Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-01-01

We copy the following article in re-
ference to war with France, from the
Augusta Georgia. Sentinel. The re-
marks of the editor are alike temperate
and iulicious, and such as will doubtless
be rst'o .ded to, by every friend to the
wril-being of his country.
TmE PEEslDGNr's MEssAGE.-The re-
commentator Of war with France is in
the highest degree impolltc, to say the
very best of it. 1t will, in all probabii-
~, forever defeat the object for which it
was intended; and most assurcdy, other
expedients should have been resorted to
every other before this. Why not be-
gin with commercial restrictions, in the
mldest form first, if we must begin at
all - Because says the President,
'ihese would affect us as severely as they
would France And does Gen. Jack
son suppose that our commerce will re-
main uninterrupted during a war with
France? 1t would seem so from his Ian
guage. That we have been trltled with
by the French Government, is not deni
ed; nor will Gen. Jackson, or any other
President, ever find the editor of this pa
per opposed to him, in firm, dIgnifed,
and prudent opposition to such conduct.
Nor would we be nice in weighing con
sequences, in contending for national
rights and national honor: but in defend
ing our rights, and our honor, we should
not forget the honor of others; nor should
we peril too much to secure triile, or
to avenge slight national insult.
Is it likely that war with France viii
secure its object? According to the bal
ance struck between the two nations,
France falls debtor to the United States
about million of dollars, Speaking in
round numbers. Is it likely that we will
come from the war with this much gain
ed, over our losses. The war of the
Revolution cost us, IN cash Si35, 1913, ,7O3;
in ships l2; IN men @9 ,O3l How much
the last war cost us we have not the
means of asceItaning precisely, but we
know that it left us saddled with ma
tional debt ofS 1913, 900, 900, I27, 900, 900
according to Secretary Mclean in
1881, y and that its whole expenses at
least equalled those of the war of the
Revolution. The object of both these
was infinitely higher than that which
Gen. Jackson has in view, in his pro-
posed struggle with France the last pro-
missed much higher reward from CON
quest; for Great Britain had conterm,-
nous possessions Of value, which we had
every reason to believe would become
ours in six months after the war was de-
clared.
But what are we to promise ourselves
from war with France i-Nothing but
a return of the national debt, with all its
evil consequences and bitterness, and
settled hostility between nations who
have been bound together by al! the ties
which generosity, love, and gratitude
could throw about them! What are five
millions of francs to these things? But
above all, what can justify war in the
present posture Of our relations with
France? II she has not been prompt in
dscharging her debt, she has not yet re-
fused to pay it, and it is by no means
certain that she would not have paid it,
but for this impsudcnt message. Ger
tainly the President is too hasty. Debts
are more easily recovered by mild than
forciblc measures--especiall from
highmindcd and powerful nation.