South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-02-28

tent Of the powers conferred on US by
the Constitution. But if he has mista.
ken the laws of our country, we will
not fall into the same error in respect
of American institutions. The letter
and the spiri. of those institutions au-
thorize US to consider the document to
which have referred as the expression
merely of an opinion wholly personal,
so long as it shall not have received the
sanction of either of the other two pow.
ers of the American Union. The
Message is an act of Government yet
incomplete, which cannot induce one
of those decisions by which France u
sually replies to menace or an insult.
We might have awaited, gentlemen,
for the course of Congress, in order to
regulate our own. But temporizing
system had neither the advantage of
restoring security to our commercial re-
lations, nor of placing them eventually
under the protection of reprisuls.-
Moreover, by such course the two
Governments would have waited the
one for the other ; and at the distance
at which they are, the legislative sess'
ions Of both might close, leaving so im>
porlant question still unsettled and
irritated by new delays.
10 this state of things, the Govern.
ment was bound to reject the system of
temporizing. The question of nation
al dignity was first entitled to its aiten-
ton. You are aware, gentlemen, how
that has been disposed of. But as the
treaty of July is not on that account
less just or less polite, as the proceed.
ing of the President of the U. States
could not enfeeble the basis Of equity
and reason on which that transaction
reposes, the Government has persever-
ed in its resolution to present it anew
for your consideration. The engage
ment being entered into, the honor of
France requires tina, it should be full
filled.
Ia this important deliberation, the
Chamber, we do not doubt, in carefully
watching over the national dignity, will
still bear in mind all the sentiments Of
good will and friendliness which for
more than sixty years have united the
French and American nations it will
give due weight to those high conside-
ralions of commercial power and mer.
camille strength (force merchande)
which have caused an alliance with the
United States to be looked upon as
one OF the unalterable rules of national
policy.
In holding this language, we desire
only to render homage 10 truths of all
times-to oppose these to trsnsilory
impressions-and especially TO declare
that France does not impute either TO
the people or to the Government ofthe
United States the sentiments and pro-
positions which the President has ex.
pressed. We wish only TO see in his
Message TO Congress an act (without
due retlection) of a single power; and
national honor does not the less require
US to persevere ia The policy which was
always that OF the Kings Government,
the policy Of loyalty to engagements.
You will scrupulous|y weigh. gentle.
men, the motives which solicit the a.
doption Of the treaty.
What we specially ask is, that you,
in examining it, as we in proposing it
have done, should free yourselves from
all predisposiions foreign to the ques-
ton itself-which is the right and jus.
tice Of the claim, and the commercial
advantages guaranteed to France by
the treaty.
Penetrated with this conviction, the
government lays before you anew,
through me, the project Of law which
| shall have the honor Of reading. 1t
was thought proper to insert condi-
tional clause therein, of which you will
doubtless appreciate the fitness. This
clause interdicts payments under the
sum fixed by the treaty until the inten.
ton of the American Government shall
be ascertained. 1t is our right and our
duty 10 render that Government res.
ponslble for any Of its acts which may
wrong the dignity or the interests of
France.
The following is the text Of the bill /:
Art. |. The Minister of the Finan.
ces is authorized to carry 10 the Bud
get Of each of the years 1886, 1887,
1888, 1889, 1910, and 184l, the sum
necessary to pay off in six terms the
capital Of 5000, ooof., in execution
of the Treaty signed on the 9TH Of July,
1881, between France and the United
States, and the ratifcatons of which