Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-01-14
GDe Gasftfs:
va.
THURSDAY. JANUARY IA. 1886.

FIRST went abroad among the American people,
the impression went with it, and 10 a considera.
Bile Extent became general, that the President
had said all that he ought to have said in refer
ence TO our relations with France, aad that al
though the tone Of the message was firm and de-
cisiye IL was, at the same time, in its general
character, concilia,ory and pacific towards the
conduct ofthe Government Of that nation. That
opinion, general as il had became, Is, at the pre-.
sent time, fast passing away, and another, more
deliberately formed, and supported by facts that
have come 10 light within the past month, is Ia
king its place, and opening the eyes Of alt who
are not blinded by partisan prejudice, 10 the true
situation Of our affairs with that country The pre-
sident in his message, tells the American peo-
pie, that he has given them, in that document, a
true account Of all that has taken place between
the two nations since the adjournment Of the last
Congress, aud for a while, not a doubt was enter
tanned as TO the accuracy or correctness Of the
account there given. Recent Developments,
however, go 10 prove that the message did not
contain q correct statement Of all that has trans
pired between the two Governments during the
recess Of Congress, aud that however much the
President may strive 10 conceal it in his message,
his real wishes would be best ~gratifed by delay
ing, as long as possible, or ultimately preventing,
an amieabIc adjustment Of the difficulties at pres.
ent existing between the two nations. There
has been it seems, if accounts from Europe,
and admissions Of one or two papers in this conn-
ty high in tho confidence Of the administration,
are to be relied on, a communication received
from the government Of France by the French
Charge d'AfIaires in this country, and by him
presented 10 the American Secretary Of State, in
relation to the Presidents giving to the French
Government, an explanation ofhis message OF "a
which the president in his message either forgot
to mention or thought proper TO conceal. Tins
communication, containing a staple statement OF
what would be satisfactory TO the French Gov
ernment is said 10 have been spufned by the
Secretary of.State, who refuse 10 receive or
even 70 hear it, AID at the same time informed
the French Charge that no negotiation can be had
on the subject Of the explanations required by
France. Immediately after the Transportation OF
the above transaction-a transaction intended
to have been concealed from the public eye, and
that will do any thing but assist in healing the
breach between the two nations, instructions are
given TO the American Charge at Paris TO ask for
the final dete smination of the French Govern
ment in regard TO the payment of the indemnity;
and in the event Of a feflsal,, to demand his
passports, aud set sail for the United States
This, we blieve, from what we can gather, is a
correct account of what did transpire between
the two governments daring the recess Of Con-
grcss although the President in his message
does not mention the above named communi-
cation. How the affair will end, or what will
be the feelings ofthe French nation, when they
learn that their friendly advances towards our
government arc rcpulsed with rudeness, aud the
last medium Of national communication cut off by
the recall of onr Charge, we know not, but we
viii be thesresult. One thing however, must be
admitted as certain; that is, the president did
not give to the public a true history of all the
transactions between the two governments since
the first day oG March last We arc not among
those who would wish TO sec the Chief Magis-
trate of the American Repa6lic apologize to
any nation for language that he may use in
communicating with the representatives of the
American people, far from it neither do we
admit the right Of any nation 10 demand an apollo
gy for language used in such communication;
bat We arc among those who W ish TO see the ru-
lers Of our land, when they profess TO spread cut
before the people a correct account Of an fupor-
tant Transaction, do SO in fact, and who cannot
discover any thing like Justification for ridely
REFUSING the friendly approaches of the Govern
ment ofFrauce in its endeayors to bring about an
adjustment Of the difficulties at present existing
between the two governments. The cavalier
and uncourteous manner in which the commune.
cation ofthe French government was received
by ouf Sec. ofStatc, at w ashineton-the denial
Of such Communication BY the president, in his
annual messaso-aud the abrupt recall Of Mr.. Bar
ton, will, it IS feared, tend still more to exaspe-
rate the sensitive French, and TO put still farther
fthc day for the restoration Of peace s harmony
between :he two nations, Should this happen
to be the case, upon whom must fall the blame of
lengthening out these troublesome and vexatious
difficulties? Or what motive shall be ascribed
TO those who thus rudely closed the door upon.
all further diplomatic intercourse between the
two nations? Would that the course Of the
administration in relation TO this matter could be
ascribed TO the dictates Of patriotism, and 10 pu-
rity Of purpose, which under all the circumstan.
ces, il is impossible 10 do. For it does seem,
10 US at least, as if the whole business, from the
%bungling and boosted diplomatic mission of Mr..
Rives down 10 the recall Of Mr. Barton, had been
conducted with the sole view Of clarifying the
administration of Andrew Jackson. and Of rem.
dering still stronger the chains Of party DONNA
ton which its edherents are ondeavoring TO fas.
nnon tho American nEonla .