Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1835-02-16

fransssns causes which induce Il have bern forgot
ten and he who by indifference and neutrality. ~
wen ~ by active opposition, aids and sbets n
iore'sn enemy, will always find that the people will
never forget Or forgive his unnatural course, aud
will always regard with Interpretation the strong
par'y feelings from which, overpowrriny even pat.
,'o.'sm i,sslf, such course springs. and by which
II IS Cherished and kept alive. "Oar country,
always In the rign,-but country, right o,
wrong was Tho motto ofthe gallant Decatur
ana should be that of every patriot not that VIC
"oo'u push our country into war for purposes
soe'y OF seu'aggrandl1ement,o oesggression upon
The rights OF other na,,ons but If, unfortunately,
snc should ever be engaged i, war without justice
on her side, her enemy mus, be met, and conquer
Cd The French people will find, TO their cost, If
they have, as Mr.. Livingston supposes. been in.
cuced 10 withhold from US our rights, already too
long withheld, by the superstition tina, tho Pres'
dent would not be supported in any strong mea-
sure ofrcsentmen, by the people, that they are
most cgrcgiousiy mistaken. The American people
viii engage in war with France most re-
luctantly but should necessity drive them TO II,
they will prosecute IT with an unanimty and sner-
Ky, 10 which, IN our late contest with Great BIZ.
ain, we were unfortunately strangers.
Mr. Adams's course, in relation 10 this matter.
we perceive, has given risc to some comment, /.
Is just such, however, as might have been expected
from him. because is in accordance with his whole
history. When, in 1907, Mr.. Jefferson, speaking
the sentiments Of the Republican party recon.
mcndcd an Embargo. as measure Of retaliation
against Great Britain for her repeated and Asgi
tious violations Of our national rights and honor,
Mr.. Adams, then a Senator from tho State OF
Massachusetts, IN which the Federal party, which,
with great unanmity, opposed the whole foreign
policy of Mt Jefferson, were decidedly Predoml-
nant, displayed like patriotic feeling. he
abandore the Federal ranks n soon rs the
Fcdsrnlisn abandoned their country in her
controversy with a foreign power; and. per.
ceiving, as he doubtless thinks he does, that
France has too long tried with VI, aud tina,
she still msnifests u determination to deny Us
hat justice which we have SO long in vaia
aske al her lands he dis lays similar American
feeling. Mr.. A. may be mistake in TIE necessity
for the exhibition oftais feeling because |, mey
be, as very forc,by urged ia the debate, time
enough to do this when the final action Of the
French Legislature shall have boon made known
on the subject, but no ono can object to the feeling
ITSELF which is the crcii,ubc to him, since il
ia a measure throws him GU, of tho ranks Of his
own party, aud presents him TO the public III the
light of an advocate of tho opinions Of the rival
who snpplanIed him in the Presidential Chair.
Would that there were more of tins superiority e.
party feelings abroad in the land. especially a.
mong our legislators and statesmen II there wcrc,
II would divest our political contests OF much oil
their unfortunate personality end acr'mony-
while 1t would elevate our national character at
home and abroad.
While, however, we psy this tribute OF epproba-
ton TO the general course of Mr.. Adams. wa must
not forget to say tina, there is exception to it
we mean, his charge, against the Senate, oil
e" lodging" this question, in tho Report, written
by Mr.. Clay, and unanimously adopted by that
body. In our humble opinion, even with tho new
developments before u.s. which have sterred Mr.
Adams 10 demand the immediate action Of the
House of Representatives, the Senate pursued the
only course which was OF all compatible with the
information then before them-and, indeed the dc.
cison Of tho House Of Representatives, aganst Mr..
Adamss proposi,iont 10 instruct ito committee OF Fo-
reign Relations 10 report orthwith on tho subject,
shows that that House enterlains even now, precisely
the snme oplnIonto wit, that II Is inexPedent Tor
Congress TO legisate the subject, until the hnnl
action of the French Chambers shall have been as.
certained Ifthat action should he favorable, a con.
lingcnt menace would DO impolic ne well as unne-
cessary--if unfn vorabe, tbs immediate execution
of our purposes will be better than suen threat
end will at least taka from that government the
roor justification, which otherwise they might
urge, in pallialion Of their course, that while The
subject AZ vel in doubt, threat wns held in ter.
,oyen, over their heads, which, it became ,hen
40 brave and chivalrous people, TO show, even by
an act Of injustice that they disegsrded, and were
prepared 10 resent.