 10 congtess at the
last session, was prevented by assuran.
ces that it should be disposed Of before
its present meeting, you should feel
yourselves constrained TO doubt wheth.
er il be the intention ofthe French GOV.
ernment in all its branches TO carry the
treaty into effect, and think that such
measures as the occasion may be deem.
ed to call for, should be now adopted,
the important question arises what those
measures shall be.
Our institutions are essentially pacis
fic. Peace aud friendly intercourse
with all nations, are as much the desire
of our government rs they are the inter.
esis Of cur people. But these objects
are not to be permanently secured, by
surrendering the rights Of our citizens,
or permitting solemn treaties for their
indemnity in cases Of fragrant wrong,
TO be abroga,ed or set aside.
II is undoubtedly in,he power Of con.
gress seriously TO affect the agricultural
and manufacturing interests of France,
by the passage Of laws relating to her
trade with the United States. Her pro-
ducts, manufactures, and tonnage, may
be subjected to heavy duties in our ports,
or all commercial Intercourse with her
may be suspended. But there are pow.
eiful, and, to my mind, conclusive OBJ
ections TO this mode Of proceeding
We cannot embarrass or cut off the
trade Of France, without, at the same
time, ia some degree, Embarrassing or
cutting off our own trade. The injury
Of such warfare must fall, though un-
equally, upon our own citizens, and
could not bu; impair the means Of the
government, and weaken that united
sentiment in support Of the rights and
honour OF the nation which must now
Pervade every bosom. Nor is it i'm
possible that such course Of legisla.
ton would introduce once more into
our national councils, those disturbing
questions in relation to the tariff Of du.
lies which have been SO recently put to
rest. Besides, by every measure ad.
opted by the government Of the United
States with the view Of injuring France,
the clear perception Of right which VIII
induce our own people, aad the rulers
and people OF all other nations, even OF
France herself, to pronounce our quar-
rel just, will be obscured, and the sup
port rendered 10 Us in a final resort 10
more decisive measures, will be more
limited and equivocal. There is but one
point io the controversy, aud upon that
the whole civilized world must pro.
nouncs France TO be in the wrong. We
insist that she shall pay US SUM Of mo-
ney, which she has acknowledged to be
dues aud Of the Justice of this demand,
there caa be but one opinion among
mankind. True policy would seem TO
dictate that the question at issue should
be kept thus disencuusbered, and that
not The slightest pretence should be Civ.
en- to France to persist in her refusal to
make payment, by any act on our par.
affecting the interests of her people,
The question should be left as il is now,
in such an attitude that when France
fulfils her treaty stipulasions, all con.
trovetsy will be at an end.
1t is my conviction, chat the Unit ed
States ought to insist on prompt sxe-
cution OF the treaty, and in case it be
refused, or longer delayed, take re-
dress into their own hands. After the
delay on the part Of France ola quar-
ter of a censury,in acknowledging these
claims by treaty, it isnot to be tolerat-
ed that another quarter Of century is