Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-12-18
CDe GasettE
mARTrNsRURG, Dao. 1s. 1eo4.
THE MESSAGE.

the statements in the Message that treaty was
negotiated with France, concluded and signed
at Paris on the 4th dag Of July 1891, by which
France was 10 pay US twenty. FIVE millions of
francs, about five millions of dollars, and admit
certain products Of this country at a lower rate
Of duty a BY the same treaty we were to pay
France fifteen hundred thousand francs, (about
three hundred thousand dollars) and admit the
wines Of France at lower rate Of duty. This
treaty was duly ratified in The manner prescribed
by the constitutions Of both countries, and the
ratification was exchanged at the city Of Wash
ington on the I'd day Of February 1892 Advice
ofthe exchange Of Publications reached Paris
prior to the sth Of April 1892. A bill making
the appropriations necessary 70 carry the treaty
into effect on the part Of France, after repeated
evasions or delays, was finally acted upon and
rejected IN the month of April Is34-nearly
three years after the signature Of the treaty
Repeated and strong assurances, however, have
been given by the French government of their
intention TO press the appropriation in the newly
elected chamber now in session
The above is a succinct view Of the history of
the treaty as given by the President and his con-
fdental advisers. One circumstance, however,
should not be forgotten. When the news of the
negotiation Of the treaty reached this country,
our readers will recollect with what exultaton
it was received by those modest souls who
rogate to themselves the exclusive title Of Re-
publicans-what rich and copious theme it fur
nil baI of ali adj lafi fhpir md r.,
vourte. The terror Of the Presidents name, we
were given TO understand, had awed the rapa-
cious and fiery Frank into a sense of Justice, and
the diplomatic address of Mr. Riyes had obtained
from the bungling negotiators of France, more
than we had any just right to claim. What eff
feet this absurd acknowledgement to order
for the home market and not intended for ex-
portation-as false in regard to our own plunder-
ed citizens, as il was iii timed impclitic, and
silly, in reference TO France-what effect this
chuckling aud Growing over our excellent bar
gain, before ii toas closed, may have had upon
those who hold the purse strings of the French
nation is not for us to say. Its effect, if any,
must, it is obvious, have been mischevous.-
What we know, is, that the admitted to be
Justly due by the French Ministry, and which,
by the way, we verify believe, will not cover
one moiety of the 'spoliations,' has been refused
by the legislature of France.
And now for the remedy. The President re-
commends to Congress to pass law authorizing
reprsals that is to permit the citizens of the U.
States, TO seize the property of the French citi-
zens whenever and wherever they can, until
they have obtained an amount equivalent TO the
loss sustained. Such measure the President
thinks Ought not to be regarded by France as
menace But the question is, not what France
ought to think but what will she think ? She
ought not to have plmdered the property of our
citizens to the amount of millions upon millions
but she did it. She ought not to have refused
twenty or thirty years. The truth is, it is plain
ly and palpably menace threat, and will be
so regarded by France and by the world. She
cannot, and in fact she ought not to regard it in
any other light. Thus regarding il the French
Chambers will be in most favorable temper,
truly, for making appropriations for carrying the
treaty into effect, with what is tantamount to
threat Of war hanging over their heads. The
nation that so lately bcstrode the continent of
Europe, and dcfed a banded world full of
the proud and swelling recolections of Fleurus,
aud nohcnlinden, of Marengo, jena, Austerlitz,
Wagram, and Friedland, w i'll regard a threat
from the big man on the other side Of the water
as the worst Of all possible reasons for yielding
to his claims.
But the President say that nothing partal1ing
of the character of Intimidation is intended by
us. What, then, do we intend Why simply
to express an infexiblc determination 10 insist
upon our rights Howl Why, by letting the
French know, that unless they do the thing
that's right, we intend to seize and confscate
their ships and goods. 1t must be confessed that
the Presidents style is sometimes very oracular
and dark, Not long since the whole country
was sadly perplexed to find the meaning of ju-
dicious tariff Pennsylvania Interpreted it 10
mean one thing and South Carolina just the con-
trary. Here we have menace, which is not a
threat, and is not designed to give the slightest
possible offence. We have never yet seen the
man who could f,ld up blanket as to hide ev-
cry part VI IL we WOHucT IL MI V al DuTen
is up to that We think that the style in which
the subject Of our relations with France is pre-
sented in the messrgc, smacks strongly of the
Vice President General jackson deals in wise
saws, and unexceptionabe common places. He
had proclaimed it the fundamental principle Of
his foreign.policy, to ask nothing not clearly right
and TO submit to nothing wrong. 1t was clearly
right, that France should indemnify our citizens
for losses sustained by them under her Illegal s.
abominable edicts and DEGREES. The President
resumed the negotiations o his predecessors up
on that subject, and at length concluded treaty
of decentralization. An appropriation by the
French legislature was necessary to carry the
treaty into effect; this they refused to make; here
was something clearly wrong. He accordingly
recommends the passage of law authorizing re-
prisals. The recommendation is itself menace
The passage of the law will be menace of still
stronger character, yet in the very same breath