Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-07-16

- <00osAy ~ CONTINUAL CO0tfOtcNlcS.u
lor. the night being acknowledged, ID
would be . duty 70 exercise il by de-
handing disavowd Of every phrase
they might deem offensive. and an ex-
piansdoo Of every word 70 which an
emproper Interpretation could be given.
The principle, therefore, has been
adopted, that no foreign power has the /
right TO ask for explanations of any
thing that the President, in the exercise
of his functions. thinks proper to com
municste to Congress, or Of any courseI
ne may advise them to pursue. Thus
rule is not applicable TO the Govern
mcnt Of the United States alone, but.
en common with il. 70 all those i'm which,
fhe constitutional powers are distribute
ed into the different branches. mol
such nation, DESTROYS Of avoiding for-|
e'gn influence or foreign interference
IN ats councils-no such nation, posi-
sessing due sense Of its dignity and
independence, can long submit TO the
consequenccs Of other interference.
When these are felt, as they soon will
be, all must unite in rcpclling il, and
acknowledge that the United States are
contending in cause common 60 thcm|
all, and more important To the LIBERAL
Governments Of Europe than even to|
themselves. for it is too obvious to es-
cape the slightest attention, that the,
monarchies of Europe, by which they
are surrounded, will have all the adj
Vantage Of this supervision OF the do
nestle councils Of their ncighbors. with.
out being subject 10 IL themselves. III
Is true, that, in the Representative Co
vernments Of Europe. Executive COM
munications TO Legislative bodies have
not the extension that is given 10 them
i'm the United States. and that they are !,
therefore, less liable to attack on thai.
quarter, but they must not imagine
themselves safe. In the opening adj
dress, guarded as il commonly is, every
proposition made by the Ministry
every resolution Of either Chamber,
will offer occasions for the jealous in
Preference Of national punctilio; for all
OCCUPY the same grounds. No inter
Communication of the different branches
Iof Government will be safe, and even
the courts Of justice will afford no sane
tuary for freedom Of decision and of
debate, and the susceptibility Of foreign
powers must be consulted in all the de-
apartments OF Government. Occasions
TOR intervention in the affairs of other
countries are but too numerous at pre-
sent, without opening another door to
encroachment; and il is no answer 10
the argument to say that no complaints
will be made but for reasonable cause.
land that of this, the nation complained
lot being the judge, no evil can ensue.
But this argument comedies the right
oi examining the communications in
|qucstion, which is denied; allow it, and
you will have frivolous as well as grave
complaints 10 answer, and must not on
iy heal the wounds of a Just national
.pride, but apply remedy TO those of a
morbid susceptibility. To show that
my fear Of the progressive nature Of the
encroachments is not imaginary, pray
leave to call your EXcellency's ai,en-
tion to the enclosed report from the Sc
cretary of State to the President. IL
ohcrcd for illustration, not for COM
2pIaint. am instructed to Iaakc none .
Because the Government of France has
taken exception 10 the President open
ing message, the Charge d'Afaires of
France thinks il his duty 10 protest
against special communication, and
to point out he particular passages in
a correspondence Of an American Min
lister With his own GGscrnment, to the
publication Of which he objects.
If the principle ] contest is Just, the
Charge d. A1aires is right; he has done
has duty as faithful supervisor of The
Presidents correspondence. If the
principle IS admitted, every diplomatic
agent at Washington will do the same |
and We shall have twenty censors of thcI
correspondence Of the Government and
3of the pubic press. II the principle is,
3corrcct, every communication which,
the President makes, in relation To curl
foreign affairs, either to the Congress-
or to the public, ough, in prudence 10 be-
previously submitted TO these ministers,
IN order to avoid disputes and trouble
some and humilia,ing explanations. nj
s the principle be submitted TO, neitherI
dignity nor Independence is left TO theI
nation. To submit even TO a discrecll
exercise Of such a privilege would bel
Troublesome aud degrading. and the
inevitable abuse oft could not be borne
1t must. therefore, be resisted at the|
threshold, and its entrance forbiddenI
into the sanctuary Of domestic consul
cations. But whatever may be the
principles Of other Governments. those
OF the United States are hxcd-the right
viii never be acknowledged, and anvil
attempt 20 enforce il will bc repealed by
The undivided energy Of the nation. n
pray your Excellency TO observe, that
my argument does not deny a right 20.
all foreign powers Of taking proper ex-
|cePtions 10 the Governmental acts andI
Language Of another. II is To their in
reference in its consultations. in its
proceedings, while yet in an inchoale
state, that VIZ object. Should the Pre-
sidcnt do an official Executive act, at
feeling foreign power, or use excep-