Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-03-12

iaacous standard IL must be measured by the founda
ton which naval power rests the extent and charac
ter of its commercial marine No nation possesses
powerful and effective commercial marine the United
States animated and invigorated, is by the spirit of
freedom.
The gentleman from Virginia may deceive himself, but
France knows naval strength and England too; and
If national rights maintained here they ought
to be, in spirit corresponding with the of
naval resources neither France England will be
willing to engage in with But, according 10
the argument OF the gentleman to he ovcrwhclm-
cd with some thirty forty ships of the line Sir the
ten thousand mariners whom we have engaged in
the whale tradc-tha drcadul trude'-arc alone suili-
cien TO sweep from the ocean the whole naval power of
France. Our mariners employed i'm the fisheries
coast and the Banks able of themselves
tend successfully with any naval power existing. The
naval resources of France may be great ships and in
her gallant oicerwhosc daring bravery nation will
disputc-but ships and officers are powcrlcss without
weldiscplincd and extensive ommcrcial marinc and
nations the most commercial must be the most pow
crful on the ocean, Ina with us, France derive
no aid from her army, though equal that formi-
dabe force which crossed the Ncmcn in 1912 The
If there be one, will be the ocean We have the
teriais ready tor an immense navy: have CONNER
cla narnci always ready to avengc wrongs and
could put ahoat in twelve months force with which
no nation could successfu contend do this
because anticipate with France Heaven forbid
that the peace between the nations should be-
disurbedboh nations have every motive cherish
and am sure IT never will lie sacrificed for fve-and-
twenty millions of francs. But, sir, the extraordinary
statements OF the gentleman from Virginia has compelled
me to dsspate the unioundcd apprehensons they
abroad We have nothing to fear from any nation,
the contest when it may.
The gentleman has referred the opinions expressed
py our ofhcers to the great superiority and discipline
OF the French navy at the present time Modcsty, sir,
Is the characteristic of brave Our officers will
never undcrrate those who are or those who may be
their antagonists. But the opinions of our officers can
never sweep away commercial marine, and while
nave that we shall never concede superiority to any
val power France has, too another powerful motive for
not willingly engaging in with If she should
attempt TO interrupt the commerce between this country
and Great Britain. to interfere with British vessels
ding between the United States and any part of the
wordf she should venture trespass her neutrali-
ty England would soon be party in the war
we mcan sir, to have with France We mean
TO avoid it, To do eiectually, the cri-
Sis fearlessly, and maintain national rights with dip-
nifty. Adopt that your rule of conduct in your rca-
tons with foreign nations, and you will command the re-
spec of the world and together with isolated posi-
ton, avoid war for century to come. France, sir will
herself respect the for tanning our riphts
with spirit and frmness. Gentlemen who entertained
different opinion must pardon him for totally dissenting
from the policy adopted by the Senate. A persuasive
tone is not the which will ever obtain indemnity from
any nation The tone of the Message, Justly responded
to by the gentleman from Massachusetts, mir Adanis
that which has commanded the respect of France as
ought to have DONE and the applause of nations France
respects us because respect ourselves For the frs,
time the French Chamber is awakened the true cha
ractcr OF the question Hitherto it has been FILTERED
away tred with, and lost sight of amidst the struggles
for power among the parties in that body; the
never looked abroad Now, 1t has become a great ma
onal question: IN which the honor and welfare of the
nation is involved and the will longer be
rihced TO crafty the spirit of party
ut BE- defeated it will be because both Houses did
not, at carly period of the session. respond to the
tone OF the message, by adopting of rcpr
sails at once, but by doing what about TO do
exhibiting firm determination TO sustain the rights and
honor OF the nation, should the obligations of the treaty
be not fulfilled But, sir believe the appropriation will
have been, will be, made The position of the
Chamber differs from this body and the House of Com
mons The privilege of voting in France is limited to
100000 voIcs; and the Deputies represent fully the
commercial and manufacturing interests of France thus
having deep interest in the question. 1t is essentially
body representing the cities and towns Of France Such
will surely sacrifice the great inte-
rests OF their constituents to CRAFTY party revenge and
IN case where France Is clearly in the wrong. But.
whatever France may DO let do duty; and with.
out desiring anticipating the worst let be prepared
for it,
regret, sir that have been compelled to engage in
this debate contrary to my wish design; for anci-
pate and sincerely desire nothing but peace between the
two great nations Will now, sir, adopt the form Of
resolution, sentiment which found this morning in
the report of the minority of the Committee Foreign
Affairs. Had such resolution been proposed i'm the
Committee, by either of the gentlemen who signed that
document it would have bcen with perhaps one excep-
declare that thc treaty of the 4th of July, 1881 should
he maintained and its execution insisted at all haz-
ards unite with them most cordially in the scnti-
mcu and hope the gentleman from Massachusetts, will
accept ii substitute for his. The first and third re-
solution will then be abandoned and trust that this re-
nimity.
The resolution then read, and being adopted by
MIR. Adams, modification of his resolution, was
placed in the order of proceedings in lieu the amend
ment originally offered by MIR. Adams 1t follows
ReSOlrcd That in the opinion of this House the trea-
ty of the 4t of July 1881 should be maintained and its
execution insisted on at all hazards.
(DeJGte 10 be continued.