Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-03-05

The FRENCH QUEsTIoN.-The proceedings
IN the House of Representatives on Saturday, OF
which we publish tbs report to- day, are OF ma.
ture TO excite the deepest solicitude. III is eyi-
IDENTIFY the opinion of Mr. yingston, that little
hope remains Of the French Chambers passing
the bill for carrying the convention with this
country into effect aud from the tone OF Mr.,
Adams and the other speakers on the occasion.
and the tenor of the letters of Mr.. L.. we appre-
bend that measures in conformity with the sug-
gcstion Of the President may be rcsorted TO.
We say we apprehend this result, because we
are, in every event, against the remedy OF 're-
prjsals' II is one Ct barbarous origin and bar
baroHs results aud against the principle Of
which this country has heretofore uniformly
borne testimony. War, if necessary and una
voidable without diShonor, we will go Tor, and TO
the utmost Of our ability and means sustain
honorable, open, national war. But skulking
piracy, letters Of marque, privateerlng, where
thirst Of plumber, and Indifference to human lie
and human rights will enlist the scoundrels OF all
nations against our flag and under our fag-that
We abhor, that we will to the uttermost OF
our mower oppose, as preliminary peaceful RENE
DIV. Bad enough will it be, when II comes IN
the train ofwar, and as one of its worst evils.
But we are not yet prepared to admit that THIS
| is a auestion in which war must be the hrst ar
gument If the French Chambers reject the biii
! for indemnity, we would not renew the negotIa-
ton but at once resort to restrictive measures,
| we should evincc both prudence and moderation.
Moderation is not at once taking council OF pas
sion in a case where our wrongs are unuoupteu )
and prudence in gaining time, wherein to pre-
pare for the ultimate appeal to arms, II al last an
appeal should become necessary
We arc now VIGOROUSLY unprepared, Tor our
coasts are uncovered. The walls OF ous fortress
es frown, indeed, upon the presumption that
would seek to invade our shores but behind
those walls there is nothing. Not port on the
sea coast is in a condition 20 resist even an enc
ny's flying squadron. We say, then, prudence
moderation, and well calculated selfinterest,
requires us TO begin with restrictions, counter
acting duties SC This always upon the pre-
! sumption that France win not, on her part, be-
sidss rejecting the treaty, commit any overt act
of chastity, either by laying an embargo on our
sbins or secxn- 70 intercept our nleul''eiIa''S
IN squadron If she does, then we I s9y, 10y d'
or not, prepared or nnprepareoJ le' va ~ ~
clared on our SIDE. ,,...,,,;,;
We do not, however, apprehend the possiolli,-
~ of sueh a course on the part OF the Ffeneu
: Government The King, il is manifest by 4ii
Iivieston's letter, is truly disposed 70 iuihi 'ne
/ convention. His word as a gentleman anu az
I sovereign, was in terms pledged to Aif; hNH.ss
ton TO that effect, and MIR. /. does mol oouo' ,ua
I a was so pledged in good faith. The king, lheN
Will not even though the Chambers shouiI ~
fuse the indemnity. and even, after me Hes
sage reaches them, recommend measures =
hostiity-the King cannot lend h'inseh W ~
such measures While his sincerity remaln'
undonbied the question is one Ter us q tiiii'
merely. while the monarch VINO sanctione'
thr treaty, continues faithful in his desires am
efforts, can there be any obligations on our par
to interfere between him and his people or
assume that what may be mainly the tessl,
party opposition to particular system "a calcuia
tion Of domestic politics,-ls meant as ihJus''0
and hostility TO the United States
( Again, then, we say, no letters OF maFque an
reprisal, as a peaceful remedy but coua'eFae'
inc duties, restrictions, non intercourse an
these failing, or being resented by France " al
N Y AmericGn,